McKean County
McKean County was created in 1804 and named in honor of Thomas McKean, a former Pennsylvania governor. The county is rich in oil and has valuable timber resources. Its seat, the Borough of Smethport, is notably the coldest place in Pennsylvania and one of the coldest in the U.S. According to data recorded in 2020, the total population of McKean County is approximately 40,430.
The judicial system in McKean County consists of a Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts. The Court of Common Pleas has broad authority over civil and criminal cases. It typically hears felonies, lesser offenses, and civil claims of any monetary value. It also hears domestic relations cases, juvenile matters, adoptions, administrative appeals, and arbitration reviews. The Magisterial District Court has locations in Bradford, Smethport, and Kane. These courts have jurisdiction to hear certain criminal cases, such as summary offenses, preliminary hearings, some DUI offenses, third-degree misdemeanors, and ordinance violations. They also hear civil cases, including landlord/tenant disputes and general civil claims within defined financial limits.
Public court records in McKean County, Pennsylvania, are official documents detailing legal proceedings conducted in the county. These records contain the names of parties involved in the case, docket numbers, as well as the rulings and final judgment of the court. They are usually made available to the public to ensure transparency and improve public trust in judicial processes. The McKean County Clerk of Courts is the official responsible for keeping and providing access to the records. This official provides access to the following public court records:
- Criminal records
- Civil records
- Probate records
- Family records
Intestered persons can obtain physical copies of these records at the Clerk's Office or view and download the records online. To obtain physical copies of the records, individuals can make an in-person visit to the office located at:
500 W. Main Street
Smethport, PA 16749
Phone: (814) 887-3270
To view the records online, follow these steps:
- Visit Penslyvania's Unified Judicial System case search portal
- Enter relevant details, such as party names, case numbers, or other identifying information to streamline the search
- Review the search results until the desired record is located. Note that viewing the record online is free; fees may apply if the record is downloaded.
Obtaining certified copies of court documents from the Clerk's Office costs $10.00 per document. Uncertified copies, on the other hand, cost $0.50 per page.
