Dauphin County PA Recorder: Deeds & Records

The Recorder’s job is to accept, preserve and index recordable documents. The office does not determine property values or collect annual property taxes.

Dauphin County uses the AcclaimWeb Recorder of Deeds Record Search System. Unlike many other counties, its public portal offers several distinct search methods.

You can search by a person’s name, instrument number, document type, book and page, recording date, consideration, UPI number or municipality.

Search by owner name

1. Open the official Name Search.

   Use Dauphin County’s public recording system.

   Open Name Search
2. Enter the name correctly.

   The portal uses last name, then first name. For example, enter SMITH,JOHN.

3. Choose a document type.

   Select the relevant type if you are looking specifically for a deed or mortgage.

4. Set a date range.

   Use the beginning and ending dates to narrow the result list.

5. Open and review the result.

   Check the parties, recording date, instrument number, document image and legal description.

Search by UPI / parcel number

If you know the property’s Uniform Parcel Identifier, use the dedicated UPI search rather than searching several owners individually.

The system provides the example format 62-123-456-000-0000. This is a formatting example, not a real parcel supplied for the reader.

Search by instrument number

An instrument number identifies a specific recorded document. It is useful when a title report or earlier deed already gives you the reference.

Search by book and page

Older title documents often reference a deed book and page instead of a modern instrument number.

Recording a deed makes the instrument part of Dauphin County’s land-record system. A properly prepared and executed deed is required before submission.

The Recorder accepts and indexes documents. The office cannot determine whether a deed is legally appropriate for your transfer.

1. Prepare the deed.

   Check the grantor, grantee, legal description, execution and acknowledgement requirements.

2. Identify the property and UPI.

   Include the correct parcel identifier and any required UPI certification.

3. Determine transfer-tax treatment.

   Consider the property’s taxable value, transfer type and any applicable Pennsylvania exemption.

4. Calculate recording charges.

   Include the base recording fee, UPI charges, additional pages and any other applicable fees.

5. Submit the document.

   Record in person, mail the document or use an available professional eRecording process.

6. Keep the recording reference.

   Save the instrument number and a copy of the recorded deed for future transactions.

Recording by mail

Dauphin County accepts eligible recording documents by mail. Include the proper recording payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Make checks payable to Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds. The county lists cash and check as accepted recording payments.

How long does recording take?

The Recorder says original documents are returned to the presenting party within one or two days in most cases.

Volume, holidays and staffing can affect the return time. If you have not received a document after two weeks, the county recommends contacting the person or firm that recorded it.

The Recorder’s fee schedule was revised December 1, 2025, following an increase in the Judicial Computer Project fee.

The recording charge depends on the document type, pages, names and UPI requirements. Realty transfer tax is an additional consideration for many deeds.

These are figures from the county’s December 1, 2025 fee schedule. Confirm the current total before recording. A deed can require several charges in addition to its base fee.

Pennsylvania realty transfer tax

Dauphin County’s Recorder FAQ describes a combined 2% realty transfer tax for many taxable property transfers.

It identifies a 1% state component and a combined 1% local component. Some transfers qualify for exemptions.

The Recorder’s FAQ identifies certain family transfers as potentially exempt, including transfers between spouses and specified close relatives.

An exemption depends on the actual transaction and supporting law. A nominal $1 price does not automatically establish tax exemption.

UPI stands for Uniform Parcel Identifier. It identifies an individual tract, lot or parcel of real estate in Dauphin County.

Dauphin County uses the UPI system to connect recorded documents with the relevant property parcel.

The county’s UPI certification process is especially important when preparing a deed or another instrument requiring certified parcel identification.

Why the UPI matters

A person’s name may appear on multiple recorded documents. A UPI can help narrow the search to documents associated with a particular parcel.

Documents requiring UPI certification are subject to a separate $20-per-UPI fee under the county’s published process.

A deed copy may be needed for refinancing, estate administration, title review or personal records.

Dauphin County allows users to find and print available documents online. Copies can also be requested at the courthouse.

Does a recorded deed prove clear title?

A recorded deed is an important part of the ownership history, but it is not the same as a complete title examination.

Mortgages, easements, judgments, restrictions and other interests can affect a property. A qualified title professional can evaluate those records together.

Dauphin County offers a Record Notification Service (RNS) that sends email alerts when a document is recorded against a selected name, property or parcel number.

The service can help homeowners notice an unexpected recording involving their property.

Record notifications are informational. An alert does not establish that a document is fraudulent, and the service does not prevent an instrument from being recorded.

The county Recorder’s website provides an Electronic Recording service link.

Electronic submission may be useful for law firms, title companies and other regular document filers.

For a one-time deed transfer, compare the available filing routes with the Recorder before selecting an electronic recording service.

These official county resources support the search instructions, recording procedures, office details and fees described in this guide.