Criminal records in Centre County, Pennsylvania, can be accessed through several online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. CentrePACourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for Centre County. Additional access points include the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System web portal, the Centre County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts, the Pennsylvania State Police criminal history repository, and the Centre County Sheriff's Office.
How to Search Criminal Records in Centre
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Centre County. The method you choose depends on what information you already have and whether you need official or certified documents.
Online Search Options
- CentrePACourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information related to Centre County criminal cases.
- UJS Web Portal Case Search — The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal lets you search statewide court case information, including Centre County criminal docket sheets, for free. You can search by participant name, docket number, or calendar event.
- Centre County Civil Court Case Search — This county-level portal covers civil cases. For criminal docket sheets, use the UJS Web Portal instead.
- Centre County Inmate Listing — The county directs users to the VINELink website to search for current inmates at the Centre County Correctional Facility.
- Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) — The Pennsylvania State Police operate this system for criminal history background checks. Results are checked against Pennsylvania law enforcement agency records only.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full name of the individual (first and last name at minimum)
- Date of birth (helpful for narrowing results)
- Case or docket number (if known)
- County of filing (select Centre County on the UJS portal)
In Person
Visit the Centre County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte. The Clerk of Courts maintains all records of the criminal courts. Public access terminals may be available at the courthouse for searching docket information.
By Mail or Written Request
- Court records: Send a written request to the Clerk of Courts at the address above. Include the full name of the individual, case number if known, and the type of record you need.
- Statewide criminal history: Submit a request through PATCH online, or mail a request to the Pennsylvania State Police. Notarized copies of a criminal record check must be submitted by mail.
- Right-to-Know requests: Centre County government records requests can be submitted through the county's Open Records Request page, governed by Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law.
Search Centre Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you have a docket number, you can pull up a case directly on the UJS Web Portal by selecting the "Docket Number" search option. Pennsylvania uses a standardized docket number format across all courts of common pleas:
Format: CP-14-CR-XXXXXXX-YYYY
- CP — Court of Common Pleas
- 14 — Centre County's two-digit county code
- CR — Case type (CR = Criminal). Other prefixes include SA (Summary Appeal) and MD (Miscellaneous Docket)
- XXXXXXX — Sequential case number assigned by the court
- YYYY — Four-digit year the case was filed
Magisterial district court cases use a different prefix — MJ — followed by the district judge's office number. These cases typically cover preliminary hearings and summary offenses before they reach the Court of Common Pleas.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Centre
Criminal docket sheets available through the UJS portal and the Clerk of Courts contain detailed case information. Here is what each data point means:
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | References the specific section of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code (Title 18) or other title under which the defendant is charged |
| Grade | Felony (F1, F2, F3), Misdemeanor (M1, M2, M3), or Summary offense |
| Original charges | Charges as initially filed by the District Attorney |
| Amended charges | Charges that were modified through plea negotiations or at the court's discretion |
Case Status
- Active — Case is currently proceeding through the court system
- Pending — Awaiting a scheduled hearing or action
- Disposed — All charges have been resolved (by verdict, plea, or dismissal)
- Closed — Case is fully concluded, including sentencing and any post-disposition matters
Hearing Types
- Preliminary arraignment — Initial appearance where bail is set and charges are read
- Preliminary hearing — Held before a magisterial district judge to determine if sufficient evidence exists to hold the case for trial
- Formal arraignment — Defendant enters a plea at the Court of Common Pleas level
- Pre-trial conference — Attorneys and the judge discuss case management, potential plea agreements, or trial scheduling
- Trial — Bench or jury trial where evidence is presented
- Sentencing — Court imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review hearing — Follow-up hearings for probation compliance or specialty court programs such as the Centre County DUI Court or Behavioral Health Court
Court Results
| Disposition | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant was found or pleaded guilty |
| Not guilty | Defendant was acquitted at trial |
| Nolle prosequi | Prosecution withdrew the charges |
| Dismissed | Court dismissed the charges |
| ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition) | First-time offender diverted to a supervised program; charges dismissed upon completion |
| Guilty plea — negotiated | Defendant pleaded guilty as part of a plea agreement |
Note: Court case information from the UJS portal should not be used in place of an official criminal history background check, which can only be provided by the Pennsylvania State Police.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Centre
Certified copies of criminal court records in Centre County are issued by the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts. This office indexes, files, and maintains all records of the criminal courts for the Court of Common Pleas of Centre County.
How to Submit a Request
- In person: Visit the Clerk of Courts office at the Centre County Courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail: Send a written request specifying the case number, defendant name, and the documents needed. Include a check or money order for applicable fees.
- Right-to-Know request: For other county government records, submit a request through the Centre County Open Records Request portal.
Statewide Criminal History Check
For an official Pennsylvania criminal history background check, use the PATCH system operated by the Pennsylvania State Police. Online requests return results checked against Pennsylvania law enforcement records. Notarized copies must be requested by mail.
Identification Required
- Valid government-issued photo ID for in-person requests
- Full name and date of birth of the subject for background check requests through PATCH
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Centre
Fees for criminal records in Centre County vary depending on the type of request and the issuing agency.
| Service | Fee | Source / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PATCH online criminal history check | $22.00 | Pennsylvania State Police; paid online via credit card |
| PATCH volunteer record check | Free | For qualifying volunteer positions under Act 34 |
| UJS Web Portal case search | Free | View docket sheets online at no charge |
| Certified copy of court document | Varies | Contact the Clerk of Courts for current per-page and certification fees |
| Right-to-Know request copies | $0.25 per page (standard) | Per Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law fee schedule; specialized records may cost more |
Processing Times
- PATCH online: Results are typically returned within minutes for standard requests
- PATCH by mail: Allow several weeks for processing and return
- Clerk of Courts (in person): Copies are often available the same day, depending on staff availability and the complexity of the request
- Clerk of Courts (by mail): Allow one to two weeks for processing and mailing
- Right-to-Know requests: Agencies must respond within five business days under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, though a 30-day extension is permitted
Fee amounts for certified copies from the Clerk of Courts are set by local court order and may change. Contact the Centre County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts directly to confirm current fees before submitting a request.