§1131. Custody and filing of required security documents.

(a) Custody.--The governing body shall direct the chief clerk or equivalent officer in a home rule or optional plan county to present the documents evidencing required security obtained in accordance with this subchapter to the recorder of deeds or equivalent officer in a home rule or optional plan county for recording. No tax, fee or other charge shall be imposed for the recording of documents in compliance with this section. Following the recording, the documents shall be returned to the chief clerk or equivalent officer in a home rule or optional plan county, who shall maintain the custody of these documents on behalf of the governing body.

(b) Department of State filing.--

(1) In compliance with section 809 of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, it shall be sufficient for a copy of the recorded documents evidencing the required security for county officers to be filed with the Department of State in accordance with deadlines established by the department.

(2) No other filing or approvals, except as provided in section 1133(c)(2) (relating to other requirements, references and approvals) of documents evidencing the required security for county officers, except that required in accordance with paragraph (1), shall be required as a condition for the issuance of commissions to elected county officials by the Department of State.

(3) Notwithstanding the provision of any other law, no tax, fee or other charge shall be imposed as a result of the issuance of commissions to elected county officials, and no fee may be imposed for the recording of required security documents or commissions.

(c) Copies.--If requested by the Commonwealth agency or governing authority on whose behalf a county officer or employee is acting as an agent, a copy of recorded documents evidencing the required security shall be provided by the chief clerk or the equivalent officer in a home rule or optional plan county to the Commonwealth agency or governing authority. No charge or fee shall be imposed for any copy provided in accordance with this subsection.

(d) Filing by governing body.--The governing body shall have the duty to file documents as required by this section.

(e) Retention of documents.--Documents evidencing required security shall be held by the custodian thereof for the longer of the following periods:

(1) For at least one year after the officer's term of office or employee's period of employment and, in the case of a county officer or employee who is acting as an agent for a Commonwealth agency or governing authority, for at least one year after the settlement of accounts with the Commonwealth agency or the governing authority.

(2) For the period of time required by the act of August 14, 1963 (P.L.839, No.407), entitled "An act creating a county records committee; imposing powers and duties upon it; authorizing the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to assist and cooperate with it; defining county records; and authorizing the disposition of certain county records by county officers in counties of the second to eighth class," or the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

(f) Evidence.--A copy of original documents evidencing required security, certified as true and correct by the custodian thereof, or a copy of the recorded documents evidencing required security, certified as true and correct by the recorder of deeds, shall be competent evidence thereof in any judicial proceeding, in the same manner as the original would be if produced and offered in evidence.

(g) Sufficiency of filing and recording.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, it shall be sufficient to file and record documents evidencing required security in accordance with this subchapter without further acknowledgment, filing or recording of these documents with any other county officer or with any other Commonwealth agency, except as required by this subchapter.