Schuylkill County, PA Property Records

Schuylkill County's population peaked sometime before the Great Depression. When anthracite coal built the county from a backwater of 8,000 in 1811 to a regional industrial centre of more than 200,000 by 1900, it also built the housing stock that most residents still occupy today. The median construction year for homes in the county is 1938, and nearly half were built before 1940, mostly as attached row houses in the tight grid of mining boroughs surrounding Pottsville.

With roughly 144,000 residents, Schuylkill ranks 25th among Pennsylvania's 67 counties and has barely moved in decades. The typical home value stands at $129,419, up 3.7% over the past year but still roughly 55% below the statewide average of $286,351. Listings go to pending in around 10 days, a brisk pace relative to price point.

According to Federal Reserve Economic Data, an estimated 29–32% of households are cost-burdened, spending 30% or more of their income on housing. With a median household income of approximately $66,900, affordability is constrained less by elevated prices than by wages that have never fully recovered from the industry that originally justified them.

Property records are maintained at the county level by the Recorder of Deeds, with assessments and tax data handled through separate county offices.

Who Keeps the Official Land Records

The official custodian of all land records in Schuylkill County is the Schuylkill County Recorder of Deeds, a standalone elected office (4th-class county). The elected official is Ann Dudish. The office is located at the Schuylkill County Courthouse, 401 North Second Street, Pottsville, PA 17901.

Online deed records are accessible through Landex (Remote and Webstore) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. E-recording is available through Simplifile. A UPI certification stamp from the Tax Assessment Office (basement level; $20 instrument) is required on all deeds, mortgages, and most other real estate instruments BEFORE recording.

What Schuylkill County Property Records Include

The Recorder of Deeds maintains all instruments affecting real property within the county. Recorded document types include deeds (warranty, quitclaim, corrective, and others), mortgages, satisfaction pieces, mortgage releases, mortgage assignments, easements and rights of way, assignment of rents, subdivision maps, mining permits and consents, land leases, powers of attorney, notary commissions, and other instruments affecting real estate.

Pennsylvania uses a recorded land title system statewide. Documents are indexed by grantor/grantee name and book and page reference. Schuylkill County's fee structure charges $4.00 per additional page over four and $1.00 per additional name over four, higher rates than the $2.00 and $0.50 standard in most PA counties.

A UPI certification stamp from the Tax Assessment Office ($20 instrument, paid separately to the Schuylkill County Treasurer's Office) is required before recording on all deeds, mortgages, assignment of rents, subdivision maps, easements, rights of way, mining permits, consents, and land leases.

Schuylkill County's recording index contains a significant volume of mining-related instruments that are uncommon in most Pennsylvania counties: mining permits, mine subsidence instruments, coal company deed chains, mineral rights severances, company-owned surface rights instruments, and mining lease renewals.

Researchers conducting title work on Schuylkill County properties should always check for coal company conveyances and mineral rights instruments in the chain. Subsurface anthracite coal rights were frequently severed from surface rights during the late 19th and early 20th centuries and may still be held by successors to former coal companies.

How to Access Schuylkill County Property Records

Records can be accessed online via Landex, in person at the courthouse, by phone, by mail, or via e-recording.

Online Access

Schuylkill County uses Landex for online deed access. Two options: Landex Webstore, no subscription required, and Landex Remote subscription-based for frequent users. Records are available 24/7. For older deed books, the county archives (Colleen Ryan, Director; 570-628-1145; same courthouse building) holds original deed and mortgage books; archive copies are $0.25 per page.

In Person

Address: Schuylkill County Courthouse, 401 North Second Street, Pottsville, PA 17901, Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Copies: $8.50 per copy; certified copies: $10.00.

Note: For in-person recording submissions, the document must receive the UPI certification stamp from the Tax Assessment Office (basement level) or Mapping Office (sub-basement) BEFORE being presented to the Recorder's office on the main floor.

By Phone

Call (570) 628-1480 or (570) 628-1481 during regular office hours.

By Mail

Mail documents and payment to Schuylkill County Recorder of Deeds, 401 North Second Street, Pottsville, PA 17901. Include a SASE for the return of all documents. No personal checks or personal business checks; use law firm checks, certified bank checks, money orders, or cash. Any document rejected will incur a $3 rejection or return fee.

E-Recording

E-recording is available through Simplifile (simplifile.com; (800) 460-5657). Contact the office at (570) 628-1480 to confirm any additional vendor options.

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

The Register of Wills is a separate elected office at the Schuylkill County Courthouse, handling probate, estate records, and inheritance tax. The Prothonotary (570-628-1330) maintains civil court records, liens, and judgments. The Tax Claim Bureau (570-628-1349) handles delinquent tax proceedings.

The Tax Assessment Office (570-628-1025; basement level, same courthouse building) is a critical pre-recording step: its UPI certification stamp is required on deeds, mortgages, and other instruments before the Recorder will accept them. Straight property transfers go to the Assessment Office for certification.

Property splits, subdivisions, easements, street takings, and Eagle Rock deeds are submitted to the Mapping Office (sub-basement; 570-628-1025) for certification, not to the Assessment Office.

The county archives (Colleen Ryan, Director; 570-628-1145; 401 N. 2nd St.) holds original deed and mortgage books in great demand by lawyers and title searchers, along with genealogical records, naturalization records, birth/death records, and records of wills and estates. Archive copy fees are $0.25 per page.

The Schuylkill County Historical Society (North Centre Street, Pottsville) holds additional historical materials, exhibits on the coal industry, Molly Maguires, and local history.

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

Schuylkill County uses Landex for online deed access:

Go to the Landex Webstore. Select Pennsylvania, then Schuylkill County. Records available 24/7.
Search by grantor or grantee name, book and page, or date range.
Note all book and page references for deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, easements, and especially coal company instruments and mineral rights conveyances in the chain.
For older deed books not in Landex, contact the county archives at (570) 628-1145.
For parcel data and UPI numbers, contact the Tax Assessment Office at (570) 628-1025.
For certified copies, contact the Recorder's office at (570) 628-1480. Certified copies: $10.00.

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

All recorded property documents for every municipality in Schuylkill County are maintained by the single Schuylkill County Recorder of Deeds in Pottsville.

City or County Seat: Pottsville.
Key Boroughs: Tamaqua, Mahanoy City, Frackville, Minersville, Schuylkill Haven, Shenandoah, Ashland, Girardville, McAdoo, Orwigsburg, Cressona, Port Carbon, New Philadelphia, Landingville, and many others.
Selected Townships: Barry, Branch, Butler, Cass, East Brunswick, East Norwegian, Foster, Frailey, Hegins, Hubley, Kline, Landingville, Mahantongo, Mahanoy, Manheim, North Manheim, Norwegian, Pine Grove, Porter, Ryan, Schuylkill, Tremont, Union, Walker, Washington, Wayne, West Brunswick, West Mahanoy, West Penn, and others.

Full list at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schuylkill_County,_Pennsylvania.

City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

Property assessments are administered at the county level by the Schuylkill County Tax Assessment Office (basement level, 401 N. 2nd St.; 570-628-1025; Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.). This is also the office that handles UPI certification stamps for straight property transfers before recording. The Tax Claim Bureau (570-628-1349) handles delinquent tax proceedings.

Zoning is administered at the municipal level; there is no county-wide zoning ordinance. The county Planning and Zoning Commission maintains zoning maps and resources.

Schuylkill County-Specific Nuances

UPI certification stamp required BEFORE recording $20/instrument; separate payment to Treasurer's Office. The UPI certification stamp is required on all deeds, mortgages, assignments of rents, subdivision maps, easements, rights of way, mining permits and consents, and land leases. The stamp is obtained from the Tax Assessment Office (basement level, same courthouse) or the Mapping Office (sub-basement), depending on document type.

The fee is $20 per instrument, paid separately by a check payable to the ‘Schuylkill County Treasurer's Office', not payable to the Recorder of Deeds. This certification must be completed BEFORE presenting the document to the Recorder, and documents will be returned if the correct fee is not included. This two-stop process, Assessment Mapping Office first, then Recorder, is essential to understand before submitting in person.

Straight transfers go to the Assessment Office, and Eagle Rock deeds go to the Mapping Office. The type of conveyance determines which county office certifies the document. Straight transfers (standard deed conveying property as-is), Assessment Office (basement level).

Property splits, subdivisions, easements, street takings, and Eagle Rock deeds Mapping Office (Sub-basement level). Eagle Rock is a specific community in Schuylkill County with its own certification routing requirement. Submitting the wrong type of deed to the wrong office will delay recording.

Pottsville City deeds require a city registration form. Deeds for property located within the City of Pottsville require an additional city registration form to be included with the recording submission. This is a requirement of Pottsville City, not the Recorder's office per se, but the Recorder requires its inclusion before accepting the deed. Contact the Recorder's office at (570) 628-1480 to confirm the current registration form and any associated fee.
No personal checks since 2016, strict payment rules. Schuylkill County does not accept personal checks or personal business checks. Acceptable payment forms include certified bank checks, money orders, and cash. All checks are payable to ‘Schuylkill County Recorder of Deeds' (separate from the $20 UPI certification check payable to the Treasurer's Office).
$3 rejection return fee for mailed documents. Any document submitted by mail, UPS, or FedEx that is rejected for any reason will incur a $3 rejection/return fee. Include a SASE for the return of all documents and any mail requests. Calculate fees carefully to avoid unnecessary rejections.
$4.00 per additional page; $1.00 per additional name. Schuylkill County's overage rates are higher than the standard PA rates: $4.00 per additional page over four (vs. $2.00 at most PA counties) and $1.00 per additional name over four (vs. $0.50 at most PA counties). These rates apply to deeds and mortgages. For longer instruments with many parties, overage fees can significantly increase the total recording cost.
$8.50 for copies; $10.00 for certified copies. Schuylkill County's copy fees are among the highest: $8.50 for a standard copy and $10.00 for a certified copy. This compares to $0.50/page at many Landex counties. Plan accordingly when budgeting for bulk certified copies.
Coal mining instruments in title chains. Schuylkill County's anthracite coal heritage means title chains routinely include coal company deed chains, mineral rights severances, mining permits, mine subsidence instruments, and surface rights instruments from major coal operators (Reading Anthracite, Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company, Lehigh Coal and Navigation, and their corporate successors).

These documents may predate the computerized Landex index and require in-office research or consultation with the County Archives. A complete Schuylkill County title chain for a former mining-area property requires verifying whether surface and subsurface rights were ever severed.

Typical Contents of a Schuylkill County Property Record

When reviewing recorded instruments at the Schuylkill County Recorder of Deeds, you will typically find:

Deeds:
- Grantor and grantee names.
- Complete legal description, including municipality and county.
- Consideration amount or statement of value/exemption clause.
- Certificate of Residence for the grantee.
- UPI certification stamp (from Assessment or Mapping Office).
- For Pottsville City: city registration form.
- For multi-municipality deeds: percentage of local transfer tax per municipality.
- Notarial acknowledgment (county, state, date, names, notary signature, seal, expiration date).
Mortgages and Related:
- Lender/borrower names, property description, and loan terms.
- UPI certification stamp required.
- Satisfaction piece ($60.75); assignment ($60.75); release ($60.75).
Other Common Instruments:
- Easements and rights of way ($58.75; UPI certification required).
- Mining permits and consents (UPI certification required).
- Land leases (UPI certification required).
- Subdivision maps (Mapping Office certification required).
- Assignment of rents (UPI certification required).
- Coal company deed chains and mineral rights instruments.
- Powers of attorney.
- Notary bonds and commissions.
- Military service discharges (DD-214).

Recording Changes to Property Titles

All new deeds, mortgages, easements, and other instruments affecting real property in Schuylkill County must be recorded with the Recorder of Deeds. Submissions may be made in person (Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; UPI certification first), by mail, or via e-recording (Simplifile).

Step 1 (in person): Obtain the UPI certification stamp from the Tax Assessment Office (Basement) for straight transfers, or the Mapping Office (Sub-basement) for splits, subdivisions, easements, street takings, and Eagle Rock deeds. Fee: $20/instrument, payable by check to ‘Schuylkill County Treasurer's Office.'

Step 2: Present the certified document to the Recorder of Deeds with recording fees (business/law firm check or cash; no personal checks). Include SASE. For Pottsville City deeds, include the city registration form.

Base deed mortgage fee: $86.75 (4 pages, 4 names, 1 parcel). Additional pages: $4.00 each. Additional names: $1.00 each. Easement: $58.75. Satisfaction Piece: $60.75. Assignment of Mortgage: $60.75. Release of Mortgage: $60.75. Copies: $8.50; certified copies: $10.00. Returned document fee (mail/UPS/FedEx): $3.00.

Practical Research Flow (Checklist)

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

Search online via Landex (24/7). Webstore: landex.com/webstore. Remote subscription: landex.com/remote.
Check for coal company and mineral rights instruments. For any parcel in the anthracite coal region, search for coal company deed chains, mineral rights severances, and mining permits in addition to standard deed/mortgage instruments.
For older records, contact the County Archives. Call (570) 628-1145 for deed and mortgage books and genealogical records. Copies $0.25/page.
Note all book and page references. Collect deed, mortgage, satisfaction, easement, and mining instrument book/page references.
Verify parcel data and UPI. Contact the Tax Assessment Office at (570) 628-1025.
Verify zoning. Contact the specific municipality. No county zoning.
Check delinquent taxes. Contact the Tax Claim Bureau at (570) 628-1349.
Prepare recording documents. For in-person: obtain a UPI certification stamp at the Assessment Office (straight transfers) or Mapping Office, $20 instrument payable to Schuylkill County Treasurer's Office; secondly, pay the recording fees. No personal checks; $3 rejection fee for mail; UPS/FedEx rejects; SASE required; $4.00 additional page; $1.00 additional name; Pottsville City deeds include city registration form; e-record via Simplifile.

Appendix A: Municipalities in Schuylkill County

Schuylkill County has 68 incorporated municipalities: 1 city, 31 boroughs, and 36 townships.

City or County Seat: Pottsville.
Key Boroughs: Tamaqua, Mahanoy City, Frackville, Minersville, Schuylkill Haven, Shenandoah, Ashland, Girardville, McAdoo, Orwigsburg, Cressona, Port Carbon, New Philadelphia, Landingville, and many others.
Selected Townships: Barry, Branch, Butler, Cass, East Brunswick, East Norwegian, Foster, Frailey, Hegins, Hubley, Kline, Landingville, Mahantongo, Mahanoy, Manheim, North Manheim, Norwegian, Pine Grove, Porter, Ryan, Schuylkill, Tremont, Union, Walker, Washington, Wayne, West Brunswick, West Mahanoy, West Penn, and others.