Clearfield County Court Dockets

Court records in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania can be searched through several channels. ClearfieldCourt.us can help find publicly available information about court cases filed in the county. You can also search dockets through the statewide Unified Judicial System portal, visit the Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts office in person, or use public terminals at the Clearfield County Courthouse. Each method offers access to different record types depending on the case and court involved.

Clearfield Court System & Jurisdictions

Clearfield County's court system operates within Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System. Understanding which court handles a particular case type is essential before searching for docket information.

Court of Common Pleas

The Clearfield County Court of Common Pleas is the county's trial court of general jurisdiction. It includes several divisions:

• Criminal Division — Felonies, misdemeanors, and appeals from magisterial district courts on criminal matters. The Clerk of Courts maintains these records.
• Civil Division — Lawsuits, contract disputes, personal injury claims, and equity actions. The Prothonotary maintains civil case files.
• Family Division — Divorce, custody, support, protection-from-abuse orders, and adoption proceedings. Some family records are confidential or sealed by statute.
• Orphans' Court Division — Probate of wills, estate administration, guardianships, and trust matters. The Register of Wills works closely with this division.

Magisterial District Courts

Clearfield County has several magisterial district judges who handle:

• Summary offenses and traffic citations
• Preliminary hearings in criminal cases
• Landlord-tenant disputes
• Civil claims up to $12,000

Dockets from magisterial district courts are searchable through the statewide UJS Case Search portal. If a case is appealed, it moves to the Court of Common Pleas and a new docket number is assigned.

Clearfield Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings

Court calendars in Clearfield County are managed by the Court Administrator's office within the Court of Common Pleas. To find today's or upcoming hearing schedules:

1. Contact the Court Administrator — Call the Clearfield County Courthouse to ask about scheduled hearings for a specific date or case.
2. Check the UJS Portal — The Pennsylvania Courts Case Search displays scheduled events on individual case docket sheets. Search by name or case number, then look for upcoming hearing dates listed on the docket.
3. Visit the courthouse — Daily court calendars and hearing lists are typically posted at the Clearfield County Courthouse.

Clearfield County Courthouse

For criminal case scheduling, the Criminal Case Information page on the county website links to docket sheets and related resources.

How to Get a Copy of a Clearfield Court Document

The method for obtaining court documents depends on the case type and whether you need a certified or uncertified copy.

Certified vs. Uncertified Copies

• Certified copies carry an official seal and signature from the custodial office. They are typically required for legal proceedings, background checks, or filing in another court.
• Uncertified copies are plain reproductions without official authentication. They work for personal reference or informal review.

Where to Request Documents

• Civil cases — Contact the Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts office. Civil case information can also be searched online through the Clearfield County civil case search tool.
• Criminal cases — Request copies from the Clerk of Courts at the same office. Docket sheets are available through the statewide UJS portal.
• Probate and estate records — The Register & Recorder office handles wills, estate filings, and related documents.
• Property records — The Recorder of Deeds maintains deeds, mortgages, UCC filings, and other real estate documents.

How to Request

1. Online — Search docket sheets through the UJS Case Search and print uncertified copies at no charge. For certified copies, you will need to contact the clerk's office directly.
2. In person — Visit the Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts office at the courthouse. Bring the case number or party names to help staff locate the file.
3. By mail — Send a written request with the case number, document description, and a check or money order for applicable fees to:

Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if requesting copies by mail. For archived records or older filings, allow additional processing time as these may need to be retrieved from storage.

Clearfield Court Records Fees & Payment

Fees for court record searches, copies, and certifications in Clearfield County are set by the Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts office in accordance with Pennsylvania statutes and local fee schedules. The following table reflects common fee categories. Contact the office directly to confirm current amounts, as fees may be updated periodically.

Payment Methods

• In person — Cash, check, or money order are generally accepted. Ask the clerk about credit or debit card availability.
• By mail — Check or money order payable to "Clearfield County Prothonotary."
• Online — The statewide Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History (PATCH) system accepts online payment for criminal background checks. Fees for UJS portal docket sheet viewing are free.

Note: Fees listed above are estimates based on common Pennsylvania county fee structures. For the most current and exact fee schedule, contact the Clearfield County Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts office at 814-765-2641 or visit the Clearfield County official website. Some records — including juvenile cases, certain family court filings, and sealed records — are not available to the general public regardless of fees paid.