Clearfield County Court Records

Court records in Clearfield include a wide range of materials, such as dockets, papers, books, and photographs, in various formats. These materials are either created or acquired in a judicial district following statutory law and court regulations, as well as the court's activities and responsibilities. Typically, Pennsylvania court records and Clearfield court records fall under the jurisdiction of the judicial system and are administered by the designated court clerk responsible for the particular case.

Upon examining a case file, one will encounter a wealth of information, including details about the involved parties (plaintiff, defendant), specific case information (court category, complexity, assigned official, filing date, county, and status), court disposition (type, category), case docket entry (category, description), and eventually, the final judgment.

Like various public records in Clearfield, court records play a crucial role and have diverse applications for individuals, particularly those within the judicial system. These records can serve as legal documentation to support a claim, as evidence in legal proceedings, as a point of reference (such as in the case of an appeal or for educational purposes), and for research purposes. Their multifaceted utility underscores their significance within the legal and research spheres. One can access court records from the court where the case was heard or

Are Court Records Public in Clearfield County?

Yes. In Pennsylvania, the Right-to-Know Law is expansive in its scope, covering various government records, including judicial records like court records. Under this legislation, it is mandated that the designated custodians of these records ensure their availability to those requesting access. Additionally, Section 213.81 of Title 204 of the Pennsylvania Code explicitly declares that all case records are to be treated as public records.

Despite the general openness prescribed by law, certain court records and occasionally portions of these records may be sealed as confidential based on specific legal provisions, statutes, or court directives. Such confidential records include adoption court records and those on juvenile cases. Additionally, sensitive information that may be excluded from Clearfield court records involves details concerning victims of abuse, social security numbers, state identification numbers, driver’s license numbers, and financial account information. These measures safeguard the privacy and security of individuals involved in these cases.

Clearfield County Court Records Search

There are various outlets available to researchers for accessing Clearfield court records, which are provided by either governmental or non-governmental sources. These records can be obtained through:

• Utilizing the online case management system offered by the judicial system.
• Performing a digital search or in-person inspection at the courthouse
• Employing the online database offered by third-party websites

These diverse channels offer researchers multifaceted ways to obtain the necessary court records based on their specific requirements and access preferences, ensuring accessibility and flexibility in retrieving valuable information.

Clearfield County Courts

The judicial system in Clearfield operates three types of courts, as one would find below, each handling cases over which it has authority. These courts conduct hearings exclusively for the boroughs and townships under their purview.

Courts of Common Pleas in Clearfield County
Clearfield County Court of Common Pleas, Clearfield County Courthouse
1 North Second Street
P.O. Box 549
Clearfield, PA 16830
Phone: (814) 765-2641
Fax: (814) 765-7649

Clearfield County Orphans' Court, Clearfield County Courthouse
1 North Second Street
P.O. Box 361
Clearfield, PA 16830
Phone: (814) 765-2641
Fax: (814) 765-6089

Magisterial District Courts in Clearfield County
Clearfield County Magisterial District Court
309 Maple Avenue
P.O. Box 452
DuBois, PA 15801
Phone: (814) 371-5321
Fax: (814) 371-5323

This court hears cases for the City of Dubois, Bloom and Brady Township, Falls Creek Borough, union, Huston, Pine, Sandy Township, and Troutville Borough.

Clearfield County Magisterial District Court
900 Leonard Street
Clearfield, PA 16830
Phone: (814) 765-5335
Fax: (814) 765-0386

This court exercises jurisdiction over Clearfield Borough, Curwensville Borough, Lawrence Township, and Pike Township.

Clearfield County Magisterial District Court
131 Rolling Stone Road
P.O. Box 210
Kylertown, PA 16847
Phone: (814) 345-6789
Fax: (814) 345-6444

Bradford Township, Chester Hill Borough, Cooper Township, Covington Township, Decatur Township, Girard Township, Goshen Township, Graham Township, Karthaus Township, Morris Township, and Osceola Borough are served by this court.

Clearfield County Magisterial District Court
251 Spring Street #3
P.O. Box 362
Houtzdale, PA 16651
Phone: (814) 378-7160
Fax: (814) 378-7165

Clearfield County Criminal Records

An individual seeking to conduct a criminal record or history search may have various motivations, with one of the primary reasons being to gather information about a specific person. Typically, criminal records, including those from Clearfield County, are maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police. These records, considered part of Clearfield public records, can be accessed through the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system. Those utilizing PATCH to acquire someone else's criminal record have two options: they can either complete the SP4-170 form, mail it to the State Police with a government-issued ID, and pay the required fee of $20 for a noncertified copy, or they can opt for the online request by filling out the form and submitting it for a fee of $22. One would need to provide details such as the subject's name and date of birth. A comprehensive guide is available for those opting for the online submission.

On the other hand, individuals interested in obtaining a notarized copy of their criminal record need to complete and submit the SP4-164 form along with a valid ID and make a payment of $27 for the notarized copy. This service caters to both registered and unregistered users, with registered users receiving monthly billing rather than paying per search.

The information uncovered through these searches typically includes Clearfield arrest records, warrants, and convictions. Dispositions are accessible only through judicial channels.

At the county level, individuals may not find criminal records directly available from the Sheriff’s Office; however, they can readily access Clearfield County arrest records or a roster of incarcerated individuals in the county jail by either mailing a request or visiting the office.

Get Clearfield County Civil Court Records

Traditionally, civil records in Clearfield are maintained and overseen by the court that handles the specific case. This implies that a resident seeking a civil record must first identify the relevant court within the county involved in the case before proceeding with the search. Typically, searches can be conducted online, via mail, or in person. While an online search offers convenience, individuals may opt for an in-person inspection for a more thorough review.

Fortunately, the court clerk offers an online case management system and a user guide, enabling individuals to access civil court records and navigate the system effectively. Users have the option to conduct searches by name or case number.

For those unable to utilize the online system, there is the alternative of submitting a public request for the civil case file or visiting the office in person to use the public terminal computers provided for accessing digital versions of the organized cases. Additionally, the court clerk can supply physical paper copies of case files for inspection by the requester at no charge.

Clearfield County Marriage Records

Marriage licenses within Clearfield County are issued through the Register and Recorder's Office located within the county and subsequently documented as Clearfield marriage records by the same administrative body. These marriage records are categorized as a component of the Clearfield County public records system, thus rendering them accessible to the general public unless designated as confidential.

Individuals seeking to obtain a copy of a marriage license record can approach the Register of Wills Clerk of Orphan’s Court, where an archive of marriage records dating as far back as 1885 is maintained. Typically, individuals can inquire about a Clearfield marriage record by submitting a request via mail or by directly visiting the Register's office and utilizing the public terminals provided to search the database. Additionally, those interested in acquiring a copy of a Clearfield County marriage certificate may make a personal request, furnishing specific details required to locate the record and upon payment of the stipulated fee for the issuance of the certificate.

Clearfield County Divorce Records

Clearfield County maintains divorce records as part of its civil records, which are generally considered public information, except in cases where exceptions are provided by the Right to Know Law.

Members of the public have the convenience of searching Clearfield County divorce records from their homes using the online civil case search tool, or they can choose to visit the office in person to access the system. Furthermore, individuals also have the option of submitting a mail request or making a personal visit to inspect physical copies of the records.

For a nominal fee of $10, members of the public can request a Clearfield County divorce certificate. There is no charge for the initial copy.

Clearfield County Birth and Death Records

The Bureau of Health Statistics and Registries serves as the official custodian of vital records for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and maintains records dating back to 1906. Typically, the availability of birth records to the public is restricted to 105 years after the record is created, whereas death records become available after 50 years.

To secure a Clearfield birth certificate or death certificate, individuals must meet eligibility requirements, such as being at least 16 years old for in-person and mail applications or 18 years old for online applications. Eligible applicants include the individual named on the birth certificate, spouse, parent or step-parent with valid evidence, sibling, children, grandparents, grandchildren, legal representative, or extended family for death records. It is necessary to complete, sign, and submit the Application for Birth Certificate or Application for Death Certificate, present a valid form of identification, and pay the standard $20 fee. However, fee waivers are available to certain individuals under certain circumstances.

Clearfield County vital records, such as birth and death records, can generally be ordered online through the approved private vendor, via mail, or in person.

When ordering online, an additional $10 service fee is applied. For urgent requests, individuals can visit a vital records branch office during working hours.

Overall, obtaining Clearfield birth certificates and death certificates involves adherence to eligibility criteria, documentation, and the payment of associated fees.

Clearfield County Probate Court Records

The Register of Wills office oversees a variety of important legal matters, including probate cases, estate administration, adoptions, and guardianships. Additionally, this office is responsible for maintaining records related to these proceedings. Individuals seeking probate records can access them online or request them via mail or in person, similar to the process for obtaining a civil record. To retrieve these records, researchers need only provide specific details to facilitate the search and retrieval process.

Clearfield County Property Records

Clearfield property records refer to official documents that provide comprehensive information regarding properties and their historical background. Typically, these records include details such as property ownership, assessed value, historical data (such as liens and tax history), property descriptions, and location specifics.

The responsibility of maintaining Clearfield property records falls under the jurisdiction of the Recorder of Deeds office. These records are generally considered public information and are accessible to individuals who wish to retrieve them. Interested parties can easily access property records through the department's online case management system. Alternatively, individuals may opt to submit a request via mail or visit the office in person to obtain the necessary records.

Clearfield County Court Records Online

Fortunately, individuals seeking Clearfield County court records are not solely reliant on the judiciary. Third-party websites like Pennsylvaniacourtrecords.us also provide access to these records for those interested. While these private websites offer the convenience of obtaining court records, there are advantages and disadvantages associated with utilizing them.

One notable advantage of using third-party sites is the extensive range of records available for searching. These platforms often provide a wide variety of records that users can easily navigate through. Additionally, some of these websites offer free search options, making it convenient for individuals to access the information they need. However, the accuracy and validity of the records obtained through these third-party sites may not always be guaranteed. Moreover, certain websites require users to pay a fee to access court records, which could be a potential drawback for some individuals.