You are NOT on the Centre County official website, you are on Deeds.com, a private website that is not affiliated with any government agency.
The Centre County Recorder of Deeds is responsible for recording and maintaining real property records for the county. The Recorder of Deed also collects the real estate transfer tax for the county.
Recording Fees
Deeds and mortgages (four pages and four names) $2 per page, $0.50 per name for additional pages or names $70.25 All deeds require a uniform parcel identifier (UPI) number before recording. UPI Stamps are obtained through the Centre County Assessment Office for $10.00.
Uniform Parcel Identifier (UPI) stamp $10.00
Easements, leases, sales agreements, right of way *(four pages and four names) $58.75
Agreements, branding, charter, condominium, (code of regulations and declaration of plans), consents, decree of court, declaration of taking, election to take, order of court, power of attorney, and any other instrument pertaining to real estate except as noted below: *(four pages and four names) $18.50
Assignments (with one assignment), release (for first mortgage, $2 each additional), satisfaction piece (One Mortgage per Satisfaction!) *(four pages and four names) $60.75
Extensions of mortgages, order of court to satisfy mortgage, mortgage modification, rider, revocation, amendments, termination, correction instruments, and subordination *(four pages and four names) $20.50
Notary bonds (signature must be recorded with Prothonotary's Office for $3.00 at the courthouse AFTER recording bond at the Willowbank Building. $35.50
Veterans discharge Free
Finance Statements (secured transitions UCC-1; assignments, releases, continuation, terminations UCC-3) $100.00
Plans, plat maps, and subdivisions (first page) $40.00
Each additional page $5.00
Act 172 filing fee (287) $10.00
Acknowledgments $2.00
Certification and seal $1.50
Photo copies per page $0.50
Cash or checks are accepted for payment of recording fees. It is not required or necessary to present separate checks for state or local transfer taxes. All checks should be made payable to the Centre County Recorder of Deeds.
All documents submitted for recording require a stamped self-addressed envelope for the return of documents.
Document Formatting Requirements
* All papers presented to the Recorder of Deeds for recording must be original documents, properly executed, signed, dated, and acknowledged before a notary public with the notary's legible seal, signature, and expiration date of the commission before they can be accepted for recording.
* The maximum size paper accepted is 8.5 x 14 inches, and the minimum size is 8.5 x 11 inches. Use white, standard weight copy paper.
* The entire document must meet legibility requirements in order to be recorded. After the document has been imaged, the copy must be readable without magnification.
* All foreign language documents must include a written or typed English language translation to be recorded along with the original.
* The names given throughout the document need to be consistent. Original signatures in dark blue or black ink are required. Corresponding names should be printed or typed beneath signatures.
* The text should be in black ink, with a font size of at least 10 point.
* Margins should be at least 1 inch, unless otherwise noted, and clear of all markings.
* All deeds require a Uniform Parcel Identification number before they can be recorded. The UPI should be in the upper left corner of the deed. The number is issued by the Centre County Assessment Office. This is payable with a separate check made out to the County of Centre. Contact the Centre County Assessor for questions regarding the UPI. The UPI number is generally placed in the top margin on the first page.
* The acknowledgment date should not predate the execution date of the document. Seals or stamps should not cover any printed material or signatures.
* All deeds, mortgages, and assignments require a signed certificate of address for the grantee or mortgagee.
* Multiple documents in one transaction must be clearly numbered as to the proper order for recording. The document presenter is responsible for paying any re-recording expenses resulting from an improper order of documents.
* On the first page, provide a legal description of the real property and the address related to the real property. The legal description needs to include the municipality, county, and state of the property.
* Deeds or leases presented for recording with property in more than one municipality must clearly state in the document what the proportional share is (in percentage) as to the division of the local realty transfer taxes.
* Re-recorded or correction documents must clearly state the reason for re-recording and must have a new acknowledgment.
* A certificate of residence providing the grantee's name and address needs to be included with the deed.
The recording of a document should not be taken as an approval of the contents. The Recorder of Deeds does not check the accuracy of information contained in a deed or other instrument to be recorded. If a document satisfies recording requirements, and all fees and taxes are paid, it will be accepted. The Recorder's Office will return documents to the party that presented them for recording. It usually takes 1-2 days to return documents.
The state transfer tax is 1% and the local transfer tax is also 1% of the consideration or value of the property and interest being conveyed. The Recorder of Deeds will not accept a deed unless it is presented with applicable fees for taxes due. In most sales agreements, it is common practice for the buyer and seller to divide the tax equally.
STATEMENT OF VALUE
This is a state form that is used to set the value of property being conveyed or to explain the reason for an exemption of transfer tax. A Statement of Value must be presented with a deed that is exempt. It is required any time the true value of a property is not shown on the face of the deed (such as in a $1 consideration) or when the tax is not paid at recording. Non-family tax exemptions must have a Statement of Value. If a deed is exempt, the reason for exemption must be stated on the document.
When this form is required, it should be submitted in duplicate. When fees are assessed, the Statement of Value counts as a page, as do any exhibits attached to the form.