Butler County, Pennsylvania • Deeds and Land Records • Updated October 2026
Butler County PA Recorder of Deeds: Search Records, Office, Fees & Recording Guide
The Butler County Recorder of Deeds maintains recorded land documents for property in Butler County, Pennsylvania.
You can search deeds and mortgages online, find prior transfers, request copies, and learn how to submit documents for recording.
The Recorder is Michele M. Mustello. The office is on Floor L of the Butler County Government Center at 124 West Diamond Street in Butler.
01 · Quick answer
Butler County Recorder of Deeds: Essential Information
County official responsible for the Recorder of Deeds office.
For recording, fees, copies and record-search assistance.
Monday through Friday; confirm holiday closures before visiting.
124 W Diamond Street, Butler, PA 16001.
Butler, PA 16003.
County-hosted deed and recorded-document portal.
Butler County’s land records are different from property assessment records.
The Recorder preserves documents affecting real estate. The Assessment Department maintains property valuation records and its own search system.
02 · Primary task
How to Search Butler County PA Deed Records Online
Butler County provides a public records portal operated through Document Technology Systems (DTS).
The portal states that registration is not required for access. Creating an account can save search settings, search history and selected documents.
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Open the Recorder’s public access portal.
Start with the official county-hosted DTS system.
Open Butler County Deed SearchAfter opening: read and accept the displayed disclaimer. Continue to the available public search screen; create an account only if you need account features. -
Identify the parties or recording reference.
Have the grantor, grantee, mortgage borrower, lender, or recording book and page/instrument number ready.
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Choose the relevant search method.
Use the available name or document-reference search options. Search alternate names when ownership has changed.
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Check the document details.
Compare the recording date, document type, parties and legal description before deciding that a result matches your property.
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Save the recording reference.
Keep the instrument number or book/page reference for follow-up research and copy requests.
Start with Butler County’s Assessment property search to identify the owner and parcel. Then use those details to search recorded deeds.
Official Butler County Assessment Department
Online document viewing and browser issues
The DTS portal recommends Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. Its guidance also discusses PDF viewing settings and downloaded images.
If a document does not open, check PDF permissions and browser download settings before repeating the search.
Do not treat a search result as a title guarantee. A proper title examination may require older documents, liens, court records and professional review.
03 · Visit or contact
Butler County Recorder of Deeds Office Address and Google Map
Recorder of Deeds
Officeholder: Michele M. Mustello
Street: 124 West Diamond Street, Government Center, Floor L, Butler, PA 16001
Mail: P.O. Box 1208, Butler, PA 16003
Phone: 724-284-5340
Fax: 724-285-9099
Email: mmustell@co.butler.pa.us
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
Before you visit
Ask whether the specific document can be accepted by mail, in person, or through a recording service.
Confirm the applicable fee and payment method. Bring the document’s recording reference if requesting a copy.
For mobility or entry assistance, contact the office before traveling. Parking and building-access conditions can change.
Verify office hours and contact details
04 · Recording workflow
How to Record a Deed in Butler County, Pennsylvania
Recording a deed is different from searching an existing deed. A new recording must satisfy document, acknowledgment and tax requirements.
Use a Pennsylvania real-estate attorney or title professional when preparing an ownership transfer involving an estate, trust, divorce, business or disputed title.
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Prepare the proper instrument.
Confirm the grantor, grantee, legal description and parcel information. Check signature and acknowledgment requirements.
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Check tax and valuation documentation.
Determine whether Pennsylvania Realty Transfer Tax applies and whether a Realty Transfer Tax Statement of Value is needed.
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Calculate recording charges.
Use the current Recorder schedule, including any additional names, pages, parcels or notations.
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Submit the deed for recording.
Verify the accepted filing method and payment arrangements with the Recorder before delivering the document.
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Preserve recording evidence.
Retain the recorded instrument reference and obtain a certified copy if required for a subsequent transaction.
When is Form REV-183 relevant?
Form REV-183 is Pennsylvania’s Realty Transfer Tax Statement of Value.
The state instructions identify situations involving incomplete consideration, no consideration or gifts, and claimed tax exemptions.
Some wholly exempt transfers have specific exceptions. Confirm whether the form is required rather than assuming every no-dollar deed is tax-free.
Open Pennsylvania Form REV-183 and Instructions
05 · Official fee schedule
Butler County PA Recorder of Deeds Fees in 2026
Butler County revised certain recording charges effective November 19, 2025.
The following figures are from the county’s published Recorder fee pages. Extra charges and taxes may apply.
Base charge, including four names, four pages and one parcel.
Includes the standard names, pages, parcel and one original-mortgage notation.
Standard published base fee; additional charges may apply.
Standard published base fee.
For names beyond the four included with a standard instrument.
After the four pages included with standard instruments.
Each parcel after the first.
First plan page, with additional pages charged separately.
Published base $87.75 + two extra pages ($4) + one extra name ($1) = $92.75 recording charge, before applicable transfer taxes or other fees.
Official Deeds & Mortgages fees
Official Other Real Estate recording fees
06 · Transfer costs
Realty Transfer Tax Is Separate From the Recorder Fee
Pennsylvania imposes a statewide realty transfer tax of 1% on taxable transfers.
Local realty transfer tax may also apply. The combined amount depends on the property’s municipality and the transaction.
A low or zero stated price does not automatically remove the tax. For certain transfers, Pennsylvania valuation rules and a Common Level Ratio may matter.
Butler County’s Recorder homepage lists a Common Level Ratio factor of 16.67 for July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. That factor is not a tax rate.
A taxable $200,000 transfer would generate $2,000 at Pennsylvania’s 1% state rate, before any local transfer tax and recording charges.
Pennsylvania Department of Revenue: Realty Transfer Tax
07 · Certified documents
How to Request Copies of Butler County Deeds
If you know the instrument number or book and page, request a copy by that reference. This is more reliable than asking staff to identify a document only from a street address.
Record books or instrument-number pages.
Added where official certification is required.
Per document.
Per document.
Published plan-book page charge.
Ask whether you need an ordinary image or a certified copy. Banks, courts and title companies may specify their own documentation requirements.
Official copy and miscellaneous fee page
08 · Right office
Recorder, Assessment Department, Prothonotary or Register of Wills?
Recorder of Deeds
Recorded deeds, mortgages, releases, easements, plans and related land instruments.
Phone: 724-284-5340
Butler County Assessment
Parcel information, property record searches and assessment values.
Phone: 724-284-5316
Prothonotary
Civil court filings, judgments and related civil-case information.
Phone: 724-284-5214
Register of Wills
Probate, estates, wills and other estate-administration records.
Phone: 724-284-1409
For example, an estate-related deed may require both estate paperwork and a recording. The Recorder does not replace the Register of Wills.
Butler County elected offices directory
09 · Search problems
Why a Butler County Deed May Not Appear in Search
- Different name: the document may be filed under an earlier owner, trust, business or name variation.
- Wrong county: confirm the property is actually in Butler County, Pennsylvania.
- Incomplete reference: verify book/page or instrument number before searching again.
- Recently recorded: check the county’s current cover-date information or contact the office.
- Viewer issue: try the portal’s supported browser and PDF/download settings.
- Assessment versus title: a parcel record and a recorded deed serve different purposes.
If a deed appears to contain an error, ask a qualified Pennsylvania real-estate attorney what corrective instrument, if any, is appropriate.
Recording a correction is not equivalent to deleting or rewriting the original historic record.
10 · Next step
Which Butler County Resource Should You Use Next?
Need an existing deed?
Search DTS Public Access. Record the instrument reference, then request a copy if required.
Know only the address?
Use Assessment property search to identify the owner or parcel before searching deeds.
Recording a new deed?
Check the deed fee, transfer tax and REV-183 requirements before submitting.
Need title assurance?
Contact a title company or attorney. The Recorder’s database is a record source, not an insurance or title opinion service.
11 · Common questions
Butler County PA Recorder of Deeds FAQs
1. Who is the Butler County Recorder of Deeds?
Michele M. Mustello is the Butler County Recorder of Deeds, according to the county’s official office listing.
2. Where is the Butler County Recorder’s Office?
The office is at 124 West Diamond Street, Government Center, Floor L, Butler, PA 16001.
3. What is the Butler County Recorder phone number?
Call 724-284-5340 for the Recorder of Deeds office.
4. Can I search Butler County deeds online?
Yes. Use the official DTS Public Access portal hosted at www2.co.butler.pa.us/paxworld/.
5. Do I need an account to use the online deed system?
The portal says registration is not required. An account is recommended for saving search settings, history and document selections.
6. How much does it cost to record a deed in Butler County?
The published base recording fee is $87.75 for a standard deed with up to four names, four pages and one parcel. Additional fees and realty transfer taxes may apply.
7. What is the difference between the Recorder and Assessment Department?
The Recorder maintains recorded land instruments. Assessment maintains property assessment and parcel information.
8. What is Pennsylvania Form REV-183?
REV-183 is the Realty Transfer Tax Statement of Value used for certain transfers, including specified gift, valuation and tax-exemption situations.
9. How do I obtain a certified copy of a recorded deed?
Find the instrument number or book/page, then contact the Recorder to request a certified copy and verify copy, service and seal charges.
10. Does a recorded deed prove the property has clear title?
No. Recording makes the document part of public records; it does not independently establish clear, marketable title or eliminate other claims.
12 · Verification
Official Butler County and Pennsylvania Resources
Officeholder, address, contact information and current Common Level Ratio.
Recorded-document search and account guidance.
Additional names, pages, parcels and notation charges.
Current base charges for deeds, mortgages, releases and related documents.
Copy requests, certification charges and other recorded instruments.
Parcel and assessment search information.
State rate, taxable transfers and exemptions.