Recorder Office
Contact the recorder's office directly for its records, copies, and recording requirements.
Recorder of Deeds - County Services Center
About the Berks County Recorder of Deeds
Land records in Berks County are recorded by the Recorder of Deeds. The office is held by Fred Sheeler.
Index and images of deeds since 1752, mortgages since 1/1/1949 and unsatisfied mortgages 1752–1949, and miscellaneous documents since 1900; older records via online index books. Certified copies online are $10.00 per document; online copies 50 cents a page.
Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Realty Transfer Tax - PA Department of Revenue · Recorder of Deeds - Fred Sheeler · Online Records Search Instructions
Recording Fees
These government fees are separate from any Deeds.com service fees. Confirm current charges with the recorder's office.
| Deeds and other conveyances | $88.00 for the first 4 pages, $4.00 each additional page (Includes one tax parcel; same fee for agreements, easements, leases, court orders) |
|---|---|
| Mortgages and deeds of trust | $88.00 for the first 4 pages, $4.00 each additional page (Includes one tax parcel; mortgages, assignments and mortgage-related documents) |
| Releases and satisfactions | $88.00 for the first 4 pages, $4.00 each additional page (Releases and satisfaction pieces; includes one tax parcel) |
| Other standard documents | $87.00 for the first 4 pages, $4.00 each additional page (Powers of attorney, declarations, modifications, terminations and miscellaneous instruments; includes one tax parcel) |
Added at recording
| Copy fee for e-recorded SOV and attachments | $0.50 Per page, Statements of Value and attachments received via e-recording, for printing and mailing to the Department of Revenue |
|---|
Other charges
| Copies, per page | $0.50 |
|---|---|
| Certification | $2.00 |
Fee schedule effective November 14, 2025.
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.
Statement of Value forms are counted as an additional page when determining recording fees. Where no fee is specified, the fee is set by the Recorder of Deeds. UCC financing statements $115.00; Act 319 Clean & Green and Agricultural Security Agreements $41.00; subdivision/land development plans $100.00 per plan set; highway maps up to 36 x 48 $35.00 first page, $15.00 each additional page. Overpayments not exceeding $10 are forfeited.
Paying the office
| Checks payable to | Berks County Recorder of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Card fee | A sliding-rate transaction fee added by the credit card processor applies to credit card purchases of copies, from $2.50 for sales up to $50.00, plus $2.00 per $50 increment above $200. |
Cash and personal checks are not accepted for transfer tax. Checks 180 days or older are not accepted; overdraft fees are passed on to the customer.
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 Berks County fee schedule states the transfer tax rate is 5% in the City of Reading and 2% in all other Berks municipalities.
Checked October 2026 against the sources below. Some of them are not official publications, so confirm with the recorder's office. Sources: Recorder · Realty Transfer Tax - PA Department of Revenue · Berks County Recorder of Deeds Fee Schedule effective 11/14/2025 · Fee Schedule - Berks County Recorder of Deeds · Recorder of Deeds - Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (Answer Center)
Document Requirements
Confirm current requirements with the recorder's office before submitting documents.
| Paper size | 8-1/2 x 11" White 20 lb. paper; legal size paper not accepted |
|---|---|
| First page top margin | 1 in |
| Other margins | 1 in |
| Minimum type size | 10 pt |
| Ink and paper | White 20 lb. paper; black ink preferred in the body (red, blue or other colors will not scan legibly); clear dark print, light copies not recorded |
| Single sided pages required | No |
| Return address required | Yes |
| Prepared-by statement required | Yes |
| Grantee address required | Yes (statewide, Act of April 22, 1929, P.L. 620, No. 258 (certificate of residence)) |
| Parcel number required | Yes |
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).
Full property address including municipality and the Property Identification Number (UPI) on every document; Wyomissing Borough deeds must specify Wyomissing or Wilson School District. Written amount must match the numerical amount on deeds. Foreign language documents need a sworn English translation. Re-recorded documents must be re-signed with a new acknowledgment and an explanation. Multiple documents in one transaction must be numbered in recording order.
Forms filed along with a transfer
- Realty Transfer Tax Statement of Value (REV-183) Statewide Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, Bureau of Individual TaxesFiled 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
| In person | Accepted |
|---|---|
| By mail | Accepted |
| Electronic recording | Accepted |
| eRecording through Deeds.com | Available for this office |
| Stamped, self-addressed return envelope | Required |
| How recorded documents come back | Returned by mail in the submitter's self-addressed stamped envelope; documents are held until an envelope is sent. Some local submitters pick up documents in person. |
| Processing time | Documents received by 3:30 pm are generally recorded the same day and returned or mailed the next day. |
Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Recorder · 1979-1980 Regular Session HB 946 PN 3432 Bill Text · REV-183 Realty Transfer Tax Statement of Value and Instructions · Fee Schedule - Berks County Recorder of Deeds · Documents - Berks County Recorder of Deeds · E-Recording - Berks County Recorder of Deeds · Pennsylvania Statutes Title 21 P.S. Deeds and Mortgages § 625
Deeds.com Resources & Services
Using Deeds.com is optional. Contact the recorder's office directly for its services and submission options.
How to Get a Copy of Your Deed
Read Deeds.com's guide to requesting document copies from the recorder's office.
Deeds.com eRecording
Available through Deeds.com
Use Deeds.com's paid service to submit documents electronically to the recorder's office. Deeds.com service fees are separate from government recording fees and taxes.
Recorder Office
Contact the recorder's office directly for its records, copies, and recording requirements.
Recorder of Deeds - County Services Center
Deeds.com Forms
Blank legal forms sold by Deeds.com, not by the recorder's office.
Supplemental Document Resources
Recording-related forms and instructions for reference. Confirm which documents apply with the recorder's office.
Deeds.com Customer Care
For help with Deeds.com products, services, or your account. This does not contact the recorder's office.
Contact Deeds.com