Crawford County Court Records Search

Crawford County occupies the northwestern corner of Pennsylvania, with Meadville as the county seat. The county’s trial court system centers on the Court of Common Pleas, which maintains general jurisdiction over criminal, civil, family, and orphans’ court matters, alongside four Magisterial District Courts that handle preliminary hearings, minor offenses, and small claims. Each of these courts generates records that are regularly sought by attorneys, litigants, employers, and members of the public for legal, personal, and business purposes.

Searching for court records in Pennsylvania can be done through several avenues, including local clerk offices, courthouse visits, and statewide electronic systems. PennsylvaniaCourts.us provides a directory of courts and links to the Unified Judicial System’s online tools, which may assist in locating publicly available case information. The UJS Web Portal, county-maintained search applications, and the individual offices of the Clerk of Courts, Prothonotary, and Register of Wills each offer distinct pathways to accessing Crawford County records.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Crawford County?

The most widely used online method is the UJS Web Portal, maintained by Pennsylvania’s Unified Judicial System. This free tool allows users to search statewide court dockets — including those from Crawford County — by case number, participant name, organization name, offense tracking number, or police incident number. Results display docket entries, charges, party names, hearing dates, and case dispositions for both Common Pleas and Magisterial District Court cases.

For civil cases specifically, the Crawford County Prothonotary’s office offers its own Public Use Software, which allows searches by docket number or party name. This tool is not a substitute for legal documentation — certified copies must be obtained directly from the Prothonotary’s office.

Probate and estate records can be searched through the Landex Remote Access Portal, linked from the Crawford County Register & Recorder’s website. Users can create an account and search estate records from 1991 to the present, with probated estate indexes reaching back to 1800.

In-person searches can be conducted at the following Crawford County offices during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.):

Crawford County Court of Common Pleas
Address: Crawford County Judicial Center, 359 E. Center Street, Meadville, PA 16335
Phone: (814) 333-7498
Fax: (814) 333-7489

Clerk of Courts (Criminal Division)
Address: Crawford County Judicial Center, 2nd Floor, 359 E. Center Street, Meadville, PA 16335
Phone: (814) 333-7442
Fax: (814) 333-7349

Prothonotary (Civil Division)
Address: Crawford County Judicial Center, 359 E. Center Street, Meadville, PA 16335
Phone: (814) 333-7324
Fax: (814) 337-5416
Email: earnett@co.crawford.pa.us

Register of Wills & Recorder of Deeds
Address: Crawford County Courthouse, 903 Diamond Park, Meadville, PA 16335
Phone: (814) 373-2537

Magisterial District Courts:

Court	Address	Phone
MDJ 30-2-01	894 Diamond Park, Meadville, PA 16335	(814) 724-2736
MDJ 30-3-01	6121 US Highway 6, P.O. Box 128, Linesville, PA 16424	(814) 683-2120
MDJ 30-3-03	10996 Perry Highway, Meadville, PA 16335	(814) 724-6322
MDJ 30-3-06	324 W. Central Avenue, Suite A, Titusville, PA 16354	(814) 827-6514

Are Court Records Public in Crawford County?

Pennsylvania establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to court records. The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law affirms the public’s right to access government records, including documents in the possession of county offices. For judicial records specifically, the Case Records Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System governs what case information may be viewed, copied, or obtained by the public.

Records in the Crawford County Prothonotary’s office are available to the public, with the exception of court-ordered sealed records. The Register of Wills confirms that all estate records on file are public.

The Public Access Policy restricts access to certain categories of information:

• Confidential information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, driver’s license or state identification numbers, and dates of birth of minor children must be redacted from publicly filed documents using a Confidential Information Form
• Sealed and expunged records — Records that have been sealed by court order or legally expunged are not accessible to the public
• Juvenile records — Case files involving minors are confidential under Pennsylvania law
• Mental health proceedings — Records from involuntary commitment and related proceedings are restricted
• Victim information — Identifying details about crime victims may be withheld
• Active investigations — Records connected to ongoing law enforcement or judicial investigations may be exempt from disclosure

Crawford County handles Right-to-Know requests through its Open Records office. The county’s Right-to-Know Officer can be reached at (814) 333-7300 or by email at orofficer@co.crawford.pa.us. Request forms are available on the county open records forms page. The county does not respond to anonymous Right-to-Know requests.

Crawford County Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases in Crawford County are divided between the Court of Common Pleas and the Magisterial District Courts. The Common Pleas Court handles felonies, serious misdemeanors, and cases bound over from preliminary hearings. The four Magisterial District Courts conduct preliminary hearings, DUI arraignments, and handle summary offenses, ordinance violations, and certain third-degree misdemeanor cases.

Online criminal case searches:

1. Visit the UJS Web Portal Case Search.
2. Select “Participant Name” or “Docket Number” as your search method.
3. Enter the defendant’s name or case number, and filter by Crawford County if desired.
4. View docket sheets, which include charges, hearing dates, bail information, dispositions, and sentencing details.

The Clerk of Courts at the Crawford County Judicial Center maintains criminal case files for the Court of Common Pleas. In-person requests for criminal records can be made at:

Clerk of Courts
Address: 359 E. Center Street, 2nd Floor, Meadville, PA 16335
Phone: (814) 333-7442
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Criminal history background checks

For an individual’s statewide criminal history — as opposed to a specific court case docket — the Pennsylvania State Police operates the PATCH (Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History) system. The fee is $22 per check. As of April 22, 2026, online PATCH checks incur an additional 2% credit card transaction fee. PATCH returns conviction data for Pennsylvania offenses.

Right-to-Know requests for police records can also be submitted to the Pennsylvania State Police using the Right-to-Know Request Form, directed to:

Pennsylvania State Police
Bureau of Records & Identification
ATTN: Agency Open Records Officer
1800 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110

Arrest records maintained by local law enforcement agencies in Crawford County — including the Sheriff’s Office at 903 Diamond Park, Meadville — may be obtained through a Right-to-Know request. Public access to certain arrest records may be subject to restrictions when cases involve active investigations, juvenile matters, or sealed proceedings.

The search fee at the Clerk of Courts is $15 for up to five names. Copy costs are $0.25 per page, and certification of a document costs $6.00.

Crawford County Civil Court Records

Civil litigation in Crawford County — including contract disputes, personal injury lawsuits, mortgage foreclosures, equity actions, and small claims — is filed through the Prothonotary’s office, which serves as the chief clerk of the Civil Division of the Court of Common Pleas. The Prothonotary receives, files, and maintains all civil pleadings, motions, orders, and judgments. Small claims and landlord-tenant disputes within jurisdictional limits are handled by the Magisterial District Courts.

How to search for civil court records:

• UJS Web Portal: Search docket sheets statewide, including Crawford County civil cases, by party name or docket number.
• Prothonotary Public Use Software: The county’s own civil case search tool allows searches by docket number or party name. Documents viewed here are not legal records; certified copies require a visit to the Prothonotary’s office.
• In person or by mail: Contact the Prothonotary at (814) 333-7324 or visit the Crawford County Judicial Center at 359 E. Center Street, Meadville.

The Prothonotary’s office also handles transcript requests for civil proceedings. A Transcript Request Form is available on the Crawford County court forms page. Complete the form, enclose a check or money order for applicable fees, and mail or deliver it to the Prothonotary’s office.

Selected Prothonotary filing fees (effective January 1, 2026):

The full filing fee schedule is published on the Prothonotary’s website and covers civil action commencements, custody actions, divorce/annulment filings, liens, arbitration filings, and copy costs. Copies are available at a per-page rate, and certified documents carry an additional fee.

Property-related records that sometimes accompany civil cases — such as deeds, mortgages, liens, and UCC filings — are maintained by the Recorder of Deeds office and can be searched through the Landex online portal. Land records are available from 1954 to the present online, with index books covering records back to 1800 available at the Recorder’s office. Copies from the Recorder’s office are $0.50 per page when mailed or faxed upon written request.

Crawford County Family Court Records

Family law matters in Crawford County are handled through the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas. The Prothonotary’s office receives filings for divorce and annulment actions, custody disputes, and protection from abuse (PFA) petitions. Spousal support matters are managed through the Domestic Relations Office.

Divorce records

Divorce decrees are filed with and maintained by the Prothonotary. To obtain a copy:

• Visit the Prothonotary’s office at the Crawford County Judicial Center, 359 E. Center Street, Meadville, PA 16335, during business hours.
• Call (814) 333-7324 for availability and fees.
• Search the Prothonotary Public Use Software for docket information, then request certified copies in person.

Divorce filing fees are listed on the Prothonotary’s fee schedule. Confidential details such as financial account numbers, Social Security numbers, and child custody agreement specifics are restricted from public view under the UJS Public Access Policy.

Marriage records

Marriage licenses in Crawford County are issued by the Clerk of Courts office, which also maintains marriage records. To apply, both applicants must appear in person with valid photo identification. If either party was previously married, a certified divorce decree or original death certificate is required. The marriage license fee is $57.50, payable in cash only. There is a three-day waiting period after application, and the license is valid for 60 days. An online marriage application is available for preliminary submission, though an in-person appointment is still required. Application hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call (814) 333-7442 to schedule an appointment.

Birth and death records

These vital records are not maintained by the county courts. Birth certificates for events from 1918 onward can be ordered through the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s online ordering system or by mail to the Division of Vital Records, Birth Certificate Processing Unit, P.O. Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. Pre-1918 birth records are available through the Pennsylvania State Archives at 1681 N. Sixth Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102, Phone: (717) 783-3281, email ra-statearchives@pa.gov. Death certificates can be ordered through the Department of Health’s online death records page. Birth certificates become public 105 years after the date of birth; death records are restricted for 50 years.

Adoption records maintained by the Clerk of Courts are sealed and cannot be opened without a court order.

Crawford County Probate Court Records

Probate matters in Crawford County are handled by two offices working together: the Register of Wills and the Orphans’ Court Division of the Court of Common Pleas. The Register of Wills admits wills to probate, appoints personal representatives, and collects Pennsylvania inheritance tax. Contested estates, guardianships, trust disputes, and formal accountings go before the Orphans’ Court, which operates through the Clerk of Courts.

How to search probate records:

• Landex online portal: The Register of Wills online search provides access to estate records from 1991 to the present. Create an account, select Crawford County, and search by decedent name or case number. Probated estate records reaching back to 1800, including many original wills, are on file.
• Will Index books: Physical will indexes covering 1800–1974 and 1975–2000 are available for research at the Register of Wills office.
• UJS Web Portal: The case search can locate Orphans’ Court docket information.
• In person or by mail: Visit or write to the Register of Wills at the Crawford County Courthouse:

Register of Wills & Recorder of Deeds
Address: 903 Diamond Park, Meadville, PA 16335
Phone: (814) 373-2537
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Fees and requirements:

• Opening an estate requires filing a death certificate along with a $7.00 filing fee.
• The search fee for the office to look up records is $15.00 for up to five names.
• Copies are $0.25 per page unless otherwise specified.
• Certification costs $6.00 per document.
• Copies can be mailed or faxed at $0.50 per page upon written request with accompanying fees.

All estate records on file with the Register of Wills are public records. The Orphans’ Court Clerk at (814) 333-7442 handles adoption-related records, guardianship filings, and appeals from the Register of Wills. The full Register of Wills fee schedule is published on the county website, with fees updated effective November 17, 2025.