Centre County Court Records Search
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Centre County is situated in the geographic center of Pennsylvania and forms the 49th Judicial District. The Court of Common Pleas, consisting of four judges who serve ten-year terms, is the trial court of general jurisdiction and handles all major civil litigation, criminal prosecutions, family law disputes, and orphans’ court proceedings. Six Magisterial District Courts spread across the county address summary offenses, landlord-tenant disputes, and civil claims up to $12,000. The Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts serves as the permanent record-keeping office for the Court of Common Pleas, maintaining both civil and criminal case files. Probate matters, marriage licenses, and adoption records fall under the jurisdiction of the Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans’ Court.
Individuals seeking court records in Pennsylvania can use several tools at both the county and state level. The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal offers free public access to docket sheets across the Courts of Common Pleas, Magisterial District Courts, and appellate courts statewide. Centre County also maintains its own Case Search Portal for civil records. Additional resources, including court forms and public access policies, can be found through PennsylvaniaCourts.us. Beyond online tools, records are available through the clerk offices at the courthouse, public access terminals, and by mail or email request.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Centre County?
There are multiple ways to search for court case information in Centre County, depending on the type of record and the format needed.
Online Searches
- Centre County Case Search Portal — The Case Search Portal provides access to civil court records. Searches can be conducted by case number, participant name, participant address, reference number, or date of death. A user guide is available.
- UJS Web Portal — The statewide UJS Portal allows users to search Court of Common Pleas docket sheets, Magisterial District Court records, and appellate court filings. Select the appropriate court type from the dropdown menu and search by name or docket number.
In-Person Requests
Visit the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office during business hours:
Centre County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts
Address: 102 South Allegheny Street, Room 102, Bellefonte, PA 16823
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Bring a valid ID and provide the case number or party name. Staff will assist with locating records and producing copies.
Email Requests
Submit a completed Record Request Form to: prothonotaryandclerkofcourtsrecords@centrecountypa.gov. Note that .ZIP file attachments are automatically blocked. Certified copies cannot be emailed.
Mail Requests
Mail the completed Record Request Form with applicable fees to the Prothonotary address above. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of time-stamped documents.
Copy Fees (Effective January 1, 2025)
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies (per page) | $0.25 |
| Certified copy — first page | $4.00 |
| Certified copy — each additional page | $2.00 |
| Criminal search (7-year range) | $7.00 |
| Exemplified record (outgoing) | $22.00 |
All checks should be made payable to “Centre County Prothonotary”. Returned checks incur a $25 service charge. Due to increased request volume, the office advises that some delay in processing may occur.
Are Court Records Public in Centre County?
Court records in Centre County are presumed to be public under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law and the Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania. Section 3.0 of the UJS Public Access Policy permits public inspection and copying of court records held by authorized custodians. Requests can be made online, by email, by mail, or in person during regular business hours.
However, certain categories of court information are designated as confidential and may not be disclosed. Under the UJS policy, confidential records and information in Centre County include:
- Social Security numbers and SID numbers
- Driver’s license numbers
- Financial account numbers and source documents
- Medical and psychological records
- Children and Youth Services records
- Minors’ names and dates of birth (except minors charged as criminal defendants)
- Minors’ educational records
- Abuse victims’ addresses and contact information
- Income and Expense Statements
- Marital Property Inventory and Pre-Trial Statements
- Agreements between parties in family proceedings
Requests for access to restricted records are handled through the Court Administration office, which also oversees Rule 509 requests. The Court Records Manager can be contacted at:
Court Administration
Address: 102 South Allegheny Street, Centre County Courthouse, Room 103, Bellefonte, PA 16823
Phone: (814) 355-6727
Fax: (814) 355-6707
A Rule 509 Request Form is available for individuals seeking access to records that may require judicial review.
Centre County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Centre County are prosecuted through the Court of Common Pleas, with all filings maintained by the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office. Approximately 2,500 criminal cases are recorded annually. The Magisterial District Courts handle preliminary hearings, arraignments, and summary offenses at the lower-court level.
Searching Criminal Court Records
Criminal docket sheets are accessible through the UJS Web Portal by selecting the Court of Common Pleas or Magisterial District Court option and searching by defendant name or docket number. For in-person access, visit the Prothonotary’s Office during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.) at 102 South Allegheny Street, Room 102, Bellefonte, PA 16823. The office charges a $7 search fee for a 7-year criminal search.
Requesting Criminal Records by Email or Mail
Submit the Record Request Form to prothonotaryandclerkofcourtsrecords@centrecountypa.gov or mail it to the Prothonotary’s address. Specify that the request is for criminal records and include as much case information as possible.
Statewide Criminal Background Checks
The Pennsylvania State Police offers criminal history checks through the PATCH system. The fee is $22, payable by credit card online. Effective April 22, 2026, online PATCH requests incur an additional 2% credit card transaction fee. A notarized copy costs an additional $5. Alternatively, requesters may complete Form SP 4-164 and mail it with fees (check or money order) to:
Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758
Inmate and Arrest Information
Current inmate information for the Centre County Correctional Facility is available through the county’s Inmate Listing page. The Correctional Facility can also be contacted directly:
Centre County Correctional Facility
Address: 700 Rishel Hill Rd, Bellefonte, PA 16823
Phone: (814) 355-6794
Email: geirwin@centrecountypa.gov
Centre County Civil Court Records
The Prothonotary’s Office records and maintains roughly 6,000 civil cases each year. Civil jurisdiction in Centre County spans contract disputes, personal injury actions, mortgage foreclosures, equity matters, and appeals from the Magisterial District Courts. The fee schedule, effective January 1, 2025, governs all filing and copy costs.
Online Civil Case Search
The Case Search Portal is the primary tool for searching Centre County civil records. Search by:
- Case number
- Participant name
- Participant address
- Reference number
- Date of death
Selected Civil Filing Fees (Effective 2025)
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil action / civil other | $178.50 |
| Divorce | $216.00 |
| Custody/visitation (separate action) | $189.50 |
| Custody contempt, modification, or special relief petition | $75.00 |
| Protection from Abuse (PFA) | $134.25 |
| Name change | $156.00 |
| Appeal from Magisterial District Judge — civil | $178.50 |
| Judgment note | $29.50 |
| Writ of execution / possession / revival | $35.50 |
| Copies (per page) | $0.25 |
Magisterial District Court Civil Cases
Civil claims in assumpsit and trespass not exceeding $12,000 are handled at the Magisterial District Courts. Records can be viewed or copied in person at any MDJ location during office hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.). MDJ docket sheets are also available on the UJS Web Portal.
| Magisterial District | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| 49-1-01 | 131 S. Fraser St., State College, PA 16801 | (814) 231-1420 |
| 49-2-01 | 1524 W. College Ave., Box 11, State College, PA 16801 | (814) 237-4981 |
| 49-3-02 | 3555 Benner Pike, Suite C, Bellefonte, PA 16823 | (814) 355-6739 |
| 49-3-03 | 118 Enterprise Dr., Philipsburg, PA 16866 | (814) 342-4557 |
| 49-3-04 | 2795 Earlystown Rd., Centre Hall, PA 16828 | (814) 364-1492 |
| 49-3-05 | 121 S. Pugh St., State College, PA 16801 | (814) 861-7406 |
An interactive Magisterial District Court Finder map is available on the county website to help residents determine which MDJ serves their address.
Centre County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Centre County — including divorce, custody, child support, and protection from abuse — are filed and maintained through the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office. The Domestic Relations Section, supervised by the Court Administration office, handles child and spousal support matters.
Accessing Family Court Records
Most family court records are confidential under the UJS Public Access Policy. Divorce records, however, are accessible to the public. To search divorce records online, use the Case Search Portal and select “Divorce” from the Case Categories dropdown. Other search parameters include case number, participant name, and participant address.
For records that are not available online, submit the Record Request Form by email, mail, or in person at the Prothonotary’s Office. In-person access is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Note that custody petitions filed by self-represented parties are not accepted after 3:00 p.m. due to processing time requirements.
Divorce Filing Fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce filing | $216.00 |
| Each additional issue (alimony, equitable distribution, etc.) | $49.00 |
| Custody as an issue | $59.50 |
| Retake maiden name | $22.00 |
| Final Divorce Decree | $6.00 |
| Out-of-county divorce packet (Section 3301©/(D)) | $50.00 |
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses and records are maintained by the Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans’ Court. Certified copies of Centre County marriage records cost $8 per copy, payable by check or money order. Requests can be made:
- By mail: Complete the Application for Certified Copy of Marriage Record and submit it with the fee.
- In person: Visit the Register of Wills office during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.)
Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans’ Court
Address: Willowbank Office Building, 414 Holmes Street, Suite 2, Bellefonte, PA 16823
Phone: (814) 355-6724
Fax: (814) 355-8685
Birth and Death Records
The Clerk of Orphans’ Court maintains county birth and death records from 1893 through 1905. Records from 1906 to the present are available from the Pennsylvania Department of Health Division of Vital Records. Copies cost $20 each; online orders through the state’s approved vendor incur an additional $10 processing fee. Applications for birth certificates and death certificates can be submitted online, by mail, or at any Vital Records public office.
Centre County Probate Court Records
Probate jurisdiction in Centre County belongs to the Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans’ Court, which handles the probate of wills, issuance of letters of administration, management of estate inventories, collection of the state inheritance tax, guardianship proceedings for minors and incapacitated persons, and adoption filings. The office maintains wills and estate records dating back to 1800.
Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans’ Court
Address: Willowbank Office Building, 414 Holmes Street, Suite 2, Bellefonte, PA 16823
Phone: (814) 355-6724
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Requesting Probate Records
The Register of Wills office continues to offer virtual probate by video conference — all probate appointments, whether in person or virtual, must be scheduled by calling (814) 355-6724. Requests for probate record copies can be made by mail or in person. Mail requesters must submit the Information Request Form with the applicable fees. A postage-paid return envelope is required for documents that need to be returned.
Probate Record Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copies | $0.50 per page |
| Search fee | $10.00 |
| Credit/debit card payments (by phone) | 2.5% convenience fee |
Payment is accepted by cash, check, or money order. Credit and debit card payments are accepted over the phone at (814) 355-6724.
Available Forms
The Register of Wills provides several downloadable forms for estate-related matters:
- Change in Safe Deposit Box Inventories and Notice
- Inheritance Tax Reference Sheet
- Filing a Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax Return
- Waiver of Fiduciary Bond
- Information Request Form
Additional Orphans’ Court forms are available through the AOPC Forms Website. Historical estate records and wills from 1800 through 1990 can also be found at the Centre County Library and Historical Museum in Bellefonte.
For property records related to estates, the Recorder of Deeds Office maintains deed records dating back to 1800, accessible in person during business hours or online through the county’s Web Information Access (WEBIA) system, which requires a subscription. The Tax Assessment Office provides property assessment information through public computer terminals and a separate online search portal.