Armstrong County, PA Property Records

    The most recent census estimates place Armstrong County's population at approximately 63,679, ranking it 40th among Pennsylvania's 67 counties. This reflects a continuing gradual decline since 2020, consistent with longer-term demographic trends in rural western Pennsylvania.

    The typical home value in Armstrong County is $148,108, down 4.5% over the past year. This is significantly below the Pennsylvania statewide average of $286,351, reflecting the county's rural character and comparatively lower housing demand.

    Armstrong County's real estate market is relatively slow-paced compared to statewide norms. Listings typically go pending in about 18 days, roughly double Pennsylvania's median of 9 days, indicating moderate buyer competition in this rural market.

    According to Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED), approximately 27.2% of households in Armstrong County spend 30% or more of their income on housing costs (ACS 5-year estimate). While lower than major Pennsylvania metros, this figure is worth noting given the county's median household income of approximately $64,295.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records

    Armstrong County operates a centralized, county-administered recording system. All official land records are maintained by the Armstrong County Register and Recorder's Office, specifically its Recorder of Deeds division, which is responsible for recording and preserving real property documents for all municipalities and unincorporated areas within the county. The office is located at the Armstrong County Courthouse in Kittanning, the county seat.

    In addition to in-office access, recorded documents are available online through Landex, a third-party platform used by many Pennsylvania county recorder offices. Landex offers two access tiers:

    • Landex Remote (a subscription service suited for frequent searchers such as title companies and attorneys)

    • Landex WebStore (a pay-per-document option for occasional users). Both require account registration, and a fee is imposed by Landex for all transactions.

    What Armstrong County Property Records Include

    Armstrong County property records are official documents that detail real estate ownership, transfers, and encumbrances throughout the county. These records include deeds, mortgages, assignments of mortgage, satisfactions and discharges, mechanics' liens, judgment liens, easements and rights-of-way, powers of attorney related to real estate, notary bonds and commissions, plans of lots, installment land contracts, and military discharge records.

    Like the rest of Pennsylvania, Armstrong County uses a recorded land title system. Under this system, documents are recorded in the order they are received, assigned a book and page number, and indexed by grantor and grantee name.

    These indexed records provide constructive public notice of property ownership and encumbrances. Pennsylvania does not use a Registered Land (Torrens) system, so all land in Armstrong County is governed by this single recorded-land framework.

    Records at the Armstrong County Register and Recorder's Office are available on microfilm from 1805 through 1947, and on computer from 1947 to the present. Digital images on the Landex platform are available from May 2010 to the present, as well as from 1960 through 1995 (with additional images being added on an ongoing basis). Records predating this digital coverage are accessible in person at the courthouse.

    How to Access Armstrong County Property Records

    You can access Armstrong County property records through a combination of online platforms, in-person visits, and other request methods.

    Online Access (Fee-Based)

    Armstrong County does not offer a free public online portal for searching or viewing property records. Digital access is available through Landex. You can search by grantor/grantee name or by book and page number. Note that the Recorder's Office cannot search by tax map number or street address; having the owner's name or a prior book/page reference is important for online searches.

    In Person

    You can visit the Register and Recorder's Office to search records using public computer terminals. Staff are available to assist with navigating the system, but are not permitted to conduct searches or provide legal advice on your behalf.

    • Address: 500 E. Market Street, Suite 102, Armstrong County Courthouse, Kittanning, PA 16201, Research Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday,

    Over-the-Counter Transactions: 8:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. Copy fees: $0.50 per page for standard copies; $3.00 per page for large-format (11×17) plan copies. Payment: Cash or check only. No debit or credit cards accepted.

    By Phone or Email

    You can call the Register and Recorder's Office at (724) 548-3220 for general inquiries about property records, recording requirements, or fee schedules. Staff are not able to conduct record searches by phone, but can assist with procedural guidance.

    By Mail/Overnight

    You can submit documents for recording by mail to Armstrong County Register and Recorder, 500 E. Market Street, Suite 102, Kittanning, PA 16201. Submissions must include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of originals and the exact recording fee in a separate check payable to the Recorder of Deeds. The office does not issue refunds, so fees must be accurate before mailing.

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    Armstrong County supports e-recording through the following approved vendors: Simplifile, CSC Recording, ePN, and Indecomm. This service is designed for authorized business partners, including title companies, law firms, and lenders. Contact these vendors directly to establish an account.

    What's Not at the Recorder's Office (But Matters for Property Research)

    The Register and Recorder's Office is the custodian of recorded land documents, deeds, mortgages, liens, and related instruments, but does not maintain several categories of information that are critical to thorough property research. Property assessments, parcel characteristics, building data, assessed values, exemption status, and tax payment records are all held elsewhere.

    These records are maintained by the Armstrong County Assessment Office (phone: (724) 548-3217), located at the Armstrong County Courthouse. Tax collection is handled by individual municipal tax collectors across the county's boroughs and townships. Delinquent taxes are managed by the Armstrong County Tax Claim Bureau, also at the courthouse.

    For certified statewide tax rate data and local government finance information, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) maintains comprehensive municipal statistics, including millage rates and assessed values for all Pennsylvania counties.

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

    Because Armstrong County's records are accessible via Landex rather than a free public portal, pulling a deed online involves a fee. Here are the steps:

    • Visit Landex and create an account or log in. Select the WebStore option for one-time purchases or Remote for subscription access.

    • Select Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, from the county index.

    • Choose your search method by grantor/grantee name or by book and page number. If you lack this information, consider contacting the Armstrong County Mapping Department at (724) 548-3234 to obtain the Tax Map Number, which can help identify relevant document references.

    • Review the results and select the document you need to view its details.

    • Complete payment and download or print the document. Note the book/page number and recording date for your records.

    Cities & Towns in Armstrong County (and Their Record Custodians)

    The Armstrong County Register and Recorder's Office serves as the sole official custodian of recorded documents for all municipalities in Armstrong County. This includes the county's one city, 25 boroughs, and 28 townships:

    • City: Parker City.

    • Boroughs: Apollo, Applewold, Atwood, Bethlehem (South Bend), Dayton, Elderton, Ford City, Ford Cliff, Freeport, Kittanning, Leechburg, Manorville, North Apollo, Rural Valley, West Kittanning, and Worthington.

    • Townships: Bethel, Boggs, Brady's Bend, Burrell, Cadogan, Cowanshannock, East Franklin, Gilpin, Hovey, Kiskiminetas, Kittanning, Madison, Mahoning, Manor, North Buffalo, Parks, Perry, Pine, Plumcreek, Rayburn, Redbank, South Bend, South Buffalo, Sugarcreek, Valley, Washington, Wayne, and West Franklin.

    All property documents recorded in any of these municipalities are filed with and retrievable from the single Armstrong County Register and Recorder's Office at the Kittanning courthouse.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    Property assessments for all real estate in Armstrong County are centrally handled by the Armstrong County Assessment Office, rather than by individual municipal offices. The Assessment Office determines assessed values for tax purposes and maintains up-to-date parcel records for the entire county.

    The Assessment Office is located at the Armstrong County Courthouse, 500 E. Market Street, Kittanning, PA 16201. Phone: (724) 548-3217. Assessment-related forms and information are available through the Armstrong County Assessment page.

    Tax collection is distributed among individual municipal tax collectors. A current list of tax collectors by municipality is published annually by the Assessment Office.

    Delinquent taxes are handled by the Armstrong County Tax Claim Bureau. For statewide millage rate data and local government finance statistics, consult the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

    Armstrong County-Specific Nuances

    • Single, centralized recording office. Armstrong County has one Register and Recorder's Office serving the entire county. Unlike in some states, where multiple recorder districts exist, all property documents, regardless of the borough or township where the parcel is located, are filed with this single office.

    • No free online portal. Armstrong County does not offer a free public property record search tool. Online access is available exclusively through the fee-based Landex platform. Researchers needing free access must visit the courthouse in person during research hours (8:00 a.m.–4:15 p.m., Monday–Friday).

    • Landex Record Alert System. Property owners can sign up for free email notifications through Landex's Record Alert System (landex.com/recordalert/armstrong). The system sends an alert any time a document is recorded in the county under your name, serving as a useful fraud-detection tool.

    • Deep historical archives. Land records in Armstrong County date back to 1805 on microfilm. The office also holds Depreciation Lands Program records, documents relating to land grants made to Revolutionary War veterans, which are historically significant and unique to western Pennsylvania.

    • Tax Map Number required for recording. All documents submitted for recording must include the correct Tax Map Number assigned by the Armstrong County Mapping Department (phone: (724) 548-3234). Documents missing this number will be rejected.

    • Cash or check only. The Register and Recorder's Office does not accept debit or credit card payments. All fees must be paid in cash or by check.

    • Active county government. Armstrong County's county government remains fully operational. Recording, assessment, tax claim, and planning functions are all administered through active county offices at the Kittanning courthouse.

    Typical Contents of an Armstrong County Property Record

    An Armstrong County property record is a collection of official documents that establish ownership history, financial obligations, boundaries, and land use restrictions. When reviewing these records, you will typically encounter:

    • Deeds:

      • Grantor and grantee names (seller and buyer).

      • Legal description of the property, including municipality and county.

      • Consideration amount (purchase price or nominal value).

      • Tax Map Number identifying the parcel.

      • Certificate of Residence for the grantee.

      • Prior book/page references (links to earlier transactions).

      • Type of deed (warranty deed, quitclaim deed, trustee deed, etc.).

    • Mortgages and Discharges:

      • Lender and borrower names.

      • Principal loan amount, interest rate, and term.

      • Book/page reference for the mortgage.

      • Satisfaction or release of mortgage (when paid off).

      • Assignments (if the mortgage is transferred to another lender).

    • Plans and Plats:

      • Plan or lot survey number.

      • Subdivision name and lot dimensions.

      • Boundary descriptions and adjoining property references.

    • Encumbrances and Legal Notices:

      • Easements and rights-of-way.

      • Mechanics' liens and judgment liens.

      • Lis pendens (notice of pending litigation).

      • Restrictive covenants and agreements.

      • Assignments of rents and leases.

    Other documents you may encounter include powers of attorney related to real estate, notices of commencement, and installment land contracts.

    Recording Changes to Property Titles

    All new deeds, mortgages, lien filings, satisfactions, assignments, easements, and other changes to property titles in Armstrong County must be recorded with the Armstrong County Register and Recorder's Office. Documents may be submitted in person, by mail, or through approved e-recording vendors.

    For in-person submissions, the over-the-counter recording window is open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., Monday through Friday, at Suite 102, 500 E. Market Street, Armstrong County Courthouse, Kittanning, PA 16201.

    All documents must meet specific formatting requirements, including a valid acknowledgment with correct notary information; a complete legal description including municipality, county, and state; the Tax Map Number from the Mapping Department; and a Certificate of Residence for the grantee (on deeds).

    Documents containing shaded areas will not be accepted. A 2% transfer tax applies to most deed transactions (1% state, 1% local/school), submitted as two separate checks. A Statement of Value is required whenever the full consideration is not stated on the deed or a tax exemption is claimed.

    E-recording is supported through Simplifile, CSC Recording, ePN, and Indecomm. For complete recording guidelines, fee schedules, and document requirements, visit the Register and Recorder's Office page on the Armstrong County website.

    Practical Research Flow (Checklist)

    Here is a practical checklist for effectively researching property in Armstrong County, PA:

    • Identify the property's Tax Map Number. If you don't have the owner's name or a prior book/page reference, start with the Armstrong County Mapping Department (phone: (724) 548-3234). The Tax Map Number is the key identifier used throughout the records system.

    • Search for property records via Landex or in person. Visit www.landex.com to search online (fee applies) or visit the Register and Recorder's Office during research hours (8:00 a.m.–4:15 p.m., Monday–Friday).

    • Record key reference numbers. Note the book/page number, recording date, and any prior references listed on the deed or mortgage. These are essential for tracing the chain of title.

    • Trace the chain of title. Use the prior book/page references on the current deed to follow the property's ownership history, confirm legal transfers, and identify any gaps or unresolved issues.

    • Review plans and encumbrances. Check for recorded plans of lots, easements, rights-of-way, mechanics' liens, lis pendens notices, and other encumbrances that may affect property use, access, or marketability.

    • Verify parcel data with the Armstrong County Assessment Office. Cross-reference your findings with the Assessment Office to confirm assessed value, building characteristics, ownership status, and tax information. Phone: (724) 548-3217.

    Appendix A: Municipalities in Armstrong County

    Armstrong County, PA, has 1 city, 25 boroughs, and 28 townships, a total of 54 incorporated municipalities.

    • City: Parker City.

    • Boroughs: Apollo, Applewold, Atwood, Bethlehem, South Bend, Dayton, Elderton, Ford City, Ford Cliff, Freeport, Kittanning, Leechburg, Manorville, North Apollo, Rural Valley, West Kittanning, and Worthington.

    • Townships: Bethel, Boggs, Brady's Bend, Burrell, Cadogan, Cowanshannock, East Franklin, Gilpin, Hovey, Kiskiminetas, Kittanning, Madison, Mahoning, Manor, North Buffalo, Parks, Perry, Pine, Plumcreek, Rayburn, Redbank, South Bend, South Buffalo, Sugarcreek, Valley, Washington, Wayne, and West Franklin.

    Complete municipality list per the Armstrong County official website (co.armstrong.pa.us) and Wikipedia.

    Appendix B: Key Contacts & Portals

    • Armstrong County Register and Recorder's Office (Recorder of Deeds):

        • Address: 500 E. Market Street, Suite 102, Armstrong County Courthouse, Kittanning, PA 16201.

        • Phone: (724) 548-3220 | Fax: (724) 548-3236.

      • Research Hours: 8:00 a.m.–4:15 p.m., Monday–Friday.

      • Over-the-Counter Recording: 8:00 a.m.–3:45 p.m., Monday–Friday.

      • Website: co.armstrong.pa.us/register-recorder

    • Landex (Online Property Records Portal):

    • Armstrong County Assessment Office:

      • Address: 500 E. Market Street, Armstrong County Courthouse, Kittanning, PA 16201.

      • Phone: (724) 548-3217 | Fax: (724) 548-3335.

      • Website: co.armstrong.pa.us/assessment

    • Armstrong County Tax Claim Bureau:

    • Armstrong County Mapping Department:

      • Phone: (724) 548-3234.

      • Note: Required for obtaining Tax Map Numbers needed for document recording.

    • Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED):

      • Website: dced.pa.gov

      • Use for statewide tax rate data, municipal finance statistics, and local government information.

      • Address: Commonwealth Keystone Building, 400 North Street, 4th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225, USA

      • Phone: (866) 466-3972

    • Armstrong County Official Website: