Cambria County Court Records Search
Cambria County court records are maintained by the Court of Common Pleas in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania. The county is part of the 47th Judicial District. Criminal records are held by the Clerk of Courts, and civil records are kept by the Prothonotary. Both offices are located at 200 South Center Street in Ebensburg. Whether you need to look up a case online or visit in person, this guide covers how to find and obtain Cambria County court records quickly.
Cambria County Quick Facts
Cambria County Court of Common Pleas
The Cambria County Court of Common Pleas is the main trial court for the county. It sits at the 47th Judicial District level and handles criminal, civil, family, and orphans' court matters. The courthouse is at 200 South Center Street, Ebensburg, PA 15931. Court Administrator Nicole Arrington oversees daily operations and can be reached at (814) 472-1552.
Two elected row offices handle records access in Cambria County. The Prothonotary keeps all civil court records. The Clerk of Courts maintains all criminal case files. Both offices are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Phone numbers differ by division: the Criminal Division is at (814) 472-1560, the Civil Division at (814) 472-1561, and the Prothonotary at (814) 472-1638. The Clerk of Courts can be reached at 814-472-1540. You can also fax court-related requests to (814) 472-8393.
The Court of Common Pleas holds original jurisdiction over cases not assigned exclusively to another court. It also holds appellate jurisdiction over judgments from special courts and certain state agencies. This broad scope means most major legal matters in Cambria County pass through this court system.
The Cambria County Court Administration page at cambriacountypa.gov provides official information on divisions, contacts, and court operations.
The court administration page lists current contacts, hours, and division-specific phone numbers for Cambria County.
How to Search Cambria County Court Records
You have two main ways to search Cambria County court records. Online searches through the UJS Portal work well for finding basic case details. In-person visits to the courthouse give you access to the full file and allow you to request certified copies on the spot. Both methods are open to the public in Cambria County.
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us is a free tool for searching court records across all 67 counties, including Cambria. You can search by party name, docket number, OTN, or citation number. Results show docket sheets with the court name, assigned judge, documents filed, hearings scheduled, and current case status. Criminal and traffic cases from Cambria County's Magisterial District Courts also appear in the portal. This is often the fastest starting point for any Cambria County court records search.
The Cambria County Civil Court Case Management System also provides an online search portal for civil records. The Prothonotary's office supports free civil case searches by participant name or case number. This system includes historical records going back many years. For documents linked to cases filed since 2000, you can view them directly through the system.
To visit in person, go to 200 South Center Street in Ebensburg during business hours. Staff at both the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts offices can look up cases and make copies. Copy fees are capped at $0.25 per page under state law. Bring a photo ID and the name of the party or case number if you have it. Older records may take extra time to retrieve from storage.
Note: The Records Storage facility for Cambria County is at 1150 Wilmore Road, Ebensburg, and can be reached at (814) 472-2353 for questions about archived materials.
Types of Court Records in Cambria County
Cambria County court records cover a wide range of case types. Criminal records document charges, hearings, pleas, verdicts, and sentences for felony and misdemeanor cases. Civil records include lawsuits, judgments, and liens filed in the Court of Common Pleas. Family court records cover divorce, custody, and support matters. Orphans' court records deal with probate, wills, and guardianships. Each type is managed by a different office at the Cambria County Courthouse.
Docket sheets from the UJS Portal are a key resource. They show all actions taken in a case, including motions filed, hearings held, and judge assignments. These sheets are available for both criminal and civil cases in Cambria County. They do not contain the full text of each document, but they show the timeline of every filing and event in the case record.
Orphans' court records at the Register of Wills office are located at Suite 144, 200 South Center Street. That office handles wills, probate, guardianships for minors and incapacitated adults, and marriage licenses. Plain copies from that office are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $8.50 per document. Adoption records are sealed and not available to the public.
Cambria County Criminal Court Records
The Clerk of Courts at 814-472-1540 maintains all criminal records for Cambria County's Court of Common Pleas. This includes records for felony and misdemeanor cases from the point of initial filing through final disposition. The office coordinates with the District Attorney for case processing and ensures records are retained according to state guidelines.
Public access to criminal case records in Cambria County is available in person or by written request. The copy fee is no more than $0.25 per page per state law. For official criminal history reports, the Pennsylvania State Police runs the PATCH system at epatch.pa.gov. PATCH provides certified criminal history records for $22 per search. This is useful when you need a formal record for legal or personal purposes.
Magisterial District Courts in Cambria County handle preliminary hearings, summary offenses, traffic violations, and minor civil claims under $12,000. Records from these lower courts also appear in the UJS Portal. If a case moves from a Magisterial District Court to the Court of Common Pleas, both sets of records are available through the portal.
Cambria County Civil Court Records
The Prothonotary at (814) 472-1638 is the civil records custodian for Cambria County. This office maintains all filings for civil cases in the Court of Common Pleas, including lawsuits, judgments, liens, divorce cases, and custody matters. The free online civil case search portal allows you to search by participant name or case number from any computer.
Historical civil records in the Prothonotary's office go back many years. Online docket access extends to earlier cases, and documents are linked for cases filed starting in 2000. For older records not available online, you must visit the courthouse or submit a written request. Copy fees are $0.25 per page. The Prothonotary's fax number is (814) 472-5632 for written request submissions.
Note: Civil and criminal records are kept in separate offices in Cambria County. Make sure you contact the right office for the type of record you need.
Court Record Access in Cambria County
Most Cambria County court records are open to the public under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101. You do not need to be a party to a case to view public court records. The Electronic Case Record Public Access Policy under 204 Pa. Code § 213.81 governs what information may appear in online records versus what is available only in person at the courthouse.
Some records are restricted or sealed. Juvenile case records are confidential. Adoption records are sealed by law. Certain financial details in family court matters may be redacted from public copies. Mental health records and some victim information may also be withheld. These limits apply statewide and are not unique to Cambria County.
To submit a formal open records request in Cambria County, use the Right-to-Know request form available online. The Open Records Officer is Melissa Kestermont, reachable at (814) 472-1607, fax (814) 472-6940, or by email at mkestermont@co.cambria.pa.us. Under state law, the county must respond within five business days. A 30-day extension is allowed for complex requests, with written notice required. You can also visit openrecords.pa.gov for statewide guidance on records requests.
Cambria County Orphans Court and Probate Records
The Register of Wills handles probate and orphans' court matters in Cambria County. The office is at Suite 144, 200 South Center Street, Ebensburg, PA 15931. The phone number is 814-472-3080. This office processes wills, estate inventories, and accounts. It also establishes guardianships for minors and incapacitated adults and issues marriage licenses.
Probate records in Cambria County are generally public. Anyone can request copies of a filed will or estate account. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page and certified copies are $8.50 per document. If you are researching a family member's estate or need proof of inheritance, the Register of Wills is the right starting point. For questions, the fax number is (814) 317-1600.
Orphans' court proceedings cover guardianships and adoptions in addition to probate. Adoption records are sealed and cannot be accessed by the public. All other orphans' court files are open for inspection during business hours at the Cambria County Courthouse.
Nearby Counties
Cambria County borders several other Pennsylvania counties. If your case was filed in a neighboring county, you will need to contact that county's court system directly.