Reading Pennsylvania Phone Directory
The Reading phone directory covers public contact information for the county seat of Berks County in southeastern Pennsylvania. Reading has a population of about 95,000. This directory helps you find phone numbers for city offices, police, courts, and local services across Reading. You can search for the contact information you need from publicly maintained records. All listings come from government sources.
Reading Quick Facts
Reading City Government Phone Numbers
The City of Reading operates under a mayor-council form of government. City Hall is the main location for administrative offices in Reading. The building houses the mayor's office, city clerk, finance department, and other key divisions. Walk-in service is available during regular business hours on weekdays.
Reading City Hall maintains records of permits, licenses, police reports, and other administrative documents. The city provides public access to these records under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law. Each department has its own phone number listed on the city website.
The Reading Police Department is one of the most contacted offices in the city. They maintain incident reports, accident reports, and public safety records. Emergency calls go to 911. Non-emergency matters can be handled by calling the police department main line during business hours.
The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records oversees compliance with the Right-to-Know Law across the state, including Reading. If a request for records is denied, you can file an appeal with the OOR at 555 Walnut Street, Suite 605, Harrisburg, PA 17101.
Note: Reading is about 60 miles northwest of Philadelphia and is the largest city in Berks County. Some services are coordinated at the county level through offices also based in Reading.
Berks County Records in the Reading Directory
Reading serves as the county seat of Berks County. County offices in downtown Reading handle property records, court filings, vital records, and more. The Berks County Courthouse is a central location for public records searches in the Reading area.
The Berks County Court of Common Pleas handles civil, criminal, family, and orphans' court matters. Court dockets can be searched online through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal. You can look up cases by party name or case number at no cost.
The Berks County Recorder of Deeds maintains land records including deeds, mortgages, and liens. Property assessment records are available through the county assessment office. These records cover all properties in Reading and the rest of Berks County.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health maintains vital records for the state. Birth certificates from 1915 and death certificates from 1906 are available through the Division of Vital Records at P.O. Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103, phone 724-656-3100. Residents of Reading can request these records by mail.
The Department of Health handles birth and death certificates for all Pennsylvania residents, including those in Reading.
Reading Phone Directory and Public Records
Both Reading and Berks County follow the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law at 65 P.S. 67.101. This law gives the public access to government records. Each agency must have an Open Records Officer to handle requests. You submit your request in writing and the agency has five business days to respond.
Standard copy fees are $0.25 per page for black and white photocopies. Certified copies cost more. Agencies may require prepayment if fees are expected to exceed $100. The law includes 30 exemptions under Section 708(b) that allow agencies to withhold certain records, including personal identifying information and criminal investigative records.
If your request is denied, you have 15 business days to file an appeal with the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records. The OOR reviews the denial and issues a decision. This process applies to all requests made to Reading city offices and Berks County offices alike.
The Office of Open Records provides training and resources for both requesters and agencies across the state.
State Phone Numbers for Reading Residents
Pennsylvania state agencies provide services to Reading residents through regional and statewide phone lines. The Pennsylvania State Police can be reached at 1-800-932-0586 for non-emergency matters. PennDOT handles driver and vehicle services at 1-800-932-4600.
The Pennsylvania Department of State maintains business records. You can search for businesses registered in Reading and across the state through the online Business One-Stop Shop. The Department of State also manages professional licensing through various boards.
Business entity records can be searched online to verify a company's existence and filing history.
The Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission enforces the Ethics Act, which requires public officials in Reading and across the state to file annual statements of financial interests. The commission works with the Office of Open Records on training for local government employees.
- State Police non-emergency: 1-800-932-0586
- PennDOT driver services: 1-800-932-4600
- Vital Records Division: 724-656-3100
- Bureau of Publications directory orders: 717-704-1029
- Office of Open Records: Harrisburg
Note: The 2025 Commonwealth Telephone Directory lists all state agency numbers and can be ordered by calling the Bureau of Publications.
Community Contacts in the Reading Area
The Reading phone directory includes community organizations, libraries, and social services. The Berks County Public Library system serves Reading and surrounding areas. Schools, hospitals, and nonprofit groups also maintain publicly listed phone numbers.
Reading is the cultural and economic hub of Berks County. The city has a growing arts district, several museums, and a minor league baseball stadium. Community organizations provide services in education, health, housing, and youth development. Many of these groups list their phone numbers through the city or county websites.
For social services and referrals in Reading, dial 211. The service connects callers with local resources for food, housing, health care, and other needs. The United Way runs the 211 system for the Berks County region.
The PA.gov state portal links to local services and information for all Pennsylvania cities, including Reading.
Berks County Phone Directory
Reading is the county seat of Berks County. County-level records including property deeds, court filings, and assessments are handled by county offices in Reading. Visit the Berks County page for a full list of county contacts and public records offices.
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