Columbia County Recorder Information

Land records in Columbia County are recorded by the Recorder of Deeds. The office is held by Brenda Lupini.

Online index and images through LANDEX Remote: deeds, mortgages and miscellaneous 1974 to present; UCCs index 1992, images October 1999 to present. The cost is 20 cents per minute online, from a prepaid debit account.

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Realty Transfer Tax - PA Department of Revenue · Columbia County Register of Deeds · Columbia County Register & Recorder - Online Access

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

Other charges

Fee schedule effective November 17, 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.

Each listed fee includes a $3.00 Recorder Improvement Fund fee and a $2.00 County Improvement Fund fee. Deeds and mortgages: each tract of land after the first $1.00; all other instruments: each name over four and each tract after the first $.50. Exceptions and reservations are not counted as tracts. Maps: legal size or larger $25.00, each additional page $20.00. A $2.00 service charge applies to all documents returned by mail for corrections. Effective June 1, 2025, Ordinance 2025-1 added $15.00 to deed and mortgage recording fees for the Columbia County Demolition Funds Program.

Paying the office

Realty transfer tax requires two separate checks, each for 1%.

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 Recorder requires two separate realty transfer tax checks, each for 1% of the consideration or fair market value. A deed covering more than one municipality must state the percentage of realty transfer tax due to each municipality.

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) · Columbia County, PA Recorder of Deeds Fee Schedule · Columbia County, Pennsylvania Recording Requirements

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

No margin requirements; a cover sheet is attached to each recorded document.

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).

Documents must be legible after imaging. The acknowledgement date may not pre-date the document date. Signers using a/k/a must sign each name, and every name appears in the acknowledgement and is indexed. Multiple documents in one transaction must show their recording order. Foreign-language documents need an English translation. Maps must be signed and acknowledged by the owners, approved, and recorded within 90 days of approval; mylar maps are not accepted. Re-recording requires the original document with its cover sheet, an explanation, and a new acknowledgement.

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

Checked October 2026 against the sources below. Some of them are not official publications, so confirm with the recorder's office. 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 · Columbia County, Pennsylvania Recording Requirements · CSC eRecording Availability in Pennsylvania