Search Clearfield County Criminal Records

Clearfield County criminal records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts at the Clearfield County Courthouse in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. The county has a population of roughly 78,000 and sits in central Pennsylvania's 46th Judicial District. All felony and misdemeanor cases heard by the Court of Common Pleas are accessible through the Pennsylvania UJS Portal. Statewide criminal history reports covering Clearfield County are available through PATCH. This page explains the options for finding criminal records in Clearfield County.

Clearfield County Clerk of Courts

The Clearfield County Clerk of Courts is the official custodian of criminal records for the 46th Judicial District Court of Common Pleas. The office runs as a combined Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts, handling both civil and criminal case files under one roof. The Clerk processes new criminal filings, manages case records for all felony and misdemeanor matters heard in Clearfield, processes summary appeals from Magisterial District Courts, and provides certified copies of court documents to the public.

The Clearfield County Courthouse is located in the borough of Clearfield, which serves as the county seat. Contact information for the Clerk of Courts and other elected row officers is listed in the Pennsylvania Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Association public directory. This directory covers all 67 Pennsylvania counties and is updated when officials change.

Clearfield County online civil access is provided through the INFOCON system, which operates on a subscription basis. Criminal records from the Court of Common Pleas remain freely accessible through the UJS Portal regardless of this arrangement. The county government website at clearfieldcounty.org provides department contacts and government service information for the county.

The Clearfield County government portal lists row office contacts, department information, and public services available at the Clearfield courthouse and throughout the county.

Clearfield County Criminal Records Online

The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us gives free public access to Clearfield County criminal case records. Search by participant name, docket number, OTN, complaint number, or citation. Results include case status, all charges filed, court dates, dispositions, sentencing data, attorney of record, and the presiding judge for Court of Common Pleas cases. Magisterial District Court records for Clearfield County are also available through the same portal.

The PAeDocket mobile app provides the same search functions through a free smartphone application on iOS and Android. This is useful for researchers who need to look up Clearfield County cases from the field. Case data on the portal is typically updated within 24 to 48 hours of each court proceeding. Docket numbers for Clearfield County follow the standard format: CP-17-CR-XXXXXX-YYYY for Court of Common Pleas criminal cases.

Note: Expunged records, sealed Clean Slate cases, juvenile records, and Protection from Abuse filings do not appear in UJS Portal public searches. These require a direct request to the Clearfield County Clerk of Courts in Clearfield.

PATCH Criminal History Checks for Clearfield County

For a comprehensive Pennsylvania criminal history check covering Clearfield County arrests and convictions, use the PATCH system at epatch.pa.gov. PATCH is run by the Pennsylvania State Police under 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 91 (CHRIA). A standard background check costs $22. Adding notarization costs $27 total. Volunteer checks through Form SP 4-164A are free.

Most no-record results return immediately by email, covering roughly 85% of all requests. Cases that match the database require manual review and are mailed in 2 to 4 weeks. For status updates, call the PATCH helpline at 1-888-QUERY-PA (1-888-783-7972) during business hours. Mail submissions using Form SP 4-164 should be sent to Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository-164, 1800 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758 with a certified check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Under 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 91 (CHRIA), individuals have the right to review their own criminal history records and challenge inaccurate information. Individuals may submit Form SP 4-170 by mail to the State Police Central Repository with a fingerprint card for identity verification.

Record Copy Fees in Clearfield County

The Clearfield County Clerk of Courts charges $0.25 per page for standard document copies. Certified copies carry a higher fee depending on the document type. Call ahead to confirm current rates and any additional fees for specific case types. Payment is accepted in cash, check, or money order at the courthouse in Clearfield.

Mail requests for records are accepted when you include the specific case information, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment for the estimated copy cost. Processing times depend on the age and availability of the file. Recent and active case records are often available the same day. Older archived files may take 3 to 5 business days to locate and prepare.

Note: If you are not sure which Magisterial District Court handled a summary offense or preliminary hearing in Clearfield County, the UJS Portal can help you identify the correct court before you contact the courthouse.

Clean Slate and Expungement in Clearfield County

Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Act (Act 56 of 2018) automated the process of sealing certain records. Second and third degree misdemeanor convictions are eligible for automatic sealing after 10 consecutive years without a new conviction and upon full payment of all fines and costs. Summary convictions qualify after 7 years. Clean Slate sealing removes these records from public-facing databases, though courts and law enforcement retain full access. No petition is required for automatic sealing.

For cases outside the scope of Clean Slate, petitioning the Clearfield County Court of Common Pleas for expungement under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122 is the standard route. Eligible cases include arrests with no charges filed, withdrawn or dismissed charges, acquittals at trial, and certain ARD completions. The petition is filed through the Clearfield County Clerk of Courts. A local attorney can review your specific case history, identify eligible records, and help you prepare the required documents for submission in Clearfield.

Your Rights to Clearfield County Public Records

The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law at 65 P.S. § 67.101 establishes the public's right to access government records. In Clearfield County, submit a written request to the Open Records Officer at the specific agency that holds the records you need. Government agencies must respond within five business days. They can provide the records, deny the request and explain why, or request additional time to respond.

Criminal court records at the Clearfield County Court of Common Pleas are public under Pennsylvania law. You do not need to be a party to the case to request a copy of the record. The standard exceptions apply: juvenile records, sealed cases under court order, and expunged records are not available to the public. For questions about what is and is not accessible in a specific Clearfield County case, contact the Clerk of Courts directly. The Pennsylvania Courts website at pacourts.us provides statewide guidance on accessing court records.

Nearby Counties

Clearfield County sits in central Pennsylvania and shares borders with several other counties. If a record may involve a location near a county line, check both counties before making a formal records request.

View All 67 Counties