Criminal Records
The Centre County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency of Centre and is charged with maintaining records pertaining to criminal activity within county limits. However, the Pennsylvania State Police Department is the chief custodian of statewide criminal history records and is responsible for processing requests for criminal records and background checks. Thus, all requests for Centre County criminal records must be directed to the state department.
How to Get Criminal Records
The central repository of statewide criminal history information, the Pennsylvania State Police Department maintains and provides records of Pennsylvania-wide arrests, misdemeanors, felony charges and conviction information of subjects residing within the state.
Records can be requested online or by submitting a request form.
Online requests can be made using the Pennsylvania PATCH (access to criminal history). To use the site, requestors may opt to register and obtain login information (recommended for frequent users) or submit a record check without registration.
The requesting party will then be required to furnish the subject's name, date of birth and social security number (if known) and pay the required fee before accessing the requested records.
Alternatively, requests can be made using a Criminal History Request Form, which must be completed, notarized and submitted along with the stated fee to:
Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository - RCPU
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758
How to Find Sex Offender Information
All information regarding registered and convicted sex offenders in Centre County, Pennsylvania are managed on the Pennsylvania State Police Megan's Law Website which houses public information about registered offenders resident within state limits. Interested persons may search the register by the name of the offender, specific addresses and zip codes or by proximity to specific locations or landmarks. The register also provides information regarding the compliance and incarceration status of offenders. To receive email updates about noteworthy changes in offender location and status, interested Centre county residents may subscribe to the Email Notification Service of the PSP.
Where and How to Get Inmate and Jail Information
The Centre County Sheriff's Office is charged with managing the County jail as well as maintaining information regarding incarcerated persons housed in the correctional facility. All inmate and jail information can be obtained by querying the Sheriff's office in person or via phone at (814) 355-6803.
Information relating to inmate location, primary charge, incarceration status, and bail/bond conditions can be viewed using the Inmate Search Tool. To use the tool requestors must furnish the offender's ID or first and last names.
Court Records
Where and How to Get Court Records
The Centre County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts attend to all the record-keeping functions of the County Court of Common Pleas. The office issues copies of non-confidential records to interested members of the public. Requestors can obtain records by querying the office via mail or in person. To facilitate record search, the requesting party is required to provide information such as the name of the plaintiff or defendant, the date of the filing and the case file number of the record being requested. Search and copy fees may also apply. Record requests can be made to:
Prothonotary & Clerk of the Courts
102 South Allegheny Street
Bellefonte, PA 16823-1488
Phone: (814) 355-6796
Location of Courts in Centre County
Listed below are the addresses and contact information of all the courthouses in Centre County, Pennsylvania:
Centre County Court of Common Pleas
Centre County Courthouse
102 S Allegheny St,
Bellefonte, PA 16823
Phone: (814) 355-6796
Fax: (814) 355-8686
Centre County Orphans' Court
Willowbank County Office Building
414 Holmes St, #2,
Bellefonte, PA 16823
Phone: (814) 355-6724
Fax: (814) 355-8685
Centre County Magisterial District Court 49-1-01
131 S Fraser St, #5,
State College, PA 16801
Phone: (814) 231-1420
Fax: (814) 231-1428
Centre County Magisterial District Court 49-2-01
1524 W College Ave, Box 11,
State College, PA 16801
Phone: (814) 237-4981
Fax: (814) 231-1429
Centre County Magisterial District Court 49-3-02
3555 Benner Pike, Suite C,
Bellefonte, PA 16823
Phone: (814) 355-6739
Fax: (814) 355-8644
Centre County Magisterial District Court 49-3-03
118 Enterprise Dr,
Philipsburg, PA 16866
Phone: (814) 342-4557
Fax: (814) 342-0292
Centre County Magisterial District Court 49-3-04
2795 Earlystown Rd,
Centre Hall, PA 16828
Phone: (814) 364-1492
Fax: (814) 364-5110
Centre County Magisterial District Court 49-3-05
121 S Pugh St,
State College, PA 16805
Phone: (814) 861-7406
Fax: (814) 861-7453
Where and How to Get Property Records
The Centre County Recorder of Deeds Office is tasked with recording and maintaining documents relating to land and real property ownership. The office provides copies of deeds, plats, liens, mortgages and related records for public viewing going back to 1800. Interested persons may request these records by querying the office in person at:
Recorder of Deeds
414 Holmes St.
Suite 1
Bellefonte, PA 16823-1488
The requesting party will be required to provide relevant information regarding the property of the document being requested such as the name of its owner, the recording number, the location of the property and the date of the recording if known.
Vital Records
The Pennsylvania State Department of Health is the statewide repository of vital records. The office processes requests for birth, death, marriage and divorce records of Pennsylvania residents. However, these records are also maintained at the county level and can be obtained from the Centre County Clerk of Orphans’ Court and the County Court Clerk's Office (depending on the record being requested).
Where and How to Get Divorce Records
Records of divorces granted in Centre County are maintained by the Centre County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts. Interested persons may obtain copies of these records by making in-person queries to the office or by sending a written request stating the names of divorcees, the date of the divorce and the case file number of the court file if known.
Record requests may be made at/ sent to:
Prothonotary & Clerk of the Courts
102 South Allegheny Street
Bellefonte, PA 16823-1488
Phone: (814) 355-6796
Where and How to Get Marriage Records
The Centre County Clerk of Orphans Court issues marriage licenses and retains copies of the records of marriages licensed by its office. To obtain copies of marriage records, interested persons may download and complete an Application to Obtain a Certified Marriage Certificate which should state the names of the spouses, the date and place of marriage and the marriage certificate number.
The form should be accompanied by the stated fees and submitted in person or via mail to:
Clerk of Orphans Court
Willowbank Office Building
414 Holmes Street Suite 2
Bellefont, PA
Where and How to Get Death and Birth Records
Records of births and deaths which occurred in the Centre are held in the office of the Centre County Clerk of Orphans Court. Neither birth nor death certificates fall under the wide umbrella of public records. Persons interested in obtaining copies of either record must be named on the record, be an immediate family member of the subject or have legal authorization to request the record or be capable of verifying direct interest.
Interested and eligible requestors can obtain the record by completing An Application for Birth Certificate or Application for Death Certificate. The completed forms should be accompanied by the stated fees and required government-issued ID and submitted via mail or in person to:
Clerk of Orphans Court
Willowbank Office Building
414 Holmes Street Suite 2
Bellefont, PA
Are Property Records Open to the Public in Centre County?
Centre County property records are open to public inspection under the Pennsylvania Right-To-Know-Law. All interested parties may inspect property records or obtain copies after submitting requests to the record custodian's office.
Where and How to Find Property in Centre County
The Centre County Assessment Office maintains records of all taxable property in the county. The Assessment Office is responsible for the appraisal and valuation of these properties, and keeps a listing of all parcels, as well as individual records. Records created by the Assessment Office are available online and offline. Residents may also use public computer terminals in the Assessment Office lobby to inspect property records. Requestors may obtain copies of Centre County property records by contacting the Assessment Office using the following details:
Centre County Assessment Office
Willowbank Office Building
420 Holmes Street
Suite 301
Bellefonte, PA 16823
Phone: (814) 355-6721
Fax: (814) 355-6747
Email: assessment@centrecountypa.gov
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Centre County Recorder of Deeds Office also provides copies of all recorded documents to the general public. Property records, including mortgages, assignments of mortgages, and deeds, are officially recorded with the Recorder of Deeds, and released to interested persons. Copies of all documents recorded since 1800 are available. Persons seeking this information may apply using the details below:
Centre County Recorder of Deeds
Willowbank Office Building
414 Holmes Street
Suite 1
Bellefonte, PA 16823
Phone: (814) 355-6801
Email: rodinfo@centrecountypa.gov
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
How to Look Up Centre County Property Records
Centre County property records are accessible online via the Web Information Access (WEBIA) site. Interested persons may use the WEBIA platform to find records by providing record details according to search queries provided by the platform.
Record seekers must register on the WEBIA platform before gaining access. Searching requires the purchase of search "credits", which are charged according to the number of "clicks" a user requires. Generally, the platform defines a click as accessing one WEBIA system page.
On average, each user will need between two and five clicks to access a document, which would cost between 10 cents and 45 cents. The platform also charges a new account activation fee of $10, payable before a search begins. Users are charged according to the number of purchased search credits. Fees are as follows:
- 50 credits - $7.50 at $0.15 per credit
- 200 credits - $24 at $0.12 per credit
- 500 credits - $55 at $0.11 per credit
- 1250 credits - $125 at $0.10 per credit
- 2500 credits - $200 at $0.08 per credit
- 10000 credits - $650 at $0.065 per credit
- 30000 credits - $1,500 at $0.05 per credit
All users can access their credit balances on the main login page. Additional credits may be bought at any time. Credits may also be purchased and distributed among users working in the same organization. Users should note that all unused credits expire after one year, except more credits are purchased. Search credits are nonrefundable.
Location of Centre County Property Assessors
Centre County Assessment Office
Willowbank Office Building
420 Holmes Street
Suite 301
Bellefonte, PA 16823
Phone: (814) 355-6721
Fax: (814) 355-6747
Email: assessment@centrecountypa.gov
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
