Fayette County Background Check Records
Fayette County background check records are available through several state and local offices. The county sits in southwestern Pennsylvania and borders West Virginia. With a population near 128,000, Fayette County handles a steady volume of criminal cases through its Court of Common Pleas in Uniontown. Public records searches for Fayette County criminal history can be done online through state systems or by contacting county offices directly. This guide walks you through every path for accessing records.
Fayette County Quick Facts
Fayette County Criminal Records Overview
Fayette County maintains its criminal court records through the Court of Common Pleas, which sits in Uniontown at the county courthouse. This court handles all felony cases and misdemeanor appeals from the Magisterial District Courts spread throughout the county. The Clerk of Courts office is the official keeper of criminal case files. Anyone seeking Fayette County criminal history records can request them through this office or use the statewide UJS Portal for basic case searches.
Founded in 1783, Fayette County has a long record-keeping history. The county seat of Uniontown is home to the main court complex where the bulk of public records are stored. Researchers doing a background check in Fayette County should know that not all records are digitized for the oldest cases. For recent years, the UJS Portal covers most case activity. For older cases or certified copies, a visit or written request to the Clerk of Courts may be needed.
Criminal history in Fayette County spans a range of case types, from summary offenses handled at the district court level to serious felony matters before the Common Pleas Court. Under 18 Pa.C.S. §9101, Pennsylvania's Criminal History Record Information Act governs how these records can be used and shared.
How to Search Fayette County Background Records
There are two main ways to search for public records in Fayette County. The first is through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us/CaseSearch. This free online system covers all 67 counties, including Fayette. You can search by name, docket number, or complaint number. Results show court actions, charges, and case status. This is a good first step for any Fayette County record search.
The second path is to contact the Fayette County Clerk of Courts directly. The office holds the physical case files and can provide certified copies of records. You will need to submit a request with the subject's name and, if known, a date range or case number. Fees apply for copies and certified documents. For a full criminal history covering all of Pennsylvania, the PATCH system through the state police provides the most complete background check results. Both options serve different needs, and many researchers use both when doing a thorough Fayette County public records search.
Keep these items in mind when starting your search:
- Name searches require the last name first, then first name
- The UJS Portal is free for basic lookups
- Certified copies require a formal request to the Clerk of Courts
- PATCH results from the state police are the most complete
- Juvenile records are not included in public searches
- Expunged records do not appear in standard results
Note: The UJS Portal provides docket information only and is not a substitute for an official criminal history background check obtained through the Pennsylvania State Police PATCH system.
Fayette County Clerk of Courts Records
The Fayette County government website provides contact details and basic information for all county offices. The Clerk of Courts is a key office for anyone doing a background check tied to Fayette County court cases.
The Clerk of Courts office in Uniontown holds criminal case records for the Court of Common Pleas. Staff can search by name or case number and provide copies of docket sheets, charging documents, and sentencing records. Visit the Fayette County Clerk of Courts page for current request procedures and forms.
| Office | Fayette County Clerk of Courts |
|---|---|
| Address | Fayette County Courthouse, 61 East Main Street, Uniontown, PA 15401 |
| Phone | (724) 430-1235 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | fayettecountypa.org/clerk-of-courts |
The Fayette County Prothonotary handles civil court records separate from criminal files. For civil background information, such as judgments or civil litigation history, contact the Prothonotary office. The Fayette County Sheriff handles warrant service and can provide information about active warrants in the county.
PATCH System and UJS Portal for Fayette Records
Pennsylvania offers two statewide online tools for criminal history access. Both cover Fayette County along with all other Pennsylvania counties. The PATCH system is the official state police background check portal. The UJS Portal is the court system's public case search tool. Using both gives you a broader view of any subject's record history in Fayette County and across the state.
The Pennsylvania State Police PATCH system at pa.gov/agencies/psp is the official source for criminal background checks in Pennsylvania. PATCH requires users to create an account, submit identifying information, and pay a fee. Results are delivered electronically and cover arrests, convictions, and dispositions statewide. This is the most thorough option for a Fayette County criminal history check.
The UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us/CaseSearch is free and requires no login for basic searches. It covers Magisterial District Courts, Courts of Common Pleas, and appellate courts. You can filter results by court type, case category, and date range. Fayette County records from recent years are well represented in this system. Results include charge information, hearing dates, and case dispositions.
Note: PATCH results reflect records maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police and are the most reliable source for a complete Fayette County background check across all court levels.
Public Records Access in Fayette County
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law gives the public broad access to government records, including many types of criminal justice documents. The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records oversees this process and handles appeals when agencies deny record requests. Fayette County agencies must respond to Right-to-Know requests within five business days.
Most criminal court records in Fayette County are public documents. This includes charging papers, docket sheets, sentencing orders, and case dispositions. Some records may be restricted, such as juvenile matters or sealed cases. To request records from a Fayette County agency, submit a written request to the agency's open records officer. The Office of Open Records website provides sample forms and guidance on what information to include.
Sex Offender Registry in Fayette County
The Pennsylvania Megan's Law Registry is maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police and includes sex offenders who live, work, or attend school in Fayette County. You can search the registry at pameganslaw.state.pa.us by name, county, municipality, or ZIP code.
The registry lists Tier I, Tier II, and Tier III offenders classified under Pennsylvania's Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. Each entry includes the offender's name, photo, address, offense history, and compliance status. Fayette County residents can also sign up for email alerts when a registered offender moves into their area. Registry information alone does not constitute a full criminal history background check for Fayette County.
Clean Slate and Expungement in Fayette County
Pennsylvania's Clean Slate law, found at 18 Pa.C.S. §9122.2, provides for the automatic sealing of certain misdemeanor convictions. Qualifying offenses older than 10 years with all restitution paid are sealed from public view without any court filing needed. Sealed records will not appear in standard background check searches through PATCH. This law applies equally to all Pennsylvania residents, including those in Fayette County.
Beyond automatic sealing, residents of Fayette County may also petition for expungement in certain cases. Expungement fully removes a record from the criminal history database. Cases where charges were dismissed, where the defendant was found not guilty, or where the person completed an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program may qualify. The petition must be filed with the Court of Common Pleas in Fayette County. The Pennsylvania State Police then processes the expungement order and removes the record. Under 18 Pa.C.S. §9122.2, the Clean Slate provisions exclude violent felonies and sexual offenses from automatic sealing.
Act 153 of 2014 also remains relevant for those who need clearances for work involving children in Fayette County. The DHS COMPASS clearance portal handles child abuse history checks separate from criminal history.
Nearby Counties
Fayette County shares borders with several other southwestern Pennsylvania counties. If you are unsure which county holds the records you need, check the location where any offense or case was filed. Each county maintains its own records through its Court of Common Pleas.