Wayne County Recorder Information

Land records in Wayne County are recorded by the Recorder of Deeds. The office is held by Deborah L. Bates.

Records go back to the 1800s. Index searching on the Landex webstore is free; fees apply to purchase copies of documents. Frequent users can sign up for remote services as a customer.

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Realty Transfer Tax - PA Department of Revenue · Staff Directory • Recorder Of Deeds · Frequently Asked Questions - Recorder Of Deeds

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.

Fees include State Writ Tax $.50 where applicable and the Affordable Housing Fee under Wayne County Ordinance #20-8-20. Postage in lieu of a self-addressed stamped return envelope: single document $1.00, multiple documents $5.00. Effective 1/1/2026, e-recording only: a $.50 per page copy fee for all helper documents to the REV-183 Statement of Value. Where no fee is specified, the fee is set by the Recorder of Deeds.

Paying the office

All fees shall be payable in advance. Checks submitted for payment of taxes and fees must be in the correct amount. Returned check fee $25.00, plus bank charges.

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 · Recorder of Deeds Fee Schedule November 17, 2025 · Frequently Asked Questions - 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).

Maps must not exceed 24" x 36". All documents must indicate municipality, county, and state where property is located. The written amount of consideration must match the numerical amount on all deeds. Book and page numbers of mortgages must appear on all documents that refer back to an original mortgage. Rerecorded documents must be resigned and reacknowledged. Documents with property in more than one municipality must clearly state the percentage in each municipality as to the division of local transfer tax. Acknowledgments missing county, state, date, persons appearing, notary signature, stamp, or expiration date are considered defective.

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

No faxed documents are accepted for recording. Subdivision plans and deeds that are taxable in multiple jurisdictions cannot be e-recorded; a paper submission is required. Multiple documents constituting one transaction must be clearly numbered as to the order in which they are to be placed on record.

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 · Frequently Asked Questions - Recorder Of Deeds · Recording Documents | Wayne County, PA · Pennsylvania Statutes Title 21 P.S. Deeds and Mortgages § 625