Dauphin County, PA Property Records

With a population of approximately 289,234, Dauphin County is the 14th among Pennsylvania's 67 counties and continues a steady growth trend. The county seat is Harrisburg, Pennsylvania's state capital and the ninth-most populous city in the commonwealth.

The county's economy is anchored by state government employment, the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, and a diversified private sector. Hershey, a census-designated place in Derry Township, is home to Hershey Entertainment & Resorts and is the county's most recognizable community nationally.

In the county's northern Lykens Valley, an Amish community of eight church districts, descended from Lancaster County settlers, adds further rural diversity to a county otherwise defined by its capital-city core.

The typical home value in Dauphin County is $270,606, up 3.5% over the past year. Homes go to pending in around 18 days, one of the fastest paces in the state. The median sale-to-list ratio stands at exactly 1.000, with 28.1% of recent sales closing above list price, reflecting a competitive market driven by state government employment stability and proximity to major employers in Hershey.

Who Keeps the Official Land Records

All official land records in Dauphin County are maintained by the Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds Office, a standalone elected office (not combined with the Register of Wills or any other function). The current Recorder of Deeds is James Zugay, Esq., with Candace E. Meck serving as Chief Deputy and Debra J. Jenkyn as Second Deputy. The office is located in Room 102 of the Dauphin County Courthouse at 101 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101.

Online access to recorded documents is provided through the Recorder's own portal, AcclaimWeb. Access is free to the public with no subscription required. The portal includes all deeds and miscellaneous documents from 1785 to the present, and mortgages from 1979 to the present. Searches can be performed by name, instrument number, document type, book and page, record date, consideration, UPI number, and municipality.

The office also offers a free Record Notification Service (RNS). Property owners can sign up to receive email alerts when any document is recorded against a specific property, name, or parcel number. E-recording is available through Simplifile (800-460-5657) and CSC (866-652-0111). Contact jzugay@dauphincounty.gov for e-filing questions.

What Dauphin County Property Records Include

The Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds Office maintains all instruments affecting real property within the county. Recorded documents include deeds, mortgages, mortgage satisfactions and releases, easements, assignments of mortgage, leases, powers of attorney, UCC financing statements, and notary public bonds and commissions.

Pennsylvania uses a recorded land title system statewide. Documents are recorded in the order received and indexed by name, document type, recording date, and UPI number. Dauphin County's records extend to 1785, reflecting its status as one of the original Pennsylvania counties and making its archive among the most historically extensive.

Military discharge papers are also recorded here. The Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court is a separate office at the same courthouse.

How to Access Dauphin County Property Records

Dauphin County property records can be accessed via the free online portal, in person at the courthouse, by phone/email, by mail, or via e-recording.

Online Access (Free Public Portal, No Login Required)

The county's AcclaimWeb portal is free to the public with no subscription or account required. Search by name, instrument number, document type, book and page, record date, consideration, UPI number, municipality, or Alpha Index. Deeds and miscellaneous documents are online from 1785; mortgages from 1979.

In Person

Visitors may search records at the Recorder of Deeds Office. Address: Dauphin County Courthouse, Room 102, 101 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101, Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m, Copy fees: $0.50 page; certified copies: $2.00 plus $0.50/page, Payment: Cash or check payable to “Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds.”, Mail submissions without a self-addressed stamped envelope incur a $1.00 return fee.

By Phone/Email

Call (717) 780-6560 or email jzugay@dauphincounty.gov during office hours. General information is available by phone; for detailed research, the office recommends an in-person visit or consulting a title searcher or attorney.

By Mail/Overnight

Mail documents for recording to Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds, 101 Market Street, Room 102, Harrisburg, PA 17101. Include the appropriate fees (cash or check payable to “Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds”) and a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of recorded documents.

E-Recording

E-recording is available through Simplifile (1-800-460-5657; simplifile.com) and CSC (1-866-652-0111; erecording.com). Contact jzugay@dauphincounty.gov for e-filing setup questions.

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

The Recorder of Deeds Office holds recorded title instruments only. Assessed values and parcel data are maintained by the Dauphin County Tax Assessment Office. Property and tax information is accessible through the Dauphin Property Info portal and through the Assessment online data.

The Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court is a separate elected office also at the Dauphin County Courthouse, handling estate proceedings, marriage licenses, and Orphans' Court matters.

Zoning is administered at the municipal level throughout Dauphin County. The Dauphin County Planning Commission provides planning assistance and can be reached through the county's department directory. For statewide millage and finance data, consult the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

As the state capital and a county with significant commercial activity, Harrisburg City and adjacent municipalities each administer their own zoning, building permits, and local earned income taxes. Title research on properties in Harrisburg, Steelton, Middletown, or other active boroughs should include a review of municipal records as well.

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

Dauphin County's AcclaimWeb portal provides free public access. Here are the steps:

Visit deeds.dauphincounty.gov and accept the public access disclaimer.
Choose a search type: Simple Search, Name, Instrument Number, Document Type, Book/Page, Record Date, Consideration, UPI Number, Municipality, or Alpha Index.
Enter your search criteria and review the results. Note the instrument number, book and page reference, and recording date.
View the document image online (free). Download or print as needed.
For deeds predating 1785 or mortgages predating 1979, visit the office in person.
For certified copies, contact the office at (717) 780-6560. Certified copy fee: $2.00 plus $0.50 per page.

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

The Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds Office is the single official custodian of recorded property documents for all 38 municipalities in Dauphin County, comprising 1 city, 14 boroughs, and 23 townships.

City: Harrisburg.
Boroughs: Berrysburg, Dauphin, Elizabethville, Gratz, Halifax, Highspire, Hummelstown, Lykens, Middletown, Millersburg, Paxtang, Penbrook, Pillow, Royalton, Steelton, and Williamstown.
Townships: Conewago, Derry, East Hanover, Halifax, Jackson, Jefferson, Londonderry, Lower Paxton, Lower Swatara, Lykens, Middle Paxton, Mifflin, Reed, Rush, South Hanover, Susquehanna, Swatara, Upper Paxton, Washington, Wayne, West Hanover, Wiconisco, and Williams.

Municipality list per county, sources, and Wikipedia.

City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

Property assessments are handled centrally by the Dauphin County Tax Assessment Office. Online parcel and tax data are available.

Harrisburg City, as the only city in the county, maintains its own city administration, including zoning, building permits, and Harrisburg-specific earned income and property tax programs. Hershey (Derry Township), Middletown Borough, and Steelton Borough are major communities that also maintain their own municipal functions.

Researchers working on properties in any of these communities may need to contact the relevant municipal office in addition to the county recorder. For statewide tax and finance data, consult the Pennsylvania DCED. Delinquent real estate taxes are handled by the Dauphin County Tax Claim Bureau.

Dauphin County-Specific Nuances

Free public online access back to 1785, one of the deepest online archives in the state. The Dauphin County AcclaimWeb portal at deeds.dauphincounty.gov provides free, no-login access to deeds and miscellaneous documents from 1785 to the present, and mortgages from 1979 to the present.

This is among the most historically comprehensive online deed databases in Pennsylvania. No Landex subscription, no Infocon account, no time-billed session, simply visit the website and search.

Record Notification Service (RNS) for fraud prevention. The Recorder of Deeds offers a free email alert service that notifies property owners when any document is recorded against their property, name, or parcel number. This is particularly valuable in a dense urban and suburban county with significant transaction volume. Sign up in four steps.
Standalone Recorder of Deeds separate from Register of Wills. As a 3rd class county, Dauphin County has separate elected Recorder of Deeds and Register of Wills / Clerk of Orphans' Court offices. Researchers should not confuse the two. The Recorder of Deeds handles land records only; estate matters, marriage licenses, and Orphans' Court filings go to the Register of Wills.
First-page margin and format requirements. The first page of every document submitted for recording must have a top margin of at least 3 inches (the Recorder uses the right side of this margin). All other margins must be at least 1 inch. The first page must also contain the legal description of the property (including municipality, county, and state); the property address; and the UPI number at the top left. Text must be in black ink at a minimum font size of 10 point.
UPI required $20 per parcel, not prepaid. Assessment. Documents requiring a Uniform Parcel Identifier must include the UPI number on the first page. The $20 per parcel UPI fee is payable to the Recorder of Deeds at the time of recording (not to a separate Assessment Office). Each additional parcel number costs an additional $20.
JCP fee increased on December 1, 2025 (Act 45 of 2025). Pursuant to Act 45 of 2025, signed by Governor Shapiro, the Judicial Computer Project (JCP) fee increased by $1.00, effective December 1, 2025. This increases the overall recording fees by that amount. Download the current fee schedule from the county website before submitting documents.
9 names or fewer: no extra name fee; 10+ names: $0.50 each. Dauphin County does not charge additional fees for documents with up to 9 names to be indexed. For documents with 10 or more names, each name beyond 9 incurs a $0.50 surcharge. This threshold differs from most PA counties, which typically begin charging at 5 or fewer names.
RTT split: state 1%, municipality 0.5%, school district 0.5%. Pennsylvania's 2% realty transfer tax is split as follows in Dauphin County: the PA Department of Revenue receives 1%, and the local municipality and school district each receive 0.5%. Exempt transactions include conveyances between spouses, parent and child, grandparent and grandchild, and siblings. Consult your attorney or the PA Department of Revenue for other potential exemptions.
Veteran ID Discount Card Program. The Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds maintains a Veteran ID Discount Card Program, reflecting the county's significant veteran population. Details are available.
Seals and stamps must not cover printed text. Notary seals, corporate seals, and any stamps placed on a document must not cover any printed material or signatures. Documents where seals obscure text will be considered defective and may be rejected.

Typical Contents of a Dauphin County Property Record

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

Deeds:
- Grantor and grantee names (original signatures in dark blue or black ink; names printed/typed beneath).
- Full legal description of the property, including municipality, county, and state.
- Property address.
- Consideration amount.
- Certificate of Residence for the grantee.
- UPI number, placed at the top left of the first page.
- Notarial acknowledgment: date (cannot predate execution date), person appearing, notary signature, seal (not covering any text), and expiration date.
- Deed type (warranty, quitclaim, trustee, sheriff's deed, deed of distribution, etc.).
Mortgages and Discharges:
- Lender and borrower names; loan amount and terms.
- Mortgage satisfactions, releases, and assignments.
- Online from 1979 to the present.
Other Instruments:
- Easements, rights-of-way, leases, powers of attorney.
- UCC financing statements, notary public bonds.
- Military discharge papers.

Recording Changes to Property Titles

All new deeds, mortgages, easements, satisfactions, releases, and other instruments affecting real property in Dauphin County must be recorded with the Recorder of Deeds. Submissions are accepted in person, by mail, or via e-recording.

Every document must have original signatures in dark blue or black ink with names printed or typed beneath; be written in black ink at a font size of at least 10 point; bear a formal notarial acknowledgment dated on or after the execution date (seals and stamps must not cover any text or signatures); include a 3-inch top margin on the first page (Recorder uses the right side) with all other margins at least 1 inch; state on the first page the full legal description, including municipality, county, and state, the property address, and the UPI number at the top left.

Pennsylvania's standard 2% realty transfer tax applies to most deed transactions, split among the state (1%), local municipality (0.5%), and school district (0.5%). Family member transfers (spouse, parent/child, grandparent/grandchild, siblings) are exempt; a Statement of Value is required for exempt or consideration-free transfers.

Key fees: Deed $86.75; Mortgage $86.75; Easement $58.75; additional pages over 4: $2.00 each; names over 9: $0.50 each; UPI: $20 per parcel. Payment by cash or check payable to “Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds.” Mail submissions must include a self-addressed stamped envelope (or a $1.00 return fee applies).

Practical Research Flow (Checklist)

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

Search online for free at AcclaimWeb. Visit deeds.dauphincounty.gov. No login or subscription required. Search by name, UPI, document type, book/page, or recording date. Deeds available from 1785.
Review parcel and assessment data. Use the Dauphin County Property Tax Inquiry for property tax and assessment information.
Note recording references. Record the instrument number, book, page, and recording date. Use prior references to trace the chain of title backward toward 1785.
Review easements, mortgages, satisfactions, and encumbrances. Mortgages have been online since 1979; for earlier mortgage records, visit the office in person.
Check municipal records if needed. For Harrisburg City, Hershey (Derry Township), Middletown Borough, Steelton Borough, or other major communities, confirm zoning, permits, and local taxes with the relevant municipal office.
Verify delinquent tax status. Contact the Dauphin County Tax Claim Bureau.
Sign up for RNS fraud monitoring. Register at the Recording Notification Service to receive email alerts on any recordings against your property or name.
Verify the current fee schedule before recording. The JCP fee increased on December 1, 2025. Download the current schedule before submitting.

Appendix A: Municipalities in Dauphin County

Dauphin County has 1 city, 14 boroughs, and 23 townships, for a total of 38 incorporated municipalities.

City: Harrisburg.
Boroughs: Berrysburg, Dauphin, Elizabethville, Gratz, Halifax, Highspire, Hummelstown, Lykens, Middletown, Millersburg, Paxtang, Penbrook, Pillow, Royalton, Steelton, and Williamstown.
Townships: Conewago, Derry, East Hanover, Halifax, Jackson, Jefferson, Londonderry, Lower Paxton, Lower Swatara, Lykens, Middle Paxton, Mifflin, Reed, Rush, South Hanover, Susquehanna, Swatara, Upper Paxton, Washington, Wayne, West Hanover, Wiconisco, and Williams.