Centre County Public Records
Centre County public records are maintained by county offices in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. Centre County is home to Penn State University and serves a diverse population of year-round residents, students, and researchers. Court records, property documents, land records, and vital records are all maintained by county offices and accessible under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law. This page describes the records available from Centre County and how to find them online or at the Bellefonte courthouse.
Centre County Quick Facts
Centre County Government and Public Records
Centre County operates its government from Bellefonte, the county seat. The Bellefonte courthouse is home to all major county offices including the Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts, Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills, Assessment Office, and Sheriff's Office. These offices maintain the public records that residents, businesses, legal professionals, and researchers regularly need. All offices are open to the public during regular business hours Monday through Friday.
The Centre County website at centrecountypa.gov provides department listings, contact information, and links to county services. Residents seeking specific records can use the website to identify the right office and get contact details before visiting Bellefonte. The county serves a large and active population that includes Penn State University students and faculty in State College, as well as residents throughout the surrounding communities. Public records in Centre County reflect the county's diverse activities and community needs.
Centre County also hosts a large volume of court proceedings and property transactions due to the presence of the university and its related businesses and housing market. This means an active and comprehensive set of public records is maintained across all county departments.
The Centre County official website provides direct access to department information and resources for searching public records in Bellefonte and throughout the county.
Centre County Court Records
The Prothonotary in Centre County maintains all civil case records for the Court of Common Pleas. Civil records include lawsuits, judgments, protection from abuse orders, and other civil proceedings filed in Centre County. The Clerk of Courts maintains all criminal case records from initial filing through sentencing. Both offices are based at the Bellefonte courthouse and are open to the public during business hours. Staff can help locate specific cases and provide certified copies upon request.
Centre County court records are available online through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. This free statewide system lets you search by party name or case number across all Pennsylvania courts. Civil, criminal, and family court records from Centre County are all searchable through the portal. Magisterial district court records, which cover smaller cases and preliminary hearings in Bellefonte and other Centre County communities, are also accessible through the UJS Portal. The PAeDocket mobile app provides the same search capabilities on a smartphone.
For certified copies and access to the full case file, contact the Prothonotary or Clerk of Courts at the Bellefonte courthouse. Centre County court staff can advise on fees and turnaround times for document requests.
Note: UJS Portal searches show docket information as entered by courthouse staff. Always confirm case details directly with the Centre County courthouse for time-sensitive legal matters.
Centre County Property and Land Records
The Recorder of Deeds in Centre County records and maintains all real estate documents filed for properties in the county. Deeds, mortgages, mortgage satisfaction documents, easements, and subdivision plans are all kept by this office. The active real estate market in Centre County, driven in part by the university and surrounding communities, means a high volume of transactions and recorded documents. These records trace the ownership history of every parcel in the county and are essential for any property research in Bellefonte or State College.
Find contact and office details for the Centre County Recorder of Deeds at centrecountypa.gov/departments/recorder-of-deeds/. Staff maintain a grantor-grantee index searchable by name. Copies of recorded instruments are available for a fee. Title companies, real estate attorneys, and lenders rely heavily on these records for property transactions throughout Centre County. The Assessment Office maintains property values separately, providing the taxable value for each parcel.
The Tax Claim Bureau handles delinquent tax records and manages the sale of properties with unpaid taxes. Sheriff's sale records from Centre County are also public and available from the Sheriff's Office.
Right-to-Know Requests in Centre County
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law gives residents the right to request records from Centre County agencies. All requests must be submitted in writing to the county's Agency Open Records Officer. The county has five business days to respond. The standard RTKL form and guidance are available at openrecords.pa.gov. If Centre County denies your request, you can appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records within 15 business days at no cost.
Common public records available from Centre County include commissioner meeting minutes, the county budget, financial reports, contracts, and election results. Many of these are posted on the county website. For records not available online, a formal written request ensures the county follows the required legal process and responds within the required time. The OOR provides mediation services as well, which can resolve disputes without a formal appeal in many cases.
Vital Records in Centre County
The Register of Wills in Centre County issues marriage licenses to couples who apply in person at the Bellefonte courthouse. Both parties must appear to apply. The Register also probates wills, grants letters of administration, and maintains all estate and orphans' court records for Centre County. These records are public and searchable at the office during business hours.
Birth and death records for Centre County are maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Certified copies can be ordered through the Department of Health by mail or online. The Health Department holds records from 1906 to the present. Older records may be found through local historical organizations or church archives. The Pennsylvania Auditor General's office at paauditor.gov also publishes audit findings for Centre County programs, which are public records reflecting state expenditures in the county. These audit reports are a valuable tool for residents interested in government accountability in Centre County.
Nearby Counties
Centre County is located in central Pennsylvania. Neighboring counties have their own public records offices and courthouse systems.