Butler County Recorder Information

About Butler County Recorder

In Pennsylvania, it is the responsibility of the Recorder of Deeds to record and maintain real property documents. Each county has an elected official to carry out this responsibility. The records include deeds, easements, and other instruments used in the conveyance of property. Recording requirements must be met and fees must be paid before recording can take place.

Recording Fees

Deeds, Mortgages & Re-Recordings of Deeds
Deeds, mortgages and re-recordings of deeds includes 4 names, 4 pages, and 1 parcel for $86.75, unless other fees apply.
Notations are $2 per notation.

Re-Recording of a Mortgage
Re-Recording of a mortgage includes 4 names, 4 pages, 1 parcel and 1 notation on original mortgage for $88.75, unless other fees apply.

Mortgage Amendment, Assignment, Modification or Release
Mortgage Amendment, Assignment, Modification or Release includes 4 names, 4 pages, and 1 notation on original mortgage for $60.75 unless other fees apply.
Additional notations are $2 per notation.

Mortgage Satisfaction Piece / Termination of Rents
Mortgage satisfaction piece and termination of rents includes 4 names, 4 pages, and 1 notation on original mortgage for $60.75, unless other fees apply.
Additional notations are $2 per notation.

Mortgage Postponement or Subordination
Mortgage postponement or subordination includes 4 names, 4 pages, and 1 notation on original mortgage for $20.50, unless other fees apply.
Additional notations are $2 per notation.

Article of Agreement & Installment Land Contract
Article of Agreement and Installment Land Contract includes 4 names, 4 pages for $58.75 and must have a Certificate of Residence.

Right-of-Way, Easement
$86.75, unless other fees apply

Article of Agreement, Installment Land Contract, Bill of Sale
$58.75, unless other fees apply

Lease with terms of 30 years or more
$58.75, unless other fees apply

Miscellaneous Instruments: The following cost $18.50:
Affidavit
Agreement
Agricultural Sec Area
Assignment (non-Mortgage)
Assignment of Leases and Rents
Declaration of Taking
Order of Court
Power of Attorney
Restrictive Covenants
Revoke Power of Attorney

ADDITIONAL FEES:
Parcels - Deed/Mortgage only - each after 1 - $0.50 per parcel
Names - each after 4 - $1 per name
Pages - each after 4 - $2 per page
Notations - each additional - $2 per notation

Request Copies
Mail-Request - Record books, Instrument Numbers $1 per page
Certificate and Seal of Office $1.50
Service Fee (with book and page) $2 per document
Mail Request - Plan Books $2 per page
Act 287 $2 per twp.
Service Fee (without book and page) $4 per doc
GRID Setup Fee $7 per name

A state and local transfer tax, both at 1%, may be due upon recording.

Contact the Butler County Recorder of Deeds at 724-284-5340 with questions about recording fees or transfer taxes.

Document Formatting Requirements

1. A deed must be acknowledged before the Recorder of Deeds can consider it. An acknowledgment must include the county and state. The name of person acknowledging should be given exactly the same as it appears in the document. Other necessary elements are a notary signature, notary stamp, and the notary expiration date. The acknowledgment date should be on or after the execution date of the document.

2. The maximum size page accepted is 8.5 x 14 inches, while the minimum is 8.5 x 11 inches. Margins should be a minimum of 1-inch and should be free from all markings.

3. A complete legal description of the real property must be present.

4. The Uniform Parcel Identifier number that has been assigned to the parcel must be stated on the document. For assistance with this, contact the County Mapping Department. In order for a recorded document to provide constructive notice under the Pennsylvania recording laws, it must have a Uniform Parcel Identifier number.

5. A Certificate of Residence, with the grantee's name and mailing address, should be attached to the deed.

6. A deed should state the true consideration of the property or should be accompanied by an original Affidavit of Value. If claiming an exemption from taxation, the deed must be accompanied by an original and fully completed Affidavit of Value.

7. If multiple documents constituting one transaction are submitted, the order of recording must be clearly indicated. The party submitting the documents is responsible for any re-recording expenses resulting from an improper order of recording.

8. Any corrective documents must include a reference to the document being corrected, as well as the reason for correction. A corrective deed must also include a Statement of Value and a recorded copy of the document being corrected.

9. A re-recorded document must be acknowledged again, and must also include the reason for re-recording.

10. When submitting a deed that pertains to property in more than one municipality, the percentage of local transfer tax for each municipality must be stated.


Statement of Value:

A Statement of Value is necessary whenever (1) the full consideration is not set forth in the deed, (2) when the deed is without consideration or is by gift, or (3) a tax exemption is claimed. A Statement of Value is not required if the transfer is wholly exempt from tax based on familial relationship or public utility easement.
If the transfer is between family members, the relationship must be stated on the deed.

The Statement of Value must be completed in its entirety and submitted in duplicate with a reason for the exemption and the amount of exemption.

A Statement of Value must also be submitted for easements and rights-of-ways.