Find Criminal Records in Centre County
Centre County criminal records are managed by the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. Centre County has a population of roughly 161,000 and is home to Penn State University. The county operates within the 49th Judicial District. Criminal cases at the Court of Common Pleas level, including all felonies and misdemeanors, are searchable online through the Pennsylvania UJS Portal and in person at the Bellefonte courthouse. Certified copies of court documents are available from the Clerk of Courts office.
Centre County Quick Facts
Centre County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts
The combined Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office in Centre County is led by Amber C. Kanan. This office is the official custodian of all criminal and civil court records for the Court of Common Pleas in the 49th Judicial District. The office handles case filings, issues certified copies of court documents, processes summary appeals from Magisterial District Courts, and collects fines and court costs. Records maintained here date back to the county's establishment in 1800.
The courthouse is located at 102 South Allegheny Street in Bellefonte. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Phone inquiries can be directed to 814-355-6797. Fax is available at 814-355-6793. You can also send written inquiries to prothonotary@centrecountypa.gov. Valid photo ID is required for in-person record requests.
The Centre County government site at centrecountypa.gov lists all county offices and provides links to court services, department contacts, and public information resources.
The Centre County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts page at centrecountypa.gov is where you can find office details, fee schedules, and instructions for submitting records requests in the 49th Judicial District.
| Office |
Centre County Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts Amber C. Kanan Centre County Courthouse 102 South Allegheny Street Bellefonte, PA 16823 Phone: 814-355-6797 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| prothonotary@centrecountypa.gov | |
| Website | centrecountypa.gov |
Centre County Criminal Records Online Search
Centre County provides partial free access to civil dockets online, and all Centre County criminal court records are searchable for free through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal. The UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us lets you search by participant name, docket number, OTN, or complaint number. The portal returns case status, all charges, court dates, dispositions, and sentencing details for Court of Common Pleas cases in Bellefonte.
Centre County processes approximately 2,500 criminal cases each year through the Court of Common Pleas. Magisterial District Court cases, including summary offenses and preliminary hearings for more serious charges, are also searchable through the same portal. Case data is typically updated within 24 to 48 hours of each court event.
The Centre County government portal gives residents direct access to court services, department contacts, and public records information for the 49th Judicial District. Use the site as your starting point when researching Centre County criminal cases or court history.
Note: The UJS Portal does not display juvenile records, Protection from Abuse orders, expunged cases, or records sealed under Clean Slate. For sealed or expunged records, contact the Centre County Clerk of Courts directly to confirm what may be available.
Centre County Criminal Records PATCH Background Checks
For a complete statewide background check covering Centre County and all other Pennsylvania counties, the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system is the official tool. PATCH is operated by the Pennsylvania State Police and is governed by 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 91, the Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA). A standard check costs $22. Adding notarization brings the total to $27.
Go to epatch.pa.gov to submit your request online using Form SP 4-164. No-record results return by email immediately in about 85% of cases. Results with a record are mailed within 2 to 4 weeks after manual review. Call the PATCH helpline at 1-888-QUERY-PA (1-888-783-7972) with questions about a pending request. Criminal history records obtained through PATCH are subject to the use and access restrictions established under CHRIA for all Pennsylvania counties.
Centre County Record Copy Fees
The Centre County Clerk of Courts charges $0.25 per page for standard document copies. Certified copies cost $10 to $15 depending on the document type. Mail requests are accepted along with a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment. Cash, check, money order, and credit cards are all accepted at the Centre County courthouse.
Processing times for records requests depend on whether the file is readily available. Records in active files or recently archived cases are typically provided the same day. Older cases in the county's historical archive may take 3 to 5 business days. Centre County maintains records dating back to 1800, so some older materials require additional retrieval time.
Note: Centre County offers passport services through the Prothonotary office in Bellefonte, which is one additional service available at the combined court records office.
Expungement and Centre County Criminal Records Sealing
Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Act (Act 56 of 2018) created automatic record sealing for people who complete their sentences and remain conviction-free for a required waiting period. Second and third degree misdemeanor convictions qualify for sealing after 10 years without a new conviction and full payment of fines. Summary convictions seal after 7 years. Once sealed, these records disappear from public searches, including PATCH, though courts and law enforcement retain access.
Expungement under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122 is available by court petition for arrests not resulting in conviction, dismissed charges, ARD completions in some circumstances, and offenses committed before age 18 that were handled in the juvenile system. Petitions are filed with the Centre County Court of Common Pleas in Bellefonte. The Clerk of Courts office can tell you what forms and fees apply. A local attorney can guide you through the eligibility rules and filing process.
Your Rights Under Pennsylvania Public Records Law
The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law at 65 P.S. § 67.101 guarantees your right to request government records from public agencies. Submit your request in writing to the Open Records Officer at the Centre County agency holding the records you need. Agencies must respond within five business days with the records, a denial, or a request for more time.
Criminal court records in Centre County are public records under Pennsylvania law. The main exceptions are juvenile records restricted by the Juvenile Act, matters sealed by court order, and cases expunged under state statutes. Adult felony and misdemeanor case files at the Centre County Court of Common Pleas are open for public inspection during courthouse hours. The Pennsylvania Courts website at pacourts.us provides additional guidance on court record access statewide. Additional resources include the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons at bop.pa.gov, the state inmate locator at pa.gov, the Megan's Law registry at pameganslaw.state.pa.us, and the Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov.
Nearby Counties
Centre County is located in the geographic center of Pennsylvania and borders several other counties. If you are unsure which county holds a record, check the address where the event occurred.