Franklin County Recorder Information

Land records in Franklin County are recorded by the Recorder of Deeds. The office is held by Joy Heinbaugh.

Land records are on the LANDEX system; public searching can be done remotely through Landex.com or in the office. LANDEX questions: 717-274-5890.

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Realty Transfer Tax - PA Department of Revenue · Register & Recorder - Franklin County, PA

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.

Listed recording fees include one UPI certification. Plans (8½ x 14) $35.00; Plot Plan (24 x 36) $55.00 plus $30.00 per sheet after the first; Highway Plan $35.00 plus $3.00 per sheet after the first. Where no fee is specified on the schedule, the fee is set by the Recorder of Deeds.

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's schedule states that a state tax of 1% of the consideration (or assessed value) and local tax of the same is due when recording. Where the property is located in two or more taxing authorities, the deed shall indicate the value of the property in each taxing authority for local realty transfer tax purposes. Common Level Ratio (July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027): 13.89.

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 · Register & Recorder - Franklin County, PA · Franklin County Recorder of Deeds Fee Schedule · 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).

Each applicable UPI number (20 characters) is placed at the top of the first page; the property address and township or borough are also included on the first page. Newly created parcels need at least two UPI numbers, including the parent parcel's. UPI numbers are certified by the Tax Assessment Office before recording (Franklin County Ordinance 2014-1).

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

Documents are scanned and sent to the Tax Assessment Office for UPI certification before recording; certification is generally completed within one business day. Same-day UPI verification is not guaranteed after 3:30 p.m. Mailed documents lacking a correct UPI are returned unrecorded with a rejection notice.

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 · Register & Recorder - Franklin County, PA · Uniform Parcel Identifier Program - Franklin County, PA · Pennsylvania Statutes Title 21 P.S. Deeds and Mortgages § 625