Bradford County Background Check Records
Bradford County criminal records are held by the Court of Common Pleas in Towanda, Pennsylvania. Background check searches in Bradford County rely on the Clerk of Courts for felony case files, Magisterial District Courts for local criminal matters, and state systems like the UJS Portal and PATCH for broader record access. With a population of approximately 61,000, Bradford County sits in northern Pennsylvania along the New York border. This page explains where to find criminal history records, how to contact the right offices, and what state resources cover this county.
Bradford County Quick Facts
Bradford County court records overview
Bradford County was established in 1810 and is named after William Bradford, a former Attorney General of the United States. Towanda serves as the county seat and is home to the Bradford County Courthouse at 301 Main Street, where the Court of Common Pleas handles all felony criminal cases. The county lies along the New York state border in northern Pennsylvania, and its rural character means that most government services are centralized in Towanda. Criminal cases originate in local Magisterial District Courts before being bound over to Common Pleas for trial-level proceedings.
The Court of Common Pleas in Bradford County maintains the full criminal record for every felony case prosecuted in the county. Misdemeanor convictions that are appealed from the MDJ level also become part of the Common Pleas record. The Clerk of Courts manages the filing and storage of these records. Bradford County court dockets follow the same format used across Pennsylvania and include charges, offense grades, plea entries, hearing dates, sentencing orders, and any subsequent appeals to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania.
How to search Bradford County criminal history
The easiest starting point for a Bradford County background search is the UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. This free tool covers all Pennsylvania courts including the Bradford County Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts. Search by participant name using the last name first format. The portal returns docket sheets with case captions, charge lists, bail details, hearing schedules, and dispositions. No account is required. The portal is available around the clock and works for both recent and older cases that have been entered into the statewide system.
For an official certified criminal history rather than a court docket, the Pennsylvania State Police PATCH system is the correct resource. Request a PATCH report at pa.gov/agencies/psp online. Standard processing takes 7 to 14 business days. PATCH draws from statewide criminal history data and is the legally recognized method for verifying criminal records under 18 Pa.C.S. §9101.
In-person visits to the Bradford County Clerk of Courts at 301 Main Street in Towanda allow you to search the county's own records directly. You can reach the office by phone at (570) 265-1721. For active warrant information, contact the Bradford County Sheriff's Office through bradfordcountypa.org. Written mail requests are also accepted by the Clerk of Courts for those who cannot visit in person.
Note: Bradford County records filed before the digital era may require additional time to locate, as some older files are stored in physical archives rather than accessible through the online docket system.
Bradford County Clerk of Courts information
The Bradford County Clerk of Courts maintains all criminal records for the Court of Common Pleas. The office handles felony prosecutions, misdemeanor appeals from district courts, ARD program records, and post-conviction matters including expungement petitions. All records are kept at the courthouse in Towanda and are accessible to the public during normal business hours. Court records in Pennsylvania are generally public unless sealed by court order.
| Office | Bradford County Clerk of Courts |
|---|---|
| Address | Bradford County Courthouse 301 Main Street Towanda, PA 18848 |
| Phone | (570) 265-1721 |
| Website | bradfordcountypa.org |
| Prothonotary | Prothonotary Office | civil records and PFA orders |
| Sheriff | Sheriff's Office | active warrants and civil process |
The Bradford County Prothonotary manages civil court records separate from the criminal docket. This office maintains Protection From Abuse orders, civil judgments, and liens filed in the county. PFA orders are relevant for those conducting thorough background searches that go beyond criminal charges. The Bradford County Sheriff's Office handles active warrants and civil process. The Sheriff can confirm whether an outstanding warrant has been issued for a specific individual in Bradford County.
Pennsylvania PATCH and UJS Portal access
The Pennsylvania State Police maintains the PATCH system as the central repository for criminal history record information across the Commonwealth. Bradford County court outcomes are reported to the state repository and reflected in PATCH results after processing. Requesters can submit online applications through the PSP website. The governing law is the Criminal History Record Information Act at 18 Pa.C.S. §9101, which defines what records must be maintained and how they can be shared. PATCH is the only source for an official certified criminal history in Pennsylvania.
Bradford County courts also participate in the statewide UJS Portal. The portal provides public access to docket sheets for all cases filed in Bradford County courts at every level. This includes Magisterial District Court records for minor criminal matters and Common Pleas records for felony cases. The UJS case search lets you filter results by court type, filing date range, and case status. Docket sheets include detailed case timelines from the initial complaint through final sentencing and appeal outcomes.
For positions involving work with children in Bradford County, three clearances are required under Act 153 of 2014. These are the PSP criminal history check, an FBI fingerprint-based check, and a child abuse history clearance from the Department of Human Services at compass.state.pa.us. All three must be renewed every 60 months.
Bradford County public records requests
The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law gives any person the right to request public records from Bradford County government offices. Requests are submitted directly to the relevant department. County agencies are required to respond within five business days, either by providing the records, issuing a partial response, or explaining any denial. Appeals of denied requests go to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov, which serves as the statewide appeals authority for RTKL matters.
Court filings held by the Bradford County Clerk of Courts are generally accessible to the public and do not require a formal Right-to-Know request. The Bradford County government website at bradfordcountypa.org provides contact information for all county departments. For non-court records such as county agency documents, incident reports, and administrative filings, submitting a written RTKL request to the appropriate Bradford County office is the correct process.
Megan's Law registry in Bradford County
Sex offenders residing in Bradford County who are required to register under Pennsylvania law appear in the statewide Megan's Law database at pameganslaw.state.pa.us. The registry is managed by the Pennsylvania State Police and is searchable by county, name, zip code, or geographic area. Users searching for offenders in Bradford County can filter results to see only those registered within the county. Each registered offender's entry includes their name, current address, photograph, and the offense that triggered registration.
Pennsylvania's registration tiers determine how long an offender must register and whether they appear in public search results. Tier I offenders register for 15 years, Tier II for 25 years, and Tier III for life. Individuals designated as sexually violent predators register for life regardless of tier. Checking the official state registry is the most accurate way to verify sex offender status for anyone associated with Bradford County.
Note: The Megan's Law registry is updated regularly, but some changes may take time to appear. Always verify information through the official Pennsylvania State Police website rather than third-party sources.
Clean Slate and expungement in Bradford County
Pennsylvania's Clean Slate law at 18 Pa.C.S. §9122.2 established automatic sealing of qualifying criminal records without requiring individuals to file petitions. Misdemeanor convictions with a maximum sentence of two years or less are eligible for sealing after a ten-year clean period following sentence completion. Summary convictions qualify after five years. Sealing happens through the court system automatically. Records that are sealed are no longer visible to the general public in a background search but remain available to law enforcement and certain licensing agencies.
Expungement in Bradford County requires a petition filed at the Court of Common Pleas through the Clerk of Courts. Unlike automatic sealing, expungement must be requested by the individual. Common grounds in Pennsylvania include withdrawn or dismissed charges, acquittals, ARD program completion, and summary convictions after five years of clean record. The Bradford County Clerk of Courts at (570) 265-1721 can provide information on whether a specific case has been expunged or whether a petition has been filed. Once a court grants expungement, all record-holding agencies including the Pennsylvania State Police are directed to destroy their copies.
Nearby counties in northern Pennsylvania
Bradford County borders several counties in northern Pennsylvania and along the New York state line. Use the links below to access court records and background check resources for neighboring counties.