Clearfield County Court Records Search
Clearfield County court records are maintained at the Court of Common Pleas in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. The county is part of the 46th Judicial District. The Prothonotary handles civil case records, while the Clerk of Courts maintains criminal files. Family court matters including divorce and custody are processed through the Prothonotary's office. This guide covers how to search Clearfield County court records using the free UJS Portal, county offices in Clearfield, and written request options.
Clearfield County Quick Facts
Clearfield County Court of Common Pleas
The Clearfield County Court of Common Pleas is the main trial court for the 46th Judicial District. The courthouse is in Clearfield, the county seat. The court handles civil, criminal, family, and orphans' court matters. Brian K. Spencer serves as the elected Prothonotary, the chief civil records officer for Clearfield County. The Clerk of Courts serves as the criminal records custodian.
Both offices are open Monday through Friday at the Clearfield County Courthouse. Copy fees apply for all document reproduction. The county's official website at clearfieldcounty.org provides contact information for the Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts, and Register of Wills. Local court rules govern procedures in Clearfield County and are available from the court administrator upon request.
The Court of Common Pleas has original jurisdiction over all cases not exclusively assigned to another court, and appellate jurisdiction over judgments from Magisterial District Courts. This means most major legal matters in Clearfield County, from criminal trials to complex civil lawsuits, are handled at the Common Pleas level.
The Clearfield County government website provides access to court office contacts and services available at the Clearfield courthouse.
The county website lists the Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts, and other offices with contact information for records requests in Clearfield County.
How to Search Clearfield County Court Records
The Pennsylvania UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us is free and covers criminal and traffic records for Clearfield County. You can search by party name, docket number, OTN, or citation number. Results include docket sheets that show every event in a case, including hearings, filings, judge assignments, and case status. Clearfield County criminal cases from the Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts all appear in the portal.
For civil records, visit the Clearfield County Courthouse in person or contact the Prothonotary by phone. Brian K. Spencer's office maintains all civil filings, family court records, and judgment liens. Staff can search the docket index by party name or case number. Copy fees apply for any documents you receive. If you have a specific case number, searches are faster. Without a case number, a name search will return a list of matching cases for you to review.
Written requests for court records are accepted at both the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts offices. Include the party name, approximate case date, case number if known, and a description of the documents you need. Allow several business days for staff to locate and process older records. Historical records may require additional time if they are not in the active filing system.
Note: Genealogical records and older historical court records may be available through the Register of Wills office, which handles historical will and estate filings in Clearfield County.
Types of Court Records in Clearfield County
Clearfield County court records cover several case types. Criminal records include all felony and misdemeanor cases handled by the Court of Common Pleas. Civil records cover lawsuits, property disputes, judgment liens, and equity matters. Family court records include divorce, custody, and support filings. Orphans' court records deal with wills, estate administration, and guardianships. Each type is managed by a specific office at the courthouse in Clearfield.
Juvenile case records in Clearfield County have restricted access under state law. These records are kept separate from adult criminal files and are not open to the general public. Bail proceedings and bond records are also maintained by the Clerk of Courts and are generally public. Appeal documentation is processed through the Clerk's office when cases move to higher courts.
Clearfield County Criminal Court Records
The Clerk of Courts is the official criminal records custodian for Clearfield County. All criminal case files for the Court of Common Pleas are maintained from initial filing through disposition and any post-conviction proceedings. Fines and costs collected in criminal cases are distributed through the Clerk's office. Appeals to higher courts are also processed here.
Magisterial District Courts in Clearfield County handle preliminary hearings for criminal charges, summary offenses, traffic violations, and civil claims under $12,000. Records from these courts appear in the UJS Portal alongside Court of Common Pleas dockets. When a case moves from an MDJ court to the Common Pleas level, both records appear in portal searches, giving you the full history of the case from start to finish.
For an official statewide criminal history, the PATCH system at epatch.pa.gov is the right tool. PATCH is operated by the Pennsylvania State Police and charges $22 per search. This system covers criminal history from all Pennsylvania counties, not just Clearfield, and produces a certified report useful for legal proceedings.
Clearfield County Civil Court Records
Brian K. Spencer, the Prothonotary for Clearfield County, maintains all civil court records. This includes civil lawsuits, family court matters such as divorce and custody, and recorded judgments and liens. All civil complaints must be filed through the Prothonotary. Filing fees are collected at the time of filing per state statute. The office is open Monday through Friday at the Clearfield courthouse.
Civil judgment records in Clearfield County are indexed and can be searched by party name. These records are important for anyone doing a title search on real property or checking for outstanding debts against an individual or business. Clearfield County judgments are recorded in the Prothonotary's docket and carry legal weight within the county. If a judgment is unsatisfied, it may appear as a lien against property in the county.
Family court records including divorce decrees, custody orders, and protection from abuse orders are part of the civil docket in Clearfield County. Anyone can request access to these records during business hours. Some sensitive family law details may be redacted, but the core case record is generally public under Pennsylvania law.
Court Record Access in Clearfield County
Clearfield County court records are public under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101. Any person may view public court records without being a party to a case. The Clearfield County Courthouse is open Monday through Friday for in-person access. Written requests are also accepted for specific documents when you cannot visit in person.
Pennsylvania's Electronic Case Record Public Access Policy under 204 Pa. Code § 213.81 limits what personal information appears in online records. This policy protects Social Security numbers, financial account details, and similar sensitive data. Full document access in Clearfield County may require a courthouse visit even when the docket entry is visible online. The UJS Portal shows docket summaries, not the full documents, for most case types.
For statewide guidance on open records requests, visit openrecords.pa.gov. The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records handles appeals if a records request is denied at the county level. Clearfield County must respond to Right-to-Know requests within five business days under state law.
Clearfield County Probate and Will Records
The Register of Wills in Clearfield County handles probate records, will filings, and estate administration. Wills filed for safekeeping and probate are maintained in this office. Guardianship proceedings for minors and incapacitated adults are processed through the Register of Wills. Marriage licenses are issued by this office as well.
Historical records in the Register of Wills office are available for genealogical research. Clearfield County's history stretches back to the early 1800s, and estate records from that era may be available in the archives. Anyone can visit the courthouse to search probate records during business hours. Certified copies of wills and estate papers are available for a fee.
Clearfield County borders Centre, Cameron, Elk, Jefferson, and Blair counties. Estates and court matters near those county lines may have been filed in a neighboring jurisdiction. The UJS Portal is a useful starting point for finding which county handles a particular case.
Nearby Counties
Clearfield County is surrounded by several central and western Pennsylvania counties. If you are unsure which county a case was filed in, start with the county where the parties lived at the time.