Philadelphia County Recorder Information

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.

These government fees are separate from any Deeds.com service fees. Confirm current charges with the recorder's office.

DEED - $278.75
(includes Philadelphia Housing Trust Fund Fee,
Philadelphia County Demolition Fund Fee, State Writ Tax, County Fee,
Access to Justice Fee)
DEED - Deceased Spouse/Partner DDEC - $43.75
DEED MISCELLANEOUS - $263.75

MORTGAGE - $248.75
ASSIGNMENT OF MORTGAGE - $242.75
RELEASE OF MORTGAGE - $231.75
MORTGAGE SATISFACTION PIECE - $231.75

DECLARATION OF CONDOMINIUM AND DECLARATION OF PLANNED COMMUNITY - $112.50
CERTIFICATE OF STOCK TRANSFER - $153.75
NOTARY PUBLIC COMMISSION AND BOND - $106.50
RAILROAD/POLICE COMMISSION - $96.50
MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS - $96.50
POWERS OF ATTORNEY - $96.50
UCC FORMS - $191.50

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.

Confirm current requirements with the recorder's office before submitting documents.

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.