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In Columbia County, Pennsylvania, it is the responsibility of the Recorder of Deeds to record and maintain real property documents for the county. These 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
Each of the following fees includes $3.00 Recorder Improvement Fund and $2.00 County Improvement Fund
On Deeds and Mortgages Only: Each name over four (4) $1.00 each; each tract of land after the first $1.00 each and every page over four (4) $4.00 each. Do not include exceptions and reservations when counting tracts of land.
On ALL Other Instruments: Each name over four (4) $.50 each; each tract of land after the first $.50 each and every page over four (4) $2.00 each. Do not include exceptions and reservations when counting tracts of land.
Adjudication, Certified Excerpt $18.50
Affidavit 18.50
Agreement 18.50
Agreement Sales/Purchase 58.75**
Assignment 18.50
Assignment of Mortgage 58.75**
Award of Real Estate 71.75**
Certification of Recorder of Deeds Documents 1.50 (Plus $.50 per page for copies)
Corrective Deed or Mortgage 71.75**
Deed 71.75**
Deed of Distribution 71.75**
Declaration of Taking or Trust 18.50
Easement 58.75**
Lease 18.50
Lease 30 Years or More 54.00**
Maps: Legal size or Larger 25.00
Each Additional Page 20.00
Legal size or smaller attached to document 5.00 (do not count as additional page)
Miscellaneous 18.50
Modification or Extension of Mortgage 18.50
Mortgage 71.75**
Name Search Fee 20.00 (Plus $.50 per page for copies)
Order of Court, Action to Quiet Title 71.75**
All Other Orders of Court 18.50
Ordinance 18.50
Power of Attorney 18.50
Power of Attorney to Satisfy Mortgage 58.75**
Re-Recording Deed or Mortgage 71.75**
Release 18.50
Release of Mortgage 58.75**
Revocation of Power of Attorney 18.50
Right of Way 58.75**
Satisfaction of Mortgage 58.75**
Sheriff's Deed 71.75**
Subordination Agreement (of Mortgage or Other) 18.50
Copies Per Page (8 x 11 and 8 x 14) $0.50
Copies Per Page (11 x 17) $1.00
Service Charge on ALL Documents returned By Mail for Corrections $2.00
**denotes JCS/ATJ/CJEA Filing Fee increases created under Act 49 of 2009, Act 126 of 2014 and Act 113 of 2014
If you have questions about recording fees or transfer taxes, contact the Columbia County Recorder at 570-389-5632.
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 the 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 and the smallest 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 on the document.
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.