Adams County, PA Property Records

    Adams County, PA, is home to over 108,000 residents, and its steady population growth in recent years has positioned it among Pennsylvania's fastest-growing counties. Homes sell for an average of $327,264 in the county. When compared with previous years, this value indicates that home prices have grown by 4.5% year-over-year, putting them well above the statewide median of $286,350.

    Properties in Adams County move quickly. They typically go under contract within 11 days, and about 41.5% of homes sell above asking price. This trend indicates a fast-growing seller's market that is driven by demand from buyers attracted to the county's historical significance and proximity to employment centers in south-central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland.

    However, despite the high median income of the county's residents, Federal Reserve Economic Data shows that over 31% of households spend more than 30% of their annual income on housing. This suggests that housing affordability pressures within the county are on the rise.

    Overall property assessments are conducted by the Adams County Tax Services Department. However, the boroughs and townships still manage their own property and tax databases for local administrative purposes. These municipal databases often include additional information such as local tax rates, parcel maps, and exemption details, but the underlying assessment data comes from the county's centralized system.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records?

    The office of the Adams County Recorder of Deeds maintains official land records in the county. This follows Pennsylvania's county-based Recorder of Deeds system, where each county has its own recording office under county administration.

    The office provides online access to its official land records through the Adams County Land Records Search portal. You can also visit the office in person to view and copy these records.

    Below are the contact details, coverage areas, and direct links to the record search tool for the Adams County Recorder of Deeds:

    Adams County Recorder of Deeds: 117 Baltimore Street, Room 102, Gettysburg, PA 17325. Phone: (717) 337-9826, Records Search Portal.

    • Coverage: All municipalities in Adams County.

    What Adams County Property Records Include

    Adams County property records contain a collection of legal documents that establish ownership and show restrictions affecting real estate parcels throughout the county. These records typically include any of the following:

    • Deeds affecting interest in the land

    • Mortgages and satisfactions

    • Liens and judgments

    • Easements

    • Covenants and restrictions

    • Homestead declarations

    • Lis pendens

    • Foreclosure notices

    • Subdivision plans and surveys

    Pennsylvania is a "Race-Notice" recording jurisdiction. This means that the first party to properly record a document generally has priority, provided they had no notice of competing claims.

    Furthermore, unlike some states that use multiple title systems, Pennsylvania uses a single standard recording system for all properties. Under its property records system, documents are indexed chronologically in books or by instrument number in modern electronic records.

    The Adams County Recorder of Deeds office maintains records that date back to the county's formation in 1800. These historical records exist in bound volumes with handwritten entries, while records from approximately the early 2000s to the present are available online. To access records before digitization, you may need to visit the Recorder of Deeds' office in person or request a certified copy of those records through the mail.

    How to Access Adams County Property Records

    Adams County maintains multiple channels that allow to access property records. Some of these channels include online searches, in-person visits, and mail requests, and each of them offers different levels of service and convenience.

    Online Access

    The Adams County Recorder of Deeds maintains an online land records search portal that allows you to access property records remotely. You can search for these records on the portal by grantor name (seller), grantee name (buyer), document type, recording date range, book and page number, and instrument number.

    Searching the document index is typically free. However, viewing and downloading full document images usually requires either a paid subscription or per-page fees.

    In Person

    Most people find online searches to be the most convenient method for accessing Adams County property records. However, some historical records may not be available online. To access these types of records, you may visit the Recorder of Deeds office in person at the address below:

    Adams County Recorder of Deeds: 117 Baltimore Street, Room 102, Gettysburg, PA 17325.

    • Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.

    The office provides public access computers that visitors can use to search the recording index and view document images. You can make copies of historical land records for a $0.50 per-page fee.

    By Phone or Email

    You can contact the Recorder of Deeds at (717) 337-9826 to request copies of Adams County property records. Alternatively, you can also submit written inquiries through an online contact form on their website, and staff will respond via email.

    By Mail/Overnight

    You can submit documents for recording through mail or commercial overnight delivery services. To submit documents using this service, send the original document along with the exact recording fee to the Adams County Recorder of Deeds. Also include a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE), and the office will return the recorded originals to your address. Documents are generally recorded within two to five business days of receipt.

    To obtain copies of recorded documents by mail, submit a written request with the book and page number or instrument number. Include the copy fees and a SASE for the return of your copies. The office will process copy requests and mail the documents back to you with the envelope provided.

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    Adams County does not support electronic recording (e-recording) of documents.

    What's Not at the Registry (But Matters for Property Research)?

    The Recorder of Deeds office focuses on documents affecting property title and ownership transfers, such as deeds and mortgages. However, several other types of information that matter for property research are maintained by other government offices. For example, property assessments and detailed parcel cards are maintained by the Local Assessor's Office in each municipality, while the Pennsylvania State Tax Equalization Board provides statewide market value data and assessment ratios for properties across the state.

    Step-by-Step: How to Pull a Deed Online

    Here is a step-by-step process on how to locate and retrieve official deeds online:

    • Visit the Adams County Recorder of Deeds website. Navigate to the online land records search portal.

    • Select search criteria. Begin with either the current owner's name (grantee) or the property address. can also search by grantor name if know the previous owner.

    • Refine your results. Use filters such as document type (select "Deed"), date range, or recording year to narrow the list of results.

    • Identify the correct deed. Review the search results generated and click on the deed entry. Common deed types include "WD" (Warranty Deed), "QCD" (Quitclaim Deed), or simply "Deed." Note the book and page number or instrument number for future reference.

    • Click to view the full document. The deed will display as a scanned PDF showing the original recorded document.

    • Download the PDF to your PC or print it directly from your browser. Note that downloading or printing records from the online portal costs a subscription fee of $10.00 per day.

    Cities & Towns in Adams County (and Their Registry Districts)

    Adams County has a centralized Recorder of Deeds office that serves all municipalities within the county. All property records, regardless of location within the county, are filed with and accessible through the single Recorder of Deeds office in Gettysburg.

    Below is a complete list of municipalities served by the Adams County Recorder of Deeds Office:

    • Abbottstown, Arendtsville, Bendersville, Berwick, Biglerville, Bonneauville, Butler, Carroll Valley, Conewago, Cumberland, East Berlin, Fairfield, Franklin, Freedom, Germany, Gettysburg (County Seat), Hamilton, Hamiltonban, Highland, Huntington, Latimore, Liberty, Littlestown, McSherrystown, Menallen, Mount Joy, Mount Pleasant, New Oxford, Oxford, Reading, Straban, Tyrone, Union, and York Springs.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    Adams County handles assessment and tax information differently from many other Pennsylvania counties. Instead of using individual municipal assessors, the Adams County Tax Services Department handles all property valuations centrally. This department maintains assessment records for all 34 municipalities within the county.

    Assessment records from the centralized system typically include detailed property information such as building characteristics, acreage, construction year, property type, and current assessed values.

    In Adams County, you can access assessment and tax information online through the Tax Service Department's Tax Parcel Viewer. This online records search system allows you to search property records using different metrics without leaving the comfort of your home. Some of the metrics include the address of the property, parcel number, or owner name. The system displays assessment data, tax history, exemption status, and parcel mapping information for properties throughout the county.

    For municipal-specific tax rates, payment schedules, and local tax collection matters, contact the individual borough or township tax collector. Each municipality sets its own tax rates (millage) that are applied to the county assessments. You can find municipal contact information through the municipality's official website or by calling the Adams County Tax Services Department at (717) 337-9837 for referrals.

    For statewide tax policy information and comparative tax data across Pennsylvania counties, check the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue website and the Pennsylvania State Tax Equalization Board.

    Adams County-Specific Nuances

    Adams County's property record system has several distinctive characteristics you should know when conducting property research:

    • Adams County operates one centralized Recorder of Deeds office serving all 34 municipalities in the county. This eliminates the complexity found in some jurisdictions with multiple registry districts and makes record searches more straightforward.

    • Pennsylvania uses a traditional "Race-Notice" recording system where all properties follow the same recording procedures. Documents are indexed chronologically by grantor, grantee, and document type, so researchers have multiple search options.

    • The county maintains comprehensive historical archives, with property records dating back to Adams County's formation in 1800, and some deed chains traceable to original Pennsylvania land grants.

    • While the Recorder of Deeds handles all title documents at the county level, property assessments, tax rates, zoning regulations, and building permits remain under individual municipal control. If you want to conduct comprehensive property research, you may need to consult both county and local government offices to obtain complete information.

    • Adams County provides free online searching and indexing. However, viewing and downloading full document images typically requires a paid subscription.

    Typical Contents of an Adams County Property Record

    An Adams County property record consists of several legal documents that collectively establish ownership history and show the restrictions affecting the property. It generally contains the following information:

    • Deeds (proof of ownership transfer):

      • Grantor and grantee names

      • Legal description of the property

      • Purchase price

      • Prior book/page or instrument number references

      • Acknowledgment

    • Mortgages and Discharges (evidence of debt):

      • Lender information

      • Loan amount and terms

      • Recording date and number

      • Discharge or satisfaction details

    • Plans and Surveys:

      • Plan number

      • Subdivision references and name

      • Lot dimensions and layout

      • Professional surveyor certification

    • Encumbrances (claims and restrictions)

      • Easements

      • Restrictions or covenants

      • Liens and judgments

      • Lis pendens notices

    Property records may also contain affidavits correcting errors in prior recordings, declarations of homestead for property tax exemption purposes, and estate documents for deceased owners.

    Recording Changes to Property Titles

    Any change affecting property ownership in Adams County must be officially recorded with the office of the Recorder of Deeds. All documents to be submitted must meet Pennsylvania's statutory requirements for proper formatting, signatures, notarization, and legal descriptions. Note that recording fees may vary based on document type and page count.

    You can submit documents in person until 4:00 p.m. on weekdays or by mail with exact fees and a self-addressed, stamped return envelope. Original documents are returned within two weeks for mail submissions or the same day for in-person filings. Adams County does not currently support electronic recording (e-recording) services.

    You can access complete recording guidelines, current fee schedules, and formatting requirements on the Adams County Recorder of Deeds website.

    Practical Research Flow (Checklist)

    This checklist provides a sequence for conducting thorough and efficient property research in Adams County, PA:

    • Confirm the property location - Verify that the property is located within Adams County, PA. The Adams County Recorder of Deeds maintains all land records in the county.

    • Search the online portal - Use the Recorder of Deeds online search system to locate the current deed. Search by owner name, property address, or parcel number to identify the most recent recorded deed.

    • Record reference numbers - Note the book and page number or instrument number of the current deed. This serves as the permanent reference for the document.

    • Trace the chain of titles - Use the "prior reference" listed on the current deed to locate the previous deed. Continue this process backward through multiple transactions to get a complete ownership history and identify any gaps.

    • Review mortgages and liens - Search the recording index for any mortgages, liens, judgments, or other encumbrances filed against the property. Verify whether mortgages have been satisfied and whether any liens remain active.

    • Check for easements and restrictions - Look for recorded easements or restrictions that may affect property use. These are often referenced in deeds but may also appear as separate records.

    • Verify assessment data with local authorities - Visit the appropriate borough or township assessor's website to confirm assessed value, property classification, building characteristics, and current tax rates. This information is not available through the Recorder of Deeds.

    • Contact municipal offices for additional questions - For zoning information, building permits, code violations, or tax payment status, contact the local municipal office where the property is located.

    Appendix A — Municipalities in Adams County

    Adams County, PA, consists of 34 municipalities: 13 boroughs and 21 townships*.

    • Boroughs: Abbottstown, Arendtsville, Bendersville, Biglerville, Bonneauville, Carroll Valley, East Berlin, Fairfield, Gettysburg, Littlestown, McSherrystown, New Oxford, and York Springs

    • Townships: Berwick, Butler, Conewago, Cumberland, Franklin, Freedom, Germany, Hamilton, Hamiltonban, Highland, Huntington, Latimore, Liberty, Menallen, Mount Joy, Mount Pleasant, Oxford, Reading, Straban, Tyrone, and Union

    *Adams County also has several villages and census-designated places. However, they are used only for mailing and census data. They have no independent government or official borders, and they are legally part of whichever larger municipality in which they lie. (Wikipedia).

    Appendix B — Key Contacts & Portals