McKean County Court Records Search
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McKean County, Pennsylvania operates a multi-tiered court system that generates records covering the full range of civil, criminal, family, and probate proceedings. These records include case filings, docket entries, plea agreements, judgments, sentencing orders, and administrative documents. They serve as the official public account of legal proceedings in the county and are used by attorneys, researchers, journalists, and individuals for a wide range of legal, genealogical, and personal purposes.
Pennsylvania residents and others seeking court records have several options available, including direct access through county clerk offices, in-person review at courthouse public access terminals, and electronic searches through official online tools. For locating publicly available case information across Pennsylvania’s court system, PennsylvaniaCourts.us provides a useful reference alongside the state’s official judicial portals.
How to Look Up a Court Case in McKean County?
McKean County’s court system is part of the 48th Judicial District and includes the Court of Common Pleas, the Orphans’ Court division, and several Magisterial District Courts. The type of case determines which court and which office to contact.
Court Locations
McKean County Court of Common Pleas
Address: 500 West Main Street, P.O. Box 273, Smethport, PA 16749
Phone: (814) 887-3323
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
McKean County Orphans’ Court / Register of Wills
Address: 500 West Main Street, Smethport, PA 16749
Phone: (814) 887-3260
McKean County Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts
Address: 500 West Main Street, Smethport, PA 16749
Phone: (814) 887-3270
Fax: (814) 887-3219
Magisterial District Courts
| Judge | Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| DJ Luther | 22 Davis Street, Bradford, PA 16701 | (814) 368-5075 | (814) 368-4825 |
| DJ Engman | 116 Fraley Street, Kane, PA 16735 | (814) 837-7131 | (814) 837-7134 |
| DJ Todd | 625 East Water Street, Smethport, PA 16749 | (814) 887-5743 | (814) 887-5431 |
Online Search — Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal
The primary tool for remote case searches is the Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal (UJS Portal), maintained by the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania. Access is free and publicly available. The portal’s Case Information section allows users to search by:
- Participant name or organization name
- Docket number or case number
- Citation or complaint number
- Offense Tracking Number (OTN)
- State Identification (SID) number
Users should navigate to “Case Information”, select the relevant court type (Criminal Courts of Common Pleas or Magisterial District Courts), choose the appropriate search identifier, and enter the required details. The Public Web Docket Sheets section allows users to view, search, and print official docket sheets for Common Pleas and Magisterial District cases at no charge.
Are Court Records Public in McKean County?
Most McKean County court records are accessible to the public under Pennsylvania’s Unified Judicial System Case Records Public Access Policy. This policy, adopted by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, establishes the framework for public inspection and copying of case records while identifying specific categories of information that must be protected.
Section 7.0 of the Public Access Policy designates the following information as confidential, meaning it may not be publicly disclosed in any court record without a properly filed Confidential Information Form (CIF):
- Social Security numbers
- Financial account numbers, except the last four digits when the account is central to the case
- Driver’s license numbers
- State Identification (SID) numbers
- Names and dates of birth of minors, except when a minor is a defendant in a criminal proceeding
- Addresses, contact information, and employment details of domestic abuse victims in family court actions (name may be included)
When a filing contains confidential information, filers are required to use the Confidential Information Form and submit it alongside the main filing. Court staff redact protected details before releasing copies to the public. Requesters who believe they are entitled to restricted records must demonstrate eligibility and may be required to provide valid identification.
Certain record categories — including juvenile proceedings and sealed cases — are withheld from public access by statute or court order regardless of whether a CIF has been filed.
McKean County Criminal Court Records
Criminal felony and serious misdemeanor cases in McKean County are tried before the Court of Common Pleas, while summary offenses and minor misdemeanors are handled at the Magisterial District Court level. Criminal case records include charging documents, docket entries, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and orders of court.
Searching Criminal Records
The Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal provides free online access to criminal docket sheets for both the Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts in McKean County. Searches can be conducted by participant name, docket number, OTN, or SID number.
The Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Office at the McKean County Courthouse maintains criminal court records and offers in-person access, genealogy research assistance, and criminal record searches. Contact:
Phone: (814) 887-3270 | Fax: (814) 887-3219
Email: VMMadine@mckeancountypa.gov
Arrest Records — McKean County Sheriff’s Office
The McKean County Sheriff’s Office executes court-issued warrants, serves process, and handles courthouse security. For arrest-related information, contact:
McKean County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 500 West Main Street, Smethport, PA 16749
Phone: (814) 887-3454 | Toll Free: (888) 836-1950
Fax: (814) 887-5753
McKean County Jail
Address: 17013 Route 6, Smethport, PA 16749
Phone: (814) 887-2333 | Fax: (814) 887-3369
Statewide Criminal History
For comprehensive criminal history background checks beyond court-level case searches, the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system, operated by the Pennsylvania State Police, provides name-based background checks available online to the general public.
McKean County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in McKean County — including personal injury claims, contract disputes, property matters, landlord-tenant proceedings, and small claims — are filed with the Court of Common Pleas. The Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Office serves as the custodian of civil court records and handles all filings, docketing, and record requests.
Filing Fees — Prothonotary’s Office (Effective January 1, 2026)
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil Complaint (Quiet Title, Med Mal, Mandamus) | $116.75 |
| Writ of Summons (1 defendant) | $126.75 |
| Divorce Complaint (No Fault) | $136.75 |
| Custody Complaint | $147.25 |
| Motions (except continuances) | $25.00 |
| Certified Copy | $15.00 |
| Copy per page | $0.50 |
| Exemplified Copy | $20.00 |
| Civil Searches | $15.00 |
| Certificate of Liens | $15.00 |
| Expungements | $132.00 |
Arbitration limit: $50,000 | Magisterial District limit: $12,000
The full fee schedule effective January 1, 2026, is available on the McKean County Prothonotary’s fee schedule page. Payment by check or money order should be made payable to the McKean County Prothonotary.
Requesting Civil Records
Requests for civil case records may be made in person at the Prothonotary’s Office (500 West Main Street, Smethport) during regular courthouse hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), or by mail. Requesters should provide the names of the parties, the approximate filing date, and the case number if known.
McKean County Family Court Records
Family law proceedings in McKean County — including divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence protection orders, and adoptions — are heard by the Court of Common Pleas. Records of these proceedings are maintained by the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Office, with some matters also handled through the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court.
Divorce Records
Divorce records are maintained by the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Office. Requests may be submitted in person or by mail to 500 West Main Street, Smethport, PA 16749 (phone: (814) 887-3270). Requesters should provide the names of both parties and the approximate date of the divorce. The office also provides genealogy assistance for historical divorce records.
Divorce filing fees include: No-Fault Divorce Complaint — $136.75; each additional count — $56.25; Praecipe to Transmit Divorce — $25.00; Praecipe to List for Hearing — $40.00. Divorce packets are also available: 3301-C Packet — $20.00; 3301-D Packet — $27.50.
Child Custody Records
Custody complaints are filed with the Prothonotary at a first-filing fee of $147.25. Petitions or motions to modify custody cost $60.50. The office provides a Custody Complaint Packet ($22.00), Custody Modification Packet ($14.00), Relocation Packet ($25.00), and Contempt Petition Packet ($25.00).
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses and certificates are issued and maintained by the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court. Marriage license appointments are required — call (814) 887-3260 to schedule. Marriage license applications can also be initiated online through the McKean County online marriage license portal. To obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate, contact the Register of Wills Office at 500 West Main Street, Smethport, PA 16749, providing both spouses’ names and the date of marriage.
Birth and Death Records
Birth records in Pennsylvania are confidential for 105 years from the date of birth under the Vital Statistics Law of 1953 (35 P.S. § 450). During this period, access is limited to the person named on the record, immediate family members, and authorized legal representatives. Death records become available for unrestricted historical research generally 50 years after the date of death. Both birth and death certificates are maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Division of Vital Records, not by McKean County offices. Requests may be submitted online, by mail, or in person through the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
McKean County Probate Court Records
Probate proceedings in McKean County — including estate administration, will probation, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, adoptions, and inheritance tax matters — are handled by the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court under the Orphans’ Court division of the Court of Common Pleas.
Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court
Address: 500 West Main Street, Smethport, PA 16749
Phone: (814) 887-3260
Register of Wills: Wendy Yaros
Key Functions of the Office
The Register of Wills office handles:
- Probating wills and administering oaths to executors and administrators
- Issuing certificates of appointment for estate representatives
- Collecting probate fees and filing inventories of probate assets
- Acting as the Commonwealth’s agent for collecting Pennsylvania inheritance taxes
- Filing and recording certified and exemplified copies of probate proceedings
- Filing paperwork for adoptions and guardian appointments
- Recording all Orphans’ Court proceedings
- Assisting with genealogy research involving historical probate matters
Searching Probate Records
Probate case records may be searched through the Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal for cases within the Orphans’ Court jurisdiction. For older or paper-based records, in-person requests at the Register of Wills Office are required. Requesters should provide the decedent’s name, approximate death date, and any known case number to facilitate the search.
Forms related to probate matters — including inheritance tax forms, estate information sheets, and Orphans’ Court filing forms — are available on the office’s documents and forms page. A separate Register of Wills forms page provides additional resources for executors and estate administrators. Fees for probate filings are set by state statute and may vary by estate size; the office can provide the current fee schedule upon request.