Clearfield County Court Records Search
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Clearfield County sits within the 46th Judicial District of Pennsylvania and is served by the Court of Common Pleas, the Orphans’ Court, and four Magisterial District Courts. The county seat is the Borough of Clearfield, where the main courthouse stands at 1 North Second Street. The Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts, the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court, and the Recorder of Deeds each maintain separate categories of records, and understanding which office holds a particular file is the first step toward a successful records search. Court Administration oversees scheduling, calendar management, and policy implementation for the district, and can be reached at (814) 765-2641, Ext. 5010.
Pennsylvania offers several statewide tools for locating court case information. The UJS Portal Case Search, maintained by the Unified Judicial System, provides free access to docket sheets for Common Pleas, Magisterial District, and appellate court cases. Users can search by party name, docket number, or case participant. Clearfield County also hosts its own online civil case database, and the Register of Wills offers remote access through the Landex platform. For a broader overview of Pennsylvania court information and resources, PennsylvaniaCourts.us may be a helpful starting point.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Clearfield County?
The approach for finding a case depends on the type of matter and which office filed it. Criminal docket sheets are maintained by the Clerk of Courts, civil and family cases by the Prothonotary, and probate and estate matters by the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court.
Online searches can be performed through two primary systems:
- UJS Portal — Visit the Case Search page and select “Common Pleas” or “Magisterial District” to search by participant name or docket number. Results display docket entries, case status, and scheduled events at no charge.
- Clearfield County Civil Case Search — The Prothonotary’s Office provides the CountySuite Courts portal for searching civil case records by name or case number. A downloadable user guide explains the search process.
In-person access is available at two county buildings during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.):
| Office | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts | 1 North Second Street, Suite 124, Clearfield, PA 16830 | (814) 765-2641, Ext. 5013 |
| Register of Wills / Clerk of Orphans’ Court | 1 North Second Street, Clearfield, PA 16830 | (814) 765-2641, Ext. 2126 (probate) or Ext. 2127 (marriage) |
| Recorder of Deeds | 230 East Market Street, Clearfield, PA 16830 | (814) 765-2641, Ext. 2042 |
| Court Administration | 1 North Second Street, Clearfield, PA 16830 | (814) 765-2641, Ext. 5010 |
Public terminal computers are available in the Prothonotary’s Office for anyone who needs to view digital case files on-site. The clerk can also provide paper copies of case files for inspection at no charge; photocopies cost $0.50 per page.
Mail requests should be directed to the appropriate office, identifying the case by docket number or by the full names of the parties. Include payment for any applicable copy fees, with checks payable to “Clearfield County”.
For records maintained by the Register of Wills, two remote-access products are available through third-party software. Landex Remote offers a comprehensive search tool mirroring the courthouse software, while Landex Webstore provides a lighter search interface with per-image fees charged by credit card. Questions about either product can be directed to the OSS information line at (717) 274-5890.
Are Court Records Public in Clearfield County?
Pennsylvania law establishes a strong presumption of public access to court records. Section 213.81 of Title 204 of the Pennsylvania Code — the Case Records Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System — states that all case records are public unless specifically designated otherwise. The Right-to-Know Law (Act 3 of 2008) also requires custodial agencies to make government records available upon request.
However, several categories of information are excluded from public inspection:
- Sealed cases and sealed documents — Only a judge can order the unsealing of a case file that has been sealed by court order.
- Juvenile records — Delinquency proceedings and dependency matters involving minors are confidential.
- Mental health records — Involuntary commitment proceedings and related filings are not publicly accessible.
- Adoption files — All adoptions are closed to the general public; only a judge can authorize access after a case is finalized.
- Confidential personal identifiers — Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, state identification numbers, financial account numbers, and the names and addresses of abuse victims must be redacted from public filings.
Filers are required to use the Confidential Information Form and the Confidential Document Form when submitting documents that contain protected data. The Prothonotary’s Office makes the Public Access Policy and an accompanying flow chart available for download.
For non-court county records, Right-to-Know requests can be filed using the County RTK Form or the Court-Related RTK Form. The open-records officer must respond in writing. Reproduction fees for RTK requests are $0.15 per page (for 11 or more pages), $5.00 per CD, and actual postage costs.
Clearfield County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Clearfield County originate at one of the four Magisterial District Courts, which handle preliminary hearings, arraignments, bail determinations, and summary offenses. Felonies and serious misdemeanors are bound over to the Court of Common Pleas. The Clerk of Courts is the custodian of all criminal case files at the Common Pleas level.
Magisterial District Court locations:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| District 46-3-01 (DuBois) | 309 Maple Avenue, P.O. Box 452, DuBois, PA 15801 | (814) 371-5321 |
| District 46-3-02 (Clearfield) | 900 Leonard Street, Clearfield, PA 16830 | (814) 765-5335 |
| District 46-3-03 (Kylertown) | 131 Rolling Stone Road, P.O. Box 210, Kylertown, PA 16847 | (814) 345-6789 |
| District 46-3-04 (Houtzdale) | 251 Spring Street #3, P.O. Box 362, Houtzdale, PA 16651 | (814) 378-7160 |
Searching criminal docket sheets is free through the UJS Portal. Select “Criminal” under Common Pleas or choose “Magisterial District” for lower-court cases, then search by defendant name or docket number.
Statewide criminal history checks are available through the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system operated by the Pennsylvania State Police. There are two methods:
- Online request — Complete the form at the PATCH request page and pay $22.00 per search. A 2% credit card surcharge applies as of April 2026. The requester must provide the subject’s name and date of birth.
- Mail request — Complete the SP4-170 form, enclose a copy of a government-issued ID, and mail it with a $20.00 fee to the State Police.
Individuals seeking a notarized copy of their own criminal record should submit the SP4-164 form with valid identification and a $27.00 payment.
Expungement petitions must be filed with the Clerk of Courts. The Prothonotary’s Office provides downloadable forms for ARD-case expungements, Magisterial-case expungements, and Common Pleas expungements. The filing fee for an expungement is $132.00.
The Clearfield County Sheriff’s Office maintains three addresses — the Administrative Office at 212 East Locust Street, the Courthouse Annex at 230 East Market Street, and the Courthouse at 1 North Second Street — all in Clearfield, PA 16830. The administrative office phone is (814) 765-2642. Arrest records and the current jail roster can be consulted through the county’s online portal. The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections also offers a statewide Inmate Locator for individuals sentenced to state facilities.
Clearfield County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Clearfield County is filed with the Prothonotary’s Office. This includes contract disputes, personal injury claims, landlord-tenant matters, quiet title actions, mechanics’ liens, and appeals from Magisterial District Courts. Cases involving claims up to $12,000 (excluding costs and interest) may begin at the magisterial district level before being appealed to Common Pleas.
Key filing fees (effective April 1, 2024):
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Complaint / Writ of Summons / Petition | $145.00 |
| Quiet Title (includes final order) | $160.00 |
| Judgment (DJ, Default, Foreign, etc.) | $25.00 |
| Confession of Judgment | $25.00 |
| Writ of Execution, Possession, Seizure, or Certiorari | $30.00 |
| Writ of Revival | $25.00 |
| Federal or Commonwealth Lien | $25.00 |
| Transfer from Another County | $90.00 |
| DJ Appeal (must include DJ transcript) | $145.00 |
| License Suspension Appeal | $145.00 |
| Praecipe to List for Arbitration | $20.00 |
| Satisfactions, Releases, Assignments, Subordinations | $10.00 |
| Discontinuance | $10.00 |
| Exemplified Record | $20.00 |
| Photocopies | $0.50/page |
| Certified Docket Sheet | $1.50 |
| Subpoena (include case number and caption) | $3.00 |
The complete schedule is available in the Fee Schedule 2026 PDF on the county website. Overpayments of $5.00 or less are not refunded; an insufficient-funds fee of $25.00 applies to returned checks.
Civil filings require a Civil Cover Sheet (not used for custody or divorce). Self-represented litigants should also file a Praecipe for Self-Representation. Those unable to afford filing fees may petition using the In Forma Pauperis form.
Online civil case searches are conducted through the CountySuite Courts portal, which mirrors the public-terminal data available at the courthouse. Attorneys may file electronically through PACFile, the statewide e-filing system. The county’s Local Rules of Civil Procedure govern scheduling, discovery, arbitration, and trial-listing requirements for the 46th Judicial District.
Clearfield County Family Court Records
Divorce, custody, child support, protection-from-abuse, and related domestic matters are filed and maintained in the Prothonotary’s Office. Clearfield County uses the Court of Common Pleas for all family-law proceedings; there is no standalone family court division.
Divorce filing fees:
| Action | Fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce Complaint (uncontested, no other counts) | $215.00 |
| Divorce Complaint with Custody | $267.75 |
| Additional Count at time of filing divorce (e.g., alimony, equitable distribution) | $50.00 each |
| Additional Count — Custody added after divorce filed | $58.75 |
| Record Out-of-County Decree | $32.00 |
| Certified Copy of Decree (initial copies free) | $10.00 |
| Custody Complaint (standalone) | $185.00 |
Pennsylvania-approved divorce forms are available on the UJS Divorce Proceedings page. Parties who agree on the divorce use forms under Section 3301©; when only one party is filing, Section 3301(d) forms apply. The county also provides a Divorce Information Sheet and local forms for Custody Complaints, Petitions for Modification, and Emergency Custody Petitions. A Criminal Record or Abuse History Form must accompany all custody filings.
Marriage licenses are issued by the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court. Both applicants must appear together in person; an appointment is required. The license fee is $50.00, payable in cash only. A three-day waiting period applies (military members are exempt), and the license remains valid for 60 days. Applicants who were previously married must present an original or certified divorce decree or a death certificate for a deceased spouse. Individuals under 18 need notarized parental consent; those under 16 also require a judge’s approval. Marriage license records on file date from 1885 to the present and are searchable through the Landex platform or by contacting the office at (814) 765-2641, Ext. 2127 or 2128.
Birth and death certificates for events occurring between 1893 and 1905 are held locally by the Register of Wills; certified copies are $5.00 each. For records after 1905, requests must go to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Statistics, P.O. Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103 — Phone: (866) 712-8238, or through the Department of Health Vital Records website. Birth certificates are $20.00 and death certificates are $9.00 per certified copy from the state. Online orders through the approved vendor incur an additional $10.00 service fee. Walk-in requests can be made at a vital records branch office.
Clearfield County Probate Court Records
Probate, estate administration, guardianship, and adoption matters are handled by the Orphans’ Court division and administered by the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court. Estate records on file date from 1832 to the present, with computerized indexing from 1990 and scanned documents available from December 1998 forward. Orphans’ Court forms approved by the Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania Courts can be found on the UJS Orphans’ Court Forms page.
Selected probate and Orphans’ Court fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Letters Testamentary / Letters of Administration (varies by estate value, see below) | $30–$150 + $41.25 JCP |
| Accountings | $85.00 |
| Adoptions (includes JCP) | $71.25 |
| Guardianship of Incompetent or Minor (includes JCP) | $71.25 |
| Small Estate Settlement (includes JCP) | $71.25 |
| Will for Record | $30.00 |
| Citation | $20.00 |
| Caveat | $25.00 |
| Inventory / Inheritance Tax Return (Solvent) | $20.00 |
| Inventory / Inheritance Tax Return (Insolvent or Supplemental) | $15.00 |
| Certified Copy | $1.00 |
| Short Certificate (2 free at probate) | $4.00 |
| Marriage License | $50.00 |
| Birth/Death Certificate (1893–1905) | $5.00 |
| Appeal to Appellate Court (plus $90.25 state fee) | $35.00 |
Letters testamentary and letters of administration fees are scaled to the value of the estate:
| Estate Value Over | Not More Than | Charge |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $1,000 | $30.00 |
| $1,001 | $5,000 | $40.00 |
| $5,001 | $10,000 | $50.00 |
| $10,001 | $25,000 | $60.00 |
| $25,001 | $50,000 | $70.00 |
| $50,001 | $100,000 | $80.00 |
| $100,001 | $200,000 | $100.00 |
| $200,001 | and up | $150.00 |
A Judicial Computer Project (JCP) fee of $41.25 is added by the state for all petitions for letters, adoption or termination petitions, and guardianship petitions. Documents exceeding 10 pages incur a surcharge of $2.00 per additional page.
To search or request probate records, individuals may visit the Register of Wills in person at 1 North Second Street, Clearfield, PA 16830, use the Landex Remote or Landex Webstore online systems, or submit a written request by mail. When requesting by mail, include the decedent’s full name, approximate date of death, and the type of document needed, along with payment for any applicable copy or certification fees. Checks should be made payable to “Clearfield County”.
Property-related records such as deeds, mortgages, liens, UCC filings, and military discharges are held by the Recorder of Deeds at 230 East Market Street, Clearfield, PA 16830 — Phone: (814) 765-2641, Ext. 2042. Electronic recording is available through Simplifile ((800) 460-5657) and CSC Global ((866) 652-0111). All deeds require a Uniform Parcel Identifier (UPI) stamp from the Assessment Office before recording, and documents must be accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope for return. The Recorder’s fee schedule includes deeds at $79.75, mortgages at $79.75, satisfactions and releases at $59.75, and photocopies at $0.50 per page, with certified copies at $1.00. Residents can sign up for Landex Record Alerts to receive notification if a document is recorded against their name or parcel number, which helps guard against deed fraud.