Fayette County, PA Property Records

    Current estimates place Fayette County's population at approximately 123,941. The county seat is Uniontown, a city in the county's center. Connellsville, another city in the county, is roughly 14 miles north and serves as an important commercial hub and an Amtrak stop on the Capitol Limited.

    Fayette County occupies the southwestern corner of Pennsylvania, sharing borders with Maryland to the south and West Virginia to the southwest. That geographic position gave it a front-row seat to two centuries of American history; the National Road (now U.S. Route 40) crossed through Uniontown, making it one of the first planned highways in the United States.

    The county includes Fort Necessity National Battlefield, where a 22-year-old George Washington surrendered to French forces in 1754, and Friendship Hill National Historic Site, the home of Albert Gallatin, Jefferson's Treasury Secretary. Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright's most celebrated residential design, sits above a waterfall in Stewart Township. Ohiopyle State Park and the Great Allegheny Passage attract cyclists and outdoor visitors annually.

    The median sale price was $155,000 as of November 2025, up 10.8% from the prior year. Homes averaged 66 days on the market before going under contract, a slowdown from the prior year's 89 days, though still a lengthier pace than most suburban Pennsylvania counties.

    The median sale price per square foot was $113. The county's median household income is approximately $56,093, and the affordable housing stock relative to income keeps the housing burden moderate for most residents.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records

    The official custodian of all land records in Fayette County is the Fayette County Recorder of Deeds, a standalone elected office separate from the Register of Wills, responsible for recording, indexing, and permanently archiving all instruments affecting real property in the county.

    The current Recorder is Jon R. Marietta Jr. The office also maintains powers of attorney, military discharge papers (DD-214s), and notary public commissions and oaths for county officials and judicial officers. The office operates its own dedicated website at fayettecorecorderpa.gov, separate from the main county government site.

    The office is located at 61 East Main Street, Uniontown, PA 15401. The Recorder of Deeds is the sole repository for recorded land documents county-wide, and its records are the definitive legal source for all property transactions within Fayette County.

    What Fayette County Property Records Include

    The Fayette County Recorder of Deeds maintains all instruments affecting real property within the county, including deeds, mortgages, easements, rights-of-way, subdivision and land development plans, and other legally recognized instruments. The office also records restrictions, road right-of-ways, and surveys. All records except Military Service Discharges are public records and available for in-office inspection.

    Pennsylvania uses a recorded land title system statewide; there is no Torrens or registered title system anywhere in the Commonwealth. Documents are time-stamped, indexed, and assigned a book and page number (or document number) upon recording. Fayette County's records span from the county's formation in 1783.

    The county's rich industrial heritage, including coal mining, coke production, glass manufacturing, and river trade, means that older title chains in this county may include mineral rights reservations, coal seam severances, and industrial easements that remain legally significant today.

    The Recorder also collects and distributes the Realty Transfer Tax (RTT) to the Commonwealth, the County, local municipalities, and school districts. The standard Pennsylvania RTT is 2% of the sale price (1% state + 1% local). In Fayette County, recording fees and RTT can be paid in a single check made payable to “Fayette County Recorder of Deeds.”

    How to Access Fayette County Property Records

    Fayette County property records can be accessed via the US Land Records online system, in person at the courthouse, by phone or email, or by mail. E-recording is listed as "coming soon" on the office's website and is not currently confirmed as available.

    Online Access (US Land Records System Free Index, Fee-Based Images)

    The county uses the US Land Records (PALR) system for online document access. The index from 1950 to the present is available as a free search. Document images from 1950 forward are available for a pay-per-access fee through the same portal.

    For older documents, a separate Online Archive Viewer is available. This archive viewer provides free access to the index images (scans of the actual index books used in the office) for the following date ranges: Deeds and Mortgages (1950–1974 index), Plan Index (1791–1988), Agreement Index (1854–1949). Note that the Archive Viewer provides index images only, not the underlying document images.

    To view actual deed or mortgage documents from 1950–1974, use the book and page number retrieved from the Archive Viewer to look them up in the US Land Records system. Assignments from 1950–1975 are also accessible through US Land Records.

    For records predating the digitized index ranges, in-person research is required. The office's staff can assist with orientation, though they note that their primary responsibility is recording and indexing, leaving limited time for hands-on research assistance. If your search involves legal questions about boundary or title, you should consult an attorney or licensed title searcher.

    In Person

    Records are available for review at the Recorder of Deeds office during regular business hours.

    • Address: 61 East Main Street, Uniontown, PA 15401, Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.; 1:00–4:30 p.m, Copies: $0.50 per page (in-office); $1.00 per page (mail requests); certified copies add $3.00.

    By Phone or Email

    Call (724) 430-1238 or email jmarietta@fayettepa.org during office hours. The office staff can help with general orientation and locate a current owner or mortgage of record, but cannot provide legal advice or conduct a formal title search.

    By Mail or Overnight

    Mail document submissions or research requests to Fayette County Recorder of Deeds, 61 East Main Street, Uniontown, PA 15401. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of recorded documents unless your office holds them for pick-up. Mail copies are $1.00 per page; certified copies add $3.00.

    E-Recording

    E-recording is not yet available at the Fayette County Recorder of Deeds as of the time of this writing. The office's website notes it is "coming soon." Confirm current status directly with the office at (724) 430-1238 before planning an e-recording workflow.

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

    The Recorder of Deeds office maintains recorded title instruments only. Related records are held by other county offices:

    Assessed values, parcel identification numbers, and property characteristics are administered by the Fayette County Tax Assessment Office at (724) 430-1350. The Assessment Office issues the Uniform Parcel Identifier (UPI) number, which must appear on all documents before recording, an important step before submitting a deed or mortgage to the Recorder. Parcel maps and property search tools are available through the county's Property Search portal.

    Zoning is administered locally in Fayette County. The Fayette County Planning and Zoning Office administers zoning for 31 of the county's 43 municipalities. For the remaining 12 municipalities that administer their own zoning, you must contact that municipality's planning office directly. For statewide millage and finance data, consult the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

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

    Fayette County uses the US Land Records (PALR) platform. Follow these steps:

    • Go to Pennsylvania land records. This is the free index search for documents from 1950 forward.

    • Search by grantor name, grantee name, document type, or date range. The index is searchable without charge. Locate the book and page number for the document you need.

    • To view the full document image, select it in the search results. Images from 1950 to the present are available for a pay-per-access fee through the same portal.

    • For deed or mortgage indexes from 1950 to 1974 and Plan or Agreement indexes going back to the 1800s, use the Archive Viewer at Archive Viewer - Fayette County, PA (free). These return index images only use the book and page number to retrieve the document image from US Land Records.

    • For documents predating the online index, visit the office in person at 61 East Main Street, Uniontown, during regular hours.

    • For certified copies, contact the office at (724) 430-1238. Copies are $0.50 page in the office, $1.00/page by mail, plus $3.00 for certification.

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

    All recorded property documents for every municipality in Fayette County are maintained by the Fayette County Recorder of Deeds, regardless of which municipality the property is in. The county contains 43 incorporated municipalities in total, comprising 2 cities, approximately 17 boroughs, and 24 townships.

    • Cities: Uniontown and Connellsville.

    • Selected Boroughs: Brownsville, Masontown, Smithfield, Fairchance, Dawson, Perryopolis, Belle Vernon, Ohiopyle, California, Fayette City, Everson, Vanderbilt, New Salem, Grindstone, South Connellsville, Coal Center, and others.

    • Townships: Bullskin, Dunbar, Fayette City area, German, Georges, Luzerne, Menallen, Nicholson, North Union, Perry, Redstone, Saltlick, South Union, Springfield, Stewart, Springhill, Tyrone, Uniontown area, Washington, Wharton, and others.

    Municipality counts per Wikipedia and county Recorder sources.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    Property taxes in Fayette County are assessed at the county level. Contact the Fayette County Tax Assessment Office at (724) 430-1350 for assessed values and the UPI parcel number required for recording. The county's Property Search portal provides tax and parcel information online. Statewide financial and millage data is available from the PA DCED.

    Zoning determinations require knowing which of Fayette County's 43 municipalities governs the subject property. Contact the Fayette County Planning and Zoning Office to confirm whether a property falls under county zoning (31 municipalities) or municipal zoning (12 municipalities). For municipal questions not answered at the county level, contact the specific borough or township directly.

    Fayette County-Specific Nuances

    • UPI/PIN required on the first page since 2014; the Assessment Office issues the number. Effective August 1, 2014, all documents must display the PIN (Tax Assessment Parcel ID Number) on the first page. The PIN must be converted to a UPI Number by the Fayette County Tax Assessment Office before the Recorder will accept the document for recording.

    Contact the Assessment Office at (724) 430-1350. The UPI fee is $20 per parcel. There is no separate check requirement for UPI; it can be included in a combined payment.

    • Recording fees and RTT can all be in one check payable to “Fayette County Recorder of Deeds”. Unlike counties such as Elk County (which requires the state RTT to be on a separate check) or other counties requiring multiple checks, Fayette County allows all fees, recording fees, state RTT (1%), and local RTT (1%) to be combined into a single check. Make all checks payable to “Fayette County Recorder of Deeds.”

    • CLR is 2.32, a high ratio reflecting older assessments. Fayette County's Common Level Ratio of 2.32 is among the highest in the state. This means assessed values are, on average, less than half of market value. The CLR is used to calculate the assessed value equivalent when preparing a Statement of Value for deeds where consideration is not stated. Download the current CLR factor at fayettecorecorderpa.gov.

    • Recording cutoff is 4: 00 p.m., though the office stays open until 4:30 p.m. The Recorder of Deeds office closes at 4:30 p.m., but the recording cutoff is 4:00 p.m. Documents submitted between 4:00 and 4:30 p.m. will not be stamped with that day's date. If same-day recording matters particularly for title insurance priority purposes, submit before 4:00 p.m.

    • Properties in multiple localities require RTT split stated in whole-number percentages. When a property straddles more than one municipality, the deed must state the percentage of value attributable to each locality in whole numbers (e.g., 60% in North Union Township / 40% in Uniontown) so that local RTT can be correctly apportioned and distributed by the Recorder.

    • Address with Zip Code required for grantee, mortgagee, and assignee. All deeds, mortgages, and assignments must include a complete address with Zip Code for the grantee, mortgagee, or assignee. Missing or incomplete addresses are a common reason for rejection.

    • Book and page (not document number) required on instruments referring to prior recordings. When a document, such as a mortgage release, assignment, or corrective deed, refers to a prior recorded document, it must cite the book and page number of that prior document, along with the mortgaged amount, municipality, county, and state. Do not cite only the document number. Using the document number alone constitutes a recorded rejection in Fayette County.

    • Notary seal optional for PA acknowledgments, but stamp must remain unaltered. The use of a notary seal is now optional for Pennsylvania acknowledgments. However, the notary stamp (if used) must be clear and legible. Writing or typing additional information directly on the stamp is a violation of Chapter 12 of the Pennsylvania Notary Law and may result in rejection.

    • E-recording is listed as “coming soon.” As of the time of publication, e-recording is not yet operational in Fayette County. The office's website states it is “coming soon.” Confirm current status with the Recorder at (724) 430-1238 before relying on e-recording for a transaction.

    • Standalone Recorder with its own domain fayettecorecorderpa.gov. The Fayette County Recorder of Deeds operates its own dedicated website with a standalone .gov domain, separate from the main county government portal at fayettecountypa.org. Check the Recorder's own site for the most current fee schedules, recording requirements, and news from the office. The main county site links back to the Recorder's separate site.

    • Veteran ID Program and Local Heroes ID Program. Fayette County's Recorder of Deeds office operates two distinctive community programs: a Veteran ID Program (providing identification cards for veterans) and a Local Heroes ID Program (for first responders).

    These are administered through the Recorder's office alongside its deed-recording mission. The office also records DD-214 military discharge papers, which are stored confidentially.

    Typical Contents of a Fayette County Property Record

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

    • Deeds:

      • Grantor and grantee names, with grantee's address and Zip Code.

      • Legal description of the property and municipality.

      • Consideration amount (or Statement of Value for exempt/unstated transactions).

      • Certificate of Residence for the grantee.

      • UPI/PIN (Tax Assessment Parcel ID) on the first page.

      • Notarial acknowledgment: county, state, date, person appearing, notary signature, and notary expiration date. Seal optional, but stamp must be unaltered.

    • Mortgages and Releases:

      • Lender/borrower names, loan terms, and property description.

      • Mortgage satisfactions and releases: must cite book and page of the original mortgage, mortgaged amount, and municipality/county/state.

    • Easements, Plans, and Other Instruments:

      • Easements and rights-of-way (including road right-of-ways).

      • Subdivision and land development plans.

      • Restrictions (deed restrictions and covenants).

      • Powers of attorney.

      • Surveys (when recorded).

    Recording Changes to Property Titles

    All new deeds, mortgages, easements, and other instruments affecting real property in Fayette County must be recorded with the Recorder of Deeds. Submissions are accepted in person or by mail; e-recording is not yet available.

    Before submitting, obtain the UPI number from the Fayette County Tax Assessment Office (724-430-1350) and ensure it appears on the first page of the document. Combine all fees (recording fee, state RTT (1%), and local RTT (1%)) into a single check payable to “Fayette County Recorder of Deeds.” If property crosses multiple municipal boundaries, state the percentage of value in each locality in whole numbers.

    The recording cutoff is 4:00 p.m., even though the office stays open until 4:30 p.m. The acknowledgment must include county, state, date, persons appearing, notary signature, and notary expiration date. Written and numerical amounts must match on all deeds and mortgages. Re-recorded documents must include an explanation of why re-recording is necessary. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of recorded documents unless your office picks up.

    Practical Research Flow (Checklist)

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

    • Search the free index online. Visit the Pennsylvania Land Record free grantor/grantee index from 1950 to the present. Note the book and page number for documents you need.

    • Access document images. From the same US Land Records portal, purchase pay-per-access images for documents from 1950 forward.

    • For older index records (pre-1950), use the Archive Viewer. Go to Archive Viewer - Fayette County, PA for free index scans of deed/mortgage indexes 1950–1974, Plan Index from 1791, and Agreement Index from 1854. Retrieve document images from US Land Records using the book and page.

    • For records predating the online index, visit in person. 61 East Main Street, Uniontown, M–F 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

    • Check property and assessment data online. Use property.co.fayette.pa.us for parcel-level tax and assessment information.

    • Verify the municipality's zoning authority. Confirm whether the property falls under county zoning (31 municipalities) or independent municipal zoning (12 municipalities). Contact the Fayette County Planning and Zoning Office if uncertain.

    • Search for mineral rights reservations if applicable. Coal seam severances and mineral rights reservations are common in Fayette County title chains due to the region's deep coal mining history. A title search should extend back through the full chain to identify any such interests.

    • Verify the CLR before preparing a Statement of Value. The current CLR is 2.32 (July 2025–June 2026). Download the current factor.

    • Submit before 4:00 p.m. for same-day recording. The recording cutoff is 4:00 p.m., not 4:30 p.m. (when the office closes).

    Appendix A: Municipalities in Fayette County

    Fayette County has 43 incorporated municipalities: 2 cities, approximately 17 boroughs, and 24 townships.†

    • Cities: Uniontown and Connellsville.

    • Boroughs: Belle Vernon, Brownsville, California, Coal Center, Dawson, Everson, Fairchance, Fayette City, Grindstone, Masontown, New Salem, Newell, North Belle Vernon, Ohiopyle, Perryopolis, South Connellsville, Smithfield, Vanderbilt, and others.

    • Townships: Bullskin, Connellsville, Dunbar, Fayette, German, Georges, Henry Clay, Luzerne, Menallen, Nicholson, North Union, Perry, Redstone, Saltlick, Smithfield, South Connellsville, South Union, Springfield, Stewart, Springhill, Tyrone, Uniontown, Washington, and Wharton.

    Municipality list per the Fayette County Recorder of Deeds and Wikipedia. Borough count may vary by source; confirm with the Recorder's municipality list.

    Appendix B: Key Contacts & Portals