Dauphin County, Pennsylvania • Recorder of Deeds search and office guide • Reviewed September 18, 2026
Dauphin County PA Recorder of Deeds: Search, Office, Deed Copies, Recording Fees & UPI Guide
The Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds records and maintains land records for real estate in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
Use this office for deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, assignments, easements, powers of attorney, recorded document copies, e-recording and Recorder of Deeds public search.
Use the Tax Assessment Office for assessed value, property information and UPI certification. Use the Treasurer or Tax Claim Bureau for property tax payment and delinquent tax questions.
Fast answer
Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds Quick Facts
Records and maintains land records and related public documents.
The county lists James Zugay as Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds.
Dauphin County Courthouse, Harrisburg, PA 17101.
Use for public search, copy, recording and website help.
Include document number, UPI, name, date or book/page when possible.
Verify holiday closures before visiting the courthouse.
The county states deeds and miscellaneous documents are online from 1785 to present.
The Recorder page states mortgages are online from 1979 to present.
If you need a deed copy, start with the Recorder public search. If you only have a property address and need the parcel number, start with Dauphin Property Info or Tax Assessment first.
Office details
Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds Address, Phone, Email and Services
Recorder of Deeds Office
Official: James Zugay, Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds
Address: Dauphin County Courthouse, Room 102, 101 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: 717-780-6560
Email: jzugay@dauphincounty.gov
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Open Recorder of Deeds PageWhat the Recorder Does
Records deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, assignments, easements, powers of attorney and other land records.
Maintains online public search through the Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds record search system.
Provides deed and document copy access and accepts eligible documents for recording.
Offers Record Notification Service alerts for names, property and parcel numbers.
The Recorder records documents that meet recording criteria. The office does not choose the correct deed type, fix title problems, survey boundaries or give legal advice.
Map and visit planning
Google Map to Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds
The Recorder of Deeds is in the Dauphin County Courthouse at 101 Market Street in Harrisburg.
Bring the property address, UPI number, party name, book/page, instrument number, document type or copy request details so staff can guide you faster.
Search workflow
How to Search Dauphin County Deeds and Recorded Documents Online
Dauphin County uses an online Recorder of Deeds record search system with several search paths.
You can search by simple search, name, instrument number, document type, book/page, record date, consideration, UPI number, municipality/comments and Alpha Index.
Start from the official Recorder page or the Acclaim public search system.
Open Record Search SystemUse Simple Search for common copy requests, Name for grantor/grantee search, or UPI Number for parcel-based search.
The Name search help shows last name first, such as Sparks,Shelton. The UPI search uses a formatted parcel identifier.
Write down instrument number, book/page, document type, record date, parties and UPI before ordering copies or comparing records.
After opening: choose whether you want a deed, mortgage, satisfaction, plan or name search; enter at least three characters for a name; add a date range if needed; then review the document results.
After opening: enter the UPI in the required format, choose a document type if useful, set the beginning and ending date range, and search for recorded documents linked to that parcel identifier.
The Recorder states all deeds, deed indices and the mortgage index are online under the Alpha Index portion of the website.
Copies and documents
How to Get a Deed Copy or Recorded Document Copy
A regular copy is usually enough for personal research. A certified copy is used when an agency, title process, lender, court or attorney specifically asks for certification.
The Recorder FAQ says you can print a document from the website or visit the office in person at the Dauphin County Courthouse.
Use the public search to identify instrument number, book/page, party names, document type and recording date.
Ask the requester whether a regular copy is enough or whether a certified copy is required.
The FAQ says documents may be printed through the website or obtained in person from the office.
Save the instrument number or book/page so you can locate the same document again later.
Dauphin County’s FAQ states recorded documents are public record except Military Discharge Papers (DD214). Do not treat DD214 access like a normal deed copy.
Recording workflow
Recording a Deed or Real-Estate Document in Dauphin County
Dauphin County accepts eligible documents for recording in person, by mail and through electronic recording.
Before you submit a deed, confirm the document type, legal description, parties, acknowledgments, UPI certification, transfer-tax treatment and recording fee.
Document selection: know which deed or instrument you need before presenting it for recording.
Legal description: the deed should include a complete legal description of the property.
Notary / acknowledgment: signatures and acknowledgment must meet recording requirements.
UPI: qualifying real-estate documents need the correct Uniform Parcel Identifier.
Statement of Value: Pennsylvania REV-183 may be required when value is not fully shown, a gift/no consideration is involved or an exemption is claimed.
Transfer tax: Pennsylvania state realty transfer tax is generally 1%, with local tax also commonly collected through the Recorder.
Payment: the Recorder FAQ says cash or check is accepted, and checks are made payable to Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds.
Returned originals: the FAQ says original documents are usually returned within one to two days in most cases.
After opening: choose the calculator for the document type, enter page count, parcel count, party count and transfer details, then use the result on the day you prepare the filing.
After opening: use this form when the full value is not in the deed, the deed is by gift or without consideration, or a transfer-tax exemption is claimed.
Dauphin County-specific requirement
Uniform Parcel Identifier: UPI Certification in Dauphin County
Dauphin County uses a Uniform Parcel Identifier system for documents affecting real estate.
The county’s UPI materials state that documents requiring a parcel identification number are subject to a UPI certification process and a per-parcel fee.
Tax Assessment handles UPI certification and property identification.
Use for parcel number, assessment and UPI certification questions.
County UPI materials identify this certification fee for qualifying parcel numbers.
After opening: search by owner, address, property ID or deed reference to confirm the parcel number before using the UPI search or preparing a document for recording.
After opening: review the fee schedule, UPI notice and UPI certification process documents before submitting a real-estate document.
Fees and transfer tax
Dauphin County Recorder Fees, JCP Fee Change and Realty Transfer Tax
Recorder fees can depend on document type, page count, party count, parcel count, UPI certification and Pennsylvania Realty Transfer Tax.
Dauphin County announced that the Judicial Computer Project fee increased by $1 under Act 45 of 2025, with collection beginning December 1, 2025.
The Recorder provides separate fee calculators for common recording types.
UPI can add cost beyond the base Recorder fee.
Pennsylvania imposes a 1% state realty transfer tax on many transfers.
Local municipality and school district transfer tax may be collected with the recording.
Use the live fee calculator on the day you record. Saved fee tables can become outdated after statutory fee changes, JCP changes or local transfer-tax updates.
After opening: confirm whether the state 1% tax applies, whether an exemption may apply, and whether a Statement of Value is required before presenting the deed for recording.
E-recording
Electronic Recording in Dauphin County
The Dauphin County Recorder’s Office accepts electronic recording for documents that would otherwise be sent by mail or courier.
The county says confirmation of recording can be completed in minutes through the electronic process.
Email the Recorder if you are interested in e-filing or have e-recording questions.
One of the e-recording service companies listed by the county.
Another e-recording service company listed by the county.
After opening: review the county’s e-recording notes, contact the vendor that fits your workflow, and confirm whether your document type can be electronically recorded.
Fraud awareness
Dauphin County Record Notification Service
Dauphin County offers a Record Notification Service that sends an email alert when a document is recorded against a specific property, name or parcel number.
The service is helpful for awareness, but it does not block a document from being recorded.
What it can do: send an email alert based on enrolled name, property or parcel number.
What it cannot do: prevent recording of a document that meets recording requirements.
If you receive an alert: contact the Recorder of Deeds office if you did not authorize the recorded document.
Good use case: homeowners, heirs, landlords, investors and property managers who want early notice of recording activity.
After opening: read what the alert does and does not do, then return to the Recorder page and sign up through the county’s Record Notification Service link.
Avoid the wrong office
Recorder of Deeds vs Tax Assessment vs Treasurer vs Tax Claim
Recorder of Deeds
Use for: deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, recorded documents, copy requests, UPI document search and e-recording.
Phone: 717-780-6560
Open RecorderOffice of Tax Assessment
Use for: property assessment, property information, parcel number and UPI certification questions.
Address: 2 South Second Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: 717-780-6101
Open Tax AssessmentDauphin County Treasurer
Use for: county real estate tax revenues, City of Harrisburg county taxes, selected municipal tax collection and tax certifications.
Phone: 717-780-6550
Open TreasurerTax Claim Bureau
Use for: delinquent real property taxes, repository sales and delinquent tax payment questions.
Phone: 717-780-6125
Open Tax ClaimCommon mistakes
Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds Mistakes That Delay Users
Searching only by address: the Recorder search works best with names, instrument number, book/page or UPI. Use property info first if you only have an address.
Ignoring UPI certification: qualifying real-estate instruments need the correct UPI and certification process.
Guessing recording fees: use the live fee calculator because fee changes and transfer-tax questions can change the total.
Missing REV-183: a Pennsylvania Statement of Value may be required when full value is not shown, a gift/no consideration is involved or an exemption is claimed.
Calling the Recorder for tax bills: tax bill and delinquent tax questions go to the Treasurer or Tax Claim Bureau.
Calling Tax Assessment for deed copies: deed and recorded document copies come from the Recorder of Deeds.
Assuming RNS blocks fraud: the Record Notification Service sends alerts; it does not prevent recording.
Using records as a title opinion: use a title company or attorney when legal ownership certainty matters.
Decision path
What Should You Do Next?
I need a deed copy: search the Recorder system, save the document reference, then print online or request a copy through the office.
I need to search a name: use the Name search and format the last name first, then add first name or date range to narrow results.
I need to search by parcel: find the UPI through Dauphin Property Info, then use the Recorder’s UPI Number search.
I need to record a deed: review legal description, acknowledgment, UPI, transfer tax, Statement of Value and fee calculator before submitting.
I need an exact fee: use the current Dauphin County fee calculator rather than relying on a saved table.
I need tax payment information: contact the Treasurer or Tax Claim Bureau, not the Recorder of Deeds.
Important notice
Independent Information, Legal Caution and Property-Records Notice
This page is independent informational content. It is not the official website of Dauphin County, the Recorder of Deeds, the Office of Tax Assessment, the Treasurer, the Tax Claim Bureau or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Recorded documents can affect legal rights. This page is not legal advice, a title opinion, a deed-preparation service or an official determination of ownership.
Do not use property-record information for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or any other FCRA-regulated purpose.
Verify current fees, filing rules, UPI requirements, transfer-tax treatment, office hours and portal instructions directly with official sources before recording or ordering official copies.
FAQs
Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds FAQs
Where is the Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds office?
The Recorder of Deeds is in the Dauphin County Courthouse, Room 102, 101 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101.
What is the Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds phone number?
The office phone number is 717-780-6560.
How do I search Dauphin County deeds online?
Use the Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds record search system. Search options include Simple Search, Name, Instrument Number, Document Type, Book/Page, Record Date, Consideration, UPI Number, Municipality/Comments and Alpha Index.
How far back do Dauphin County deed records go online?
The Recorder states that the website contains deeds and miscellaneous documents from 1785 to the present, and mortgages from 1979 to the present.
How do I get a copy of my deed in Dauphin County?
The Recorder FAQ says you can print your document from the website or visit the Recorder of Deeds office in person at the Dauphin County Courthouse.
Can I record a deed by mail in Dauphin County?
Yes. The Recorder FAQ says documents may be submitted by mail if they meet legal recording criteria and the proper fee is enclosed.
Does Dauphin County accept electronic recording?
Yes. The Recorder accepts electronic recording and lists Simplifile and CSC as e-recording service companies.
What is UPI certification in Dauphin County?
UPI means Uniform Parcel Identifier. Dauphin County uses UPI certification for qualifying real-estate documents, and county materials identify a $20 fee per qualifying parcel number.
Who handles property assessment and parcel information?
The Dauphin County Office of Tax Assessment handles assessment, property information and UPI certification questions. The phone number is 717-780-6101.
Does the Record Notification Service prevent fraudulent recording?
No. The Record Notification Service sends alerts when a document is recorded against a subscribed name, property or parcel number. It does not prevent recording of a document.
Official sources