Chester County Recorder Information

Land records in Chester County are recorded by the Recorder of Deeds. The office is held by Diane O'Dwyer.

Records Public Access contains images of documents recorded after 1993; older documents are in the IQS Search database. Official copies can be downloaded and purchased online.

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Realty Transfer Tax - PA Department of Revenue · General Information | Chester County, PA · Records Search | Chester County, PA

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

Added at recording

Other charges

Fee schedule effective December 1, 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.

Deeds: each additional tract of land is $1.00. Re-recorded deeds and mortgages carry a $2.00 notation fee. An exhibit, map, or plan filed with another document is $5.00 per exhibit; a condominium plan is $27.00. Subdivision plans are $82.00 for the first page and one UPI, plus $17.00 per additional page. UCC financing statements are $102.00 flat. A $10.00 return fee applies to each resubmission. The $41.25 AOPC fee is included in the base fee of affected documents.

Paying the office

Personal and estate checks are not accepted. Cash and credit card are accepted for recording fees only, not for transfer tax. Deeds require three separate payments: state transfer tax, municipal transfer tax, and recording fees. No more than 10 documents per check; checks older than 180 days are not accepted; $25 fee for returned checks.

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.

Transfer tax rate is 1% of the consideration or computed value (higher amount). Exceptions: Malvern and Tredyffrin (1.5%) and Coatesville (2.5%). State and municipal tax are paid by two separate checks. For property in more than one municipality, the deed must state the division of local transfer tax in dollar amounts.

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 - Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (Answer Center) · Chester County Recording Fees Chart · Fee Schedule | Chester County, PA · Recorder of Deeds Fee Schedule brochure (effective 12/01/2025)

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

First-page 3-inch top margin: the left half holds the Prepared By and Return To party name, address and telephone number, followed by the typed UPI number; the right half is reserved for the recorder.

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 office adopted PRIA document standards in January 2005. The UPI is typed on the first page directly below the Return To party name; a typed or computer-generated UPI label is acceptable. A Statement of Value counts as a page. Foreign-language documents must include a sworn or affirmed English translation.

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

eRecording: a document with more than ten UPI numbers must be submitted on paper; packages are limited to ten documents. Deeds of correction, re-recorded deeds, and Statements of Value with exhibits cannot be eRecorded. For eRecorded deeds, the consideration and the state and municipal tax amounts must be listed on the first page.

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 · Pennsylvania Statutes Title 21 P.S. Deeds and Mortgages § 625 · Fee Schedule | Chester County, PA · Document Recording Requirements - 2026 Update · Electronic Recording | Chester County, PA