Philadelphia County, PA Property Records

    Philadelphia County, PA Property Records

    Philadelphia County is the most populous county in Pennsylvania, and it ranks 24th among counties in the United States, with an estimated population of approximately 1.6 million residents. The typical home value in the county stands around $228,589, with values up 2.8% over the previous year. This median is below the statewide average of $278,018.

    Property listings in Philadelphia County stay on the market for around 24 days. This relatively short pending period suggests active buyer engagement and a competitive market, where properties are claimed quickly once listed. According to Federal Reserve Economic Data, about 34.5% of households in Philadelphia County spend 30% or more of their income on housing costs. This indicates that a significant share of residents face housing affordability pressures, even as the market remains active and accessible for many buyers.

    Detailed property assessments and parcel inventories in Philadelphia County are maintained by the Philadelphia Office of Property Assessment (OPA), the municipal authority responsible for property data. You should consult the OPA's online tools for parcel dimensions, assessed values, and related attributes when you are conducting in-depth property investigations.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records?

    The Philadelphia County land records are kept and maintained by the Philadelphia Department of Records. These records contain official information about real estate parcels within the county. Records maintained by the Department of Records include deeds, mortgages, easements, releases, satisfactions, plats, and other related documents.

    Philadelphia County provides an online service where you can search property records by name (grantee or grantor) or by property address. You can also obtain copies of property records in person by visiting the Philadelphia Department of Records, located at:

    • City of Philadelphia Department of Records: City Hall, Room 156, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Records Public Access Web

    • Phone: (215) 686-2262

    • Coverage: The City of Philadelphia County Department of serves all the municipalities within the county boundaries.

    What Philadelphia County Property Records Include

    The Philadelphia Department of Records is responsible for providing public access to the county land records. The county property records typically include deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other documents that detail legal descriptions, financial obligations, and ownership transfers. The Philadelphia Department of Records provides official documentation of property ownership history, assessed values, and related real estate transactions. Pennsylvania operates a single, unified recording system for all its counties, including Philadelphia County.

    You can access the Philadelphia County property records from 1974 to the present online through the Records Public Access portal. Documents recorded before 1974 can be obtained on-site by visiting the Philadelphia Department of Records. To obtain these records, you will need to provide details about the property, such as the owner's name, property address, date range, and parcel ID. Additionally, you can search historical land records from 1683 to 1973 online through the Historic Land and Vital Records Search.

    How to Access Philadelphia County Property Records

    Philadelphia County provides several methods for accessing property records, depending on the record type. You can access property records through an online portal, mail-in submission, or in-person visit.

    Online Access

    The Philadelphia Department of Records allows you to search property records electronically through its Records Public Access Web portal. You can view the county's property information for free, while printing documents or accessing indexed information requires a paid subscription. You can check the subscription plan listed on the Department of Records webpage.

    In Person

    You can obtain copies of the Philadelphia County property records in person by visiting the Philadelphia Department of Records, located at:

    • City of Philadelphia Department of Records: City Hall, Room 156, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Phone: (215) 686-2262

    To obtain copies of these records, you will need to pay applicable fees. You can check the fee schedule listed on the Department of Records webpage. The office is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

    By Phone or Email

    You can also make inquiries about the Philadelphia County property records by phone or email through the Philadelphia Department of Records. Below is the Department of Records contact information:

    By Mail/Overnight

    You can mail a property record request to the Philadelphia Department of Records. To do so, include a self-addressed stamped envelope and the appropriate recording fee. You can pay by cash, money order, and debit or credit card. Submit your request to the following address:

    • Philadelphia Department of Records: City Hall, Room 154, 1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    Philadelphia County allows authorized professionals and businesses to submit deeds, mortgages, plats, and other real estate documents electronically through approved third-party vendors listed on the Philadelphia Department of Records webpage.

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

    Philadelphia County property records are managed by the Philadelphia Department of Records. These records are official documents that contain detailed information about the county's property, including mortgages, deeds, liens, plats, and other related documents. However, some property-related documents are kept by other offices, including the following:

    • Office of the Property Assessment: This office is responsible for determining the market value of all real property in the county for tax purposes. It offers an online Property Search, where you can search by address or the property assessment account number. You can also find information about the county's assessed value, square footage, building descriptions, and sales history on the portal.

    • Philadelphia Department of Revenue: This office maintains tax-related property records used for billing, enforcement, and assessments. You can look up your Real Estate Tax Balance online through the Philadelphia Department of Revenue webpage.

    • Pennsylvania's Department of Revenue: You can access statewide tax data through the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.

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

    You can pull up a deed in Philadelphia County using the following steps:

    • Check the Philadelphia Department of Records online portal, which allows you to access recorded deeds, mortgages, and other land documents.

    • Some searches on this portal require you to create an account and pay a certain fee. However, you can view document information and watermarked copies for free.

    • You can search deeds and other property records from 1974 to the present by property address, owner's name, or document type to locate the deed you want.

    • Click the deed that matches your search criteria and pay attention to the document type and parties involved.

    • You will need to confirm key information such as prior references, grantor or grantee names, and the legal description.

    • Print your documents or access indexed information by using a paid subscription.

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

    The Philadelphia Department of Records serves as the official record custodian for all property documents in the county, including the only consolidated City of Philadelphia.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    Property assessment and tax information in Philadelphia County is managed at the municipal level. The Philadelphia Office of Property Assessments serves as the central reference point for assessment data, maintaining parcel records and providing public access to assessed values, property classifications, and abatement information through its online property search tools.

    You can access tax billing and payment records through the Philadelphia Department of Revenue, which functions as the primary source. The department has an online system that allows you to review real estate tax bills, confirm payment histories, and identify outstanding balances or liens. For broader tax rate and statewide finance data, you can consult the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, which publishes reports and resources that may help explain how local property taxes fit within statewide fiscal structures.

    Philadelphia County-Specific Nuances

    Several distinctive features may influence property research in Philadelphia County:

    • Philadelphia County has a single Department of Records office that handles deeds, mortgages, and other land records.

    • The county's Department of Records maintains decades of land documents, including historical indices, pre-digital deed books, and subdivision plats, with older documents sometimes requiring in-person review.

    • In Philadelphia County, the Department of Records offers an online portal where you can search, view, and download scanned deeds, mortgages, and other property documents. However, basic viewing is generally free, while certified copies or official downloads incur fees.

    • The Office of Property Assessment handles detailed parcel and assessment data, while the Philadelphia Department of Revenue handles property taxation.

    Typical Contents of a Philadelphia County Property Record

    In Philadelphia County, a property record may contain the following information:

    • Deeds (ownership transfers):

      • Grantor and grantee names

      • The mailing address

      • The stated consideration

      • References to prior deed document numbers that establish chains of title

      • Recording date

      • Acknowledgments

      • Preparer information when provided

    • Mortgages and Discharges (property financing):

      • The lender's name and borrower's name

      • Principal loan amount

      • Recording date

      • Assignments

      • Modifications

      • Release or satisfaction that confirms when obligations have been paid or transferred

    • Plans and Plats (mapping and subdivision references):

      • Parcel splits

      • Subdivision plans

      • Block references

      • Lot consolidations

      • Lot or block designations

      • Control numbers

    • Encumbrances (legal claims and restrictions):

      • Easements

      • Restrictive covenants

      • Lis pendens filings

      • Tax liens

      • Mechanics' liens

      • Rights-of-way

    Recording Changes to Property Titles

    In Philadelphia County, you can record a change to property title, including mortgages, assignments, deeds, and other title-affecting instruments. All changes should be recorded with the Philadelphia County Department of Records. The Office ensures that each conveyance, release, lien, or other document becomes part of the county's public land record and provides public notice of ownership and property interests.

    Philadelphia County follows Pennsylvania's standard recorded land system, under which documents are entered into the public record in the order they are received.

    Documents must comply with the Department's formatting and certification standards. The Department of Records offers guidance on document requirements, fees, office hours, and approved electronic recording options. This office accepts filings in person, by mail, and through authorized e-recording vendors used by attorneys, title companies, and lenders.

    Practical Research Flow (Checklist)

    In Philadelphia County, you can use this checklist as a practical roadmap when researching a property:

    Start with the correct office - You can begin your search with the Philadelphia County Department of Records. This office maintains records such as deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, and other instruments that document land ownership and title activity within the county.

    Search and capture key reference numbers - You may use the Department of Records online land records system to look up the property by owner name or property address. It is necessary to note all important details such as instrument number, recording date, and grantor or grantee names.

    Trace the chain of title - Click on the recent deed and review its prior document references. Follow those references backward through earlier deeds to confirm each transfer of ownership and identify any inconsistencies or unusual conveyances.

    Review related plans and encumbrances - You may check for recorded plans, easements, or lis pendens filings indexed to the property. These records help you clarify shared rights, boundary changes, or legal claims affecting the use of the land.

    Verify parcel details through the assessor - You can confirm parcel characteristics and ownership listings through the Philadelphia Office of Property Assessment, which maintains the county's assessment and parcel data.

    Confirm tax status - You can search real estate tax details through the Philadelphia Department of Revenue to identify current balances or tax liens that may affect title.

    Record and organize your findings - You may need to maintain a clear log of each document reviewed, including parties involved, instrument number, and notes on encumbrances or title issues.

    Appendix A - Municipalities in Philadelphia County

    Municipalities in Philadelphia County are limited to the City of Philadelphia. However, there are no separate towns, boroughs, or townships existing within the county. Instead, Philadelphia operates as a single, consolidated municipality, with all neighborhoods falling under the City of Philadelphia and using the same countywide land records system. (Wikipedia).

    Appendix B - Key Contacts & Portals

    Philadelphia Office of Property Assessment