Monroe County Recorder Information

Land records in Monroe County are recorded by the Recorder of Deeds. The office is held by Kate Best.

Records date from 1836. Documents from 1836 through July 31, 1995 are in bound books in the search room; records from August 1995 on are on the Landex computer system. Public retrieval stations with printing are available in the office. Copies can be requested by mail in writing with the name, book and page, the fee, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Single documents can also be bought through the Landex Document Publishing Service.

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: RECORDER · Realty Transfer Tax - PA Department of Revenue · Register of Deeds FAQs

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 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.

Finance statement (UCC) $100.00; notary bond and commission $33.50; subdivision plot plan $30.00; state highway plans $10.00 first page and $3.00 each additional page; Act 172 (287) underground wiring $10.50. There is a $2.00 service charge on all rejected documents. Each side of a sheet with text counts as one page for recording fees, and the Statement of Value form counts as one page of the document.

Paying the office

Personal checks are not accepted. Payment must be in the correct amount; no change or refunds are given. Recording fees and transfer taxes are payable at the time of recording.

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 Monroe County Recorder of Deeds collects realty transfer tax for the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue and for all municipalities and school districts in Monroe County. Its fee bill lists realty transfer taxes as 1% state and 1% local. Taxable deeds for property in more than one municipality must specify within the document the percentages and whole-dollar amounts for disbursement of the local realty transfer tax.

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 Fee Bill (Effective November 17, 2025) · Document Specifications - Monroe County Recorder of Deeds · 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).

Tax parcel numbers must be listed on the first page of each document. Documents must clearly indicate the municipality, township, borough, county and state where the property is located. Documents must be single sheets; continuous paper is not accepted. No tape, glue or correction fluid. Blanket documents are not accepted. Satisfaction pieces, assignments and releases must include the mortgage volume and page, original mortgage amount, mortgage recording date, tax parcel number, municipality and address. Foreign-language documents must include a sworn English translation.

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

Appointments are not necessary but are strongly encouraged due to limited space. Notaries recording their bond and commission are asked to call ahead to confirm the commission has been received from the State. Documents must be originals, properly executed and acknowledged. Multiple documents in one transaction must be numbered in recording order.

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: RECORDER · 1979-1980 Regular Session HB 946 PN 3432 Bill Text · REV-183 Realty Transfer Tax Statement of Value and Instructions · Recorder of Deeds Fee Bill (Effective November 17, 2025) · Document Specifications - Monroe County Recorder of Deeds · Register of Deeds eRecording · Register of Deeds FAQs · Pennsylvania Statutes Title 21 P.S. Deeds and Mortgages § 625