Bedford County, PA Courts and Public Records
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The Court of Common Pleas of Bedford County is the county's trial court of general jurisdiction. Minor cases are heard by Magisterial District Courts, and the Clerk of Courts or Prothonotary keeps the county's case records.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Court of Common Pleas of Bedford County |
| Online Case Search | UJS Web Portal (statewide) |
| Records Kept By | Clerk of Courts or Prothonotary, depending on case type |
How to Search Bedford County Court Records
Have the full name of the person or business, the docket number if you know it, and approximate dates ready before you search. Bedford County case records are kept by the Clerk of Courts or Prothonotary.
Online
Go to the UJS Web Portal to search statewide court case records.
Search by party name or docket number where the portal lists the case.
Confirm which case types the portal shows before you search.
Best for: Quick lookups of case status and parties
In Person
Go to the Clerk of Courts or Prothonotary office for Bedford County.
Bring the docket number and party names if you have them.
Ask the clerk which office holds your case type.
Best for: Records and copies not available online
By Phone
Call the Clerk of Courts or Prothonotary office for Bedford County.
Ask what details the office needs to find your case.
Confirm the office number on the official Pennsylvania courts website first.
Best for: Questions about a specific case
Search by Name on PennsylvaniaCourts.org
Go to PennsylvaniaCourts.org and enter a full name.
Search across record types without a case number.
Confirm results with the court, since they are not official court records.
Best for: Finding leads without a case number
Bedford County Court Statistics (CY 2024)
Bedford County's Court of Common Pleas received 1,504 new cases in CY 2024 and disposed of 1,499. Filings rose 0.5% from CY 2023.
1,504
Total filings in CY 2024
1,499
Total dispositions in CY 2024
752
Filings per judicial position
+0.5%
Change in total filings vs CY 2023
| Metric | CY 2024 | CY 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | 1,504 | 1,496 | +0.5% |
| Total Dispositions | 1,499 | 2,181 | -31.3% |
| Criminal Filings | 535 | 530 | +0.9% |
| Civil Filings | 299 | 240 | +24.6% |
| Family Law Filings | 590 | 628 | -6.1% |
| Probate Filings | 48 | 57 | -15.8% |
| Mental Health Filings | ~6 | ~6 | ~+0.0% |
| Juvenile Filings | 32 | 41 | -22.0% |
| Authorized Judicial Positions | 2 | 2 | +0.0% |
The largest change was in civil filings, which rose by 59 (+24.6%).
How Have Court Filings Changed in Bedford County?
Total filings in Bedford County fell over the last five years, from 1,677 in CY 2020 to 1,504 in CY 2024. Dispositions are shown next to filings for each year.
| Fiscal Year | Total Filings | Total Dispositions | YoY Filing Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| CY 2024 | 1,504 | 1,499 | +0.5% |
| CY 2023 | 1,496 | 2,181 | -12.4% |
| CY 2022 | 1,707 | 1,721 | +12.0% |
| CY 2021 | 1,524 | 1,565 | -9.1% |
| CY 2020 | 1,677 | 1,707 | -24.3% |
Filings changed -10.3% between CY 2020 and CY 2024. The largest annual increase was +12.0% in CY 2022, and the largest decrease was -24.3% in CY 2020. In the latest year, civil filings drove the change. Years are calendar years, as reported by the AOPC.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Bedford County?
Family law cases are the largest category in Bedford County, at 39.2% of 1,504 filings in CY 2024.
| Case Type | Filings CY 2024 | Share of Total | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | 535 | 35.6% | +0.9% |
| Civil | 299 | 19.9% | +24.6% |
| Family law | 590 | 39.2% | -6.1% |
| Probate | 48 | 3.2% | -15.8% |
| Juvenile | 32 | 2.1% | -22.0% |
| Mental health | 6 | 0.4% | +0.5% |
Civil filings grew fastest (+24.6%) and juvenile delinquency filings fell fastest (-22.0%).
How Does Bedford County Compare With Pennsylvania Overall?
Bedford County accounted for 0.29% of the 526,789 cases filed in Pennsylvania's Courts of Common Pleas in CY 2024.
| Metric | Bedford County | Pennsylvania | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | 1,504 | 526,789 | 0.29% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | +0.5% | +1.7% | 1.2 points below state |
| Filings per judicial position | 752 | 1,140 | 34.0% below state |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | 750 | 1,172 | 36.1% below state |
| Criminal share of filings | 35.6% | 23.6% | 12.0 points above state |
| Civil share of filings | 19.9% | 28.8% | 8.9 points below state |
| Family law share of filings | 39.2% | 42.1% | 2.9 points below state |
Each judicial position in Bedford County handled fewer new cases than the statewide average (752 vs 1,140), and criminal cases made up 35.6% of its filings compared with 23.6% statewide. Statewide figures use the same categories and the same counties' exclusions as the county figures.
Bedford County Crime Statistics (2025)
These figures are Pennsylvania statewide totals as reported to the FBI, not counts for Bedford County. Agency reporting may be incomplete, and county crime counts are not available here. Statewide violent and property crimes combined fell 7.7% from 2024 to 2025. In 2025, reporting agencies covered about 99.5% of Pennsylvania's population, so year-over-year changes can partly reflect which agencies reported.
29,726
Violent crimes, Pennsylvania statewide, 2025
176,359
Property crimes, Pennsylvania statewide, 2025 (includes arson)
227.6
Violent crime rate per 100K, Pennsylvania statewide, 2025 (population 13,059,432)
-7.7%
Change in total violent plus property crimes, Pennsylvania statewide, 2025 vs 2024 (206,085 vs 223,384)
| Offense | 2025 | Rate per 100K | 2024 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 546 | 4.2 | 685 | -20.3% |
| Rape | 3,510 | 26.9 | 3,928 | -10.6% |
| Robbery | 5,889 | 45.1 | 6,779 | -13.1% |
| Aggravated assault | 19,781 | 151.5 | 21,301 | -7.1% |
| Violent crimes total | 29,726 | 227.6 | 32,693 | -9.1% |
| Burglary | 13,934 | 106.7 | 15,398 | -9.5% |
| Larceny-theft | 136,448 | 1044.8 | 148,774 | -8.3% |
| Motor vehicle theft | 24,699 | 189.1 | 24,901 | -0.8% |
| Property crimes total | 176,359 | 1350.4 | 190,691 | -7.5% |
Rates use the Pennsylvania 2025 population of 13,059,432. County-level rates are not published, so this section does not compare Bedford County with the state. The property crimes total includes arson, so it is larger than the sum of the property offenses listed above.
Bedford County Courthouse Locations
Bedford County court proceedings are held at the Bedford County Courthouse. Check your notice or case paperwork to confirm the courthouse assigned to your case before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford County Courthouse | 200 South Juliana Street, Bedford, PA 15522 | 814-623-4833 | See location page |
Addresses and phone numbers come from public directory listings and may change, so confirm them with the clerk before you visit.
Which Court Handles Your Case in Bedford County?
In Bedford County, Pennsylvania, local matters are handled by the magisterial district courts and the Court of Common Pleas of Bedford County.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | Magisterial District Court serving Bedford County | Summary traffic citations are handled at the magisterial district court that covers where the ticket was issued. |
| Parking ticket | The city, borough, or parking authority that issued the ticket | Parking tickets are usually paid or contested through the issuing local agency, not a county court. |
| Misdemeanor | Magisterial District Court, then Court of Common Pleas of Bedford County | Misdemeanors start with a preliminary stage at the magisterial district court and move to common pleas if held for court. |
| Felony | Court of Common Pleas of Bedford County | Felony cases begin with a preliminary hearing at a magisterial district court and are tried in common pleas. |
| DUI | Court of Common Pleas of Bedford County | DUI charges that are misdemeanors or felonies are heard in common pleas after the preliminary stage. |
| Domestic violence | Court of Common Pleas of Bedford County, Family Division | Protection from abuse petitions are filed with the county prothonotary or family court office; a criminal charge follows the criminal track. |
| Civil lawsuit | Court of Common Pleas of Bedford County | Larger civil claims are filed with the prothonotary of the county common pleas court. |
| Small claims | Magisterial District Court serving Bedford County | Civil claims for smaller amounts are filed at the magisterial district court. |
| Eviction | Magisterial District Court serving Bedford County | Landlord and tenant complaints are filed at the magisterial district court for the rental property. |
| Divorce | Court of Common Pleas of Bedford County, Family Division | Divorce is filed with the county prothonotary and handled in common pleas. |
| Child custody or support | Court of Common Pleas of Bedford County, Domestic Relations | Custody and support matters are handled by the county court of common pleas. |
| Probate or estate | Register of Wills and Orphans' Court of Bedford County | The Register of Wills handles estates, and contested matters go to the Orphans' Court Division of common pleas. |
| Juvenile case | Court of Common Pleas of Bedford County, Juvenile Division | Juvenile delinquency and dependency matters are heard in common pleas. |
| Appeal | Court of Common Pleas, Superior Court, or Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania | Summary appeals go to common pleas; most other appeals go to the appellate courts. Federal matters go to the U.S. District Court. |
Are Bedford County Court Records Public?
Yes, most Pennsylvania court case records are public, with exceptions set by the Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania.
Public records
Case records of the courts and Magisterial District Courts are covered by the policy, and most are open for inspection. Confirm the scope of access with the clerk for a specific case.
Restricted or confidential records
Records that a court order seals, or that state law makes confidential, are not open to the public. Ask the clerk which records in a case are restricted before you request them.
Online access
The UJS Web Portal is the statewide case search. Not every document may appear online, so confirm with the clerk for anything the portal does not show.
In-person access
Visit the Clerk of Courts or Prothonotary office for Bedford County to view or request records, and call ahead to confirm which office holds your case type.
Fees
This page does not list copy or search fee amounts. Ask the clerk office about fees before you request records.
How to Search Bedford County Court Records Online
You can look up case information for Bedford County through the statewide Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal and county offices.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, traffic, civil, or family.
- Open the Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal for statewide docket searches.
- Search by participant name, docket number, or citation number.
- Review the docket sheet for hearing dates, charges, and dispositions.
- Request documents that are not online from the court or county office in Bedford County.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal | Docket sheets for common pleas and magisterial district court criminal cases, searchable by name or docket number. | Docket information is shown online, but filed documents are generally obtained from the clerk of courts. |
| Traffic | Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal | Magisterial district court traffic and summary dockets, including dispositions. | Not every document is online; contact the magisterial district court for copies. |
| Civil | Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal | Magisterial district court civil dockets are searchable in the portal. | Common pleas civil cases are generally not in the statewide portal; check the Bedford County prothonotary for those records. |
| Small claims | Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal | Civil and landlord-tenant dockets from magisterial district courts. | Case information only; judgments and filings may need a request to the court. |
| Family law | Prothonotary or Domestic Relations office of Bedford County | Contact the county office for divorce, custody, and support case status. | Family cases are generally not in the statewide docket search and are often restricted. |
| Probate | Register of Wills of Bedford County | Estate files are maintained by the county Register of Wills. | Probate records are not part of the statewide docket search; request copies from the Register of Wills. |
| Juvenile | Court of Common Pleas of Bedford County (restricted access) | Juvenile records are confidential and not publicly searchable. | Only parties and authorized persons can obtain juvenile case information from the court. |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Bedford County
This page does not list verified payment methods for Bedford County, so check your ticket or notice for payment instructions and confirm with the court before you pay.
Parking tickets are generally handled by the agency that issued them rather than by the court, so follow the instructions on the ticket.
Bedford County Court Records FAQ
How do I search Bedford County court records?
Use the UJS Web Portal to look up statewide case records by party name or docket number, or contact the Clerk of Courts or Prothonotary office.
Are Bedford County court records public?
Most are, under the Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania, but records sealed by court order or made confidential by law are restricted.
How do I find a criminal case?
Search by party name in the UJS Web Portal or ask the Clerk of Courts or Prothonotary office which office holds the case.
How do I find a court date?
Check your ticket or notice first, then search the case on the UJS Web Portal or call the clerk office for the case type.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Check your ticket or notice for payment instructions, since this page does not list verified payment methods for Bedford County.
How many cases are filed in Bedford County each year?
County filing counts are not published here, so no annual figure is given. The county had 47,480 residents in 2025.
What is the most common type of case in Bedford County?
Case-type counts for Bedford County are not published here, so no most-common category is shown.
Is crime in Bedford County rising or falling?
County crime counts are not available here. Statewide, reported violent crimes fell 9.1% to 29,726 in 2025 from 32,693 in 2024, and property crimes fell 7.5% to 176,359 from 190,691, as reported to the FBI. These are Pennsylvania statewide figures, and reporting coverage changed between years.
Courts in the County
Bedford County Common PleasMore Info
| Address: | 200 S. Juliana St., Bedford, PA, 15522 |
| Phone Number: | 814-623-4812 |
| Fax: | 814-623-3858 |
| Website: | http://www.pacourts.us/courts/courts-of-common-pleas/individual-county-courts/bedford-county |
Useful Links
- Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System: Official portal for Pennsylvania's court system, featuring various court-related services and resources. Explore e-filing, court administration, and more.
- Bedford County Courts: Access Bedford County court information including venues for Common Pleas, Magisterial District Courts, and related judicial services.
- Bedford County Pennsylvania Government: Official Bedford County website providing comprehensive details about county administration, court services, and community resources.
- Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court: Offers probate records, orphans' court dockets, and other related services in Bedford County.
- Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal: Access docket sheets and case information from Pennsylvania's magisterial district courts through this online tool.
- Pennsylvania Criminal Law Updates: Essential insights on criminal law, updates, and records accessible to facilitate legal navigation in Pennsylvania.
- PALawHelp.org: A resource offering free legal information and assistance on a wide range of legal issues for residents in Pennsylvania.
- FindLaw Pennsylvania Legal Help: Connects users with local legal resources and information on a vast array of legal topics, including public records access.
- Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network: Offers legal aid and services to residents who cannot afford an attorney, and provides resources for understanding legal rights.
- Bedford County Sheriff's Office Civil Court Services: Information on civil court services provided by the Bedford County Sheriff's Office, including subpoenas and service of process.
- ACLU of Pennsylvania: Know Your Rights: Guides and information from the ACLU on civil rights concerns, relevant to interactions with law enforcement and court procedures.
- Bedford County Court Administration: Provides access to court forms, rules, and administrative information for those involved with the Bedford County Court System.
- Bedford County Deed Search: Explore property records and land records via Bedford County's deed search service, crucial for real estate transactions.
- Bedford County Property Search: Facilitate property assessments and information retrieval through Bedford County's official property search tool.
- Public Notices from Pennsylvania Courts: A repository of public notices related to court proceedings, essential for staying informed about community legal matters.
- Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania: Oversight board for legal ethics and misconduct, providing resources for understanding the disciplinary process of Pennsylvania's legal professionals.
- Pennsylvania Record Online News: Keep updated with the latest developments in Pennsylvania court law and decisions from the Pennsylvania Record's online news service.
- Pennsylvania Legal Links: Comprehensive collection of legal resources, libraries, and law schools provided by Pennsylvania Legal Links to aid public understanding of the law.
- Legal Outreach Services of Camden: Non-profit assistance and outreach services for legal matters, particularly focusing on New Jersey and Pennsylvania issues.
- Bedford County Documents: Online portal for access to Bedford County public documents and records integral for legal proceedings and historical research.
Table of Contents
- Bedford County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Bedford County Court Records
- Bedford County Court Statistics (CY 2024)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Bedford County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Bedford County?
- How Does Bedford County Compare With Pennsylvania Overall?
- Bedford County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Bedford County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Bedford County?
- Are Bedford County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Bedford County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Bedford County
- Bedford County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links