Allegheny County, Pennsylvania • Recorder of Deeds, land records and deed search • Reviewed September 18, 2026
Allegheny County PA Recorder of Deeds: Search & Office
The Allegheny County Recorder of Deeds function is handled by the county’s Administrative Services Division of Real Estate.
Use this office for recorded land documents such as deeds, mortgages, mortgage satisfactions, powers of attorney, subdivision plans and other real-estate records.
The public recording counter is in Room 101 of the County Office Building, 542 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
Start here
Allegheny County Recorder of Deeds Quick Facts
Allegheny County’s land-record and recorder services are handled through the Division of Real Estate.
The online search identifies Jessica Garofolo as Department Director and Recorder of Deeds.
Room 101, County Office Building, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
Use INFO and select option 2 for recording and land-record questions.
County recording-document guidance lists Monday-Friday public hours.
If you only know the address, find the parcel first, then search land records.
Address-only question → Real Estate Portal. Deed, mortgage, lien or recorded instrument → Official Record Search. Certified copy or recording problem → Division of Real Estate.
Office roles
Which Allegheny County Office Should You Use?
Division of Real Estate / Recorder of Deeds
Use for: deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, subdivision plans, document recording, deed certification, copy requests and land-record search help.
Address: County Office Building, Room 101, 542 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: 412-350-4636, option 2
Director / Recorder of Deeds: Jessica Garofolo
Open Recording DocumentsReal Estate Portal / Property Records
Use for: property address search, parcel number, owner history, assessed value, tax information and building information.
This is not the same as the recorded deed image.
Use it to identify the parcel before searching the recorder index.
Open Real Estate PortalOpen Records Officer
Use for: Right-to-Know requests when the record is not available through the normal land-record or property-search tools.
Open Records Officer: Jessica Garofolo
Location: 542 Forbes Avenue, Room 101-Mezzanine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Email: openrecords@alleghenycounty.us
Open County Open RecordsTreasurer and Tax Questions
Use for: tax bills, tax payments, balances, receipts and delinquent tax questions.
A recorded deed does not prove taxes are current.
Confirm the property in the Real Estate Portal, then use the correct tax-payment office or tax bill resource.
Open Property Assessments and Real EstateOnline search
How to Search Allegheny County Deeds and Land Records
The official online search is labeled for Allegheny County Administrative Services Division of Real Estate and the Land Records department.
You can search by grantor, grantee, subdivision, document type, document number and recorded-date range.
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Start with the cleanest search term.
Try grantor name, grantee name, business name, subdivision, document type or document number.
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Add a recorded-date range.
Date filters reduce false results when names are common or a business has many filings.
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Choose index or full-text search.
Index search uses indexed fields. Full-text OCR can search document contents but may return broader matches.
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Open the likely match.
Check document type, names, recording date, legal-description clues and prior deed reference.
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Search forward if needed.
A mortgage, lien or assignment may have a later satisfaction, release or correction document.
No-result troubleshooting
Try fewer words: search one last name, one company keyword or one trust keyword.
Remove punctuation: names with apostrophes, commas, periods or abbreviations may index differently.
Search prior owners: if a current owner does not appear, use the prior owner from the property portal.
Search document types: deed, mortgage, satisfaction, power of attorney, subdivision plan or assignment.
Check older records: deed images online may not cover every historical period. Use land-record and historical-record resources when needed.
Recording workflow
How to Record a Deed or Real Estate Document in Allegheny County
Allegheny County records documents to make certain instruments part of the public record and, in some cases, establish legal ownership or rights.
Documents listed by the county include deeds, mortgages and mortgage satisfactions, powers of attorney, subdivision plans and military discharge papers.
The county can answer recording-process questions, but it does not determine the correctness or legality of deed content. Use a Pennsylvania attorney or title professional when legal ownership rights matter.
Before submitting
Document Requirements That Commonly Cause Rejection
Municipality must be clear: the document should identify the municipality, county and state. Pittsburgh properties should include the ward when required.
Prior deed reference matters: documents referencing a prior recorded deed should include the original recording information, including book, volume and page numbers.
No Social Security numbers: the county says documents should not include Social Security numbers except for military discharges.
Foreign language documents: written English translations must be recorded with the original notarized instrument.
Multiple-document transactions: documents should be clearly numbered for order of recording.
Acknowledgment details: county, state, date, appearing parties, notary signature and clear notary stamp are required.
Grantor match: deed certification reviews whether grantor names match the prior deed or properly explain the authority to convey.
Certificate of Residence: Allegheny County requires a Certificate of Residence for deed certification.
Formatting and content rules
Use the county pages before recording. Missing acknowledgment details can make a document defective for recording.
Open Content RequirementsDeed certification
Allegheny County says deed certification assigns parcel identification numbers at recordation and checks grantors, legal description and residence addresses.
Open Deed CertificationCosts and payment
Recording Fees, Copy Fees and Payment Rules
Allegheny County publishes current recording and copy charges through its official fee schedule.
Fees can depend on document type, recording method, copy method, page count and whether the request is online, in person or by fax.
Use the county fee schedule before preparing checks or submitting a document.
The county lists cash, business check, money order and cashier’s check for in-person payment.
Online copy pricing differs for casual and commercial users.
The county’s online-payment page says deed images are available from 1993 forward.
The county says mortgage images are available from 1994 forward.
Older images may require in-person, mail, fax or historical-record options.
Copies
How to Get Copies of Allegheny County Deeds and Land Records
Start online if you need a recent deed image, mortgage image or recording reference.
If you need a certified copy, older image or record that is not available online, use the county’s official copy-request process.
Online document image
Best for research, quick deed review and confirming recording information.
Open Online Land Records SearchCertified deed request
Best when a court, lender, agency, title company or other receiving party requires certification.
Open Real Estate FormsLand-record copies
The county copy page covers deeds, mortgages, mortgage satisfactions and other land-related records.
Open Obtaining CopiesHistorical land records
Allegheny County land-record resources also include historical records, property history cards, block and lot maps and historical plat maps.
Open Land RecordsElectronic recording
eRecording in Allegheny County
Allegheny County says most land-related documents can be e-recorded through approved vendors.
Some documents cannot be e-recorded and require paper submission.
Approved vendor route
The county lists vendors including CSC, eRecording Partners Network, ERX/Xerox and Simplifile.
Vendors handle electronic submission setup, transmission and payment workflow.
Paper-submission exceptions
County eRecording guidance lists subdivision plans, corrective deeds, sheriff deeds, deeds in lieu of foreclosure, deeds transferring property into a trust and deeds taxable in multiple jurisdictions as paper-required exceptions.
Fraud prevention
Property Fraud Alert and Suspected Deed Fraud Reporting
Allegheny County’s real estate resources include property fraud alerts and a reporting route for suspected deed or mortgage fraud.
A fraud alert does not block a recording, but it can help you learn quickly when a document is recorded with a watched name.
Property Alert
Use the alert feature through the official land-record search system if you want notifications tied to recorded documents.
Open Property AlertReport suspected deed or mortgage fraud
Use the county’s suspected deed or mortgage fraud reporting link if you believe a real-estate scam or fraudulent document is involved.
Open Recording Documents Fraud LinkIf ownership may have been changed fraudulently, contact the county and speak with a Pennsylvania attorney quickly. Recorder search is helpful, but legal action may be needed to challenge a document.
Office visit
Allegheny County Recorder of Deeds Office Map and Visit Tips
The recording counter is inside the County Office Building in downtown Pittsburgh.
Bring the document, payment, parcel information, prior deed reference, Certificate of Residence and any transfer-tax or supporting forms needed for your transaction.
Division of Real Estate / Recorder of Deeds
Address: County Office Building, Room 101, 542 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: 412-350-4636, option 2
Office hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Payment note: personal checks are not accepted for in-person recording payments.
Decision path
What Should You Do Next?
If you only know the address: start with the Real Estate Portal, save the parcel and owner information, then search land records.
If you need a deed image: use Official Record Search and search by party name, document type, recorded date or document number.
If you are recording a deed: review formatting, content, deed certification and Certificate of Residence requirements first.
If you are using eRecording: check whether your document is allowed or must be submitted on paper.
If you need a certified copy: use the county’s copy request or certified deed request route.
If a mortgage still appears: search later dates for mortgage satisfaction, release or assignment documents.
If you suspect fraud: sign up for property alerts, report suspected deed or mortgage fraud and get legal help quickly.
Avoid delays
Common Allegheny County Recorder Mistakes
Using the wrong tool: the Real Estate Portal shows property assessment data; the land-record search shows recorded instruments.
Missing Certificate of Residence: Allegheny County requires it for deed certification.
Bad acknowledgment: missing notary details can cause recording rejection.
Incorrect prior deed reference: documents referencing earlier deeds should include original recording information.
Assuming eRecording works for everything: several deed and plan types require paper submission.
Using personal checks in person: county recording guidance says personal checks are not accepted for in-person payment.
Assuming a deed clears title: recorded deeds do not prove there are no liens, fraud issues, mortgages or title defects.
Important notice
Independent Information, Legal Caution and FCRA Notice
This page is independent informational content. It is not the official website of Allegheny County, the Division of Real Estate, the Recorder of Deeds, the Office of Property Assessments or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
This guide is not legal advice, title advice, tax advice, a title search, a lien opinion or a substitute for review by a qualified professional.
Deed preparation can affect ownership, marital rights, trusts, estates, taxes, mortgages, liens and title insurance.
Public land and property records should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or any FCRA-regulated consumer-reporting purpose.
FAQs
Allegheny County Recorder of Deeds FAQs
Who is the Allegheny County Recorder of Deeds?
The official land-record search identifies Jessica Garofolo as Department Director and Recorder of Deeds for Allegheny County Administrative Services Division of Real Estate.
Where is the Allegheny County Recorder of Deeds office?
The recording counter is in Room 101 of the County Office Building at 542 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
What phone number should I call for Allegheny County deed records?
Call 412-350-4636 and select option 2 for land-record and recording-document questions.
Where do I search Allegheny County deeds online?
Use the official Allegheny County land-record search at allegheny.pa.publicsearch.us. You can search by grantor, grantee, subdivision, document type, document number or recorded-date range.
Are deed images available online?
The county’s online payment information says deed images are available from 1993 to present and mortgage images are available from 1994 to present.
What documents can be recorded in Allegheny County?
The county lists documents such as deeds, mortgages, mortgage satisfactions, powers of attorney, subdivision plans, bonds and commissions, and military discharge papers.
Can I e-record a deed in Allegheny County?
Most land-related documents can be e-recorded, but the county lists exceptions that require paper submission, including corrective deeds, sheriff deeds, deeds in lieu of foreclosure, deeds into a trust and deeds taxable in multiple jurisdictions.
What is deed certification in Allegheny County?
Deed certification assigns parcel identification numbers at recordation and reviews grantors, legal description and certificate of residence addresses against the assessment system.
Do I need a Certificate of Residence?
Yes. Allegheny County’s deed certification guidance says a Certificate of Residence is required for deed certification.
Can county staff tell me whether my deed is legally correct?
No. The county can answer recording questions, but it does not determine the correctness or legality of deed information. Use a Pennsylvania attorney or title professional for legal advice.
Official links