Bucks County Recorder: Deeds & Records

What should you bring?

Bucks County uses LANDEX for online deed and mortgage research. The official county site states that LANDEX provides paid remote access to property records from 1684 to the present.

Recorder records are indexed by the people involved in a transaction. They are not primarily organized by street address.

1. Open the county’s LANDEX link.

   Start from the Bucks County Property Records page so you are using the county’s designated search provider.

2. Review the access charges.

   LANDEX is a paid service. Check its available search and document-viewing options before proceeding.

3. Search by a party’s name.

   Use the seller’s, buyer’s, borrower’s or lender’s name, depending on the type of record.

4. Add an approximate recording year.

   Limit the date range when researching common names or older transactions.

5. Review the indexed document.

   Compare document type, parties, date and the available book/page or instrument reference.

6. Save the recording reference.

   Keep the reference for a copy request or further title investigation.

Grantor and grantee searches

For example, when searching a deed from a sale, use both the buyer’s and seller’s names if the first search does not identify the document.

Older deed indexes

Bucks County organizes historical indexes into periods, including 1684–1919, 1920–1941, 1942–1951 and later year groups.

Older indexes may not follow straightforward alphabetical ordering. County staff can demonstrate how to use them, but they do not perform historical title research for visitors.

If you only know the address of a house in Doylestown, Bensalem, Bristol, Newtown, Warrington, Quakertown or another Bucks County community, begin with the Board of Assessment.

The Recorder explains that its records are indexed by names rather than locations. The Board of Assessment can help identify the owner and tax-map reference.

1. Locate the parcel.

   Use Bucks County mapping or Board of Assessment resources to identify the property.

2. Find the assessed owner.

   Note the owner name, parcel number and any available deed reference.

3. Search the Recorder index.

   Use the owner’s or former owner’s name in LANDEX or the office research area.

4. Compare the legal description.

   Make sure the recorded document relates to the intended property.

One particularly useful Bucks County service is the offer of a complimentary emailed deed copy to the property owner.

If you only need your own deed for personal records, ask about this option before paying a private records company.

Request a complimentary deed copy

1. Locate the property’s information.

   Have the owner name, address and any known deed reference ready.

2. Contact the Recorder.

   Email recorderdeeds@buckscounty.org or call 215-348-6209.

3. Ask about the free owner copy.

   Explain that you own the property and would like the complimentary emailed deed.

4. Provide details requested by staff.

   The office may need information to locate the correct deed or verify the request.

Standard copy and certified-copy fees

For mailed copies, the Recorder asks for a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Send correspondence to 55 East Court Street, Doylestown, PA 18901.

The Recorder accepts properly prepared deeds and other eligible property instruments for permanent recording.

The office does not prepare deeds or advise which type of deed is legally appropriate for your transfer.

Check these details first

Submit in person, by mail or electronically

Documents may be delivered to the Recorder’s office or mailed with appropriate payment and a return envelope.

Bucks County also accepts eligible electronic recordings through Simplifile, CSC and ePN.

The official 2026 Bucks County Recorder fee schedule took effect January 1, 2026.

The listed base fees generally include four pages, four names and one tax parcel number. Certain categories follow different rules.

Example: Six-page deed

Suppose a deed has six pages, four names and one parcel number.

This example excludes Pennsylvania realty transfer tax, any local registry costs and other transaction-specific requirements.

A qualifying Pennsylvania Statement of Value may not count as an additional fee page under Bucks County’s published calculator instructions.

For unusual documents, use the official 2026 fee schedule or call the Recorder.

Bucks County’s general realty transfer-tax rate is 2% of the applicable taxable value.

This consists of 1% Pennsylvania state tax and 1% allocated locally to the municipality and school district.

Simple transfer-tax example

For a transaction with $400,000 of taxable value, the general 2% calculation produces $8,000 in realty transfer tax.

The taxable value may differ from the sale price, particularly for certain gifts, related-party transfers or transactions involving an assumed obligation.

Some transfers may qualify for exemptions

Pennsylvania provides exemptions for certain qualifying family transfers and other specified transactions.

Do not assume a quitclaim deed, inheritance, gift or transfer into a trust is automatically tax-exempt. The correct exemption depends on the law and transaction details.

Certain Bucks County municipalities require deeds to be registered locally within 72 hours after county recording.

This is separate from recording at the county office. It is a practical step that property buyers and deed filers should not overlook.

Boroughs with this requirement

Doylestown, Morrisville, New Britain, Newtown, Perkasie and Sellersville.

Townships with this requirement

Buckingham, Doylestown, Durham, Lower Southampton, New Britain, Warwick and Wrightstown.

1. Identify the municipality.

   Confirm whether the property is in one of the listed boroughs or townships.

2. Record with the county.

   Obtain the county recording reference or confirmation.

3. Contact the municipal office.

   Ask about the local deed-registry process and any municipal fee.

4. Complete registration promptly.

   Where required, complete the local process within 72 hours after recording.

The Bucks County Recorder offers a free Fraud Alert System through LANDEX.

Subscribers receive email notifications when a newly recorded document matches their registered name.

1. Open the county fraud-alert page.

   Read the official explanation of the service.

2. Select the Fraud Alert Portal.

   Follow the signup link provided on the county website.

3. Register the name to monitor.

   Use the individual or business name associated with the property.

4. Complete the requested email setup.

   Follow the portal’s instructions to activate your alerts.

5. Review unfamiliar alerts.

   Use the recording information to investigate an unexpected document.

Free Notary Alert System

Bucks County also provides a separate free system for notaries. It alerts registered notaries when a deed, mortgage or power of attorney is recorded using their name and commission information.

Bucks County describes document recording as a process that includes initial recording and later verification.

The county’s FAQ says a document typically appears through LANDEX within approximately 24–48 business hours.

Verification of the recorded document may take around three weeks before original documents are returned to the submitter.

If you recorded by mail or in person, include a self-addressed return envelope when you want the original mailed back.