Allegheny County Recorder Information

Land records in Allegheny County are recorded by the Division of Real Estate.

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Recording Fees, Allegheny County Division of Real Estate

These government fees are separate from any Deeds.com service fees. Confirm current charges with the recorder's office.

Other charges

Fee schedule effective January 1, 2026.

StatewideEach county sets its own recording fees, and the totals counties publish include the state charges collected with every deed, mortgage and similar filing: a $20.00 judicial computer system and access to justice fee and a temporary $21.25 surcharge that runs until December 31, 2027 (204 Pa. Code 29.351). Counties also add their own records improvement, affordable housing and demolition fees.

Deed-related documents with more than 30 certified parcels are $10.00 for each additional parcel. Power of Attorney $50.00; Financial Statement $175.00; Notary Public Bond and Commission $80.00; 22 x 17 inch Subdivision Plan $50.00, 24 x 36 inch $80.00; State Highway Plan $30.00. Military Service Discharge, Street or Alley Vacation and Ordinance: no fee to record.

Paying the office

Personal checks, debit cards and credit cards are not accepted. Accepted: money orders and business checks payable to the Division of Real Estate, cash, and an established draw down account; draw down accounts can be set up during normal business hours in the Division of Real Estate Office.

Transfer tax

Realty Transfer Tax. 1 percent on the value of real estate (including contracted-for improvements to property) transferred by deed, instrument, long-term lease or other writing. The tax is collected when the document is recorded. (statewide, 72 P.S. § 8101-C et seq.)

StatewideCounty Recorders of Deeds collect the state realty transfer tax, often together with an additional local realty transfer tax levied by municipalities and school districts (Tax Reform Code of 1971, Article XI-D, 72 P.S. § 8101-D et seq.). The Department of Revenue describes the rate as one percent for the state and usually one percent for the local portion; local rates vary by place.

The Division of Real Estate also collects all Local Realty Transfer Taxes (Municipal and School). In Allegheny County the realty transfer tax ranges from 2%-5% of the total consideration of a property, with 1% submitted to the State and the remainder going to the Municipality and School District for the property (for example, City of Pittsburgh 3% and Pittsburgh School District 1%).

Checked October 2026 against the sources below. Some of them are not official publications, so confirm with the recorder's office. Sources: Realty Transfer Tax - PA Department of Revenue · Recording Fees, Allegheny County Division of Real Estate · Realty Transfer Taxes - Allegheny County, PA · Recorder of Deeds - Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (Answer Center)

Confirm current requirements with the recorder's office before submitting documents.

Minimum 1-inch top margin on deeds and deed-related documents for certification stamping; the "Record and Mail to" area may not be within the top 1-inch margin.

StatewideRecorders refuse a mortgage, assignment, or agreement given to secure payment of money unless a certificate signed by the mortgagee, assignee, or person entitled to interest, or an authorized attorney or agent, setting forth that person's precise residence is attached and recorded with it (21 P.S. § 625).

Each side with text counts as one page for calculating recording fees. Handwriting is not permitted except signatures, acknowledgments, the Realty Transfer Tax Statement of Value, and book volume and page numbers on second and subsequent documents for concurrent recordings only. The Certificate of Residence must be typed and conform to Division of Real Estate standards.

Forms filed along with a transfer

• Realty Transfer Tax Statement of Value (REV-183) Statewide Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, Bureau of Individual Taxes
  Filed in duplicate with the Recorder of Deeds when (1) the full value/consideration is not set forth in the deed, (2) the deed is without consideration or by gift, or (3) a tax exemption is claimed

Submitting documents

The following cannot be e-recorded and require a paper submission: subdivision plans, corrective deeds, sheriff deeds, deeds in lieu of foreclosure, deeds transferring property into a trust, and deeds that are taxable in multiple jurisdictions.

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: 1979-1980 Regular Session HB 946 PN 3432 Bill Text · REV-183 Realty Transfer Tax Statement of Value and Instructions · Recording Documents - Allegheny County, PA · Formatting Specifications - Allegheny County, PA · E-Recording - Allegheny County, PA · Pennsylvania Statutes Title 21 P.S. Deeds and Mortgages § 625