Bedford County Court Records Search

Bedford County court records are kept by the Prothonotary and the Clerk of Courts at the Bedford County Courthouse. These two offices maintain all civil and criminal records for the Court of Common Pleas. Bedford County is part of the 39th Judicial District, which it shares with neighboring Fulton County. You can search Bedford County court records online through the Pennsylvania UJS Portal or visit the courthouse in person to review case files and request copies. This guide explains what records are available and how to access them.

Bedford County Court of Common Pleas

The Bedford County Court of Common Pleas is located at the Bedford County Courthouse in the county seat of Bedford. The court handles all major civil and criminal cases in the county. Family court matters including divorce and custody are heard here. Orphans' Court proceedings for probate and guardianship are also conducted at this courthouse. The court operates Monday through Friday with scheduled hearings and trials. Court schedules are available through the court administrator's office.

The Prothonotary serves as Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for civil matters. This office keeps records of all civil procedures before the court. All writs and processes are signed by the Prothonotary as the court's clerk. The Prothonotary also serves as the Commonwealth's agent for collection of tax on original writs. The minute book for Court of Common Pleas civil proceedings is maintained here. Naturalization papers and passport applications are processed by the Prothonotary as well.

The Clerk of Courts serves as the chief clerk and record keeper for criminal courts in Bedford County. All papers filed under criminal procedure are kept in this office. Criminal dockets are created and updated for all felony and misdemeanor cases. Appeals from Magisterial District Courts are processed through the Clerk of Courts. Bail bonds and related documentation are maintained here as well. Sentencing records and orders are filed and distributed to appropriate state agencies.

How to Search Bedford County Court Records

The fastest way to find Bedford County court records is through the Pennsylvania UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. This free system covers criminal dockets, traffic citations, and MDJ records across all 67 Pennsylvania counties including Bedford. Search by name, docket number, OTN, incident number, or citation number. The docket sheet for each case shows the court, the judge, all documents filed, and all hearing dates. No registration is needed to view basic docket information.

For civil records in Bedford County, visit the Prothonotary's office at the Bedford County Courthouse during regular business hours. The Prothonotary can look up cases by party name or docket number. You can review docket entries and view case indexes at no cost. Getting copies of documents from the file costs a fee set by state law. Certified copies carry an additional certification fee. Older records not available online can be found in the courthouse archive.

For criminal records, contact the Clerk of Courts at the Bedford County Courthouse. Staff can search the docket by defendant name or case number. Copy fees apply to documents reproduced from the file. Written requests by mail are accepted if you include the name of the party, approximate year of the case, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Include payment information or call ahead to confirm the current fee schedule before mailing your request.

Note: Local court rules specific to Bedford County govern filing procedures and practices, and these rules are available through the Bedford County government website.

Types of Court Records in Bedford County

Bedford County court records fall into four categories based on the court division. Criminal records cover felony and misdemeanor cases prosecuted at the Common Pleas level. These documents include charging papers, bail orders, motions, trial transcripts, and sentencing orders. Civil records cover disputes between parties over contracts, property, and injuries. They include complaints, answers, motions, court orders, and judgments. Family court records include divorce petitions and decrees, custody agreements, and support orders. Orphans' Court records document estate administration, guardianships, and adoptions.

The Register of Wills in Bedford County handles probate and Orphans' Court matters. This office receives wills for probate and maintains them in the official records. Letters of administration are issued for estates without a will. Inheritance taxes are collected on behalf of the Commonwealth. Adoption records are maintained with strict confidentiality. Marriage licenses are issued to eligible applicants. Guardianships for incapacitated individuals are processed and monitored. Historical wills and estate records going back to the county's founding in 1771 are preserved here.

Bedford County Criminal Court Records

The Clerk of Courts in Bedford County maintains records for every criminal case that reaches the Court of Common Pleas level. Each case gets a docket that tracks every filing and court event from the first appearance through final sentencing. The minute book for criminal proceedings is a historical record of every hearing and ruling. The office coordinates with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections for prisoner-related matters. Sentencing documents are distributed to the right agencies after the court issues its order.

Magisterial District Courts in Bedford County handle the earliest stages of criminal cases. Summary offenses, traffic citations, and preliminary hearings for felonies and misdemeanors all go through the MDJ level. Appeals from MDJ criminal decisions come to the Court of Common Pleas. MDJ records are searchable on the UJS Portal. Once a case is certified to Common Pleas, a new docket is created and maintained by the Clerk of Courts.

Under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101, Pennsylvania law governs how criminal records are collected and used across the state. For an official statewide criminal history report, use the PATCH system at epatch.pa.gov for $22. PATCH reports cover records from all 67 Pennsylvania counties and reflect the official information held by the Pennsylvania State Police.

Bedford County Civil Court Records

The Bedford County Prothonotary keeps all civil court records for the Court of Common Pleas. The office files and indexes every pleading from the initial complaint through final judgment and any appeals. Copies of all records and processes are maintained in the office. Judgments are indexed for property lien searches. Appeals from Magisterial District Courts in civil matters come to the Prothonotary for new docket assignment at the Common Pleas level.

Divorce proceedings in Bedford County are filed with the Prothonotary. The civil docket for a divorce case shows every filing, order, and the final decree. Custody and support matters are also part of the family court records maintained by this office. Road and right-of-way petitions involving local government matters are received and filed by the Prothonotary as well. All civil proceedings follow the rules in Title 231 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure and any local court rules specific to Bedford County.

Naturalization records from historical periods are preserved in the Prothonotary's archive. These records may be valuable for genealogical research. Passport applications are processed at the Prothonotary's office during regular business hours. The office also maintains petitions related to roads and rights of way as a statutory duty of the Prothonotary under Pennsylvania law.

Public Access to Bedford County Court Records

Bedford County court records are public documents under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101. Anyone may request to view court records. You do not have to be a party to the case. You do not need to explain why you want the records. Criminal dockets are available for free on the UJS Portal. Civil records can be viewed at the courthouse during regular hours. Both offices provide certified copies upon request with the applicable fee.

Some Bedford County records are closed to the public. Juvenile records are sealed. Adoption records are not available for inspection. Certain family court documents may be sealed by the judge. Personal information such as Social Security numbers and financial account numbers is redacted from public dockets under 204 Pa. Code § 213.81. The full case file held at the courthouse may include sealed exhibits or documents that do not appear in the online docket.

Note: Bedford County shares its 39th Judicial District with Fulton County, meaning one court administrator serves both counties, and some court schedules and resources are coordinated across the two counties.

Nearby Counties

Bedford County is in south-central Pennsylvania. If you need court records from a nearby area, check the county where the case was filed.

View All 67 Counties