Westmoreland County Recorder Information

Land records in Westmoreland County are recorded by the Recorder of Deeds. The office is held by Frank Schiefer.

Online search by name, advanced/legal criteria (UPI, tax map number, municipality, subdivision), and instrument number or book and page for documents recorded before November 13, 2000. An archives search covers old books and plan books. Tax map numbers were not required until 2009.

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Realty Transfer Tax - PA Department of Revenue · Staff Directory | Westmoreland County, PA · How to Search Our Records | Westmoreland County, PA

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

Other charges

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.

Additional items: extra tax map numbers $0.50 each; extra UPIs $20.00 each. For documents marked * the price does not include a UPI, and real-estate-related documents may need additional money for a UPI. Plans and subdivisions, condominium plans and county plans: $49.00 for the first page and $20.00 for each additional page; highway mining plans: $49.00, with pages after the first at $10 each. Financing statements: $100.00 flat fee. Re-recorded deed or mortgage: $112.25. Exact payment must be included with any documents sent for recording.

Paying the office

Debit/credit cards are not accepted. Personal checks in person need a valid driver's license or picture ID, and the person listed on the check must be present. Checks by mail must list the full address, phone number and driver's license ID. A check cannot cover more than five documents; a separate check is needed for documents beyond the first five. Separate checks for transfer taxes are not required.

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.

Westmoreland County's published rates: state 1% plus local realty transfer tax. In most municipalities this is 0.50% municipal and 0.50% school district, for a 2.0% total. Greensburg City, Latrobe City and Murrysville Municipality levy 1.00% municipal plus 0.50% school district (2.5% total). New Kensington City levies 0.00% municipal with 1.00% New Kensington-Arnold SD (2.0% total). A deed with transfer tax in more than one municipality must stipulate the division of transfer taxes.

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 · Fee Schedule | Westmoreland County, PA · Payment Policy | Westmoreland County, PA · Realty Transfer Tax Rates for Westmoreland County · 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).

The parcel identifier number (PIN) is a 10 digit number in Westmoreland County. Deeds and mortgages should indicate the property's municipality, county, and state. Multiple documents constituting one transaction must clearly indicate on each document the order of recording. Plans must be recorded within 90 days of approval; the plan recording fee is based on an 18" x 24" sheet.

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

All document types are accepted through e-recording except documents that include an attachment to the Statement of Value; those must be submitted by mail or in person. E-recorded documents are first routed to the Westmoreland County UPI/GIS Tax Mapping department for review. Recording fees and transfer taxes are due at the time of recording. Include a phone number with correspondence.

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 · Recording Requirements | Westmoreland County, PA · E-Recording Services | Westmoreland County, PA · Functions of Our Office | Westmoreland County, PA · Pennsylvania Statutes Title 21 P.S. Deeds and Mortgages § 625