Blair County Court Records

Individuals and public bodies often file complaints with the court system to demand compensation from an offending party. Legal proceedings of this nature are civil and typically require monetary settlement. Similarly, local law enforcement agencies and the state may prosecute alleged delinquents who are caught violating the county justice system.

All documentary materials such as exhibits, arguments, motions, witness testimony, warrants, dockets, recordings, pleadings, summons, court orders, judgments, and evidentiary instruments filed or generated during these case proceedings are categorized as Blair County court records. These documents are maintained by the county court clerk in different forms, such as papers, recordings, microfilm, photographs, and other permissible characteristics per court rules.

County court records play a huge role in educating the public members on the tenets and fair application of the law. As a broader category of Pennsylvania Court records, judges and attorneys often refer to historical archives of court data to build precedents, which may impact subsequent rulings.

Members of the society can retrieve court records in person at the county courthouse where the case was filed and heard or through other alternative options provided by the county clerk of court and prothonotary’s offices.

Are Court Records Public in Blair County?

Yes. The Pennsylvania Right-To-Know Law (RTKL) guarantees the public's right to access court records maintained by any government agency, including the judiciary, unless access is redacted by court statute. Accordingly, members of the public can make oral and written requests for Blair County court records per the Supreme Court’s declaration in 204 Pa. Code § 213.81(3.0).

Such confidential records that are excluded from the Blair County public records include the following:

• Sensitive events in a divorce proceeding
• Individual’s personal identifying information, such as social security and debit/credit card details. driver’s license, state ID digits, and financial information.
• Records containing trade secrets
• Jury list data
• Protective orders
• Records of ongoing criminal investigations
• Juvenile delinquency information
• Sealed and expunged court records
• Mental health and medical information

Blair County Court Records Search

Anyone can utilize any of the public resources provided by the Blair County Courts to facilitate case records search. For easy retrieval, individuals should first identify the type of record they need, and the designated custodian in charge of such case information.

Each office provides a procedure for requesting court records at various times. For example, the plothonatory’s official is the official keeper of civil court records generated in the Blair County Court of Common Pleas. On the other hand, the Clerk of Orphans’ Court functions as the custodian of Blair County's vital records and probate information.

Ideally, case searches may attract an applicable fee for processing or certification. Finally, third-party aggregator websites may serve as an alternative option for people looking to accommodate their public records requests on a single platform.

Blair County Court Records Search by Name

A Blair County court records search by name is generally available to individuals looking to obtain civil, or criminal case information regarding specific persons. This search method is relatively simple as it requires only the name of the case parties or their legal representatives. If known, inquirers may provide additional case information, like case number and hearing date to aid in finding case information.

Blair County Courts

Here are the physical locations and contact details of the various courts in Blair County:

Blair County Court of Common Pleas
Blair County Courthouse
423 Allegheny Street
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
Phone: (814) 693-3080
Fax: (814) 317-1600

Magisterial District Courts in Blair County

Magisterial District Court 24-1-02
2601 Fifth Ave
Altoona, PA 16602
Phone: (814) 941-4550
Fax: (814) 941-2323

Magisterial District Court 24-1-03
615 Fourth Street
Altoona, PA 16602
Phone: (814) 942-6421
Fax: (814) 942-4770

Magisterial District Court 24-3-01
5628 East Pleasant Valley Boulevard
Tyrone, PA 16686
Phone: (814) 684-4617
Fax: (814) 684-9634

Magisterial District Court 24-3-02
5929 California Avenue
Altoona, PA 16602
Phone: (814) 944-4371
Fax: (814) 944-2546

Magisterial District Court 24-3-03
311 Union Street
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
Phone: (814) 693-3210
Fax: (814) 693-3212

Magisterial District Court 24-3-04
310 Airport Drive
Martinsburg, PA 16673
Phone: (814) 793-2495
Fax: (814) 793-2461

Blair County Superior Court Case Search

Blair County’s Court of Common Pleas performs the adjudicative function of a superior court, holding original jurisdiction over major trials filed within the region’s judicial system. Nevertheless, the Superior Court of Pennsylvania is one of two statewide intermediate appellate courts, though it is not a trial court. This makes the Court of Common Pleas the central attraction point for all civil and criminal proceedings under Article V, Section 5 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, except for matters handled in the magisterial district court.

Aside from felony, and misdemeanor cases, this court supervises hearings concerning family affairs such as divorce, adoption, marriage, and child custody. In addition, the Court of Common Pleas receives appeals from the magisterial district court, appeals that are not assigned to any court, and unresolved conflicts from the Orphan’s Court.

Members of the public can obtain case information and certified records from the Prothonotary or Clerk of Court’s office in person during business hours. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania also provides a Unified Judicial System for people to conduct a Case Search from the convenience of their homes.

Basic search parameters include the participant’s first and last name, state ID, organization, appellate court, calendar event, incident number, date filed, citation number, and offense tracking number. Performing this case search generates comprehensive results like court type, case caption, case status, filing date, primary participants, date of birth, county, court office, OTN, complaint, and incident number.

Blair County District Court Records

If a person is looking for district court records within the region, the Blair County Magisterial District Courts should be their first point of call. The magisterial district court is a court of limited jurisdiction overseeing preliminary hearings and arraignments This district court also deliberates over civil cases where the amount in question is up to $12,000.

Individuals can start their search by visiting the online case search portal provided by the Commonwealth for such purposes. However, results generated on the page are not admissible as official records should one print copies off the internet. To obtain certified or plain copies of district court records, the researcher must visit the Prothonotary or the clerk of the court’s office.

Blair County Criminal Records

Blair County criminal records encompass comprehensive information regarding an individual’s involvement with law enforcement agencies within the county. This includes warrants issued for their arrests, arrest records, sentencing, arresting officers, arresting agency, bail information, and details of incarceration.

Anyone looking for such criminal information, including a person’s Blair County arrest records should contact the arresting agency in charge of the apprehension and detention. The Blair County Sheriff’s Office is a great start for record inquiries.

In addition, per Pennsylvania's Criminal History Information Act contained in Chapter 91 of Title 18, Crimes Code. the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) is authorized to disseminate criminal history data to subjects of records, non-criminal justice agencies, and criminal justice agencies on request.

In light of this, criminal justice agencies have a statutory right to obtain a person’s criminal history record information (CHRI) at reasonable times. On the other hand, non-criminal justice agencies and record subjects’ requests to review criminal history information are subject to scrutiny per this act.

Individuals can perform criminal history background checks online via the Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History (PATCH) site, or print out, complete, and submit the form SP 4-164 by mail. An individual background check is $22 and can be notarized for an additional $5.

Blair County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Members of the society can access disposition on most criminal cases adjudicated in any county court by reviewing court docket sheets maintained on the Pennsylvania Judiciary web portal site. Clicking the "help" button on the right-hand side of the webpage provides helpful guides on how to utilize the public docket sheets.

Public docket sheet information is not the same as a county criminal history record check. The difference is that the former is accessible through the state court’s webpage, while the latter is commonly issued by the Pennslyvania State Police Department.

Further, the Blair County Clerk of Courts is the custodian of criminal case records generated during legal proceedings in the Court of Common Pleas. Anyone requesting access to court transcripts must complete and submit the Request for Transcript or Copy form. This option may attract a charge of $2.50 for ordinary copies, $3.50 for expedited delivery, and $6.50 for same-day delivery per page.

Transcript requests and relevant fees can be submitted to:

423 Allegheny Street
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
Phone: (814) 693–3000

Get Blair County Civil Court Records

Blair County civil court records are generally accessible through the Prothonotary’s office. The office provides search options for requesting parties to explore in person, by mail, or online. Members of the public can view civil case information through the public portal provided by Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System.

Users can perform free searches or create an account for advanced provisions by following these steps:

• On a browser, enter https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/CaseSearch.
• Choose a search option from the provided dropdown.
• Filter cases by choosing docket type, date filed start and end date, date of birth, participant role, calendar event date, and case status.
• Click the enter button.

The case portal ultimately generates available case information including relevant to the search entries. Additionally, individuals can download, fill out, and submit the request transcripts form provided by the Blair County Court for reviewing court proceedings.

Ideally, civil court cases involve a plaintiff requesting settlement or monetary compensation from the defendant. These cases are generally adjudicated by the Court of Common Pleas, or the magisterial district courts if the amount in question does not exceed $12,000.

Blair County Family Court Records

Family court cases are commonly filed and heard in two Blair County court system locations. The first is the Domestic Relations court, where cases involving support orders, paternity, and enforcement of support orders are adjudicated under the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure. On the other hand, the Blair County Orphans' Court handles family cases, such as adoptions and marriages.

Members of the public can review these records at the Office of the Clerk of Orphans' Court during business hours. In addition, the Prothonotary's office may provide tools and resources for finding relevant case information.

Blair Dissolution of Marriage Records

Blair's dissolution of marriage records encapsulates events and activities surrounding the end of a marital union between two parties. These proceedings are naturally heard by the Court of Common Pleas court. Thus, access to dissolution of marriage records can be obtained through the Prothonotary’s office.

Blair County Marriage and Divorce Records

If someone is looking to obtain Blair County marriage and divorce records, they should visit the Prothonotary's office during office hours. As explained in previous sections, the office is the official custodian of such proceedings and is best suited for record inquiries and retrivial.

To receive a certified copy of a marriage license, applicants can send a written request via mail accompanied by the year of marriage, names of the intending spouses, their maiden names, a self-address stamped envelope, and a money order or check in the amount of $9 payable to the “Prothonotary's Office” at the following address:

Prothonotary's Office
423 Allegheny Street
Suite 144
Hollidaysburg PA 16648

Inquirers can contact the Prothonotary's Office at: (814) 693-3080.

Aside from the Prothonotary's office, marriage records are also maintained by the Clerk of Orphans’ Court. The office is responsible for receiving and issuing marriage licenses to interested couples in Blair County.

People can utilize the Online Marriage Application maintained by the Blair County Orphans Court, Marriage License Bureau office to get a marriage license within a shorter period.

Blair Birth and Death Records

Birth and death records are generally classified as Blair County vital records. Members of the public often request these records to access different legal opportunities and government privileges.

Specifically, Blair County birth certificates are required for driver’s license issuance, school enrollment, proof of identity, passport application, and social security benefits.

On the other hand, the probate court and public entities may request a decedent’s death certificates before finalizing wills and estate settlements, life insurance claims, and gratuity or pension compensations.

The Clerk of Orphans’ Court is responsible for maintaining birth and death records, dated 1893 through 1906. Conversely, requesting parties can locate records dated 1906 till the present through the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records.

Applicants querying the Division of Vital Records must download, fill, and submit an online application for a Birth Certificate or Death Certificate in person at any of the office locations.

They can also send a mail to:

Division of Vital Records
Birth Certificate Processing Unit
P.O. Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16103

Still, only eligible parties are statutorily permitted to request vital records, such as the record subject, immediate family members, a legal representative of the person named on the record, and persons sharing a direct interest in the record or a direct relationship with the subject of the record.

The official procedure may require authorized persons to submit proper evidence of identification and a fee of $20 payable to “Vital Records”.

Blair County Probate Court Records

The Clerk of Orphans’ Court is statutorily appointed to maintain the dockets and files generated in probate case proceedings, including estate accounting, appointments of guardians, and petitions for incapacitated persons. Anyone looking for Blair County probate court records can visit the office in person, or utilize the online case portals provided by the state.

Blair County Property Records

The office of the Register of Wills & Recorder of Deeds exists to accurately maintain and preserve all land and real estate records. In light of this responsibility, members of the public enjoy unrestricted access to property information, such as property ownership, taxation, property encumbrances, and liens in a timely, efficient manner. Common ways to contact the office are by phone, mail, or in person.

People who desire to obtain a copy of the Blair County property record must visit the office location at Blair County Courthouse, 423 Allegheny Street, Suite 145, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648 with a reference. However, the staff may provide one for interested persons at a fee of 25 cents a page.

In addition, mail, email, or fax requests must include the applicant’s first name, property location, and year of purchase, accompanied by a service charge of $10 per page and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Certified copies may cost an additional $2.

The department also issues recorded land records through a third-party vendor service (Landex.com). The FAQ section of the Register of Deeds and Recorder of Wills provides detailed instructions on accessing property records.

Blair County Court Records Online

Third-party alternatives provide a diverse approach to obtaining Blair County public records. A privately owned website like Pennsylvaniacourtrecords.us is a typical example of third-party media that allows individuals to perform multiple search records across the Commonwealth.

Nevertheless, users are advised to err on the side of caution. One major reason is that these sites collect and curate information from publicly accessible databases. This means that certain records are often incomplete or inaccurate.

Similar to government resources, using third-party platforms may attract an applicable fee. Charges are payable as a one-time plan or monthly subscription.