Pennsylvania Property Records
Table of Contents
What are Pennsylvania Property Records?
The Pennsylvania Right to Know Law allows access to government information by the public. Property records, including deeds, mortgages, and lis pendens, are available online through each county's Recorder of Deeds office.
Individuals who want to access these records may visit the office, search through the online database, or contact the office by phone or email.
In Pennsylvania, property records are especially valuable when looking for information regarding ownership, home loans, and liens. They can also help estimate the value of real estate.
Where to Find Pennsylvania Property Records
Like most states across the country, property records in Pennsylvania are maintained by the Recorder of Deeds in each county. The office is responsible for recording and maintaining all documents related to real estate transactions, including deeds, mortgages, and liens.
There are 67 counties in Pennsylvania, so there are 67 separate offices where these records are kept. To make the records more accessible to the public, most counties have placed them online.
However, not all counties have made their records available online. If the county you are interested in does not have an online database, you can visit the office in person or contact them by phone or email to request information.
InfoTracer, a searchable online database, provides access to property records in Pennsylvania. The website also offers a variety of other public records, including birth and death records, criminal records, and more.
What Information Can You Find in Pennsylvania Property Records?
Property records in Pennsylvania can be beneficial when researching ownership, home loans, and liens. They can also provide valuable information about the value of the property.
In general, property records will include the following information:
- Current and previous owners
- Home loan details
- Liens against the property
- The value of the property
- Zoning Information
- Deed restrictions
- Building permit history
- Tax information
- Property size and dimensions
- Utility easements
Obtaining this information may help people like homeowners, home buyers, real estate agents, and more make informed decisions about properties.
For example, someone considering buying a home may want to check the property records to see how much the home is worth and whether there are any liens against it. A real estate agent may use the same information to help determine a fair price for the home.
On the other hand, someone selling a home may want to check the property records to see how much the home has increased in value over time. This information can be used to help set a fair asking price.
Pennsylvania Property Tax Records
A property's tax records can be very helpful in determining its worth. Each county's tax assessor's office is responsible for valuing property for taxation purposes.
Pennsylvania has an average of 1.50% property tax, which is higher than the national average of 1.07%. However, this amount can vary significantly from county to county.
Chester County has the highest property tax rate at 1.49%. The median annual property tax in this county is around $5,177. This is followed by Delaware County, with a rate of 2.12% and a median yearly tax of $5,075.
The lowest property tax rates can be found in Forest, Bedford, and McKean counties. These counties have rates of 1.13%, 0.92%, and 1.27%, respectively.
To get an idea of how much property taxes you will need to pay in Pennsylvania, it is best to contact the assessor's office in the county where the property is located. You can also use an online tax calculator to estimate your total payments.
Pennsylvania Registry of Deeds Offices
As noted earlier, all counties in Pennsylvania have an office of Recorder of Deeds. This is where property records are usually kept and can be accessed by the public. The following list provides the address, contact number, and other pertinent information on the most popular registry of deeds offices in PA:
Allegheny County Department Of Real Estate
542 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15219
Phone: 412-350-4226
Fax: 412-350-6877
https://www.alleghenycounty.us/real-estate/index.aspx
Delaware County Recorder of Deeds
201 West Front Street
Media, Pennsylvania, 19063
Phone: 610-891-4152
https://www.delcopa.gov/departments/recorderofdeeds.html
Philadelphia County Recorder of Deeds
City Hall, Market-Frankford Line Ste 111
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107
Phone: 215-686-2260
Fax: 215-686-2273
https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-records/
Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds
425 Swede Street
Norristown, Pennsylvania, 19401
Phone: 610-278-3289
Fax: 610-278-3869
https://www.montcopa.org/353/Recorder-of-Deeds
Erie County Recorder of Deeds
140 West 6th Street
Erie, Pennsylvania, 16501
Phone: 814-451-6246
Fax: 814-451-6213
https://eriecountypa.gov/departments/clerk-of-records/recorder-of-deeds-land-records/
Warren County Recorder of Deeds
204 4th Avenue
Warren, Pennsylvania, 16365
Phone: 814-728-3430
Fax: 814-728-3476
https://www.wc-hs.org/1199/Register-Recorders-Office
Monroe County Recorder of Deeds
610 Monroe Street
Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, 18360
Phone: 570-517-3969
Fax: 570-517-3873
https://www.monroecountypa.gov/Dept/ROD
Fayette County Recorder of Deeds
61 East Main Street
Uniontown, Pennsylvania, 15401
Phone: 724-430-1238
Fax: 724-430-1458
https://www.fayettecountypa.org/458/Recorder-of-Deeds
Cambria County Recorder of Deeds
200 South Center Street
Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, 15931
Phone: 814-472-1473
Fax: 814-472-1412
https://www.cambriacountypa.gov/recorder-of-deeds-office/
Butler County Recorder of Deeds
PO Box 1208
Butler, Pennsylvania, 16003
Phone: 724-284-5340
Fax: 724-285-9099
https://www.butlercountypa.gov/262/Recorder-of-Deeds
Lehigh County Recorder of Deeds
455 Hamilton Street
Allentown, Pennsylvania, 18101
Phone: 610-782-3162
Fax: 610-871-2895
https://www.lehighcounty.org/Departments/Clerk-of-Judicial-Records/Recorder-of-Deeds-Home
Somerset County Recorder of Deeds
300 North Center Avenue
Somerset, Pennsylvania, 15501
Phone: 814-445-1547
Fax: 814-445-1563
https://www.co.somerset.pa.us/department.asp?deptnum=51
Frequently Asked Questions About Pennsylvania Property Records
How Do I Find Out Who Owns a Property in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania property records are public information. This means anyone can access them as long as they know where to look. The best place to start your search is the county recorder of deeds office.
The majority of counties in PA have their own website. These often have a search function to look up property records by name or address. Some sites also allow users to download tax maps and assessment data. If you are having trouble finding the information, contact the county recorder's office for more details.
InfoTracer also offers a comprehensive public records tool that can help you find out who owns a property in Pennsylvania and other public information about them, such as criminal records, marriage/divorce records, and more.
How Do I Find Property Details Online?
The best place to go for property details is the county recorder of deeds office.
You can search through these records by name or address by directly visiting the county website or using a third-party site such as InfoTracer.
Where are Deeds Recorded in Pennsylvania?
The Recorder of Deeds is responsible for maintaining records related to real estate in Pennsylvania. This office is usually located in the county courthouse, and each county has its own Recorder of Deeds.
How Do I Find Out About Pennsylvania Unclaimed Property?
The Pennsylvania Treasury is responsible for maintaining unclaimed property records in the state.
They have a database on their website that you can use to search for unclaimed assets and property. InfoTracer also offers an unclaimed property search tool that can help you find out if any unclaimed money or property is in your name.