Clearfield County, PA Property Records

Clearfield County has a population of 78,132 and ranks 36th among Pennsylvania's 67 counties by population. The county seat is Clearfield Borough, while the largest community is the City of DuBois, a relatively uncommon arrangement in Pennsylvania in which the seat of government is not the county's most populous place.

With 1,145 square miles of land area, Clearfield is the third-largest county by land area in Pennsylvania. It sits entirely within the DuBois, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area and is also part of the larger State College–DuBois, PA Combined Statistical Area.

Clearfield County's population has been on a long-term decline, consistent with broader trends across north-central Pennsylvania. The housing market reflects the county's rural, post-industrial character.

The typical home value is $136,984, and homes go pending in around 37 days, with a median sale price of $147,167 and a sale-to-list ratio of 0.974. About 61% of recent sales closed below the list price. Both figures reflect a buyer-favored market common to rural Pennsylvania counties.

Data from Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) shows that approximately 28% of Clearfield County households spend at least 30% of their income on housing (ACS 5-year estimate). With a median household income of about $60,181, housing costs are generally more manageable than in Pennsylvania's higher-cost metro areas, although certain older coal and lumber communities still face affordability pressures.

Who Keeps the Official Land Records

All official land records in Clearfield County are maintained by the Clearfield County Register and Recorder's Office, a combined office handling Recorder of Deeds (land records), Register of Wills (estate records), and Orphans' Court filings under a single elected official. The current Register and Recorder is Heather Olson-Desmett. The office is located on the first floor of the Clearfield County Courthouse at 1 North Second Street in Clearfield, with a mailing address of PO Box 361, Clearfield, PA 16830.

Remote online access to recorded documents is available through Landex, which offers two tiers: Landex Remote (a subscription-based desktop application for frequent users) and Landex Webstore (a pay-per-document web tool for occasional users). Both are available through the Landex website. The office also maintains six public-access workstations in the courthouse for in-person searches.

E-recording is available through Simplifile and CSC. The office also participates in the Landex Record Alert program, a free fraud-prevention service that notifies property owners by email or text message when a new document is recorded under their name or parcel number. Sign up.

What Clearfield County Property Records Include

The Clearfield County Register and Recorder's Office maintains all instruments affecting real property within the county. Recorded documents include deeds, mortgages, easements, rights-of-way, installment land contracts, leases (including 30-year or longer leases), sales agreements, satisfactions of mortgages, assignments of mortgages, releases, powers of attorney, agreements, articles of incorporation, ordinances, affidavits affecting title, assignments of rents and leases, mineral deeds, maps, financing statements (UCC), notary bonds and commissions, and military discharge papers.

Pennsylvania uses a recorded land title system statewide. Documents are recorded in the order received and indexed by name, document type, and recording date. All land-related documents, notary public bonds, UCC filings, and military discharges are available in the office, with copies and certified copies also obtainable.

The county's historical records date to the early 1800s, consistent with the county's 1822 organization. The coal and lumber industries that dominated Clearfield County from the mid-1800s through the early 1900s left a rich archive of mineral deeds, timber leases, and industrial land transactions that researchers may encounter in older title chains.

How to Access Clearfield County Property Records

Clearfield County property records can be accessed via Landex online (two tiers), in person at the courthouse, by phone, by mail, or via e-recording. Six public workstations are available in the courthouse.

Online Access (Landex Two Tiers)

Clearfield County uses the Landex platform for remote access, offering two options:

Landex Remote: A subscription-based, Windows desktop application that mirrors the in-office search interface. Best for title companies, attorneys, and others who search regularly. Subscribe. For OSS line inquiries, call 717-274-5890.
Landex Webstore: A browser-based tool that allows pay-per-document searches across multiple counties simultaneously. Basic information is retrieved without payment; document images require a credit card payment.

In Person

The Register and Recorder's Office provides six public-access workstations for in-person document searches. Address: Clearfield County Courthouse, 1 North Second Street, Clearfield, PA 16830. Six public-access workstations are available during regular business hours. Copy fees: $0.50/page (non-certified); $1.00/page (certified); marginal notations $2.00.

By Phone

Call (814) 765-2641, ext. 5012 for general recording inquiries. For UPI pre-approval questions, call ext. 2042.

By Mail/Overnight

Mail documents for recording to: Clearfield County Register and Recorder, PO Box 361, Clearfield, PA 16830. Every submission must include a self-addressed stamped envelope large enough to accommodate the returned document. Include the appropriate fees (check payable to “Recorder of Deeds”) and any required UPI stamp (obtainable in advance from the UPI Office).

E-Recording

E-recording is available through Simplifile (800-460-5657; simplifile.com) and CSC (866-652-0111; cscglobal.com). E-recorded deeds still require the UPI stamp; obtain pre-approval from the UPI Office at (814) 765-2641, ext. 2042, before submitting electronically.

What's Not at the Recorder's Office (But Matters for Property Research)

The Register and Recorder's Office holds recorded title instruments only. Assessed values, parcel characteristics, and property tax records are maintained by the Clearfield County Assessment Office. Assessment records are searchable online through the county website. GIS and parcel mapping are available through the Clearfield County GIS Department.

Delinquent real estate taxes are handled by the county's Tax Claim Bureau. Zoning is administered at the municipal level; for planning and subdivision questions in unincorporated areas, contact the Clearfield County Planning Department. For statewide millage rates and local government finance data, consult the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

DuBois, Clearfield County's largest city, maintains its own city administration for municipal permits, zoning, and local tax collection. Researchers working on DuBois properties may need to contact DuBois City Hall in addition to county offices for a complete picture.

Step-by-Step: How to Pull a Deed Online

Clearfield County uses Landex for online record access. Choose the tier that matches your search frequency:

For occasional use: visit landex.com/webstore and select Clearfield County. No subscription required; pay per document image.
For frequent use: subscribe to Landex Remote. For OSS line assistance, call 717-274-5890.
Search by grantor/grantee name, document type, recording date range, or municipality.
Review results and note the recording reference (book and page or instrument number) and recording date.
Access the document image (Webstore requires a credit card; Remote uses subscription billing). Download or print as needed.
For certified copies: contact the office at (814) 765-2641, ext. 5012. Provide the recording reference and arrange payment by check.

Cities & Towns in Clearfield County (and Their Record Custodians)

The Clearfield County Register and Recorder's Office is the single official custodian of recorded property documents for all 51 municipalities in Clearfield County, comprising one city, 20 boroughs, and 30 townships.

City: DuBois.
Boroughs: Bigler, Brisbin, Burnside, Chester Hill, Clearfield (county seat), Coalport, Curwensville, Glen Hope, Grampian, Houtzdale, Irvona, Kylertown, Lumber City, Mahaffey, Newburg, New Washington, Osceola Mills, Ramey, Troutville, and Wallaceton.
Townships: Bell, Bigler, Bloom, Boggs, Bradford, Brady, Burnside, Chest, Covington, Decatur, Ferguson, Girard, Graham, Greenwood, Gulich, Houston, Jordan, Knox, Lawrence, Lumber, Morris, Penn, Pike, Pine, Pine Glen, Sergeant, Union, Woodward, and others.

Municipality list per county, sources, and Wikipedia.

City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

Property assessments are handled centrally by the Clearfield County Assessment Office. Assessment records are searchable online. Parcel and GIS data are available through the County GIS Department.

The City of DuBois, as the only incorporated city in the county, maintains its own municipal administration, including city zoning and local earned income tax collection. Researchers working on DuBois properties should confirm which queries are handled at the city level versus the county level. Remaining boroughs and townships administer their own zoning ordinances.

For statewide tax data, consult the Pennsylvania DCED. The county's Tax Claim Bureau handles delinquent real estate taxes.

Clearfield County-Specific Nuances

UPI stamp required pre-approval available: All deeds must receive a Uniform Parcel Identifier (UPI) stamp from the Assessment Office before they can be recorded. The UPI fee is $10 per parcel. Contact the UPI Office at (814) 765-2641, ext. 2042. Importantly, you may obtain UPI pre-approval before your recording date, which reduces wait time on the day of recording. E-recorded deeds must also secure UPI pre-approval before submission. Plan for this extra step in any closing timeline.
No blanket assignments, releases, or satisfactions: The Clearfield County Recorder of Deeds will not accept blanket assignments, releases, satisfactions, or similar documents. Each assignment, release, or satisfaction must be individually and specifically drawn to the document being discharged. This is a common source of rejection for lenders submitting bulk instruments.
Foreign language documents require an English translation: Any document in a language other than English must be accompanied by a written English translation when submitted for recording. The translation is filed alongside the original document as part of the public record. This requirement is relatively uncommon in PA county offices and should be flagged for international transactions or documents executed abroad.
Multiple documents in a single transaction must be sequentially numbered: When two or more documents form a single transaction (e.g., a deed and a purchase money mortgage recorded simultaneously), they must be numbered in the correct recording order before submission. Incorrect numbering or unnumbered sets may result in rejection.
Two-tier Landex access, Remote vs. Webstore: Clearfield County's Landex system offers two access modes. Landex Remote is a subscription desktop application best suited for title companies, attorneys, and others who run daily searches. It mirrors the in-office interface.

Landex Webstore is a browser-based, pay-per-document tool well-suited for occasional searches across multiple counties. Researchers should choose based on search frequency; maintaining both accounts is possible.

County seat, largest city: Clearfield Borough is the county seat and location of the courthouse and all county offices, but DuBois, located roughly 22 miles northwest of Clearfield, is the larger community. All property recordings are made at the Clearfield courthouse regardless of whether the property is in DuBois or elsewhere in the county.
Acknowledgment cannot predate the document: The notarial acknowledgment date must be on or after the date the document was executed. Documents with an acknowledgment predating the signature are considered defective and will be rejected. The acknowledgment must state the county, state, date, names of persons appearing, notary's signature and seal, and notary's expiration date.
Multi-municipality deeds must state local transfer tax percentages: Deeds covering property in more than one municipality or school district must clearly state, in percentage terms, the proportional share of local realty transfer taxes attributable to each municipality.

Typical Contents of a Clearfield County Property Record

When reviewing official property records at the Clearfield County Register and Recorder's Office, you will typically find instruments containing:

Deeds:
- Grantor and grantee names.
- Full legal description of the property and municipality.
- Consideration amount.
- Certificate of Residence (signed address certificate) for the grantee.
- UPI stamp from the Assessment Office ($10/parcel).
- Prior recording reference.
- Notarial acknowledgment: county, state, date, person appearing, notary signature, seal, and expiration date. Acknowledgment date must be on or after execution date.
- Municipality and county where the property is located; proportional local transfer tax percentage for each municipality if the deed covers multiple municipalities.
- Deed type (warranty, quitclaim, correction, trustee, personal representative, award of real estate, etc.).
Mortgages and Discharges:
- Lender and borrower names; loan amount, interest rate, and terms.
- Recording reference and date.
- Satisfaction, assignment, release, or modification when applicable (individually and specifically drawn; no blanket instruments).
Easements, Rights of Way, and Leases:
- Parties, property description, purpose, and duration.
- Installment land contracts and sales agreements.
- Assignments of rents and leases.
- Mineral deeds (reflecting the county's coal and oil/gas heritage).
Plans and Other Instruments:
- Maps: first page $25, each additional $20.
- UCC financing statements.
- Powers of attorney, notary bonds/commissions, military discharge papers.

Recording Changes to Property Titles

All new deeds, mortgages, easements, leases, releases, satisfactions, and other instruments affecting real property in Clearfield County must be recorded with the Register and Recorder's Office. Submissions are accepted in person, by mail, or via e-recording (Simplifile or CSC).

Before any deed can be recorded, it must receive a UPI stamp from the Assessment Office at a fee of $10 per parcel. Pre-approval is available before the recording date; contact (814) 765-2641, ext. 2042. E-recording submitters must also obtain UPI pre-approval in advance.

Every document must be original, properly executed, signed, and acknowledged before a notary. The acknowledgment must state the county, state, date, person or corporate officers appearing, notary signature, notary seal, and notary expiration date. The acknowledgment date cannot predate the document date.

Re-recorded or corrective documents must clearly state the reason for re-recording and must carry a new acknowledgment. Foreign language documents must include a written English translation. Multiple documents constituting one transaction must be numbered in the correct recording order.

Pennsylvania's standard 2% realty transfer tax applies to most deed transactions (1% state, 1% local). The Statement of Value is required when full consideration is not stated; the deed is a gift or has no consideration; a tax exemption is claimed; the property is sold at tax claim or sheriff's sale; or property passes through an estate by will. A Statement of Value is not required for transfers between close family members (grandparent, parent, child, brother, or sister).

Recording fees: deeds $79.75; mortgages $79.75; easements $59.75; rights-of-way $59.75; assignments $59.75; releases $59.75; satisfaction pieces $59.75; sales agreements $59.75; agreements/POA/leases (under 30 years) $18.50; leases 30+ years $59.75; maps $25 (first page, $20 each additional); UCC $100.

Names over 4 cost $0.50 each additional; pages over 4 cost $2.00 each additional. All checks are payable to “Recorder of Deeds.” Mail submissions must include a self-addressed stamped return envelope.

Practical Research Flow (Checklist)

A practical approach for researching property records in Clearfield County, PA:

Locate the parcel via GIS. Use the County GIS Department portal to confirm the parcel location and municipality.
Review assessment data online. Search the Assessment Office portal for assessed values and parcel characteristics.
Search recorded documents via Landex. For occasional searches, use Landex Webstore; for frequent searches, subscribe to Landex Remote. Both are available at landex.com.
Note recording references. Record the instrument number, book and page, and recording date for each relevant document. Use prior references to trace the chain of title backward.
Review easements, rights-of-way, mineral deeds, and encumbrances. Clearfield County has a significant coal and mineral deed archive. Search for recorded easements, leases, assignments, mineral conveyances, and liens.
Check for delinquent taxes. Contact the Tax Claim Bureau for delinquent tax status. For DuBois properties, confirm municipal tax obligations separately with DuBois City Hall.
Set up Landex Record Alert for ongoing monitoring. Register at LANDEX Record Alert to receive email or text alerts when new documents are recorded under a property owner's name or parcel number.

Appendix A: Municipalities in Clearfield County

Clearfield County has 1 city, 20 boroughs, and 30 townships, 51 incorporated municipalities in total.

City: DuBois.
Boroughs: Bigler, Brisbin, Burnside, Chester Hill, Clearfield (county seat), Coalport, Curwensville, Glen Hope, Grampian, Houtzdale, Irvona, Kylertown, Lumber City, Mahaffey, Newburg, New Washington, Osceola Mills, Ramey, Troutville, and Wallaceton.
Townships: Bell, Bigler, Bloom, Boggs, Bradford, Brady, Burnside, Chest, Covington, Decatur, Ferguson, Girard, Graham, Greenwood, Gulich, Houston, Jordan, Knox, Lawrence, Lumber, Morris, Penn, Pike, Pine, Sergeant, Union, Woodward, and others.