Clearfield County Ancestry Records
Clearfield County genealogy records span more than two centuries of family history in central Pennsylvania. The county's Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds office holds marriage licenses from 1885, early birth and death records, estate files dating to 1832, and land documents from 1804. Researchers tracing Clearfield County families will find both a well-organized courthouse office and strong online resources through the county's computer database. Start here to search Clearfield County records and uncover your ancestors' lives in this region.
Clearfield County Genealogy Quick Facts
Clearfield County Register of Wills and Recorder
The Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds office is the center of genealogy record access in Clearfield County. The office is located at 230 East Market Street, Suite 112, Clearfield, PA 16830. The phone numbers are (814) 765-2641 ext. 2126 for probate and ext. 2127 for marriage licenses. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Staff can assist with in-office searches or help you submit a mail request.
Marriage licenses in Clearfield County are on file from 1885 to the present, with a fully computerized index. The marriage license fee is $50, payable in cash only. A three-day waiting period is required after applying before the license is issued. Estate records are on file from 1832, making Clearfield County's probate collection one of the older ones in the state. Estates are indexed on computer from 1990 forward, and scanned records are available from December 1, 1998 to the present. This makes recent searches especially fast. For older estates, staff searches from physical indexes. Certified copies of birth and death records from 1893 to 1905 are $5 each.
The Clearfield County Register of Wills website provides current fee schedules and information for in-person or mail requests.
Visiting the official county site helps confirm current hours, fees, and the types of records available before you make a trip to the courthouse.
| Office |
Clearfield County Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds 230 East Market Street, Suite 112 Clearfield, PA 16830 Phone: (814) 765-2641 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | clearfieldcountypa.gov |
Clearfield County Land and Deed Records
Clearfield County was formed on March 26, 1804 from Lycoming and Huntingdon Counties. Land records at the Recorder of Deeds office go back to that date. The office records all real estate transactions in Clearfield County, including deeds, mortgages, rights-of-way, easements, and property transfers. Military discharge papers (DD-214 forms) are also recorded here for safekeeping. Notary public commissions and Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings are part of the recorder's responsibilities as well.
The fee schedule for recording land documents in Clearfield County is specific. Deeds cost $79.75 to record. Mortgages are also $79.75. Agreements run $18.50. Maps are $25 for the first page and $20 for each additional page. Standard copies are $0.50 per page, and certified copies are $1 each. A Uniform Parcel Identifier (UPI) stamp is required on all deeds before recording and costs $10 per parcel. Names over four and pages over four both carry extra fees. Electronic recording is available through Simplifile at 800-460-5657 and CSC E-Recording Solutions at 866-652-0111. The Clearfield County Recorder of Deeds site has full details on fees and eRecording options.
Note: Land records in Clearfield County provide a valuable trail of ownership going back to 1804, and they often name family members in deed transactions, making them useful for genealogical research beyond just property history.
Clearfield County Vital Records History
Vital records for Clearfield County follow the same two-tier system as most Pennsylvania counties. Early records from 1893 to 1905 are at the county courthouse. Records from 1906 onward are with the Pennsylvania Department of Health under 35 P.S. §450.801. Act 127 of 2016, which is described at the Library of Congress vital records guide, gave genealogical researchers broader access to records more than 105 years old, opening many older Clearfield County records to general public access.
For records after 1905, the Pennsylvania Department of Health is the right place to start. Birth and death certificates can be ordered online through VitalChek or by mail to the Division of Vital Records. Standard certificates cost $20 each. Processing takes roughly two weeks for most requests. Clearfield County researchers should note that some post-1906 records may have been filed with errors or under alternate spellings, so searching by phonetic variations can help locate hard-to-find records.
Clearfield County Probate and Estate Records
Estate records are among the richest genealogical sources in Clearfield County. The Register of Wills has files going back to 1832, just 28 years after the county's formation. These records include wills, administrations, guardianships, and related filings from the Orphans' Court. A will names heirs, describes property, and often identifies relationships between family members. An administration record appears when someone died without a will, and it lists those who had legal interest in the estate.
Under 65 P.S. §§ 67.101, probate records in Pennsylvania are public documents. Anyone can request access to them, not just family members. The Orphans' Court clerk handles these estate matters, and records from this court can be especially detailed. For very early Clearfield County estates, the Pennsylvania State Archives may hold copies or microfilm that supplements what is available locally. The ARIAS database at the State Archives provides some online search access to historical records across many Pennsylvania counties.
Online Access to Clearfield County Records
Clearfield County offers computer access to the official records database for in-office researchers. This speeds up searches compared to manual indexes. The county also participates in state-level digital initiatives. The State Library of Pennsylvania genealogy research guide lists databases useful for Clearfield County research, including census records, newspaper archives, and statewide vital records tools.
Under 37 Pa.C.S. § 305.3, the State Archives must preserve and make accessible public records of historical value. This supports ongoing access to Clearfield County records held at the state level, including land warrant applications and military records. Researchers who want to go deeper into Clearfield County family history should also check the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission at pa.gov/agencies/phmc, which coordinates the state's historical record preservation efforts.
Cities in Clearfield County
Clearfield County includes the borough of Clearfield as its county seat, along with numerous townships spread across central Pennsylvania. Genealogy records for all Clearfield County residents are held at the courthouse in the borough of Clearfield.
Nearby Counties
Clearfield County borders a wide range of Pennsylvania counties. Early families often crossed county lines, so searching neighboring records can uncover Clearfield County ancestors who moved or owned land in more than one area.