Dauphin County PA Recorder: Deeds, Official Records, UPI Search, Fees & Property Alerts
The Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds records and preserves real-property documents for Harrisburg, Hershey, Middletown, Steelton, Hummelstown, Lower Paxton, Swatara Township, Susquehanna Township and the rest of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
This guide explains how to search deeds and mortgages online, how to use the Alpha Index, when a UPI parcel number matters, how deed fees and Pennsylvania Realty Transfer Tax work, how to request copies, and which office to contact when you need assessment, tax-claim or title help.
What Does the Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds Do?
The Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds records and maintains real-estate documents such as deeds, mortgages, mortgage satisfactions, assignments, easements, powers of attorney, notary commissions, UCC filings and other instruments that affect land records in Dauphin County.
Search Deeds and Mortgages
The online Acclaim record-search system supports Simple Search, Name, Instrument Number, Document Type, Book/Page, Record Date, Consideration, UPI Number, Municipality/Comments and Alpha Index.
Best for: deed chains, mortgage history, releases, easements and document lookups.
Record New Documents
Prepared documents can be submitted for recording with the correct fee, UPI certification where required, transfer-tax treatment and recording requirements. eRecording is available through county-listed vendors.
Best for: deeds, mortgages, releases, assignments and related real-property instruments.
Monitor Recorded Activity
Dauphin County’s Record Notification Service can send an email alert when a document is recorded against an enrolled property, name or parcel number.
Best for: early awareness of recorded documents, not title protection by itself.
How to Search Dauphin County Deeds and Recorded Documents Online
Dauphin County’s current record-search system is the Recorder of Deeds Acclaim search portal. It is useful when you need to find a deed, trace ownership, locate a mortgage satisfaction, check an old book/page citation or search by UPI parcel number.
Open the Acclaim Record Search System
Start from the county Recorder page and accept the public-search disclaimer. Dauphin County says the official records are located in the Recorder of Deeds Office, so use the online search as a helpful access tool and verify important legal matters with official copies or title review.
Use Name Search Correctly
The Name Search help tells users to enter a name in last-name-first format, such as “Sparks,Shelton.” The name must be at least three characters long. Search business names, trusts, prior owner names and spelling variations when a first attempt fails.
Search by UPI Number When You Have the Parcel ID
Dauphin County’s UPI search help shows the parcel format as 62-123-456-000-0000. Use the UPI number when address or owner-name searching is uncertain, especially for rural parcels, trusts, estates or older ownership records.
Use Book/Page or Instrument Number for Exact Citations
If an old deed, title commitment, mortgage satisfaction or tax-claim file already lists a book/page or instrument number, use that exact search route. This is often faster than searching by name when the parties used initials, trusts or business entities.
Try the Alpha Index for Older Deed and Mortgage Index Research
Dauphin County says all deeds, indices of deeds and the mortgage index are online and can be accessed under the Alpha Index portion of the website. This is especially useful for older chain-of-title research.
Save the Details Before Ordering Copies
Save the party names, document type, record date, book/page, instrument number and UPI number. These details help the Recorder’s Office, title company or attorney locate the exact record and reduce copy-search delays.
What Dauphin County Recorder Search Results Mean
Recorder search fields can be confused with tax-assessment fields. Use this decoder before you assume a deed changed ownership, a mortgage was paid off, or a parcel boundary has been established.
| Field / Record Item | What It Helps You Understand | Common Mistake | Best Follow-Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instrument Number | A unique reference for a recorded document in the Recorder’s system. | Confusing it with the UPI parcel number. | Use it to request a copy or verify recording. |
| Book/Page | Older citation format for locating deeds, mortgages or other recorded documents. | Searching the wrong book type or relying on incomplete citation text. | Use Book/Page search when an old deed or title file provides the citation. |
| UPI Number | Uniform Parcel Identifier connected to the property for mapping, assessment and recording purposes. | Assuming the UPI is the same as an instrument number. | Confirm the UPI through Dauphin Property Information or Tax Assessment. |
| Document Type | Shows whether the record is a deed, mortgage, satisfaction, easement, assignment, power of attorney or other document. | Treating a mortgage or lien as proof of ownership transfer. | Open the document details and read the document type carefully. |
| Grantor / Grantee | Shows the parties named in a transfer or recorded instrument. | Assuming every grantor/grantee result is a sale deed. | Check consideration, document type and Statement of Value where applicable. |
| Legal Description | Describes the land in the recorded document. | Using it as a survey or boundary marker by itself. | Contact a surveyor for physical boundary lines and markers. |
How to Record a Deed or Real-Property Document in Dauphin County
The Recorder records documents; it does not create your deed, decide whether your transfer is legally correct, or mark property lines. Before recording, confirm the deed is prepared correctly, the UPI is certified where required, and the proper Pennsylvania transfer-tax form or explanation is included.
Before You Submit
- Confirm the property is in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
- Confirm the deed or document has the correct legal description.
- Add the UPI parcel number on the front page when required.
- Allow space for UPI certification where the county requires it.
- Prepare the Statement of Value-RTT if the transfer-tax situation requires it.
- Calculate recording fees, UPI fees and realty transfer tax before mailing or eRecording.
- Make checks payable to Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds.
Common Rejection or Delay Issues
- Missing or wrong UPI number on a real-estate document.
- Failure to complete UPI certification before recording when required.
- Wrong realty transfer tax amount or missing Statement of Value.
- Missing legal description, signature or acknowledgment.
- Trying to use the Recorder’s Office for legal advice or deed drafting.
- Mailing documents without enough return information or payment.
UPI Certification, Statement of Value and Pennsylvania Realty Transfer Tax
Dauphin County recording is not just a “bring a deed and pay a small fee” process. For many real-estate instruments, the UPI parcel number, Tax Assessment certification and Pennsylvania realty transfer tax treatment must be handled correctly.
| Requirement | What It Means | Who Handles It | Practical Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPI Number | Uniform Parcel Identifier used to connect the document to the correct Dauphin County parcel. | Tax Assessment / Tax Mapping for certification; Recorder for recording. | Find it through Dauphin Property Information before preparing the deed. |
| UPI Certification | County certification process for documents that require a parcel number. | Dauphin County Office of Tax Assessment, UPI Certification. | Plan for the $20 per parcel UPI fee when required. |
| Statement of Value-RTT | Pennsylvania Realty Transfer Tax disclosure form used for certain exempt, nominal-consideration or value-based transfers. | Prepared by parties/professionals; filed with Recorder where required. | Do not guess. Use the official PA form and consult a professional when tax treatment is unclear. |
| Realty Transfer Tax | Pennsylvania state tax is 1%; Dauphin County FAQ explains the common total as 2% split among state, municipality and school district. | Collected by the Recorder of Deeds at recording and remitted to the proper taxing authorities. | Some transfers may be exempt, but the exemption must be documented correctly. |
| Nominal Consideration | A deed for $1 or another nominal amount may still need careful transfer-tax analysis. | Recorder collects; Pennsylvania Department of Revenue controls state RTT rules. | Dauphin’s calculator page notes nominal consideration between tax-exempt parties may have $0 transfer tax, but verify before filing. |
Dauphin County Recorder Fees for Deeds, Mortgages, Copies and UPI
Dauphin County publishes a fee schedule and fee calculators for deeds and mortgages. Because Act 45 of 2025 changes the JCP fee effective December 1, 2025, use the official fee calculator or fee schedule before submitting any document.
| Fee Item | Common County-Listed Amount | When It Applies | Planning Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deed recording | Common listed example: $87.75 | Standard deed recording, subject to current fee schedule, page/name limits and taxes. | Use the official calculator because deed packages often include transfer tax and UPI. |
| Mortgage recording | Common listed example: $87.75 | Mortgage recording, subject to pages, names and current fee schedule. | Mortgage packages may have different tax/fee treatment than deeds. |
| Satisfaction / release of mortgage | Common listed example: $59.75 | Release or satisfaction documents after a mortgage is paid. | Borrowers usually receive the deed after purchase; payoff usually triggers satisfaction recording, not a new deed. |
| Documents over 4 pages | $2.00 per page over 4 | Longer documents where the county schedule adds per-page charges. | Count every page before mailing payment. |
| Documents over 9 names | $0.50 per name over 9 | Documents with many indexed parties. | Trusts, multiple heirs and entity documents may increase indexing cost. |
| UPI certification | $20.00 per UPI | Real-estate documents requiring parcel-number certification. | No cap is listed in the UPI FAQ; multiple UPI numbers can mean multiple fees. |
| Photocopies / certified copies | Common listed copy examples: $0.50 per page; certification $2.00 plus copy | Plain or certified copies from the Recorder’s Office. | Use certified only when the receiving office requires it. |
Dauphin County Recording Fee and Transfer Tax Estimator
Use this tool for rough planning only. It is not an official bill, receipt, tax opinion or confirmation that your document will be accepted. Always verify final fees through Dauphin County’s official fee calculator.
Formula used: selected planning base + $2 per page over 4 + $0.50 per name over 9 + $20 per UPI + $0.50 per copy page + estimated 2% Pennsylvania/Dauphin realty transfer tax where taxable. Actual fees depend on current county schedule, document type, exemptions and tax rules.
Copies, Electronic Recording and Veteran ID Discount Cards
The Recorder’s Office offers more than deed recording. It also supports copy access, electronic recording for participating submitters and a county Veteran ID Discount Card program.
Copies of Deeds or Mortgages
Dauphin County’s FAQ says you can visit the website and print a document or visit the Recorder’s Office in person at the courthouse. For certified copies, confirm the current copy and certification fee before ordering.
Electronic Recording
Dauphin County says documents normally sent by mail or courier can be sent through eRecording, with confirmation of recording in minutes. The county lists Simplifile and CSC as eRecording service companies.
Veteran ID Discount Card
Veterans can visit the Recorder’s Office with a DD-214 and official ID, such as a driver’s license. The office records discharge papers, takes a photo and provides a discount card for participating local businesses.
Dauphin County Record Notification Service: What It Does and What It Does Not Do
The Record Notification Service, or RNS, is a useful alert tool for property owners, heirs, investors and local residents who want notice when a document is recorded against a specific name, parcel number or property.
What RNS Can Help With
- Email alert when a matching document is recorded.
- Monitoring by name, property or parcel number.
- Early awareness of unexpected deed, mortgage or lien activity.
- A simple way to check activity after buying, inheriting or refinancing property.
What RNS Cannot Do
- It does not prevent a document from being recorded.
- It does not decide whether a deed is fraudulent.
- It does not provide a legal title opinion.
- It does not replace homeowner vigilance, title insurance or legal help.
Recorder vs Tax Assessment vs Treasurer vs Tax Claim Bureau
Dauphin County property questions often involve more than one office. Use this table to avoid sending the right question to the wrong department.
| Your Task | Correct Office | Why | Fast Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Find or record a deed, mortgage, satisfaction, easement or assignment. | Recorder of Deeds | The Recorder maintains official real-property document records. | Use Acclaim search, Alpha Index, copy request or eRecording resources. |
| Find parcel number, owner mailing address, assessed values or UPI information. | Office of Tax Assessment | Tax Assessment maintains assessment and parcel data and supports UPI certification. | Use Dauphin Property Information or call 717-780-6101 for assessment/UPI questions. |
| Pay county real estate taxes or ask about a tax bill. | Treasurer / local tax collector | The Recorder does not collect annual property taxes. | Use the tax bill, property tax inquiry tools or local tax collector directory. |
| Research delinquent taxes, repository bids or tax claim sales. | Tax Claim Bureau | Tax Claim handles delinquent real-estate tax enforcement and repository-sale processes. | Recorder fees may appear in tax-claim sale closing costs, but the Tax Claim Bureau controls that process. |
| Prepare, change, add or remove a name on a deed. | Attorney or title company, then Recorder | Dauphin County FAQ says a new deed must be prepared and recorded; the Recorder does not prepare it for you. | Get legal drafting help before recording. |
| Determine property boundary lines. | Licensed surveyor | A deed may contain a legal description, but a surveyor may be needed to locate boundaries and markers. | Do not rely on the recorded deed alone to place physical boundary markers. |
Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds Office Address, Phone, Email and Directions
The Recorder of Deeds is located in the Dauphin County Courthouse in downtown Harrisburg. Bring the document, UPI number, payment, party names, book/page or instrument number depending on your task.
Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds
Recorder: James M. Zugay, Esq.
Address:
Dauphin County Courthouse, Room 102
101 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: 717-780-6560
Email: jzugay@dauphincounty.gov
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Open Recorder Map ↗Official Dauphin County Recorder Links and What to Do After Opening Them
Use these official resources before paying a third-party deed-copy site or mailing a deed package. Each link below includes the exact next steps to follow.
Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds Home
Official county page for the Recorder’s address, phone, email, public search, eRecording, Veteran ID, FAQ, fee calculator and fee schedule.
- Confirm the courthouse room, phone, email and hours.
- Use the Featured Actions section for Public Search, Electronic Recording, FAQ, Fee Calculator or Fee Schedule.
- Read the JCP fee update before calculating recording costs.
- Click the acceptance-of-conditions link at the bottom of the page to begin searching records.
Dauphin County Acclaim Public Search
Official online record-search system for deeds, mortgages, miscellaneous documents, UPI number search and Alpha Index.
- Open the Acclaim search home page.
- Choose Simple Search, Name, Instrument#, Doc Type, Book/Page, Record Date, Consideration, UPI Number, Municipality/Comments or Alpha Index.
- For name search, enter last name first and use at least three characters.
- For UPI search, use the county format such as 62-123-456-000-0000.
- Save the instrument number, book/page, document type and recorded date before ordering copies.
Fee Calculators for Deeds and Mortgages
Official county calculators for estimating recording fees and transfer taxes before submitting a deed or mortgage.
- Choose the calculator that matches your document type.
- Enter pages, names, consideration/value and other required details.
- Review whether transfer tax applies or whether the transfer is exempt.
- Make checks payable to Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds if submitting by mail or in person.
Forms and UPI Information
Official county page for fee schedule, Statement of Value-RTT, RTT refund, common level ratios, UPI questions and certification process.
- Download the current fee schedule before submitting payment.
- Open Statement of Value-RTT if your deed requires transfer-tax disclosure.
- Read UPI Notice and UPI Certification Process before recording real-estate documents.
- Contact the Office of Tax Assessment for UPI certification questions.
Electronic Recording
Official Dauphin County page explaining eRecording and listing Simplifile and CSC as service companies.
- Read the county’s explanation of electronic recording.
- Review Simplifile and CSC vendor contact information.
- Email the Recorder if you are interested in e-filing and need setup guidance.
- Do not assume every one-time homeowner can directly eRecord without using an approved pathway.
Record Notification Service FAQ
Official RNS page explaining alerts for documents recorded against enrolled names, property or parcel numbers.
- Read what the notification service does and does not cover.
- Enroll the correct owner name and/or parcel number.
- Watch your email for alerts when matching documents are recorded.
- If an alert looks suspicious, search the document and contact the appropriate official or legal professional.
Veteran ID Discount Card Program
Official Dauphin County program page for veterans who want to record discharge papers and receive a local discount card.
- Bring your DD-214 and official ID, such as a driver’s license.
- Visit the Recorder of Deeds Office or a listed county veterans event.
- The office records the discharge papers, takes a photo and provides the ID card.
- Review the vendor list for participating local discounts.
Pennsylvania Department of Revenue — Realty Transfer Tax
Official statewide guidance for Pennsylvania Realty Transfer Tax, exemptions and transfer-tax liability.
- Read the statewide 1% Pennsylvania Realty Transfer Tax rule.
- Review listed exemptions before claiming an exempt transfer.
- Use the current REV-183 Statement of Value when required.
- Verify local municipal and school tax handling before recording in Dauphin County.
Dauphin County Property Taxes / Tax Assessment
Official county area for assessment, parcel, UPI and property-tax information that is separate from deed recording.
- Use this section when you need assessed value, parcel data, UPI help or tax assessment information.
- Open Dauphin Property Information to confirm parcel and owner data.
- Contact Tax Assessment at 717-780-6101 for UPI certification questions.
- Return to the Recorder only after the document is ready to record.
Common Dauphin County Recorder Mistakes
Mistakes That Waste Time
- Searching by address only when the Recorder portal works better by name, UPI, book/page or instrument number.
- Confusing the Recorder’s instrument number with the UPI parcel number.
- Submitting a deed without UPI certification where required.
- Underestimating fees by ignoring page, name, UPI and transfer-tax charges.
- Trying to make the Recorder prepare a deed or decide whether title is clear.
- Assuming a mortgage payoff means a new deed will be issued.
Better Dauphin Workflow
- Search the Acclaim system using multiple search methods.
- Use Alpha Index for older deed and mortgage index research.
- Confirm the UPI number before preparing a real-estate document.
- Use the official fee calculator before recording.
- Use a title company or attorney for document drafting and title opinions.
- Enroll in RNS after buying, inheriting or refinancing a Dauphin County property.
What Should You Do Next?
| Your Situation | Best Next Step | Use This Office / Tool |
|---|---|---|
| You need to find a deed, mortgage or satisfaction. | Search Acclaim by name, UPI, instrument number, book/page, document type or Alpha Index. | Recorder of Deeds Public Search |
| You need a copy of a deed or mortgage. | Print from the website if available or visit/contact the Recorder for copy or certified copy needs. | Recorder of Deeds Office |
| You need to record a new deed. | Have the deed prepared correctly, verify UPI certification, calculate fees/taxes and then record. | Attorney / title company → Recorder |
| You need the parcel number or assessed value. | Use the county property-tax/assessment resources and contact Tax Assessment for UPI questions. | Office of Tax Assessment |
| You paid off your mortgage. | Look for a mortgage satisfaction from the lender recorded in the Recorder’s Office. | Recorder search + lender follow-up |
| You want alerts for recorded activity. | Sign up for Record Notification Service using the correct property, name or parcel number. | Dauphin County RNS |
Dauphin County Recorder FAQs
Where is the Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds Office?
The Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds is located at the Dauphin County Courthouse, Room 102, 101 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101. The office phone number is 717-780-6560 and the published email is jzugay@dauphincounty.gov.
What are the Dauphin County Recorder’s hours?
Dauphin County lists Recorder of Deeds hours as Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Check the county site before visiting for holidays, courthouse closures or temporary service changes.
How do I search Dauphin County deed records?
Use the Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds Acclaim search system. Search options include Simple Search, Name, Instrument Number, Document Type, Book/Page, Record Date, Consideration, UPI Number, Municipality/Comments and Alpha Index.
How far back do Dauphin County deed records go online?
Dauphin County says its website contains all deeds and miscellaneous documents from 1785 to the present and mortgages from 1979 to the present. It also states that all deeds, indices of deeds and the mortgage index can be accessed through the Alpha Index portion of the website.
What is a UPI number in Dauphin County recording?
UPI means Uniform Parcel Identifier. Dauphin County requires certain real-estate documents to show the tax parcel number on the front page and to have UPI certification through Tax Assessment before recording. The county’s UPI notice lists a $20 fee per parcel number certified.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Dauphin County?
Dauphin County’s fee schedule and calculator should be used for the final number. Common planning items include a deed recording base fee, extra charges for documents over four pages, extra name indexing when applicable, UPI certification fees and Pennsylvania Realty Transfer Tax when the transfer is taxable.
What is Pennsylvania Realty Transfer Tax on a Dauphin County deed?
Pennsylvania imposes a 1% state realty transfer tax, and Dauphin County’s FAQ explains the common 2% total as state, municipality and school district shares. Some transfers may be exempt, but the exemption or value must be documented correctly, often with a Statement of Value.
Can the Recorder change, add or remove a name on my deed?
Dauphin County’s FAQ says a new deed must be prepared showing the change and then recorded in the Recorder’s Office. The Recorder does not prepare the legal document for you, so use a title company or Pennsylvania real-estate attorney when deed wording matters.
What should happen after I pay off my mortgage?
Dauphin County’s FAQ explains that a deed is generally delivered shortly after purchase. After the mortgage is paid, a mortgage satisfaction is usually sent from the lender to the Recorder’s Office noting that the mortgage is satisfied.
What is Dauphin County Record Notification Service?
Record Notification Service is an email alert service from the Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds. It can notify a subscriber when a document is recorded against an enrolled property, name or parcel number. It is an alert tool, not a fraud-prevention or title-insurance service.
Independent Educational Guide
County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with Dauphin County Government, the Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds, the Dauphin County Office of Tax Assessment, the Dauphin County Treasurer, the Dauphin County Tax Claim Bureau, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, any title company or any law firm.
This page is not legal advice, tax advice, title advice or a substitute for a title search. Recording acceptance, copy availability, UPI certification, fees, transfer-tax treatment, exemptions, title status and legal document sufficiency are determined by the responsible official offices, Pennsylvania law and qualified professionals.
Public property and recorded-document information should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or other regulated consumer-reporting purposes. This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.