Dauphin County Recorder Information

Land records in Dauphin County are recorded by the Recorder of Deeds. The office is held by James M. Zugay, Esq..

Online records include all deeds and miscellaneous documents from 1785 to the present and mortgages from 1979 to the present; deeds, indices of deeds and the mortgage index are under the "Alpha Index" portion of the website.

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Realty Transfer Tax - PA Department of Revenue · Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds Schedule of Fees · Recorder of Deeds - Dauphin County

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.

The schedule lists Plans at $20.50 for the first page and $5.00 for each page after the first, UCC 1 or 3 at $100.00, Mail Requested Copies at $1.00, and Postage & Envelope at $1.00.

Paying the office

Separate checks for fees and transfer tax are not required.

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 describes a 2% tax on the consideration or value of the property and interest being conveyed, split between the state, local municipality and the school district: the Department of Revenue receives 1% and the municipality and school district each receive ½ %.

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 · Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds Schedule of Fees · Notice of Uniform Parcel Identifier Requirement · Recorder of Deeds FAQ · Dauphin County site search (Fee Calculators page excerpt) · 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 tax parcel number must appear on the front page of the document and be certified by the Tax Assessment office before recording.

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 official publications. Sources: 1979-1980 Regular Session HB 946 PN 3432 Bill Text · REV-183 Realty Transfer Tax Statement of Value and Instructions · Notice of Uniform Parcel Identifier Requirement · Recorder of Deeds FAQ · Electronic Recording · Pennsylvania Statutes Title 21 P.S. Deeds and Mortgages § 625