Centre County Recorder Information

Land records in Centre County are recorded by the Recorder of Deeds. The office is held by Joseph L. Davidson.

Records date from 1800. Online access through WEBIA is billed by prepaid credits: a $10.00 account activation fee plus credits at about $0.05 to $0.15 per page viewed. Military discharges are not public.

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Realty Transfer Tax - PA Department of Revenue · Staff Directory • Recorder of Deeds · Public Records and Information Access Portals

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

Other charges

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.

Easements, leases, sales agreements and rights of way are $59.75 for four pages and four names. Extensions of mortgages, mortgage modifications, riders, amendments, terminations, correction instruments and subordinations are $20.50. Financing statements are $100.00. Plans, plat maps and subdivisions are $40.00 for the first page and $5.00 for each additional page. Notary bonds are $35.50. Veterans' discharges are recorded free. Deeds need a Uniform Parcel Identifier (UPI) stamp from the Centre County Assessment Office, which costs $10.00.

Paying the office

Separate checks are not needed for state or local transfer taxes. The UPI number is paid for with a separate check made payable to County of Centre.

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 local realty transfer tax in Centre County is split between the municipality and the school district. In most municipalities each takes 0.50%, for a total of 2.00% with the state's 1.00%. In Ferguson Township the local share is 1.37% (total 2.87%). In State College Borough it is 1.5% (total 3.00%). Taylor Township has no school share (total 1.50%). The county lists these rates as current as of 6/30/2020.

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 · Recorder of Deeds Fee Bill · Recorder of Deeds FAQ - General · Realty Transfer Tax Rates · Recorder of Deeds - Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (Answer Center)

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

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).

The Recorder's stamp, 1 inch tall by 3 inches wide, must be placed on the first page and cannot overlap text; leave room for it, ideally at the top of the page. Documents should show the property's municipality. Multiple papers in one transaction must be numbered in recording order. Names in the caption, signature and acknowledgement must match. A Statement of Value must accompany documents claiming a transfer tax exemption not based on family relationship, or covering property in more than one municipality.

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

Deeds that need a UPI number can be sent directly to the Tax Assessment Office, which affixes the UPI and forwards the deed to the Recorder's office.

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 · Recorder of Deeds | Centre County, PA · Recorder of Deeds Fee Bill · Recorder of Deeds FAQ - General · Simplifile | Centre County · Pennsylvania Statutes Title 21 P.S. Deeds and Mortgages § 625