Allegheny County, PA Property Records

    Allegheny County is the second most populous county in Pennsylvania, with a population of over 1,240,000 residents, according to the 2023 statewide census estimates. The county's average home value of $235,156 indicates a 1.7% increase from the previous year, though it remains approximately 19.8% below the statewide average.

    On average, property listings go under contract within 13 days, indicating an active market with consistent buyer demand. The county's real estate market is shaped by its large student population, medical and tech workforce, and a strong demand for properties near universities and employment hubs, which sustain rental demand even as population growth slows.

    However, with a median household income of $76,488, that about 26.17% of households in the county spend 30% or more of their income on housing costs, indicating moderate affordability pressures.

    Allegheny County operates a centralized property assessment system through its Office of Property Assessments, which manages valuation for all taxable properties and maintains a public database containing parcel maps, ownership information, valuation data, and other real estate information.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records?

    Allegheny County's Division of Real Estate is responsible for maintaining official land records across municipalities within the county. The Division provides online access to land records. You can also request copies of land records Phone: (412) 350-4226.


    • Coverage: All municipalities in Allegheny County

    What Allegheny County Property Records Include

    Allegheny County's land records refer to official documents and materials that provide information on property ownership and transfer across the county. Documents that form part of Allegheny County property records include deeds, mortgages, subdivision plans, block and lot maps, historical plat maps, and property history cards.

    Most Allegheny County land records from 2001 to the present are available online, alongside earlier indexes from 1986, deeds from 1976, and mortgages from 1986. Additionally, historical land records from 1792 to 1857 are open to the public.

    How to Access Allegheny County Property Records

    You can access Allegheny County land records by submitting a request to the Division of Real Estate in person or through other means, including through the Division's portal or via mail.

    Online Access (Free)

    The Division of Real Estate provides online access to Allegheny County land records through its online portal. can search various types of land records using the name, document, or volume search. Depending on the type of search, certain search criteria must be provided. For example, to conduct a name search, need to enter the last name of any of the parties. Similarly, need a valid instrument number to conduct a document search.

    Although you can search documents on the Division's portal free of charge, downloading and printing records from the portal typically requires payment of fees, depending on the type of document. Most documents cost $1 per page for the first 10 pages, while historical record cards cost 25 cents per page. You can pay using your credit card or through a drawdown account.

    In Person

    If you prefer to make a walk-in request, you can submit relevant information on the land record you require at the Division of Real Estate's office, located at the County Office Building, 542 Forbes Avenue, Room 101, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

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

    In addition, the Division requires payment of applicable copy fees before processing requests for documents. You can make payment online in cash, or using a check or money order. The Division does not accept payment through personal checks.


    By Phone

    You can obtain information on Allegheny County land records and follow up on pending document requests by contacting the Division of Real Estate via phone at (412) 350-4226.

    Mail/Overnight

    You can request Allegheny County land records by mailing a completed Request Form to the Copy Department of the Division of Real Estate's office. Your request should also include a money order for the applicable fee and your phone number. Certified copies of land records requested by mail cost $10.

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    The Division of Real Estate supports e-recording for most land documents through approved vendors. However, it does not allow e-recording for the following documents:

    • Subdivision plans

    • Corrective deeds

    • Sheriff deeds

    • Deed foreclosure

    • Deeds transferring property into a trust

    • Deeds that are taxable in multiple jurisdictions

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

    While the Division of Real Estate serves as the primary repository for most land records in Allegheny County, it does not maintain certain records, such as assessment records, record cards, tax information, and building information. Although not maintained by the Division, these records are important sources of property information within Allegheny County.

    For comprehensive research on a property, you can visit the county's Office of Property Assessments and the collector's office within the municipality where the property is located. For up-to-date statewide tax rates, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue's tax rate webpage.

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

    You can take the following steps to access an Allegheny County deed online.

    • Visit the Division of Real Estate's Find Land Records webpage.

    • Select the free search option on the webpage.

    • Depending on the information you have, select the name search, document search, or volume search, and enter the required information.

    • Confirm the deed you intend to view from the details provided by the portal.

    • Sign in to the portal to make a payment to view and download the deed. You can choose to view, download, or have the document emailed to you.

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

    The Division of Real Estate serves all 130 municipalities within Allegheny County, as listed below.

    • Clairton, Duquesne, McKeesport, Pittsburgh, Aspinwall, Avalon, Baldwin, Bell Acres, Bellevue, Ben Avon, Ben Avon Heights, Bethel Park, Blawnox, Brackenridge, Braddock, Braddock Hills, Bradford Woods, Brentwood, Bridgeville, Carnegie, Castle Shannon, Chalfant, Cheswick, Churchill, Coraopolis, Crafton, Dormont, Dravosburg, East McKeesport, East Pittsburgh, Edgewood, Edgeworth, Elizabeth, Emsworth, Etna, Forest Hills, Fox Chapel, Franklin Park, Glassport, Glenfield, Glen Osborne, Green Tree, Haysville, Heidelberg, Homestead, Ingram, Jefferson Hills, Leetsdale, Liberty, Lincoln, McDonald (partly in Washington County), McKees Rocks, Millvale, Monroeville, Mount Oliver, Munhall, North Braddock, Oakdale, Oakmont, Pennsbury Village, Pitcairn, Pleasant Hills, Plum, Port Vue, Rankin, Rosslyn Farms, Sewickley, Sewickley Heights, Sewickley Hills, Sharpsburg, Springdale, Swissvale, Tarentum, Thornburg, Trafford (partly in Westmoreland County), Turtle Creek, Verona, Versailles, Wall, West Elizabeth, West Homestead, West Mifflin, West View, Whitaker, White Oak, Whitehall, Wilkinsburg, Wilmerding, Aleppo, Baldwin, Collier, Crescent, East Deer, Elizabeth, Fawn, Findlay, Forward, Frazer, Hampton, Harmar, Harrison, Indiana, Kennedy, Kilbuck, Leet, Marshall, McCandless, Moon, Mt. Lebanon, Neville, North Fayette, North Versailles, O'Hara, Ohio, Penn Hills, Pine, Reserve, Richland, Robinson, Ross, Scott, Shaler, South Fayette, South Park, South Versailles, Springdale, Stowe, Upper Saint Clair, West Deer, Wilkins.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    In Allegheny County, while property assessment is conducted at the county level by the Office of Property Assessments, most municipalities appoint tax collectors who collect the municipal and school district portions of real estate taxes within their jurisdictions. can find information on local collections office by visiting municipality's website.

    The Allegheny County Treasurer's Office also publishes a schedule of tax collectors and millages that lists municipalities, their local tax collectors, and their millage rates. Additionally, to access statewide tax rate and finance data, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue's tax rate webpage.

    Allegheny County-Specific Nuances

    When conducting a property search in Allegheny County, it is important to take note of the following distinctive features of the county's land records system:

    • Allegheny County maintains a centralized land records system, with all deeds and property instruments recorded through its Division of Real Estate, rather than by individual municipalities.

    • The county operates a recorded land system, meaning all properties are governed under a single title recording process, without a separate registered land system.

    • The county's land records date back to the late 1700s and are accessible through the Division of Real Estate's portal. Researchers can search and view basic information on record, such as parties, dates, and instrument numbers, at no cost, while downloads and certified copies require payment of applicable fees.

    • Although recording and property assessments are administered at the county level, tax billing and collection are handled by the individual municipalities and school districts where the properties are located.

    Typical Contents of an Allegheny County Property Record

    Allegheny County property records contain official information on real estate ownership, encumbrances, and transactions within the county. When reviewing official land records, you can expect to find the following information:

    • Deeds: As evidence of transfer of ownership, deeds contain:

      • Names of the grantor (seller) and grantee (buyer)

      • Legal description of the property

      • Date of conveyance and recording information (book and page or instrument number)

      • Consideration amount (purchase price or nominal value)

      • Prior deed references establishing the chain of title

      • Homestead declaration, if applicable

    • Mortgages: Mortgages document debt transactions related to the property and contain:

      • Name of the lender or mortgagee and borrower

      • Principal amount, interest rate, and loan terms

      • Recording details of the mortgage instrument

      • Satisfaction or release documents (discharges) confirming repayment

    • Plans and Surveys: Plans, plats, and subdivision maps identify the property's boundaries and layout within a development or survey. They include

      • Plan or subdivision name and number

      • Lot dimensions, easements, and adjoining parcel references

      • Cross-references to recorded plans in the Division of Real Estate

    • Encumbrances and Restrictions: Property records may also list encumbrances that affect the property's title or use, such as:

      • Easements and rights-of-way for utilities or access

      • Restrictive covenants governing land use or development

      • Lis Pendens notices indicating pending legal action

      • Liens or judgments recorded against the property

    Some land records also contain additional information, such as declarations of trusts, foreclosures, corrective deeds, and power of attorney filings.

    Recording Changes to Property Titles

    Deeds, mortgages, powers of attorney, assignments, and other documents relating to land transactions in Allegheny County require recording with the Division of Real Estate. The Division supports e-recording for most documents through pre-approved vendors listed on the Division's website. Alternatively, you can record documents in person at the Division's office on Mondays through Fridays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

    It is important to ensure documents submitted for recording meet the formatting and content requirements specified by the Division. Official information on these guidelines and e-recording details is available on the Division's websites. You can also contact (412) 350-4226 for relevant inquiries.

    Practical Research Flow (Checklist)

    Take the following steps to conduct a comprehensive property records search in Allegheny County:

    • Identify the correct registry district or county office. The Allegheny County Division of Real Estate maintains all recorded land records, including deeds, mortgages, plans, and related instruments.

    • Use the registry's online portal to search for the property records. You can search for land records on the Division's portal using various criteria, including name, volume, document type, and instrument number.

    • Trace the Chain of Title. Review the most recent deed and follow the prior references listed to build a continuous chain of ownership. Also, examine any conveyances, transfers, or deeds that affect the land title.

    • Review plans and encumbrances. Search for any recorded subdivision plans, easements, rights-of-way, restrictive covenants, or liens connected to the parcel. These can be found through cross-references in the deed or indexed separately in the Division of Real Estate database.

    • Verify parcel data with the Assessor's office. Cross-check property details with the Allegheny County Office of Property Assessments and confirm tax information with the local tax collector's office within the municipality where the property is located.

    • Confirm registered land status, where applicable: Although Allegheny County does not maintain a separate Registered Land or Land Court system, verify any historical documents or trust declarations recorded as part of the property's title file.

    Appendix A — Municipalities in Allegheny County

    Allegheny County has 130 municipalities, including cities, boroughs, and townships.*

    Cities: Clairton, Duquesne, McKeesport, Pittsburgh

    Boroughs: Aspinwall, Avalon, Baldwin, Bell Acres, Bellevue, Ben Avon, Ben Avon Heights, Bethel Park, Blawnox, Brackenridge, Braddock, Braddock Hills, Bradford Woods, Brentwood, Bridgeville, Carnegie, Castle Shannon, Chalfant, Cheswick, Churchill, Coraopolis, Crafton, Dormont, Dravosburg, East McKeesport, East Pittsburgh, Edgewood, Edgeworth, Elizabeth, Emsworth, Etna, Forest Hills, Fox Chapel, Franklin Park, Glassport, Glenfield, Glen Osborne, Green Tree, Haysville, Heidelberg, Homestead, Ingram, Jefferson Hills, Leetsdale, Liberty, Lincoln, McDonald (partly in Washington County), McKees Rocks, Millvale, Monroeville, Mount Oliver, Munhall, North Braddock, Oakdale, Oakmont, Pennsbury Village, Pitcairn, Pleasant Hills, Plum, Port Vue, Rankin, Rosslyn Farms, Sewickley, Sewickley Heights, Sewickley Hills, Sharpsburg, Springdale, Swissvale, Tarentum, Thornburg, Trafford (partly in Westmoreland County), Turtle Creek, Verona, Versailles, Wall, West Elizabeth, West Homestead, West Mifflin, West View, Whitaker, White Oak, Whitehall, Wilkinsburg, Wilmerding

    Townships: Aleppo, Baldwin, Collier, Crescent, East Deer, Elizabeth, Fawn, Findlay, Forward, Frazer, Hampton, Harmar, Harrison, Indiana, Kennedy, Kilbuck, Leet, Marshall, McCandless, Moon, Mt. Lebanon, Neville, North Fayette, North Versailles, O'Hara, Ohio, Penn Hills, Pine, Reserve, Richland, Robinson, Ross, Scott, Shaler, South Fayette, South Park, South Versailles, Springdale, Stowe, Upper Saint Clair, West Deer, Wilkins.

    *The county also has several census-designated and unincorporated areas without a separate municipal government (Wikipedia).

    All municipalities within Allegheny County fall within the jurisdiction of the Division of Real Estate for land records.

    Appendix B — Key Contacts & Portals

    Pennsylvania State Archives