Clearfield County Public Records /Clearfield County Court Records

Clearfield County Court Records

What Is Clearfield County Court Records

Court records in Clearfield County encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's court system. These records serve as the comprehensive documentation of judicial activities and are maintained pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Judicial Administration 509. Court records typically include:

Case files containing pleadings, motions, and responses
Docket sheets listing chronological case events
Court orders and judicial decisions
Judgments and decrees
Hearing and trial transcripts
Evidence and exhibits admitted during proceedings
Sentencing information in criminal matters
Marriage licenses and divorce decrees
Probate and estate documentation

Court records differ from other public records such as property deeds, vital statistics, or tax records, which are maintained by other county departments. In Clearfield County, court records are generated and maintained by several courts within the judicial system:

Clearfield County Court of Common Pleas
230 East Market Street
Clearfield, PA 16830
(814) 765-2641
Clearfield County Court of Common Pleas

Magisterial District Courts
Various locations throughout the county
(See specific court locations below)

The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law § 67.101 establishes the framework for public access to government records, while court records specifically fall under the jurisdiction of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania and its access policies.

Are Court Records Public In Clearfield County

Court records in Clearfield County are generally accessible to the public in accordance with the Pennsylvania Constitution and the Pennsylvania Public Access Policy. The Pennsylvania Constitution, Article V, § 10(c) grants the Pennsylvania Supreme Court authority to establish rules governing court records access.

Under the "Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania: Case Records of the Appellate and Trial Courts" (204 Pa. Code § 213.81), most court records are presumed open to public inspection. However, certain exceptions and limitations exist:

Records sealed by court order
Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
Mental health proceedings
Adoption records
Records containing confidential information as defined by statute
Grand jury materials
Certain domestic relations matters

The policy balances the public's right to access court information with privacy concerns and the efficient administration of justice. Clearfield County courts must comply with these statewide standards while maintaining the integrity and accessibility of their records.

Criminal case information becomes public after formal charging, while most civil litigation records are public from the moment of filing. Family court matters often have additional privacy protections, particularly when involving minors.

How To Find Court Records in Clearfield County in 2026

Members of the public seeking court records in Clearfield County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents:

In-Person Requests:

Visit the appropriate court office where the case was filed
Complete a records request form available at the clerk's counter
Provide case identification information (names, case numbers, filing dates)
Pay applicable copy fees as established by the court fee schedule

Clearfield County Prothonotary's Office
230 East Market Street, Suite 210
Clearfield, PA 16830
(814) 765-2641 ext. 5010
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Clearfield County Prothonotary

Clearfield County Clerk of Courts
230 East Market Street, Suite 202
Clearfield, PA 16830
(814) 765-2641 ext. 5020
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Clearfield County Clerk of Courts

Mail Requests:

Submit a written request to the appropriate court office
Include case information, specific documents needed, and contact information
Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment for copy fees

Online Access: The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania provides electronic access to certain court records through its web portal systems, as detailed in the following section.

Pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Judicial Administration 509(c)(5), requests for court records may be subject to reasonable fees for copying and certification services.

How To Look Up Court Records in Clearfield County Online?

Clearfield County court records can be accessed through several online platforms, each providing different types of case information:

Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System Web Portal
The Unified Judicial System Web Portal provides access to:

Common Pleas Court Case Management System (CPCMS)
- Criminal, domestic relations, and juvenile cases
- Search by name, case number, or organization
Magisterial District Judge System (MDJS)
- Summary cases, traffic citations, landlord-tenant matters
- Criminal complaints and preliminary hearings
- Search by participant name, case number, or citation number
Pennsylvania Appellate Court Case Management System (PACMS)
- Superior Court and Commonwealth Court cases
- Search by party name, case number, or attorney

Steps for searching:

Visit the UJS Web Portal
Select the appropriate case management system
Enter search criteria (name, case number, etc.)
Review search results and select specific cases for more detail
Pay any applicable fees for document access

Clearfield County Prothonotary Records Search
For civil cases filed in the Court of Common Pleas, the Clearfield County Prothonotary offers limited online access through their website.

Public Access Terminal:
For more comprehensive searches, public access terminals are available at:

Clearfield County Courthouse
230 East Market Street
Clearfield, PA 16830
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

These terminals provide greater search capabilities and access to documents that may not be available through the web portals.

How To Search Clearfield County Court Records for Free?

Pennsylvania law provides for free public inspection of court records at courthouse facilities. According to 204 Pa. Code § 213.81, the public has the right to inspect public court records during regular business hours at no cost, though fees may apply for copies or certified documents.

Free access options include:

In-Person Inspection:

Visit the appropriate court office during business hours
Request to view specific case files
Examine documents on-site at no charge

Public Access Terminals:

Use courthouse computer terminals to search electronic records
Available at the Clearfield County Courthouse
No fee for searching, though printing may incur charges

Online Free Services:

Basic case information through the UJS Web Portal
Docket sheet information is available without charge
Court calendars and hearing schedules

Clearfield County Law Library
230 East Market Street
Clearfield, PA 16830
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
(Access may be limited to legal research purposes)

While inspection is free, pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Judicial Administration 509(d), fees may be charged for:

Photocopies ($0.25 per page)
Certified copies ($5.00 plus copy fees)
Complex or voluminous requests
Electronic media reproduction

What's Included in a Clearfield County Court Record?

Court records in Clearfield County contain various documents depending on the case type and court of jurisdiction. Typical contents include:

Civil Case Records:

Complaint or petition initiating the case
Summons and proof of service
Answers and counterclaims
Motions and supporting briefs
Discovery documents (if filed with the court)
Court orders and opinions
Judgment entries
Transcripts of proceedings
Exhibits admitted into evidence
Appeal documentation

Criminal Case Records:

Criminal complaint and affidavit of probable cause
Charging documents (information or indictment)
Bail and pretrial release information
Motions and responses
Plea agreements
Trial exhibits and evidence
Sentencing orders
Post-conviction relief petitions
Probation/parole documents

Family Court Records:

Divorce petitions and decrees
Child custody and support orders
Protection from abuse petitions and orders
Adoption proceedings (portions may be confidential)
Name change petitions
Paternity determinations

Probate Records:

Wills and codicils
Letters testamentary or administration
Inventories of estate assets
Inheritance tax returns
Final accountings
Distribution orders

Magisterial District Court Records:

Citations and tickets
Criminal complaints
Preliminary hearing transcripts
Summary trial dispositions
Civil complaint forms
Landlord-tenant judgments

Each document is typically assigned a filing date and document number within the case docket for organizational purposes.

How Long Does Clearfield County Keep Court Records?

Clearfield County follows the record retention schedules established by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Judicial Administration 509. The County Records Manual published by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission provides detailed guidance on retention periods.

Common retention periods include:

Criminal Cases:

Felony cases: Permanent retention for homicide cases; 75 years for other felonies
Misdemeanor cases: 25 years after final disposition
Summary offenses: 7 years after final disposition

Civil Cases:

Major civil litigation: 25 years after final disposition
Domestic relations: Permanent for divorce decrees and custody orders
Protection from abuse: 5 years after expiration of order

Probate Records:

Wills: Permanent retention
Estate administration: Permanent retention
Guardianship: 25 years after termination of guardianship

Magisterial District Court Records:

Criminal cases: Transfer to Court of Common Pleas if held for court
Summary cases: 7 years after final disposition
Civil cases: 7 years after final disposition

Docket Books and Indices:

Permanent retention for all courts

After the retention period expires, records may be transferred to the Pennsylvania State Archives, microfilmed, or destroyed according to established procedures. Certain historically significant records may be preserved indefinitely regardless of standard retention schedules.

Types of Courts In Clearfield County

Clearfield County's court system operates within Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System and includes several levels of courts:

Clearfield County Court of Common Pleas
230 East Market Street
Clearfield, PA 16830
(814) 765-2641
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Clearfield County Court of Common Pleas

The Court of Common Pleas is the county's primary trial court with general jurisdiction over major civil and criminal cases, family matters, and appeals from lower courts.

Magisterial District Courts:

Magisterial District Court 46-3-01
106 South Second Street
Clearfield, PA 16830
(814) 765-5669
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Magisterial District Court 46-3-02
324 South Brady Street
DuBois, PA 15801
(814) 371-4348
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Magisterial District Court 46-3-03
518 Bigler Avenue
Clearfield, PA 16830
(814) 765-8517
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Magisterial District Court 46-3-04
1097 Beaver Drive
DuBois, PA 15801
(814) 371-2590
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

These district courts handle minor criminal cases, preliminary hearings, traffic violations, small claims, and landlord-tenant disputes.

Appeals from Clearfield County courts are heard by:

Pennsylvania Superior Court
(Primary court for appeals from Common Pleas decisions)

Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court
(Handles appeals involving government agencies)

Pennsylvania Supreme Court
(Highest appellate court in the state)

The Pennsylvania court system operates under a unified structure established by Article V of the Pennsylvania Constitution, with the Supreme Court exercising general administrative authority over all courts.

What Types of Cases Do Clearfield County Courts Hear?

Clearfield County courts adjudicate a wide range of legal matters according to their jurisdictional authority:

Court of Common Pleas:

Civil Division:

Major civil litigation (claims exceeding $12,000)
Property disputes and real estate matters
Contract disputes
Personal injury and tort claims
Professional malpractice
Complex commercial litigation
Equity actions

Criminal Division:

Felony prosecutions
Serious misdemeanor cases
Appeals from summary convictions
Post-conviction relief petitions
Probation and parole violations

Family Division:

Divorce proceedings
Child custody and visitation
Child and spousal support
Protection from abuse
Paternity determinations
Adoption proceedings
Name changes

Orphans' Court Division:

Probate of wills
Estate administration
Guardianships for incapacitated persons
Trusts administration
Inheritance tax matters

Magisterial District Courts:

Summary criminal offenses
Traffic violations
Preliminary arraignments and hearings for criminal cases
Civil claims up to $12,000
Landlord-tenant disputes
Municipal code violations
Issuance of search and arrest warrants

Each court's jurisdiction is established by the Pennsylvania Constitution, statutes, and rules of court. The Court of Common Pleas has general trial jurisdiction, while Magisterial District Courts serve as the entry point for most cases in the judicial system.

How To Find a Court Docket In Clearfield County

Court dockets in Clearfield County can be accessed through several methods, providing information about scheduled hearings, case status, and filed documents:

Online Docket Access:

Visit the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal
Select the appropriate case management system (CPCMS for Common Pleas cases or MDJS for Magisterial District Court cases)
Enter search criteria (party name, case number, etc.)
Review docket sheet information showing chronological case events

In-Person Docket Requests:

For Court of Common Pleas cases:

Clearfield County Prothonotary (Civil Cases)
230 East Market Street, Suite 210
Clearfield, PA 16830
(814) 765-2641 ext. 5010
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Clearfield County Clerk of Courts (Criminal Cases)
230 East Market Street, Suite 202
Clearfield, PA 16830
(814) 765-2641 ext. 5020
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

For Magisterial District Court cases, contact the specific district court where the case is filed.

Court Calendar Information:

Daily court schedules are typically posted outside courtrooms
Weekly hearing lists may be available at court administrative offices
Some hearing schedules are published on the Clearfield County Courts website

Pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Judicial Administration 509, docket information is considered a public record and is available for inspection during regular business hours. Fees may apply for printed copies of docket sheets.

Which Courts in Clearfield County Are Not Courts of Record?

In Pennsylvania's judicial system, "courts of record" are those that maintain official transcripts of proceedings and whose decisions may serve as legal precedent. Courts not of record typically handle minor matters with simplified procedures and limited record-keeping requirements.

In Clearfield County, the following are not courts of record:

Magisterial District Courts
These limited jurisdiction courts handle minor matters and preliminary proceedings:

Magisterial District Court 46-3-01
106 South Second Street
Clearfield, PA 16830
(814) 765-5669

Magisterial District Court 46-3-02
324 South Brady Street
DuBois, PA 15801
(814) 371-4348

Magisterial District Court 46-3-03
518 Bigler Avenue
Clearfield, PA 16830
(814) 765-8517

Magisterial District Court 46-3-04
1097 Beaver Drive
DuBois, PA 15801
(814) 371-2590

According to 42 Pa.C.S. § 1123, Magisterial District Courts are not courts of record, which means:

Proceedings are not routinely transcribed by court reporters
Decisions do not establish binding legal precedent
Cases appealed from these courts receive de novo review (completely new trial) at the Court of Common Pleas
Simplified rules of procedure apply
Parties often represent themselves without attorneys

While these courts maintain dockets and case files, the level of documentation is less comprehensive than in courts of record. Appeals from Magisterial District Courts to the Court of Common Pleas result in entirely new proceedings rather than a review of the lower court's decision.

The Clearfield County Court of Common Pleas is a court of record, maintaining verbatim transcripts of proceedings and issuing formal written opinions in many cases.