Clarion County Court Records Search
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Clarion County, Pennsylvania, sits in the western part of the state with the county seat in the borough of Clarion. The county’s judicial system is organized around the Court of Common Pleas, which handles serious criminal, civil, and family matters, and several Magisterial District Courts that manage minor cases. The Clarion County Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts, housed in the county courthouse, serves as the central custodian for court records generated within these courts. Additional record-keeping responsibilities fall to the Register and Recorder’s Office, which manages estate, land, and vital records stretching back to the mid-1800s.
Searching for court records in Pennsylvania can involve multiple offices and online tools. PennsylvaniaCourts.us can help researchers understand the structure of the state’s Unified Judicial System before approaching the relevant clerk’s office. For active case lookups, Pennsylvania provides the UJS Web Portal as a free public resource, while physical records and certified copies require direct contact with the appropriate county office. The sections below explain where each type of record is held and how to access it.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Clarion County?
Online Case Search
The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal provides free public access to court docket information across all 67 Pennsylvania counties, including Clarion. Users can search by party name, attorney name, docket number, or date range. Docket sheets for Common Pleas, Magisterial District, and appellate courts are all accessible through this system at no cost.
For Magisterial District Court dockets specifically — covering traffic citations, non-traffic summary offenses, and minor civil claims — the county also links users to the same UJS Portal for docket sheet retrieval.
Court Locations and Contact Information
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Court of Common Pleas / Prothonotary | 421 Main Street, Suite 25, Clarion, PA 16214 | (814) 226-1119 |
| Register and Recorder’s Office | 421 Main Street, Suite 24, Clarion, PA 16214 | (814) 226-4000 |
| Domestic Relations | 160 South 2nd Avenue, Suite B, Clarion, PA 16214 | (814) 226-1033 |
| Sheriff’s Office | Courthouse Basement, Suite 11, 421 Main Street, Clarion, PA 16214 | (814) 226-7611 |
Magisterial District Courts
| District | Judge | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-3-02 | Timothy Schill | 22 North 6th Avenue, Clarion, PA 16214 | (814) 226-5170 |
| 18-3-03 | Jarah Heeter | Mendenhall Avenue, Knox, PA 16232 | (814) 797-5934 |
| 18-3-04 | Jeff Miller | 237 Broad Street, New Bethlehem, PA 16242 | (814) 275-2322 |
Office Hours
The Prothonotary’s Office and most county offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding legal holidays. Note that the office does not accept filings by fax or email. Payment for court-related transactions is accepted by cash, check, or money order payable to “Clarion County Clerk of Courts”. Include the docket number on all payments. If a receipt is needed, enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope.
In-Person and Mail Requests
Researchers who need physical copies of case documents may visit the Prothonotary’s Office directly. Those submitting requests by mail should use the open records request form available on the county’s website, include all applicable fees, and enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents.
Are Court Records Public in Clarion County?
Court records in Clarion County are presumptively public under Section 3.0 of the Case Records Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System and the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law. Importantly, access to judicial records is governed primarily by the UJS Public Access Policy rather than the RTKL, which applies to executive and administrative agency records. The UJS policy creates the framework under which records held by courts and court-appointed personnel are made available.
Categories of Restricted Records
The following types of records are excluded from routine public disclosure in Clarion County:
- Juvenile case information, including names and dates of birth of minors
- Adoption records (sealed by statute and not available at the Register and Recorder’s Office)
- Marital property inventories and pre-trial statements in family law cases
- Contact information of abuse victims
- Records related to active investigations
- Information whose release could endanger an individual’s safety
- Settlement agreements between parties
- Veterans’ discharge records (DD-214s), held confidentially by the Register and Recorder’s Office
All other records in the Register and Recorder’s Office are available for public inspection Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office will not provide legal advice; any legal questions must be directed to an attorney.
Clarion County Criminal Court Records
Jurisdiction and Custodian
Felony and misdemeanor criminal cases are heard by the Clarion County Court of Common Pleas. The Clerk of Courts division of the Prothonotary’s Office — staffed by Kim Baumcratz (Criminal Division, Ext. 2401) and Beth Stewart (Criminal & Juvenile Division, Ext. 2404) — is the official custodian for:
- Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) case records
- Summary Appeal case records
- Criminal case files
- Miscellaneous dockets
- Juvenile case records
- Expungement petitions
Searching Criminal Cases
Active criminal dockets can be searched for free through the UJS Web Portal by name or docket number. For minor criminal matters heard before a Magisterial District Judge — including summary offenses and traffic violations — docket sheets are also retrievable through the same portal.
Filing Fees — Criminal Division
| Action | Fee |
|---|---|
| Summary Appeal | $55.25 |
| Expungement | $132.00 |
| Refile Expungement | $10.75 |
| Certified Copy | $9.00 |
| Photocopy | $0.50 per page |
Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Records
For criminal history background checks — distinct from court case records — requesters must use the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system. PATCH is operated by the Pennsylvania State Police and allows online, mail, and in-person requests. As of April 22, 2026, a 2% processing fee applies to credit card transactions on the ePATCH website.
Mail-in requests use these forms, submitted to the Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository – RCPU, 1800 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110:
- SP4-164 — Standard Criminal History Request: $22.00
- SP4-164A — Volunteer Criminal History Request: Free
- SP4-170 — Individual Access and Review: $20.00
- Notary fee (if applicable): $5.00
Sheriff’s Office
The Clarion County Sheriff’s Office serves warrants, court orders, and civil papers. Arrest record inquiries and warrant information may be directed to the Sheriff’s Office at 421 Main Street, Courthouse Basement, Suite 11, Clarion, PA 16214, Phone: (814) 226-7611 The office’s email for civil matters is civil@clarioncounty.gov.
Clarion County Civil Court Records
Jurisdiction and Custodian
The Prothonotary’s Office serves as chief clerk for civil proceedings in the Court of Common Pleas. Prothonotary Jeffrey Himes (Ext. 2402, jhimes@clarioncounty.gov) and the Civil Division, staffed by Dawn Radaker (Ext. 2400), handle the filing and maintenance of all civil case records, including:
- Complaints and writs of summons
- Judgments, executions, and liens
- Mechanic’s liens and agreements
- Appeals from Magisterial District Courts
- Name change petitions
- Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders
- Passport applications processed through the office
Searching Civil Records
Civil case docket sheets are searchable at no charge through the UJS Web Portal by party name or docket number. The Clarion County Prothonotary’s Office also accepts in-person and mail requests for document copies.
Civil Filing Fees
The following fees are set by the Clarion County Prothonotary’s Fee Schedule:
| Action | Fee |
|---|---|
| Writ of Summons | $169.50 |
| Complaint | $169.50 |
| Petitions | $169.50 |
| Appeal | $169.00 |
| Writ of Execution | $32.25 |
| Default Judgment | $19.00 |
| Satisfaction of Judgment | $10.25 |
| Federal Tax Lien | $23.00 |
| Mechanics Lien | $28.75 |
| Appointment of Arbitrators | $33.25 |
| Protection from Abuse | $169.50 |
| Certified Copy | $9.00 |
| Photocopy | $0.50 per page |
| Exemplified Record | $11.75 |
| Appeal to Superior Court | $73.50 (plus $90.25 Superior Court filing fee) |
Magisterial District Court Civil Matters
Minor civil claims — those involving smaller dollar amounts — are heard by the three Magisterial District Courts serving Clarion County. Docket sheets for these matters are publicly available through the UJS Portal.
Important Filing Note
The Prothonotary’s Office does not accept filings by fax or email. No instrument is accepted for filing unless accompanied by the proper fee. Bad check charges must be repaid by money order or cash only.
Clarion County Family Court Records
Jurisdiction and Key Offices
Family law matters in Clarion County — including divorce, child custody, Protection from Abuse petitions, and child support — fall under the jurisdiction of the Court of Common Pleas. Two county offices share responsibility for these records:
- Prothonotary’s Office — manages divorce filings, custody complaints, PFA orders, and related court records
- Domestic Relations Section — handles child and spousal support case management and enforcement
Domestic Relations
As of July 6, 2026, the Domestic Relations office relocated to the Clarion County Courthouse at 421 Main Street, Clarion, PA 16214. All phone numbers remain unchanged:
Phone: (Direct Line): (814) 226-1033
Phone: (Automated IVR): (814) 226-1030
Fax: (814) 226-1034
Director: Jolene Menold
The Domestic Relations Section does not accept child or spousal support payments directly. Defendants can pay through ExpertPay, PA SCDU (by check or money order), MoneyGram (walk-in or online), or e-childPay online. Pennsylvania’s statewide child support enforcement is coordinated through PACSES, the Pennsylvania Child Support Enforcement System.
Divorce Records
Divorce filings and decrees are maintained by the Prothonotary’s Office. Filing fees include:
- Divorce complaint filing: $182.75
- Subsequent actions under original divorce complaint: $68.50
- Each additional county: $61.50
- Divorce decree copy: $10.25
- Retake Maiden Name: $10.25
- Divorce Master’s fee: $500.00
- Certified copy of divorce record: $8.50
Only the parties named in the record or their legal representatives may obtain certified copies of divorce decrees. Payments are accepted by money order, check, or cash.
Child Custody
Custody complaints carry a filing fee of $181.75, with subsequent custody actions costing $80.00 and additional county fees of $72.50 per county. Custody records are managed by the Prothonotary.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses and records dating back to 1885 are maintained by the Clarion County Register and Recorder’s Office. Requesters must provide the couple’s full names, including the bride’s maiden name, to facilitate the search. Each copy of a marriage record costs $5.50, payable by check, money order, or cash. Credit or debit card payments carry an additional $3.00 processing fee. As of June 1, 2025, the Register and Recorder’s Office is no longer accepting credit or debit card payments — verify current payment methods before submitting a request.
Birth and Death Records
Clarion County birth and death certificates from 1893 to 1906 are held by the Register and Recorder’s Office. Records from January 1906 onward are managed by the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records. Certified copies of birth or death certificates cost $20.00 each. Requests require a completed application form, valid government-issued photo ID, and the applicable fee. Requests may be submitted in person or by mail to:
Division of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16103-1528
Phone: (724) 656-3100
Birth records are restricted — only eligible persons with a qualifying relationship to the registrant may obtain a certified copy. Death records may be obtained by legal representatives or close family members; informational copies may be requested for genealogical research purposes. Certificates are also available through VitalChek online.
Clarion County Probate Court Records
Jurisdiction and Records Custodian
Probate matters in Clarion County — including estate administration, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, and adoptions — are overseen by the Orphans’ Court division of the Court of Common Pleas. The Clarion County Register and Recorder’s Office (which combines the functions of Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court) serves as the custodian for all probate filings.
Register and Recorder: Rebekah Weckerly (Ext. 2500, rweckerly@clarioncounty.gov)
Chief Deputy: Griffin Schmader (Ext. 2502)
What Probate Records Are Available
The Register and Recorder’s Office maintains the following records, most open to public inspection:
- Probated Estates — available from 1839 to present
- Inheritance Tax payments and records
- Orphans’ Court filings (1840 to present), including:
- Guardianships
- First and Final Accounts for estate settlement
- Miscellaneous Orphans’ Court petitions
- Adoption records — sealed; not available to the general public
Many of these records are accessible through the Infocon County Access System, a fee-based subscription service that provides 24-hour online access to public records held by the Register and Recorder’s Office.
Requesting Probate Records In Person or By Mail
All records are available for in-person inspection at the Register and Recorder’s Office, 421 Main Street, Suite 24, Clarion, PA 16214, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Written requests should include:
- The decedent’s full name
- The year of probate (if known)
- The case or docket number (if available)
- Requester’s valid identification
- Payment for applicable fees
As of June 1, 2025, the Register and Recorder’s Office has suspended e-recording and is not accepting credit or debit card payments. Documents may be mailed to 421 Main Street, Clarion, PA 16214, or submitted in person at 160 Amsler Avenue, Shippenville, PA 16254.
Active Orphans’ Court Case Searches
Orphans’ Court case dockets can also be searched through the UJS Web Portal using a party name or docket number, providing a useful starting point before contacting the Register and Recorder’s Office for physical documents.