Clearfield County Police and Criminal Records
Clearfield County sits in north-central Pennsylvania with a population near 81,000 residents. The borough of Clearfield serves as the county seat and is home to the county courthouse and most public administrative offices. Law enforcement in the county ranges from the County Sheriff and Pennsylvania State Police to several municipal departments. Public records laws in Pennsylvania give residents the right to access many of these documents, and this guide explains the best ways to find police records, court case files, and criminal history information in Clearfield County.
Clearfield County Quick Facts
Clearfield County Police Records Access
Public records in Clearfield County fall under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law at 65 P.S. §§ 67.101-67.3104. This law applies to all county and municipal agencies. It gives residents the right to request records held by those agencies. Written requests are required. Agencies must respond within five business days.
Criminal history records carry additional protection under 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 9101-9183, the Criminal History Record Information Act. This state law governs the collection, storage, and release of criminal background data throughout Pennsylvania. Certified background checks for Clearfield County residents and organizations flow through the state PATCH system.
The Clearfield County official website at clearfieldcounty.org serves as the central hub for county services. The site links to department pages including the Sheriff, courts, tax assessment, and other offices relevant to public records searches.
The image below shows the Clearfield County official website, which is the starting point for locating county agencies and submitting public records requests.
Clearfield County Official Website
From the county site you can navigate to the open records officer, Sheriff's department, and court offices to submit specific records requests.
Note: Records involving juvenile matters, active investigations, or sealed court orders are exempt from public disclosure under state law and cannot be obtained through a Right-to-Know request.
Clearfield County Sheriff Department Records
The Clearfield County Sheriff's Department handles civil process service, courthouse security, and prisoner transport. It also processes License to Carry Firearms applications. The department's page is available at clearfieldcounty.org/government/elected-officials/sheriff/.
The image below shows the Clearfield County Sheriff's page, where residents can find contact details, services offered, and direction for submitting records requests or civil process inquiries.
Sheriff's records include civil process documents, warrant execution records, and real estate sheriff sale information. These are distinct from criminal investigative files held by police agencies. People seeking civil process records can contact the Sheriff's office directly or submit a written request under the Right-to-Know Law.
The Sheriff's office processes License to Carry applications with a background check through the state system. Permit records themselves are not public under Pennsylvania law. However, the existence of a permit may appear in other legal contexts.
Municipal police departments in Clearfield County include departments in Clearfield Borough, DuBois, Philipsburg, and other communities. Each handles its own records independently. For incidents involving Pennsylvania State Police in the rural parts of the county, submit records requests through the PSP records request portal.
Clearfield County Court Records and Case Files
The Clearfield County Court of Common Pleas manages criminal and civil cases for the county. Court records are public documents accessible through the Prothonotary for civil matters and the Clerk of Courts for criminal case files. Both offices are located in Clearfield at the county courthouse.
In-person visits to these offices allow you to review physical case files. Staff can assist with locating records by defendant name, docket number, or filing date. Records not yet fully digitized may require an in-person review or may be available by request after a short delay.
The fastest way to search court records is through the free Pennsylvania UJS Portal. This statewide system covers all 67 counties and includes Clearfield County's Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Court records. Search by name, docket number, or date range to find criminal cases, civil suits, and summary offense records.
Summary offense records from district court proceedings appear in the same portal. These include traffic violations, minor disorderly conduct cases, and other low-level offenses handled at the district court level. Cases show charges, dispositions, and fine payment status.
The UJS Portal is updated regularly but may lag a few days behind actual court activity. For the most current case status on pending matters, contact the Clerk of Courts directly or check in person.
Note: Expunged and sealed records do not appear in the UJS Portal or other public court databases. Contact the Clerk of Courts if you have questions about the status of a specific record or expungement order.
PATCH Background Checks in Clearfield County
The Pennsylvania PATCH system is the official source for certified criminal background checks in the state. PATCH stands for Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History. The cost is $22 per search. Results are provided online and are typically available within minutes.
PATCH draws data from the statewide criminal history database governed by 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 9101-9183. Results show convictions, pleas, and dispositions from Clearfield County courts and all other Pennsylvania courts. Arrests without convictions may also appear in certain types of checks. Expunged records are excluded from all PATCH results.
To start a PATCH search, visit the PATCH overview page on the Pennsylvania State Police website. You will create an account and submit the $22 fee before receiving your results. The system is entirely online and does not require a visit to any government office.
Clearfield County organizations that need to run background checks for child-related programs, nonprofits, or other regulated activities can access Act 33 and Act 34 clearances through PATCH in addition to standard individual background check requests.
Crash report requests for vehicle accidents in Clearfield County go through the Pennsylvania State Police. The fee is also $22 per report. Use the crash report request page to submit your request and receive a copy of the official crash investigation record.
Open Records Requests in Clearfield County
Clearfield County has a designated open records officer who processes requests submitted under 65 P.S. §§ 67.101-67.3104. Submit your request in writing, including your name, contact information, and a clear description of the records you seek. Requests can be submitted by mail, email, or in person.
The five-business-day response window begins when the agency receives your request. If the agency needs more time, it may request a 30-day extension by notifying you in writing. Extensions must state the reason for the delay.
If the county denies your request, you have 15 business days to appeal to the Office of Open Records in Harrisburg. That office can be reached at 717-346-9903. The Office of Open Records issues decisions binding on county agencies. You can seek further review in the Clearfield County Court of Common Pleas if needed.
Fees are capped by state law. Paper copies cost $0.25 per page. Electronic records may be provided without charge. Agencies cannot charge for staff time spent searching for records unless the requester is notified in advance and agrees to pay for the additional cost.
Sex Offender Registry in Clearfield County
Pennsylvania's Megan's Law registry includes all individuals with active registration requirements in Clearfield County. The Pennsylvania State Police manage the registry statewide. Local law enforcement in Clearfield County works with the State Police to monitor compliance.
The registry is searchable at pameganslaw.state.pa.us. You can search by name, county, municipality, or zip code. Results show registration tier, offense category, physical description, and address information where public disclosure is legally required by the tier of the offense.
Tier III offenders have the most serious registration requirements, including lifetime registration and periodic community notification. Tier I and Tier II offenders have shorter registration periods and more limited notification requirements.
Clearfield County residents can also sign up for community alerts related to registered offenders through the State Police notification system. Check the Megan's Law website for available notification tools in your area.
Note: The sex offender registry reflects current registration status only. Offenders who have completed their registration period or received judicial relief from registration will not appear in the current database.
Nearby Counties
Clearfield County borders several central Pennsylvania counties. Use the links below to access public records pages for neighboring jurisdictions.