Centre County Criminal Records and Court Dockets
Centre County sits in the heart of Pennsylvania and is home to Penn State University in State College. The county seat is Bellefonte, where the Court of Common Pleas handles all felony and criminal matters for the 49th Judicial District. Felony records filed here are part of the public record under Pennsylvania law and can be accessed through several channels. This guide explains how to find Centre County felony records, who manages them, and what options exist for sealing or expunging past charges.
Centre County Quick Facts
Centre County Court of Common Pleas
The Centre County Court of Common Pleas operates out of Bellefonte and serves as the primary trial court for felony cases in the county. This court handles everything from arraignments and preliminary hearings to trials and sentencing. All criminal case records filed here become part of the official court docket system maintained by the Clerk of Courts office.
Centre County uses a dual-office model that sets it apart from many other Pennsylvania counties. Jeremy S. Breon holds the combined position of Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts. That means one office handles both civil and criminal filings. This structure keeps the records system unified and can make it easier to locate case files without visiting two separate offices.
The office is located at 102 South Allegheny Street, Room 102, Bellefonte, PA 16823. You can reach them by phone at 814-355-6796 or by email at prothonotaryandclerkofcourtsrecords@centrecountypa.gov. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The Court Administrator, Kendra J. Miknis, is located in Room 103 of the same building and can be reached at 814-355-6727.
| Office | Official | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Prothonotary / Clerk of Courts | Jeremy S. Breon | 814-355-6796 |
| Court Administrator | Kendra J. Miknis | 814-355-6727 |
| Recorder of Deeds | Joseph L. Davidson | 814-355-6801 |
| Register of Wills | Christine Millinder | 814-355-6724 |
The official county website at centrecountypa.gov provides links to each office and their contact details. The Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts page lists current staff, hours, and filing procedures.
Note: The dual-office structure means criminal and civil records are managed together, so one request or visit can cover both case types.
How to Search Centre County Felony Records
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal is the fastest way to search Centre County felony records online. The UJS portal lets you search by name, docket number, or date range across all Pennsylvania counties. Results show case type, charges, disposition, and docket sheet links. Centre County criminal cases filed in the Court of Common Pleas appear here once they are entered into the system.
The image below is sourced from the Centre County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts page.
The Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office maintains the official paper and electronic files for all criminal cases filed in Centre County.
Centre County also provides a local online information system at webia.centrecountypa.gov. This portal offers access to county-level civil and criminal case data. It is separate from the statewide UJS portal and may contain records that have not yet been fully indexed at the state level. Both tools are useful, and searching both gives you the most complete picture.
In-person requests can be made at the Clerk of Courts office in Bellefonte. Staff can assist with pulling physical case files, providing certified copies, and directing you to the correct records if a case has been transferred or archived. Bring identifying information such as a full name and approximate filing date to speed up the search.
Note: Not all district court records appear in the UJS portal immediately; in-person requests are best for older or archived cases.
Centre County Online Records Access
The county's online records system at webia.centrecountypa.gov is a local tool built to serve residents and legal professionals in Centre County. It provides access to docket information, case status, and party details for cases filed in the Court of Common Pleas. The system is free to use and does not require an account for basic searches.
This image is sourced from the Centre County Online Information System.
The web-based system allows searches by case number, party name, and filing date and covers both civil and criminal case types.
Centre County also maintains a Records Management division. Information about records retention, document requests, and archiving procedures is available at the Records Management page. This office handles older records that have moved out of active case management and into long-term storage.
For criminal docket sheets at the district justice level, the three Magisterial District Courts serving Centre County handle preliminary matters before cases move to the Court of Common Pleas. MDJ 49-2-01 is located at 1524 W College Ave in State College and can be reached at 814-237-4981. MDJ 49-3-02 is at 3555 Benner Pike in Bellefonte at 814-355-6739. MDJ 49-3-03 serves the Philipsburg area from 118 Enterprise Dr and can be reached at 814-342-4557. District court records are also searchable through the UJS portal.
Criminal History Checks in Centre County
Court records and criminal history reports are not the same thing. This distinction matters when you are trying to understand what a search will show you. Court records from the Centre County Clerk of Courts reflect what was filed in court. They show charges, dispositions, sentencing details, and case status. A criminal history report, by contrast, is compiled by the Pennsylvania State Police and draws from a wider range of law enforcement data.
The PATCH system (Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History) is the official way to request a Pennsylvania criminal history report. Under Pennsylvania State Police oversight, PATCH checks the Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) database, which includes arrest records, convictions, and dispositions from across the state. These reports are processed by the Pennsylvania State Police under the Criminal History Record Information Act, commonly known as CHRIA.
Centre County court records show what happened in the local court. PATCH shows statewide criminal history. Both serve different needs, and neither replaces the other. Attorneys, researchers, and individuals checking their own records often use both tools together.
Note: PATCH reports show statewide data and may include records from counties other than Centre.
Expungement and Sealing in Centre County
Pennsylvania's Clean Slate law was significantly expanded with Clean Slate 3.0, which took effect on February 12, 2024. This update extended automatic sealing to cover low-level felonies after a ten-year clean record, in addition to misdemeanors after seven years and summary offenses after five years. Automatic sealing means the court system processes these cases without the individual needing to file a petition.
For cases that do not qualify for automatic sealing, individuals can file a petition for expungement or limited access through the Centre County Clerk of Courts. The petition process requires submitting the correct forms, paying any applicable fees, and appearing before a judge if the petition is contested. The Clerk of Courts office at 102 South Allegheny Street can provide guidance on the filing process and the required forms.
More serious convictions may require a pardon before expungement is possible. The Pennsylvania Board of Pardons handles pardon applications statewide. A pardon does not erase a record but can open the door to expungement for convictions that would otherwise remain permanently on file. The process involves an application, a public hearing, and a recommendation to the Governor.
- Summary offenses: auto-sealed after 5 years
- Misdemeanors: auto-sealed after 7 years
- Low-level felonies: auto-sealed after 10 years under Clean Slate 3.0
- Other felonies: require petition or pardon process
- Pardons: reviewed by the Board of Pardons and approved by the Governor
The PA DOC Inmate Locator can help verify whether someone is currently incarcerated as part of a broader case review. This tool is separate from the court record system but useful when you need a full picture of a person's current status.
Note: Sealing limits public access but does not delete the record; certain agencies retain access even after sealing.
Open Records in Centre County
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, codified at 65 P.S. § 67.101, governs public access to government records, including some court-related documents. Under this law, citizens can request records from county agencies, and agencies must respond within five business days. The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records oversees appeals when agencies deny a request.
Court records held by the Clerk of Courts are generally considered public records unless they have been sealed by court order, involve juvenile cases, or contain protected identifying information. Criminal docket sheets, case filings, and sentencing orders are typically accessible. Records management procedures in Centre County determine how long files are kept in active storage versus archived, which can affect how quickly you receive a response to a records request.
Some records are excluded from public access by law. Juvenile records, mental health commitments, and cases that have been expunged or sealed under Clean Slate are not available to the general public. Additionally, records involving ongoing investigations may be withheld until the investigation concludes. For questions about what is available, you can contact the Centre County Records Management office or submit a formal Right-to-Know request through the county website.
The Pennsylvania Courts page for Centre County provides additional context on the court structure and links to court-specific resources.
This image is sourced from the PA Courts Centre County page.
The PA Courts website provides official court structure details and links to the UJS portal for Centre County case searches.
Note: Right-to-Know requests for court records may be redirected to the Clerk of Courts rather than the county's open records officer.
Cities in Centre County
Centre County includes several communities with ties to the county court system in Bellefonte. State College is the largest municipality and is home to Penn State University. Philipsburg, Millheim, and Howard are among the smaller boroughs spread across the county. Lock Haven sits just outside the county line but is a common reference point for the region. All criminal felony matters for these communities are heard at the Court of Common Pleas in Bellefonte.
Nearby County Felony Records
Centre County shares borders with several other Pennsylvania counties, each with its own court system and records office. If a case involves activity that crossed county lines, you may need to search records in more than one county. The links below connect to the records guides for the counties nearest to Centre.