Filing a Right-to-Know (RTK) request allows citizens to access public records held by the City. You may file a RTK request with the City's Right-to-Know Officer. This can be done via email, fax, mail, or in person. Generally speaking, a response will be issued within five business days of the date the request is received. If additional time is required to prepare the response, the RTK Officer may invoke a thirty calendar day extension under the Right-to-Know Law (RTKL).

Submit Your Request:

Submit your request for records via one of the below methods, describing in detail the records you seek. This is the Right-To-Know Request form you should use: English version and Spanish version.

• Email: right-to-know@allentownpa.gov
• Mailing Address: City Of Allentown, ATTN: Right-to-Know Designee, 435 W. Hamilton Street, Room 519, Allentown, PA 18101
• Fax: 610.437.8701
• In person: Drop Box labeled “Right-to-Know” in the lobby of City Hall, 435 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101

Get in Touch:

You may contact the RTK Officer via email or phone to clarify the RTK process.

Right-to-Know@AllentownPA.gov

(610) 437-7545 X 7543

Important Things to Know: 

• Make sure your request for records is specific and concise. Identify the records you want as specifically as you can, so that the City can quickly locate them and determine whether they are public record. Don't ask questions. The RTKL is designed to provide access to records; it does not require the City to answer questions. 
• Submitting a request is always free, but you may be required to pay certain fees before receiving or inspecting your records. 
• When submitting a RTK request to the City, always retain a copy for your file. A copy of your RTK request will be necessary if you're denied access to any records and decide to file an appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records (OOR). If you don't have a copy of your RTK request, the OOR has no choice but to dismiss the appeal as insufficient.

Law Enforcement Recordings are not requested under the Right-to-Know Law

There is a different process if you are seeking audio or video recordings made by a law enforcement agency. You must follow the process established by Pennsylvania Act 22 of 2017. You can find more details about this here.

Appealing a Denial: 

If your RTK request is denied, you have the right to file an appeal with the OOR. You must file an appeal within 15 business days of the denial with the OOR. You must include your initial request, the agency's denial (if provided), and the reasons for the denial. You may also submit an appeal via email, fax, or in-person: 

Office of Open Records
333 Market Street, 16th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101-2234

OpenRecords@PA.gov

(717) 346-9903 / FAX: (717) 425-5343

Appealing Criminal-Investigative Records: If the denial pertains to a request for criminal investigative records, the appeal must be filed with Heather Gallagher, Chief of Administration, Lehigh County District Attorney's Office, 455 W. Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101.