Philadelphia County Recorder Information

About Philadelphia County Recorder

The Document Recording Division includes the operations of the Philadelphia County Recorder of Deeds, the City's Tax Map Registry, and public reference to real estate documents and various other public records.

Recording Fees

DEED - Recording Fee................................................................................................... $110.00
Philadelphia Housing Trust Fund Fee ............................................................................. $107.00
Philadelphia County Demolition Fund Fee............................................................................. $15.00
State Writ Tax................................................................................................. .50
County Fee.................................................................................................. 2.00
Access to Justice Fee.................................................................................... 40.25
Total.................................................................................................. $274.75

DEED - Deceased Spouse/Partner DDEC
State Writ Tax................................................................................................. .50
County Fee.................................................................................................. 2.00
Access to Justice Fee.................................................................................... 40.25
Total.................................................................................................. $42.75

DEED MISCELLANEOUS - Recording Fee............................................................... $110.00
Philadelphia Housing Trust Fund Fee................................................................ $107.00
State Writ Tax............................................................................................... .50
County Fee.................................................................................................. 2.00
Access to Justice Fee.................................................................................... 40.25
Total.................................................................................................. $259.75

MORTGAGE - Recording Fee................................................................................. $95.00
Philadelphia Housing Trust Fund Fee ............................................................................. $92.00
Philadelphia County Demolition Fund Fee............................................................................. $15.00
State Writ Tax................................................................................................. .50
County Fee.................................................................................................. 2.00
Access to Justice Fee.................................................................................... 40.25
Total.................................................................................................. $244.75

ASSIGNMENT OF MORTGAGE - Recording Fee........................................................ $94.00
Philadelphia Housing Trust Fund Fee ............................................................................. $91.00
Philadelphia County Demolition Fund Fee............................................................................. $15.00
State Writ Tax................................................................................................. .50
County Fee.................................................................................................. 2.00
Access to Justice Fee.................................................................................... 40.25
Total.................................................................................................. $242.75

RELEASE OF MORTGAGE - Recording Fee.............................................................. $94.00
Philadelphia Housing Trust Fund Fee ............................................................................. $91.00
State Writ Tax................................................................................................. .50
County Fee.................................................................................................. 2.00
Access to Justice Fee.................................................................................... 40.25
Total.................................................................................................. $227.75

MORTGAGE SATISFACTION PIECE - Recording Fee................................................. $94.00
Philadelphia Housing Trust Fund Fee ............................................................................. $91.00
State Writ Tax................................................................................................. .50
County Fee.................................................................................................. 2.00
Access to Justice Fee.................................................................................... 40.25
Total.................................................................................................. $227.75

DECLARATION OF CONDOMINIUM AND DECLARATION OF PLANNED COMMUNITY
Recording Fee.................................................................................$110.00
State Writ Tax............................................................................................... .50
County Fee.................................................................................................. 2.00
Total.................................................................................................. $112.50

CERTIFICATE OF STOCK TRANSFER - Recording Fee................................................ $110.00
State Writ Tax................................................................................................. .50
County Fee.................................................................................................. 2.00
Access to Justice Fee....................................................................................... 40.25
Total.................................................................................................. $152.75

NOTARY PUBLIC COMMISSION AND BOND - Recording Fee................................... $94.00
State Writ Tax................................................................................................. .50
County Fee.................................................................................................. 2.00
Special Writ Tax 2............................................................................................ 10.00
Total.................................................................................................. $106.50

RAILROAD/POLICE COMMISSION - Recording Fee..................................................... $94.00
State Writ Tax............................................................................................... .50
County Fee.................................................................................................. 2.00
Total.................................................................................................. $96.50

MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS - Recording Fee..................................................... $94.00
State Writ Tax............................................................................................... .50
County Fee.................................................................................................. 2.00
Total.................................................................................................. $96.50

POWERS OF ATTORNEY - Recording Fee............................................................... $94.00
State Writ Tax............................................................................................... .50
County Fee.................................................................................................. 2.00
Total.................................................................................................. $96.50

Copies of recorded instruments are $2, and certified copies are an additional $2.

The realty transfer tax is 3% of the total consideration for city taxes and 1% of the total consideration for state taxes.

If a document has been rejected, resubmit it with the Document Rejection Notice.

If you need the original document returned to you, be sure to include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Contact the Recorder of Deeds in Philadelphia directly if you have more questions about recording fees or transfer taxes.

Document Formatting Requirements

The maximum size page accepted is 8.5 x 11 inches. The first page should have a 3 inch top margin, the left side of which should contain "prepared by" and return to information. All other margins throughout the document can be 1 inch.

A complete metes and bounds legal description of the real property must be present.

The document must have the names of all parties typed in the OR and EE captions.

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.

A Certificate of Residence, with the grantee's name and mailing address should be attached to the deed.

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.

A deed must be acknowledged before the Recorder of Deeds can consider it. An acknowledgment must include the county and state. The name of 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.

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.

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.

A re-recorded document must be acknowledged again, and must also include the reason for re-recording.

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.