Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Recorder of Deeds guide • October 2026
Philadelphia County Recorder of Deeds: Search, Office, Deed Copies & Recording Fees
The Philadelphia County Recorder of Deeds is officially the City of Philadelphia Department of Records. It records deeds, mortgages and other land-title documents for properties in Philadelphia.
The department’s online Philadox system allows searches of recorded land documents from 1974 to the present. Older deed records are available through the City Archives and Reading Room.
The Department of Records is located at Philadelphia City Hall. Its recording counter and public document-copy Reading Room serve different purposes and have different service hours.
Local office overview
Philadelphia Recorder of Deeds Quick Facts
Philadelphia does not operate a separate county Recorder of Deeds office under the same arrangement used in many Pennsylvania counties.
The city Department of Records performs the recording function and also maintains the City Archives, public-record access services and other municipal records.
Need a deed image? Use Philadox or the Reading Room. Need to record a deed? Use the document recording service. Need a property’s current owner or assessed value? Use the Office of Property Assessment.
Public land-record access
How to Search Philadelphia County Deeds Online
Philadox is Philadelphia’s official online land-record search system. It contains recorded documents from 1974 onward.
Search information and watermarked document images are available online without buying a printing subscription. Paid access is required for printing documents or indexed information.
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Open the official deed-copy service page.
Use the city’s service page to reach the Philadox search portal.
Open Official Deed Search Instructions -
Choose Search Philadox.
Follow the Philadox link on the government page.
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Enter available property or document details.
Use the search fields offered by Philadox. Names, document information and recording references can help locate the correct deed.
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Review matching documents.
Check the recorded parties, dates, document types and available images.
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Save the recording reference.
Keep the document reference before purchasing printing access or requesting an official copy.
After opening this link: scroll to the online instructions, select Search Philadox, run a search and review the watermarked document image.
Choose a subscription only if you need to print a document or indexed information.
Philadox subscription prices
Philadelphia publishes the following subscription options for printing online documents.
Searching documents before 1974
Philadox does not cover the entire historical archive. The city maintains deed records from as far back as 1683.
For pre-1974 records, use the Department of Records Reading Room or ask about the historical land-record search service.
Philadox covers 1974 to the present. Philadelphia’s older historical deed images cover 1683–1973, but access methods and charges differ.
Visit the correct counter
Philadelphia Department of Records Office Address and Google Map
Philadelphia has different counters for deed recording, document copies and other Department of Records services. Confirm the correct room before visiting City Hall.
Document Recording Counter
Location: City Hall, Room 111
Address: 1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19107
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–3:30 PM
Appointment email: appointments.records@phila.gov
Important: an appointment is required for in-person document recording.
Public Reading Room
Location: City Hall, Room 154
Address: 1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19107
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–3:30 PM
Phone: 215-686-2292
Email: deedcopy.info@phila.gov
Philadelphia City Hall
Department of Records1400 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Commissioner: James P. Leonard, Esq.
Commissioner phone: 215-686-2262
Commissioner email: james.leonard@phila.gov
General records inquiries can also be directed to records.info@phila.gov.
After opening this link: check the department contact information, then select the specific service you need before scheduling your visit.
Document copies
How to Get a Philadelphia Deed Copy or Certified Copy
A recorded deed copy may be useful for refinancing, a title examination, estate administration, a property sale or checking ownership history.
The correct method depends on the date of the document and whether you need an ordinary copy or official certification.
Search and view watermarked recorded documents online.
Request help with historical document retrieval.
Request the copy with any required certification.
Copy fees
Philadelphia lists a $2-per-page fee for many deed and mortgage copies obtained through its records services.
The Archives fee schedule lists an additional $2 per document for certification. Confirm the total for your specific request.
Requesting copies by mail
Address copy requests to City Hall, Room 154, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
Include the property address, requested record information, appropriate payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
The city accepts certain checks, money orders and cards but does not accept personal checks for this copy service.
After opening this link: choose Online, Mail or In Person. Read the required information, accepted payment methods and copy fees for that route.
For mailing questions, contact the Reading Room at 215-686-2292 before sending payment.
Deed recording workflow
How to Record a Deed in Philadelphia County
A recorded deed creates a public record of a property-related legal instrument. It should be correctly prepared and executed before submission.
The Department of Records recommends using a lawyer, title company or real-estate professional to prepare a new deed.
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Prepare the deed.
Verify the current owner, new owner, legal description, required signatures and acknowledgement.
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Check the document format.
The city requires white 8.5 × 11-inch paper, black typed text and a minimum 10-point font.
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Include required party addresses.
Deeds and other specified instruments need a signed, certified grantee or mortgagee address.
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Prepare transfer-tax forms.
Complete the Philadelphia Realty Transfer Tax Certificate and Pennsylvania Statement of Value where required.
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Check the fees and taxes.
Determine the recording charge, applicable transfer tax and any statutory exemption.
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Submit the deed.
Record by mail, at a scheduled in-person appointment or through an eligible professional electronic submission.
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Retain the recording information.
Save the instrument information and returned document for future reference.
Email appointments.records@phila.gov before going to the recording counter.
The city also says that parties submitting three or more documents in person must leave them for later pickup.
Mailing a deed
Philadelphia’s recording service lists City Hall, Room 111, 1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19107 for recording.
Follow its current mailing instructions for the document, required certificates, transfer tax and payment.
After opening this link: review the paper and font requirements, transfer-tax forms and payment instructions.
Use the appointment email if filing in person. Professional filers can review the electronic-recording options.
Recording charges
Philadelphia Recorder of Deeds Fees for 2026
Philadelphia increased several document recording fees effective July 1, 2025. The amounts below are the published rates for common instruments.
Recording fees do not include applicable realty transfer tax. Other special documents may have different charges.
After opening this link: find your document type and compare the latest recording charge, copy fee and any applicable special service charge.
Philadelphia realty transfer tax
The current published combined Realty Transfer Tax rate is 4.578%. This includes the Philadelphia city component and the Pennsylvania state component.
City portion
3.578%
Philadelphia’s published city transfer-tax component.
Commonwealth portion
1%
Pennsylvania’s published state transfer-tax component.
$250,000 × 4.578% = $11,445 in illustrative transfer tax.
Add the applicable deed recording charge separately. Actual tax depends on the correct taxable value and exemptions.
Who pays transfer tax?
Buyers and sellers commonly split the tax, but that is not a mandatory legal allocation. The city may collect the full tax from either party.
Are family transfers exempt?
Certain qualifying family transfers and transfers under a will may be exempt. Supporting documents can be required.
Buying a property from an estate is not automatically exempt. A nominal sale price also does not by itself eliminate the tax.
After opening this link: review the current 3.578% city and 1% state components, payment options, exemptions and required forms.
For tax questions, contact the Philadelphia Department of Revenue at 215-686-6442.
Current owner and assessment
How to Find Philadelphia Property Ownership by Address
Searching a recorded deed is different from looking up the city’s current property-assessment record.
The Philadelphia Property App can show ownership information, sales history, assessed value and physical property details.
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Open Philadelphia Property Search.
Use the official city property application.
Open Property App -
Enter the property address.
Search using the address, property account number or Department of Records registry map number.
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Open the correct property.
Review the ownership and property details shown for that address.
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Use the deed system for the underlying instrument.
If you need the recorded legal deed itself, continue to Philadox or the Reading Room.
Philadelphia’s Property App no longer allows owner-name searches. Use an address, property account number or registry map number.
Office of Property Assessment
The Office of Property Assessment handles assessment and property-information questions, not deed recording.
Address: 601 Walnut Street, Suite 300 W, Philadelphia, PA 19106.
Property questions: 215-686-4334.
After opening this link: search the address, review Property Details and use Submit an official inquiry if there is an ownership or account issue.
Free homeowner protection
Philadelphia Deed Fraud Guard and Fraud Reporting
Philadelphia offers Deed Fraud Guard, a free notification service for owners who want to monitor recorded deeds and mortgages associated with their names.
When a matching document is recorded, the system can send an email alert. Property owners and eligible notaries can register.
After opening this link: follow the Deed Fraud Guard registration instructions, enter the requested name and email, and complete email verification.
What if a deed appears fraudulent?
An unexpected recording is not automatically proof of fraud. If you suspect someone recorded an unauthorized deed, report it promptly.
Philadelphia has an online suspected deed or mortgage fraud report form. The Department of Records also provides help and referrals.
After opening this link: complete the city’s fraud report with the property and recording details. Keep copies of the submitted information.
You can also contact the department at 215-686-2290.
The system alerts you to activity. A fraud report does not itself cancel a recorded deed or restore title.
Property-title disputes often require legal help and, where applicable, a court order.
2026 fraudulent-deed transfer-tax refund
Philadelphia published a February 2026 update describing a refund option for certain deed-fraud victims.
A qualifying claimant needs a court order voiding the fraudulent deed and directing a transfer-tax refund. Additional filing requirements apply.
After opening this link: review eligibility, court-order requirements, the three-year filing window and the Department of Revenue refund process.
Philadelphia-specific assistance
Special Deed Services and Unusual Ownership Situations
Updating a deed after a spouse’s death
Philadelphia has published information about its Deed Deceased program for certain qualifying confirmatory deed filings.
The program may reduce the recording fee. Eligibility, documents and the currently applicable program charge should be confirmed with the department.
After opening this link: review the death certificate, marriage certificate and notarized-affidavit requirements. Confirm the current program fee before filing.
Court-ordered deeds
A court order alone does not always change ownership in the city’s property records.
Philadelphia explains that a new deed may need to be recorded with the order. The department provides separate court-ordered deed procedures.
Unlawful restrictive covenants
Philadelphia allows property owners to repudiate certain unlawful restrictive covenants found in a deed.
The department provides a specific repudiation form and describes a no-fee recording process.
After opening this link: locate the questions about court-ordered deeds or unlawful restrictive covenants. Follow the applicable filing instructions.
Avoid wasted trips and fees
Common Philadelphia Deed Search and Recording Mistakes
Visiting the wrong room: the recording counter and Reading Room are separate.
Arriving without an appointment: in-person deed recording requires scheduling.
Searching old deeds in Philadox: documents before 1974 require historical-record resources.
Confusing printing with searching: Philadox searching and watermarked viewing differ from paid printing access.
Forgetting transfer tax: the $277.75 deed recording fee does not include applicable Realty Transfer Tax.
Using old transfer-tax rates: Philadelphia increased its city component effective July 1, 2025.
Using owner-name search in Property App: the property application restricts that search method.
Assuming a recording fixes title: a recorded instrument does not replace legal examination or a court order.
Common questions
Philadelphia County Recorder of Deeds FAQs
Who is the Philadelphia County Recorder of Deeds?
The City of Philadelphia Department of Records performs the Recorder of Deeds function. James P. Leonard, Esq., is the department Commissioner.
Where is the Philadelphia Recorder of Deeds located?
The Department of Records is at Philadelphia City Hall, 1400 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19107. The recording counter is listed in Room 111.
Can I search Philadelphia deeds online for free?
Philadox permits online searching and watermarked viewing of records from 1974 onward. Printing documents or indexed information requires paid subscription access.
How do I find a deed recorded before 1974?
Contact the Department of Records Reading Room or use the city’s historical land-record research resources for documents before 1974.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Philadelphia?
The city’s published standard deed recording fee is $277.75. Applicable realty transfer tax and other charges are separate.
What is Philadelphia’s realty transfer tax rate?
The published combined rate is 4.578%, consisting of a 3.578% Philadelphia city component and a 1% Pennsylvania state component.
Do I need an appointment to record a deed in person?
Yes. The city says in-person recording requires an appointment. Email appointments.records@phila.gov to arrange one.
How do I find a property’s current owner by address?
Use Philadelphia’s official Property App at property.phila.gov. Search by property address, account number or registry map number.
How can I request a certified deed copy?
Contact the Department of Records Reading Room in City Hall, Room 154, at 215-686-2292 or deedcopy.info@phila.gov for copy and certification instructions.
Does Philadelphia offer free deed fraud alerts?
Yes. Philadelphia offers free Deed Fraud Guard email notifications for recorded documents associated with registered names.
Verified official resources