Clearfield County Deed Records and Property Search
Clearfield County property records are handled by the Register and Recorder office at the county courthouse in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. This combined office manages both recording of deeds and mortgages and the registration of wills and estates. Property records in Clearfield County include deeds, mortgages, easements, subdivision plans, and related instruments. You can access Clearfield County property records online through the Pennsylvania statewide land records portal or by visiting the courthouse in person. The assessor office also provides property tax and ownership data for the county.
Clearfield County Quick Facts
Clearfield County Register and Recorder Office
Clearfield County combines the functions of Recorder of Deeds and Register of Wills into one office called the Register and Recorder. This unique arrangement means that the same office handles property deed recordings, mortgage filings, estate records, and marriage licenses. The office is located at the Clearfield County Courthouse in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. Staff assist the public with both property records and probate research from a single location.
The consolidated Register and Recorder arrangement simplifies access for researchers who need both property and estate records from the same county. Deed and mortgage records in Clearfield County date back to 1804 when the county was formed from Lycoming County. The courthouse in Clearfield has maintained these records continuously since the county's founding.
The Clearfield County website at clearfieldcounty.org provides access to county services, office contacts, and links to property research tools. The image below shows the county's online portal for public records access.
The Clearfield County portal connects users to the Register and Recorder, assessor services, and other county resources for property and land record research.
| Office | Clearfield County Register and Recorder |
|---|---|
| Address | Clearfield County Courthouse, Clearfield, PA 16830 |
| Phone | (814) 765-2641 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | clearfieldcounty.org |
Note: Because this office handles both recording and probate functions, it is important to identify which specific record type you need when calling or visiting Clearfield County.
Searching Clearfield County Property Records Online
Online searches for Clearfield County recorded property documents are available through the Pennsylvania statewide land records portal. Visit pa.uslandrecords.com to search by owner name, document type, or date range. This system contains deeds, mortgages, and other instruments recorded with the Clearfield County Register and Recorder. The image below shows how the state portal is used for Clearfield County property searches.
The PA Land Records portal provides digital access to Clearfield County recorded instruments and allows users to view deed and mortgage document images online.
For property assessment and tax data, the Clearfield County Assessor maintains ownership records searchable by parcel number, owner name, or property address. This data is useful for checking current ownership and assessed values. The Pennsylvania State Archives land records guide covers early Clearfield County warrant surveys and historical land transaction records. Tax-related data at the state level is managed by the PA Department of Revenue. Court judgment records that may affect Clearfield County property can be found at the Unified Judicial System portal.
Types of Property Records in Clearfield County
Clearfield County maintains a broad range of property documents through its Register and Recorder and assessor offices. These records cover everything from original ownership transfers to financial encumbrances and estate transfers.
Deeds record ownership transfers in Clearfield County. Each deed names the grantor and grantee, provides a legal property description, and states the recording date. Deed types common in Clearfield County include warranty deeds, special warranty deeds, and sheriff's deeds from tax sales. Mortgages document loans secured by real property. When a mortgage is paid off, a satisfaction of mortgage is filed to clear the encumbrance from the Clearfield County title chain.
The Register and Recorder also holds easement records, subdivision plans, and land surveys. The combined office additionally maintains marriage licenses and probate records, which can be important for tracing property passing through estates. Lien records include federal and state tax liens, municipal liens for unpaid services, and mechanics' liens from contractors. UCC filings are handled by the Pennsylvania Department of State. Court judgments are searchable through the UJS portal.
Clearfield County property records available include:
- Deeds and deed transfers
- Mortgages and mortgage satisfactions
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Subdivision plans and surveys
- Marriage licenses (filed in same office)
- Estate records affecting property transfers
Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law and Property Record Access
Under 65 P.S. § 67.301, all Pennsylvania county agencies including the Clearfield County Register and Recorder must make public records available to anyone who asks. Property records such as deeds, mortgages, and assessment data are presumed to be public and accessible during regular office hours. No special status or reason is required for access.
If a Clearfield County office denies a records request, you have the right to appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records. The OOR reviews appeals at no cost and issues decisions within 30 days. Most property record denials are reversed on appeal when the records qualify as public. The Pennsylvania Local Government Commission provides additional guidance on RTKL requirements for county agencies throughout Pennsylvania.
Clearfield County's combined Register and Recorder office means that property records and estate records may be intertwined for certain parcels. Understanding this unique structure helps ensure you submit requests to the right office and locate records more efficiently during your Clearfield County property research.
Clearfield County Property Assessment and Tax Records
The Clearfield County Assessor maintains property valuation records used to calculate annual property taxes. Each parcel has an assigned assessed value based on the county's determination of fair market value. Property taxes are then calculated by applying the millage rates of the county, school district, and municipality where the property is located in Clearfield County.
The assessor database includes parcel IDs, owner names, property addresses, land and building values, and property characteristics. You can access this data by contacting the assessor office or through available online search tools. If you believe your Clearfield County assessment is incorrect, you can file an appeal with the Board of Assessment Appeals within the designated annual deadline. The appeal requires you to show that the assessed value does not reflect the property's actual market value.
For older property ownership research in Clearfield County, the Pennsylvania State Archives holds warrant and survey records from the original land grant period. The Pennsylvania Land Title Association can connect you with title professionals who perform full chains of title for Clearfield County properties going back through the historical record.
Note: Property taxes in Clearfield County are collected by different entities depending on the type of tax. Contact the county treasurer for county tax information, and school districts directly for school tax inquiries.
Getting Copies of Clearfield County Property Records
Copies of Clearfield County property records can be obtained in person, online, or by mail. The combined Register and Recorder office makes it convenient to get both deed and estate-related property records from a single source.
To get copies in person, visit the Clearfield County Courthouse. Bring the parcel number, owner name, or document book and page reference. Staff can locate and print deed, mortgage, easement, and other recorded documents. Online copies of recorded instruments are available through pa.uslandrecords.com. You can search, view, and download instrument images for Clearfield County through this portal.
Mail requests are accepted by the Clearfield County Register and Recorder. Send your written request with document details, your contact information, and payment for applicable fees to Clearfield County Courthouse, Clearfield, PA 16830. Call (814) 765-2641 to confirm current copy fees before mailing. For professional title searches, the Pennsylvania Land Title Association maintains a directory of licensed title companies operating in Clearfield County.
Nearby Counties
Clearfield County borders several Pennsylvania counties, each with their own recorder and assessor offices for property records.