Centre County, PA Property Records

    With 158,576 residents, Centre County is Pennsylvania's 22nd most populous county. Located in the geographic center of Pennsylvania, the county seat is Bellefonte, and it's home to The Pennsylvania State University's main campus and its roughly 45,000 enrolled students.

    Penn State's presence shapes virtually every housing and demographic metric in the county. The county's median age of 31.5 years is a direct reflection of the large student population. Educational services account for the county's largest employment sector.

    The typical home value in Centre County is $339,029, up 1.9% over the past year. This is well above Pennsylvania's statewide median of $275,155. The combination of constrained supply, strong Penn State employment demand, and active investor-buyer interest in student rental properties keeps the market consistently competitive.

    Homes go pending in an average of 12 days, with a median sale price of $330,000 and a sale-to-list ratio of 0.991. About 27.1% of transactions close above the asking price, indicating genuine competition among buyers, particularly for well-located single-family homes near campus. Average rents run approximately $1,607 per month, elevated relative to surrounding rural counties by student and university staff demand.

    Approximately 30% of Centre County households spend 30% or more of their income on housing costs (ACS 5-year estimate). The cost burden here is concentrated among the student-renter population, whose reported incomes are low despite the county's relatively high median household income of $74,291.

    All recorded land documents are maintained at the county level by the Recorder of Deeds, located in the Willowbank Office Building in Bellefonte. Assessment data, parcel information, and tax records are maintained separately by the Assessment Office, also located in Willowbank.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records

    All official land records in Centre County are maintained by the Centre County Recorder of Deeds, an elected office led by Joseph L. Davidson. The office is located in Suite #1 of the Willowbank Office Building at 414 Holmes Street in Bellefonte. Its primary mission, as stated on the county website, is to record, protect, preserve, and reproduce legal documents relating to real estate in Centre County.

    Records from the year 1800 to the present are available for public inspection during regular office hours (military discharge records are exempt from public inspection). The office processes more than 10,000 public visits annually and generates over $5 million per year in revenue for Pennsylvania through its role as a transfer tax collection agent, distributing realty transfer tax proceeds to 37 political subdivisions and six school districts across the county.

    Online remote access is available through the county's own Web Information Access (WEBIA) system at webia.centrecountypa.gov. WEBIA provides access to the Recorder of Deeds database, Tax Assessment records, Tax Claim data, Register of Wills, and related county records through a single platform. Access is credit-based: each “click” (one page within the system) costs $0.10, and viewing a typical document requires 2–5 clicks ($0.10–$0.45). A $10 account activation fee applies. Credits are purchased in advance and expire after one year.

    What Centre County Property Records Include

    The Centre County Recorder of Deeds maintains all instruments affecting real property within the county. Recorded documents include deeds, mortgages, easements, rights-of-way, leases, real estate assignments, sales agreements, releases, satisfactions of mortgages, plans and plat maps, financing statements (UCC), notary bonds and commissions, veterans' discharge documents, and powers of attorney.

    Pennsylvania uses a recorded land title system statewide. Documents are recorded in the order received and indexed for public retrieval. All recorded instruments are public records, except veterans' military discharges. The office's records extend back to 1800, providing an unusually complete long-term archive.

    A note specific to Centre County: the county's Common Level Ratio (CLR) Factor is 5.85 as of July 1, 2025. This very low ratio means that assessed values on file with the Assessment Office are dramatically lower than current market values, a consideration in tax assessment appeals and any transaction where assessed value appears in the record.

    How to Access Centre County Property Records

    Centre County property records can be accessed via WEBIA online, in person at Willowbank, by phone or email, by mail, or through e-recording.

    Online Access (WEBIA, Credit-Based)

    The county's Web Information Access (WEBIA) system at webia.centrecountypa.gov provides remote access to Recorder of Deeds records, Tax Assessment data, Tax Claim information, and Register of Wills records. Searches are conducted by name, instrument type, recording date, and parcel information.

    Pricing: $10 account activation fee; $0.10 per click; typical document access costs $0.10–$0.45. Credits expire after one year. For the Centre County Assessment Office, note that CentreGIS Public is a free site but does not include parcel information; full parcel data requires a WEBIA account.

    In Person

    All records since 1800 are available for public inspection during office hours at Willowbank. Address: Willowbank Office Building, 414 Holmes Street, Suite #1, Bellefonte, PA 16823, Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m, Copy fees: $0.50 per page; $1.50 for certification and seal.

    By Phone or Email

    Call (814) 355-6801 or email rodinfo@centrecountypa.gov during office hours. Staff can quote fees, confirm recording requirements, and assist with document retrieval.

    By Mail/Overnight

    Mail submissions for recording to Centre County Recorder of Deeds, 414 Holmes Street, Suite #1, Bellefonte, PA 16823. All documents sent for recording must include a suitably sized self-addressed postage-paid return envelope. This requirement applies to every submission, including mail-in packages from attorneys and title companies.

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    Centre County accepts e-recording through two approved vendors: CSC (Corporation Service Company) and Simplifile. See the vendor pages on the county's website for setup instructions.

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

    The Recorder of Deeds holds recorded title instruments only. Assessed values, parcel characteristics, and tax records are maintained by the Centre County Assessment Office, located in Suite 301 of the Willowbank Office Building at 420 Holmes Street (a different suite number than the Recorder of Deeds, though in the same building). The Assessment Office can be reached at (814) 355-6721.

    Assessment data and parcel records are accessible via WEBIA (account required). The UPI number for any deed must be pre-authorized by the Assessment Office before the Recorder will record the instrument; the UPI stamp costs $10, payable by separate check to “County of Centre.”

    Tax collection, tax claim matters, and delinquent tax certifications are handled through the Tax Claim Bureau. Current tax payments can be made online. For statewide millage rates and local government finance data, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) is the authoritative resource.

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

    Centre County's WEBIA system covers all records back to 1800. Here are the steps:

    • Visit webia.centrecountypa.gov and create an account. Pay the $10 activation fee and purchase credits. Each click costs $0.10; expect 2–5 clicks per document.

    • Search the Recorder of Deeds module by grantor/grantee name, recording date, instrument type, or parcel information.

    • Review results and select the relevant instrument. Note the instrument number and recording date for chain-of-title research.

    • View the document (each page viewed consumes a credit). Download or print as needed.

    • To trace the chain of title, use prior instrument references on the current deed to work backward through ownership history.

    • For certified copies, contact the office at (814) 355-6801 or email rodinfo@centrecountypa.gov. Certified copies are $0.50/page plus a $1.50 certification fee.

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

    The Centre County Recorder of Deeds is the single official custodian of recorded property documents for all 35 municipalities in Centre County. There are no cities; all municipalities are boroughs and townships.†

    • Notable boroughs: Bellefonte (county seat), Milesburg, Millheim, Philipsburg, State College (largest municipality; home to Penn State's main campus), and additional smaller boroughs including Aaronsburg, Centre Hall, Howard, Penns Valley (Penn Estates), Port Matilda, Snow Shoe, Spring Mills, and Unionville.

    • Notable townships: Benner, Boggs, Burnside, College (surrounding State College Borough), Curtin, Ferguson, Gregg, Halfmoon, Haines, Harris, Howard, Huston, Liberty, Marion, Miles, Patton, Penn, Potter, Rush, Snow Shoe, Spring, Taylor, Union, Walker, Worth.

    Municipality list per county, sources, and Wikipedia. All 35 municipalities are served by a single Recorder's Office.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    Property assessments in Centre County are administered centrally by the Centre County Assessment Office in the Willowbank Office Building, Suite 301. The office is responsible for maintaining assessed values on all real property in the county. Note the current Common Level Ratio Factor of 5.85. Assessed values in Centre County are set far below current market values, which is important context for buyers and sellers interpreting tax records and assessment appeals.

    Assessment and tax data are accessible through WEBIA. The Realty Transfer Tax Rates for each municipality are published. The county distributes approximately $5.6 million annually in realty transfer tax receipts to 37 political subdivisions and six school districts.

    Current real estate taxes can be paid online through the county's portal. For statewide tax data, the Pennsylvania DCED publishes comprehensive local government finance statistics.

    Centre County-Specific Nuances

    • Fastest-moving market, 12-day median days to pending: With homes going to pending in an average of 12 days and 27.1% of sales closing above asking price, Centre County's market is the most competitive. This pace is driven by persistently tight supply near Penn State. Buyers should expect to conduct thorough title research quickly and be prepared to act within days of a listing appearing.

    • WEBIA, the county's own credit-based online system (not Landex): Unlike most Pennsylvania counties that use the third-party Landex platform, Centre County operates its own integrated WEBIA system at webia.centrecountypa.gov. WEBIA provides access not only to Recorder of Deeds records but also to Tax Assessment, Tax Claim, Register of Wills, and court-related data, all in one platform. The credit model ($0.10/click; $10 activation) is cost-effective for moderate research volume.

    • UPI stamp required from Assessment Office before recording $10 fee payable separately: Every deed must have a Uniform Parcel Number (UPI) pre-authorized by the Centre County Assessment Office before the Recorder will accept it for recording. The UPI stamp costs $10, payable by a separate check made out to “County of Centre.” This is distinct from recording fees, which are paid to the Recorder of Deeds.

    • Common Level Ratio Factor of 5.85 assessed values dramatically below market: Centre County's CLR Factor of 5.85 means that assessed values for tax purposes are roughly 5.85% of market value. A property worth $400,000 on the market may be assessed at roughly $23,400. This is relevant for tax assessment appeals, transfer tax calculations that use assessed value, and any research that relies on assessed value as a proxy for market value.

    • Top 10 recording requirements name-matching standard is strictly enforced: Centre County's Recorder publishes a “Top 10 Instructions” list on its website that practitioners should review before every submission. Of particular note: the names in the caption, in the signature block, and in the acknowledgment must all match exactly. Variations like “John J. Doe” vs. “JJ Doe” or “J Joseph Doe” will cause rejections and delays. This is more explicitly stated and enforced than in most Pennsylvania counties.

    • Recorder's Stamp placement downloadable “StampHere.png” tool: The county's 1″ × 3″ recorder's stamp must be affixed to the first page of every recorded document and cannot overlap or cover any text. The office provides a free, to-scale downloadable placeholder graphic (“StampHere.png”) that document preparers can embed in their Word documents to reserve the correct space. This is a thoughtful, practically useful resource unique to this office.

    • Self-addressed postage-paid return envelope required for every submission: Every document submitted to the Centre County Recorder, whether in person or by mail, must be accompanied by a suitably sized, properly stamped return envelope. This requirement applies to all submitters, including attorneys, title companies, and e-recorders.

    • Penn State investment property market drives high recording volume: Centre County's active student rental market means a high proportion of residential real estate transactions involve investor-buyers purchasing properties as rentals.

    Researchers and buyers should search specifically for assignment of leases and rent instruments, as well as multi-unit property transfers, which are common in the State College Borough and surrounding College, Harris, and Ferguson Township areas.

    Typical Contents of a Centre County Property Record

    When reviewing official property records at the Centre County Recorder of Deeds, you will typically find instruments containing:

    • Deeds:

      • Grantor and grantee names (must match exactly across caption, signature, and acknowledgment).

      • Full legal description of the property; address related to the property on the first page.

      • Uniform Parcel Number (UPI) pre-authorized by the Assessment Office, positioned in the upper left of the document.

      • Consideration amount written and numerical amounts must match.

      • Municipality (or list of municipalities if the property spans more than one).

      • Certificate of address for the grantee.

      • Prior instrument number and recording date.

      • Acknowledgment: county, state, date, names and titles, notary signature, seal, and expiration date; acknowledgment date must be on or after the document date.

      • Deed type (warranty, quitclaim, trustee, personal representative, correction, etc.).

    • Mortgages and Assignments:

      • Lender and borrower names and addresses.

      • Loan amount, interest rate, and repayment terms.

      • Instrument number and recording date.

      • Satisfaction, release, assignment, or modification when applicable.

    • Plans and Plat Maps:

      • Subdivision plan number and lot references.

      • Boundary dimensions and survey information.

    • Easements, Leases, and Other Instruments:

      • Easements and rights-of-way.

      • Leases (particularly relevant in Centre County's active rental market).

      • Assignments of leases and rents.

      • Sales agreements and consents.

      • Financing statements (UCC).

      • Powers of attorney and notary bonds/commissions.

    Recording Changes to Property Titles

    All new deeds, mortgages, easements, leases, releases, satisfactions, and other instruments affecting real property in Centre County must be recorded with the Recorder of Deeds. Submissions may be made in person, by mail, or through CSC or Simplifile e-recording.

    Before presenting any deed for recording, obtain a UPI stamp ($10, separate check to “County of Centre”) from the Centre County Assessment Office at Suite 301, Willowbank Office Building.

    Every submission must satisfy the following requirements:

    • Acknowledgment date must be on or after the document date;

    • The acknowledgment must include county, state, date, all parties' names and titles, and notary signature, seal, and expiration date;

    • Names must match exactly across caption, signature, and acknowledgment;

    • Written and numerical dollar amounts must match;

    • All municipalities must be stated on the document;

    • Multiple documents in a single transaction must be clearly numbered in order;

    • Documents claiming a transfer tax exemption (other than by family relationship) or covering property in more than one municipality must be accompanied by a Pennsylvania Department of Revenue Statement of Value with the reason and amount stated;

    • Every document must include a self-addressed postage-paid return envelope.

    Pennsylvania's standard 2% realty transfer tax applies to most deed transactions (1% state, 1% local). Transfer tax rates by municipality are published. Recording fees for a deed (4 pages, 4 names) start at $70.25, with additional charges for extra pages ($2 each), extra names ($0.50 each), and a UPI stamp ($10).

    Cash or checks accepted; all checks payable to Centre County Recorder of Deeds (except the UPI stamp check, payable to the County of Centre). Review the full fee bill or call (814) 355-6801 for fee quotes.

    Practical Research Flow (Checklist)

    A practical approach for researching property records in Centre County, PA:

    • Get the UPI number from the Assessment Office. Contact the Assessment Office at Suite 301, Willowbank, (814) 355-6721, or use WEBIA to locate the parcel and confirm the UPI number and current assessed value. Note the very low CLR Factor (5.85) when interpreting assessed values.

    • Search WEBIA for recorded documents. Visit webia.centrecountypa.gov. Search the Recorder of Deeds module by name, recording date, or instrument type. Records go back to 1800. Each click costs $0.10.

    • Note instrument numbers and recording dates. Record these for each relevant document and use prior references to trace the chain of title backward.

    • Check for student rental and investor-related instruments. For State College Borough and surrounding township properties, specifically search for assignments of leases and rents, lease agreements, and multi-party mortgages that are common in the investment property market.

    • Review easements, rights-of-way, and subdivisions. Search for recorded subdivision plans, easements, and restrictions.

    • Verify assessment data and tax status. Use WEBIA to review assessment records and current tax status. For current tax payments, see cc.centrecountypa.gov.

    • Sign up for the free Recording Activity Notification. Register at www2.centrecountypa.gov/centreco/recorders/ to receive alerts when documents are recorded against a property in your name.

    Appendix A: Municipalities in Centre County

    Centre County has 35 incorporated municipalities, including 14 boroughs and 21 townships. There are no cities.

    • Boroughs: Aaronsburg, Bellefonte (county seat), Centre Hall, Howard, Milesburg, Millheim, Philipsburg, Port Matilda, Snow Shoe, Spring Mills, State College (Penn State), Unionville, and additional boroughs.

    • Townships: Benner, Boggs, Burnside, College, Curtin, Ferguson, Gregg, Halfmoon, Haines, Harris, Howard, Huston, Liberty, Marion, Miles, Patton, Penn, Potter, Rush, Spring, Taylor, Union, Walker, and Worth, among others.

    Municipality list per county, sources, and Wikipedia.

    Appendix B: Key Contacts & Portals