Bedford County
Bedford County is located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, spanning 1012.1 square miles. It was named after Fort Bedford, a British fort built during the French and Indian War. The county was established in 1771 from parts of Cumberland County. The Borough of Bedford serves as both the county seat and its central hub for administrative and judicial activities. As of 2022, Bedford County has a population of approximately 47,613 people.
Bedford County operates under Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System. The judicial framework comprises the Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts, each addressing different legal needs. Bedford County Court of Common Pleas has general jurisdiction over most civil and criminal cases, such as general civil claims without financial limits, felonies, and lesser-included offenses. It oversees family law matters such as divorce, custody, and child support. It also manages probate and estate issues, including wills and guardianships. Moreover, it exercises appellate jurisdiction over decisions from some Administrative Agencies and Magisterial District Courts. It has divisions like the Orphans' Court for estate and trust matters. Conversely, the Bedford County Magisterial District Courts handle preliminary hearings for criminal cases, including felonies and third-degree misdemeanors. It also adjudicates certain civil disputes, landlord-tenant issues, and ordinance violations as well as certain DUI cases.
Court records in Bedford County are the official documentation of case trials generated during legal proceedings within the county. They include motions, petitions, dockets, pleas, and other judicial activities. These records play a critical role in legal and historical research. While there is limited access right to proceedings and records involving minors under Pennsylvania Law, the following court records are publicly accessible:
- Criminal records
- Civil records
- Probate records
- Traffic records
The Prothonotary and Clerk of Court's Office in Bedford County oversees the maintenance and dissemination of these records. Interested parties can access records either through Pennsylvania's Judicial Web Portal, a digital platform for statewide case searches, or in-person visits to the county courthouse at:
200 South Juliana Street
Bedford, PA 15522
Phone: (814) 623-4833
