Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania • Recorder of Deeds guide • reviewed September 2026
Lackawanna County Recorder of Deeds: Search, Office, Fees & Recording Help
The Lackawanna County Recorder of Deeds records and indexes deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, assignments, powers of attorney, leases and other documents affecting real property.
For current online research, Lackawanna County now uses the Eagle Recorder Self-Service system for records from 1957 forward.
Older index books covering 1878 through 1956 are available through a separate county historical index system.
The Recorder is Evie Rafalko McNulty. The office is in the Lackawanna County Government Center at 123 Wyoming Avenue in Scranton.
Start here
Lackawanna County Recorder of Deeds Quick Facts
Current elected Recorder of Deeds listed by Lackawanna County.
Lackawanna County Government Center, Scranton, PA 18503.
Use for recording, search, fee and certified-copy questions.
County office hours published for the Recorder.
Arrive before the recording counter closes.
County online-document search for records from 1957 forward.
Use the separate county historical index-book search.
Attachment printing fee applies to qualifying e-recording attachments.
If you only know the street address, use the Assessment database first to get the parcel number and owner name. Then use those details in the Recorder search.
Who handles what
Recorder vs. Assessment Office vs. Tax Claim Bureau
Lackawanna County Recorder of Deeds
Recorder: Evie Rafalko McNulty
Deputy Recorder: Margie Kelly
Address: 123 Wyoming Avenue, Suite 218, Scranton, PA 18503
Phone: 570-963-6775
Fax: 570-963-6390
Hours: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Recording counter: 9:00 AM–3:45 PM
Open official Recorder pageLackawanna County Assessment Office
Use for: parcel ID, property address, owner, assessed value and assessment records.
Director: Patrick Tobin
Address: 123 Wyoming Avenue, 2nd Floor, Scranton, PA 18503
Phone: 570-963-6728
Open Assessment SearchTax Claim Bureau
Use for: delinquent county property taxes and tax-sale matters.
The Recorder does not collect ordinary delinquent real-estate taxes merely because a deed appears in its system.
Open Tax Claim BureauVisit planning
Google Map to the Lackawanna County Recorder of Deeds
The Recorder is in the Lackawanna County Government Center at 123 Wyoming Avenue, Suite 218, Scranton, PA 18503.
If you intend to record a document, arrive early enough to complete any Assessment Office parcel-certification step before the 3:45 PM recording cutoff.
Primary search intent
How to Search Lackawanna County Deeds Online
Lackawanna County’s current online system is Eagle Recorder Self-Service.
The county specifically advises users to try spelling variations because the online index functions like a catalog pointing to the underlying recorded documents.
Open Eagle Recorder Self-ServiceSearch by owner name
Use the grantor or grantee name when you know a current or former owner.
Try spelling variants, middle initials, trust names and prior surnames if the first search fails.
Search by parcel number
Parcel-based searching can narrow the results to documents tied to one property.
Get the parcel number from Lackawanna County Assessment if you only know the address.
Search by instrument number
Use this when a prior deed, mortgage, title report or legal document already gives you the exact recording number.
Search related documents
Mortgages, satisfactions, assignments and corrective instruments often reference an earlier book/page or instrument number.
Historical records
How to Search Lackawanna County Records Before 1957
Lackawanna County separates historical records from the modern Eagle Recorder search.
The county provides an online Index Book Search for 1878 through 1956.
Open 1878–1956 Index BooksLackawanna County was created in 1878. Earlier property history may require following records into the parent county or other historical record collections.
Troubleshooting
What to Do If the Deed Search Finds Nothing
Try spelling variations: the county search disclaimer specifically recommends testing alternate name spellings.
Search the previous owner: an older deed may be indexed under the seller rather than the name you started with.
Use the parcel ID: find it through Assessment and search again.
Remove extra filters: municipality, date or document-type restrictions can hide otherwise valid results.
Check the historical index: use the 1878–1956 system when Eagle Recorder does not cover the period you need.
Use prior references: book/page and instrument numbers from the newest deed can lead backward through the title history.
Record decoder
What You May See in a Lackawanna County Recorder Result
The recording identifier assigned to the document.
An older-style recording reference used extensively in historical chains.
The date the document was entered into the county’s official record.
The indexed party generally transferring or granting the property interest.
The indexed party generally receiving the property interest.
Examples include deed, mortgage, satisfaction, assignment, lease or power of attorney.
The Lackawanna County parcel identifier certified by Assessment for recording.
The municipality connected with the property or transaction.
The Recorder’s own online disclaimer says the index is a guide to the underlying document. Review the actual instrument before making a legal or ownership determination.
New filings
How to Record a Deed in Lackawanna County
Recording a new deed requires more than delivering a signed page to the Recorder.
Lackawanna County publishes specific Pennsylvania recording requirements designed to prevent documents from being rejected.
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Prepare a legally sufficient deed.
The Recorder records documents but does not replace an attorney for selecting deed language or resolving ownership rights.
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Use a legible document.
Highlighted text can become unreadable when scanned and may cause rejection.
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Use an accepted page size.
The county recording requirements list a maximum 8½ × 14-inch page size, except for maps.
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Check signatures and acknowledgment.
Signatures and initials must be original and suitable for imaging, and the acknowledgment must meet recording requirements.
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Add the Certificate of Residence.
A deed or other real-estate transfer must include the grantee’s signed residence information.
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Complete transfer-tax documents when required.
Include transfer tax and a Pennsylvania Statement of Value when the transaction requires it.
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Get the parcel ID certified.
Each parcel number must be certified by the Lackawanna County Assessment Office before recording.
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Confirm the exact recording fee.
Use the county’s current fee calculator because document type, pages, names, parcels and other surcharges can change the total.
Local recording checklist
Lackawanna County Deed Requirements That Commonly Cause Rejections
Highlighted document: highlighting can make text unreadable after scanning.
Missing Certificate of Residence: deeds must include the grantee residence information required by Pennsylvania recording rules.
Wrong acknowledgment: document execution and acknowledgment must match.
Missing transfer-tax information: deeds require applicable tax and Statement of Value documentation.
Missing certified PIN: each parcel identification number must be certified through the Assessment Office.
Related document not referenced: subsequent filings should identify the previous instrument, book/page or recording date.
Re-recording without explanation: a corrected re-recording must explain why it is being re-recorded and meet re-execution/re-acknowledgment requirements.
No return envelope: include a self-addressed stamped envelope when you want the original recorded document mailed back.
Current cost details
Recorder Fees, Demolition Fee and 2026 Changes
Lackawanna County recording charges are document-specific. Use the county’s current fee schedule or Recorder fee calculator instead of relying on an old deed receipt.
The Recorder adds a cover/index page that becomes part of the recorded document.
Applies after the pages included in the base recording fee.
Additional indexed names can increase the recording total.
Charged when more acknowledgments than the base fee includes are present.
Current county fee material lists parcel certification separately.
Effective December 1, 2025 on every deed and mortgage recorded.
2026 e-recording attachment fee
Effective January 1, 2026, qualifying attachments submitted with e-recordings are subject to a $0.50-per-page printing fee.
The county explains that these attachments must be printed when documents are forwarded to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.
AOPC / court surcharge change
Lackawanna County also reports that the court/AOPC component increased from $40.25 to $41.25 after Pennsylvania’s 2025 fiscal-code change.
The Recorder warns that documents mailed with an incorrect fee can be rejected or returned. Calculate the current total immediately before filing.
Mail and drop box
Mailing, Hand Delivery and Government Center Drop Box
The Recorder accepts documents through the mail when they meet all recording requirements and include the proper fee.
The county also states that documents can be brought directly to the office or placed in the drop box in the main lobby of the Government Center.
Lackawanna County Recorder of Deeds
123 Wyoming Avenue, Suite 218
Scranton, PA 18503
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want the original recorded document mailed back after recording.
Electronic recording
Lackawanna County eRecording Vendors
The Recorder accepts electronic filings through approved third-party e-recording vendors.
The county currently lists Simplifile, CSC and ePN.
One of the approved vendors listed by the Recorder.
Approved electronic-recording provider.
Approved electronic-recording provider.
Attorneys, title companies, lenders and other frequent recording submitters typically use vendor-based electronic recording.
Copies
How to Request a Certified Copy of a Lackawanna County Deed
The Recorder publishes a dedicated certified-copy request form for recorded documents.
The form asks for the book/page or instrument number, which is why searching the document online first can save time.
Copy charge on the published request form: $0.50 per page.
Certification: $2 per certified document.
Payment: check or money order payable to Lackawanna County Recorder of Deeds.
Do not send cash.
Mail request: include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Fraud monitoring
Lackawanna County Fraud Protection Sign-Up
The county’s Eagle Recorder platform includes a fraud-protection registration option.
Property-recording alerts can help you notice a document indexed under your monitored name sooner.
Open Fraud Protection Sign-UpIf an unfamiliar deed, mortgage or other filing appears, save the instrument number and contact the Recorder. Seek legal advice when ownership rights may be affected.
Realty transfer tax
Statement of Value and Realty Transfer Tax
Deeds must include applicable realty transfer taxes and a Pennsylvania Statement of Value when required.
If an exemption from transfer tax is claimed, the reason must be stated in the deed or on the Statement of Value.
Transfers involving more than one municipality must identify how transfer taxes are divided.
Open Pennsylvania REV-183Decision path
What Should You Do Next?
I know the owner name → search Eagle Recorder.
I only know the address → use Assessment first, copy the parcel ID, then search Recorder records.
I need a pre-1957 deed → use the historical Index Book Search.
I need a certified deed → locate the instrument number first, then use the certified-copy request.
I am recording a new deed → check parcel certification, transfer tax, acknowledgment, fees and Certificate of Residence.
I need assessed value → use the Assessment Office, not the Recorder.
I have a delinquent-tax issue → contact the Tax Claim Bureau.
I found an unfamiliar deed → save the recording information and contact the Recorder promptly.
Important caution
Independent Information, Title Caution and FCRA Notice
This page is an independent editorial guide. It is not the Lackawanna County Recorder of Deeds, Assessment Office or another government agency.
It is not legal advice, a title examination or a guarantee that a recorded document establishes clear ownership.
A deed index can help locate recorded instruments, but title questions can require review of the documents, liens, estates, judgments and other records by a Pennsylvania attorney or title professional.
Do not use public property-record information for employment screening, tenant screening, credit decisions, insurance underwriting or another FCRA-regulated consumer-reporting purpose.
Frequently asked questions
Lackawanna County Recorder of Deeds FAQs
Where is the Lackawanna County Recorder of Deeds?
The office is at 123 Wyoming Avenue, Suite 218, Scranton, PA 18503 in the Lackawanna County Government Center.
Who is the Lackawanna County Recorder of Deeds?
Lackawanna County lists Evie Rafalko McNulty as the elected Recorder of Deeds.
What are the Recorder’s office hours?
The office publishes hours of 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Recording hours end at 3:45 PM.
How do I search Lackawanna County deeds online?
Use the county’s Eagle Recorder Self-Service system for current records. Accept the disclaimer and search by the available name, parcel or document criteria.
How do I search deeds from before 1957?
Use Lackawanna County’s separate online Index Book Search for 1878 through 1956 and follow the book/page references.
Do Lackawanna County deeds need a parcel number?
Yes. The county recording requirements say each parcel identification number in a recorded document must be certified by the Lackawanna County Assessment Office.
What is the 2026 e-recording attachment fee?
Effective January 1, 2026, the Recorder states that applicable e-recording attachments are subject to a $0.50-per-page printing fee.
Is there a demolition fee on Lackawanna County deeds?
Yes. Lackawanna County’s Ordinance 299 added a $15 demolition fee to deeds and mortgages effective December 1, 2025.
How do I get a certified copy of a recorded deed?
Locate the book/page or instrument number, then use the Recorder’s certified-copy request. The published form lists $0.50 per page plus $2 per certified document.
Does a recorded deed prove that title is clear?
No. The recording system preserves and indexes documents, but a deed search alone does not prove that title is free of liens, defects or competing ownership claims.
Official resources