Recorder Office
Contact the recorder's office directly for its records, copies, and recording requirements.
Recorder of Deeds
About the Lackawanna County Recorder of Deeds
Land records in Lackawanna County are recorded by the Recorder of Deeds. The office is held by Evie Rafalko McNulty.
Records date from 1878; before then Lackawanna County was part of Luzerne County. An online index book search covers 1878 - 1956. Online copies require a funded account.
Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Realty Transfer Tax - PA Department of Revenue · Lackawanna County Recorder of Deeds · Recorder of Deeds Frequently Asked Questions
Recording Fees
These government fees are separate from any Deeds.com service fees. Confirm current charges with the recorder's office.
| Deeds and other conveyances | $99.75 for the first 4 pages, $2.00 each additional page (includes four names, one acknowledgment, one parcel, one PIN certification and the cover page; each additional PIN $10.00; statement of value $2.00) |
|---|---|
| Mortgages and deeds of trust | $99.75 for the first 4 pages, $2.00 each additional page (includes four names, one acknowledgment, one parcel, one PIN certification and the cover page; each additional PIN $10.00) |
| Releases and satisfactions | $76.75 for the first 4 pages, $2.00 each additional page (satisfaction; a release of mortgage is $71.75; each additional reference $5.00) |
Other charges
| Additional names indexed | $0.50 each beyond the 4 included (each name over four) |
|---|---|
| Copies, per page | $0.50 |
| Certification | $2.00 |
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 additional acknowledgment and each additional parcel is $0.50. Effective Jan. 1, 2026, any attachment on e-recordings (i.e. Corrective Deeds, Deeds of Trust, etc.) is subject to an additional recording fee of $0.50 per page; additional pages on documents brought to the office, placed in the drop box or mailed are not subject to that per page fee. The office states the Court/AOPC fees increased from $40.25 to $41.25 on November 17, 2025.
Paying the office
| Checks payable to | Lackawanna County Recorder of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Card fee | 2.5% fee on each phone credit card deposit to the online copy account |
All recording fees must be for the exact amount; overages of $5.00 or less are forfeited and documents with overages over $5.00 are returned. One check is accepted for a maximum of four documents per land transaction, and a maximum of three checks for one land transaction batch.
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.
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 · Lackawanna County Recorder of Deeds · Recorder of Deeds - Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (Answer Center) · Lackawanna County Recorder of Deeds · Recorder of Deeds Frequently Asked Questions
Document Requirements
Confirm current requirements with the recorder's office before submitting documents.
| Paper size | Maximum 8 1/2 x 14, except maps |
|---|---|
| Grantee address required | Yes (statewide, Act of April 22, 1929, P.L. 620, No. 258 (certificate of residence)) |
| Parcel number required | Yes |
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 with highlighted areas are rejected. The PIN must be certified by the Lackawanna County Assessment office before recording. Foreign language documents must include a written English translation. Maps must be approved by the Lackawanna County Planning Commission and the municipality, recorded within 90 days of signature, no side over 40", all black ink; Mylar maps are not accepted.
Forms filed along with a transfer
- Realty Transfer Tax Statement of Value (REV-183) Statewide Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, Bureau of Individual TaxesFiled 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
| In person | Accepted |
|---|---|
| By mail | Accepted |
| Electronic recording | Accepted |
| eRecording through Deeds.com | Available for this office |
| Stamped, self-addressed return envelope | Required |
| How recorded documents come back | Original recorded document returned by mail in a self-addressed stamped envelope provided at recording |
Documents mailed in for recording with an incorrect fee are returned for resubmission. Documents mailed in are forwarded to the Assessment office for PIN certification prior to recording.
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 · Lackawanna County Requirements · Pennsylvania Statutes Title 21 P.S. Deeds and Mortgages § 625 · Lackawanna County Recorder of Deeds
Deeds.com Resources & Services
Using Deeds.com is optional. Contact the recorder's office directly for its services and submission options.
How to Get a Copy of Your Deed
Read Deeds.com's guide to requesting document copies from the recorder's office.
Deeds.com eRecording
Available through Deeds.com
Use Deeds.com's paid service to submit documents electronically to the recorder's office. Deeds.com service fees are separate from government recording fees and taxes.
Recorder Office
Contact the recorder's office directly for its records, copies, and recording requirements.
Recorder of Deeds
Deeds.com Forms
Blank legal forms sold by Deeds.com, not by the recorder's office.
Supplemental Document Resources
Recording-related forms and instructions for reference. Confirm which documents apply with the recorder's office.
Deeds.com Customer Care
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