Centre County Recorder of Deeds: Deed Search, Recording Office, Fees and Public Records
The Centre County Recorder of Deeds Office records, protects, preserves and reproduces legal documents related to real estate in Centre County, Pennsylvania. It also acts as an agent for real estate transfer tax and records veterans military discharge documents.
This guide explains how to search Centre County deed records through WEBIA, when to contact the Recorder, how UPI stamps affect deed recording, what recording fees to plan for, and which office handles deed records, property assessment, tax claims and estate records.
Where Do You Search or Record Deeds in Centre County?
Use the Centre County Recorder of Deeds Office for recorded real-estate documents such as deeds, mortgages, easements, releases, satisfactions, powers of attorney, plans, subdivision maps and veterans discharge recordings. Use the Assessment Office for UPI stamps and property assessment details, and use Tax Claim or Treasurer resources for taxes rather than deed recording.
Use Recorder of Deeds For
- Recorded deeds and mortgages.
- Assignments, releases and satisfaction pieces.
- Plans, plat maps and subdivisions.
- Certified copies and public document inspection.
Use Assessment Office For
- Uniform Parcel Identifier stamp questions.
- Property assessment records.
- Tax parcel and ownership assessment data.
- Parcel maps and assessment-related updates.
Use Legal / Title Help For
- Which deed form to use.
- Title opinions and lien priority.
- Estate, trust, divorce or foreclosure transfers.
- Boundary, ownership or mortgage disputes.
Centre County Recorder of Deeds Office Address and Contact Information
The Recorder of Deeds office is located in the Willowbank Office Building in Bellefonte. Call before visiting if you need a certified copy, are submitting a deed package, need UPI guidance or are unsure whether your document meets recording requirements.
Centre County Recorder of Deeds
Recorder: Joseph L. Davidson
Address:
Willowbank Office Building
414 Holmes Street, Suite #1
Bellefonte, PA 16823
Phone: 814-355-6801
Email: rodinfo@centrecountypa.gov
Hours listed: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM
Open Recorder Map ↗How to Search Centre County Deeds and Recorded Documents Online
Centre County uses WEBIA for online information access tied to Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills, Tax Claim and maps. The public online system advises users to search all possible spelling variations of proper names to maximize search results.
Collect Property and Name Clues First
Before using WEBIA, gather the owner name, prior owner name, municipality, tax parcel or UPI number, approximate recording year, deed book/page if known, and any old instrument reference.
Open WEBIA Through Centre County
Use the county’s WEBIA information page or Centre County Online Information System. Avoid unofficial property-record ads when the goal is to search the official recorder index.
Search Name Variations
Search last names, business names, spelling variations and prior owners. Public deed indexes can miss a result when a middle initial, suffix, corporate punctuation or spelling variation is entered too narrowly.
Use Map and Assessment Clues Carefully
Centre County’s online mapping resources say Webia Mapping is designed to assist in deed researching and can be searched by owner name, tax ID number, municipality, sale date and sale price. Use those clues to improve the Recorder search, not as a substitute for reviewing the recorded document.
Open the Document Image When Needed
Centre County’s WEBIA page explains that saving images and printing is supported through an integrated viewer, and one page access is treated as one click. Review the image when you need exact legal description, book/page, signatures, acknowledgment or recording stamp details.
Contact the Recorder for Certified Copies or Unclear Records
If you need a certified copy, older record help, military discharge information, or a result that is not clear in WEBIA, contact the Recorder’s Office before relying on a screenshot or informal printout.
How to Record a Deed in Centre County, Pennsylvania
The Recorder records eligible documents; the office does not replace a legal drafter, title company or attorney. A deed also needs the correct UPI handling and transfer-tax treatment before recording.
| Step | What to Prepare | Centre County Detail | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Prepare the legal deed | Grantor, grantee, legal description, signature, acknowledgment, return address and prepared-by details. | The Recorder can record documents, but legal drafting choices should be handled by a qualified professional. | Recording a flawed deed can create ownership, estate, mortgage or title problems. |
| 2. Obtain UPI number / stamp | Uniform Parcel Identifier handling through the Assessment Office. | Centre County says all deeds require a UPI number before recording and UPI stamps are obtained through the Centre County Assessment Office. | A deed without required UPI handling may not be accepted for recording. |
| 3. Confirm transfer-tax forms | Realty Transfer Tax form or applicable exemption handling. | The Recorder acts as an agent for real estate transfer tax and links Rev-183 Realty Transfer Tax Form resources. | Wrong transfer-tax handling can delay the recording or payment process. |
| 4. Calculate fees | Document type, page count, number of names, UPI, copies and certification if needed. | The fee bill lists deeds and mortgages at $71.25 for four pages and four names, with additional page/name charges. | Wrong payment is one of the simplest reasons a document package can be delayed. |
| 5. Include return envelope | Stamped self-addressed envelope. | Centre County’s fee bill says all documents require a stamped self-addressed envelope for return. | The recorded original or returned document needs proper return handling. |
| 6. Verify the recorded result | WEBIA search, book/page or instrument details, and tax/assessment update. | Centre County notes that Tax and Assessment offices use records created by the Recorder to update tax information. | Verification helps catch indexing, transfer or assessment update issues early. |
What You Can Find in Centre County Recorder of Deeds Records
The Recorder’s Office preserves real-estate-related records and related instruments. A single document type rarely tells the entire title story, so check later releases, assignments and related references.
Deeds and Mortgages
Deeds show recorded transfer instruments; mortgages show recorded security interests. Search later dates for mortgage satisfaction, release, assignment or modification records.
Easements, Leases and Rights of Way
These records can affect access, utility rights, use restrictions and property obligations. Match the legal description and parcel context carefully.
Assignments, Releases and Satisfactions
Centre County’s fee bill notes that assignments, releases and satisfaction pieces can only assign, release or satisfy one instrument per document.
Plans, Plat Maps and Subdivisions
Plans and subdivision records can help explain layout and parcel creation, but they do not replace a current boundary survey for construction or disputes.
Veterans Military Discharge
Centre County records Veterans Military Discharge documents. Public-access rules differ from ordinary deed records, so contact the Recorder before requesting one.
Powers of Attorney and Court Orders
Powers of attorney, court decrees and orders can affect real-estate transfers. Review the recorded document and consult a professional if authority or legal effect matters.
Centre County Recorder of Deeds Fees and Copy Costs
The fee bill can change, and extra pages, extra names, UPI stamps, credit card processing and certifications can change your total. Verify the exact total with the Recorder before mailing or bringing a document.
| Item | Fee Listed | Applies To | Practical Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deeds and mortgages | $71.25 | Four pages and four names. | Add $2 per extra page and 50¢ per extra name according to the county fee page. |
| UPI stamp | $10.00 | Uniform Parcel Identifier stamp through Assessment Office. | All deeds require a UPI number before recording. |
| Easements, leases, sales agreements, right of way | $59.75 | Four pages and four names. | Check extra page/name charges if the document exceeds the base allowance. |
| Assignments, releases and satisfaction piece | $61.75 | Up to four pages and four names. | County fee bill notes each document can only assign, release or satisfy one instrument. |
| Plans, plat maps and subdivisions | $40.00 first page; $5.00 each additional page | Plans and subdivision-map type filings. | Large-format copy or map questions should be confirmed before visiting. |
| Veterans discharge | Free | Veterans military discharge recording. | Privacy/access rules may differ from ordinary public deed records. |
| Photo copies | 50¢ per page | Ordinary copies. | Certified copy cost adds certification and seal charge when needed. |
| Certification and seal | $1.50 | Certified copies or certified records. | Centre County checklist notes certified copy of a deed is $1.50 plus 50¢ per page when printed by staff. |
Centre County Recording Fee Estimator
This estimator uses common fee-bill items for planning only. It does not calculate every tax, exemption, credit card charge, writ tax, transfer tax, special filing or unusual document issue.
Assumptions: deed/mortgage $71.25 for four pages/four names; easement/lease/sales agreement/right-of-way $59.75 for four pages/four names; assignment/release/satisfaction $61.75 for four pages/four names; other real-estate instrument $18.50; extra pages $2 each and extra names 50¢ each where applicable; UPI stamp $10; copies 50¢/page; certification $1.50. Confirm final cost with the Recorder.
Centre County Deed Recording Checklist
Use this checklist before sending a deed or mortgage package. It is not legal advice; it is a recording-readiness guide for the most common user mistakes.
Before You Submit a Deed
- Document is signed and properly acknowledged.
- Legal description is complete and matches the intended property.
- Correct grantor and grantee names are used throughout.
- UPI number or UPI stamp requirement is handled through Assessment Office.
- Realty Transfer Tax form or exemption treatment is included where needed.
- Payment includes recording fee, UPI fee and other applicable charges.
- Stamped self-addressed envelope is included for return.
- Professional review is obtained for estate, trust, divorce or title-sensitive transfers.
Common Problems to Avoid
- Trying to “change” an old deed without recording a new valid document.
- Forgetting the UPI requirement for deeds.
- Sending the wrong fee amount after adding pages or names.
- Confusing Recorder records with assessment or tax payoff records.
- Assuming WEBIA index results are a complete title search.
- Requesting ordinary copies when certified copies are required.
- Using recorded military discharge information like ordinary public deed records.
- Submitting a deed without transfer-tax review where required.
Centre County WEBIA: What Users Should Know
WEBIA is helpful for deed research, but it is not the same thing as a free title search. Understand the cost model and record categories before clicking through many documents.
Search Coverage
The public access portal includes Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills, Tax Claim and mapping-related access. Records and images may be searched by names and other available criteria.
Credit-Based Cost
Centre County explains that WEBIA billing is based on credits where each click accesses a page, and viewing a typical document or inquiry may take multiple clicks.
Use Name Variations
The county advises searching all possible spelling variations of proper names. This is especially important for older deeds, estate names, business entities and name changes.
Official Centre County Recorder of Deeds Links
Use these official resources before relying on a third-party deed search page or submitting a recording package.
Centre County Recorder of Deeds Office
Official page for the Recorder’s role, public inspection note, address, phone, email and hours.
- Confirm the Recorder name, email, address, phone and hours.
- Review the office mission and document-record section.
- Use the linked forms and WEBIA access where needed.
- Call before submitting a deed, certified-copy request or unusual document.
WEBIA Information
Official information page for Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills, Tax Claim and mapping access.
- Read the cost and credit explanation before searching.
- Review the warning about spelling variations of names.
- Use WEBIA for recorder-document research and image viewing.
- Contact the help desk or Recorder if an access or document issue appears.
Centre County Online Information System
Direct search portal for Recorder of Deeds and other county record categories.
- Select the Recorder of Deeds section.
- Search by last name or business and first name where applicable.
- Check the portal’s data-current notice.
- Use document images or details only after confirming the result appears relevant.
Recorder of Deeds Fee Bill
Official Centre County fee page for deeds, mortgages, UPI, copies, certifications and other recordable documents.
- Find your document type before calculating.
- Count pages and names, then add extra page/name charges when needed.
- Add UPI stamp fee for deeds where applicable.
- Confirm credit card fee or check/cash payment before recording.
Centre County Homeowners Guide
County guide explaining common property-owner questions about deed recording and recorder services.
- Read the common homeowner questions before trying to change a deed.
- Use it to understand what the Recorder can and cannot do.
- Confirm when a legal professional is needed.
- Use the Recorder contact details for document-specific recording questions.
Centre County Online Mapping Websites
Official mapping page that includes Webia Mapping and parcel search clues useful for deed research.
- Use mapping only to collect parcel and owner clues.
- Search by owner, tax ID, address, street, municipality or other listed criteria where available.
- Return to Recorder records to review the actual recorded instrument.
- Do not treat map boundaries as a survey or title opinion.
Centre County Deed and Public Record Decision Path
| Your Situation | Best Next Step | Correct Office / Tool |
|---|---|---|
| You need to find a recorded deed. | Search WEBIA by owner, prior owner, business name or spelling variation, then open the document image if the result matches. | WEBIA / Recorder of Deeds |
| You need to record a new deed. | Prepare the deed professionally, obtain UPI handling through Assessment Office, include transfer-tax items, calculate fees and submit to Recorder. | Assessment Office + Recorder of Deeds |
| You need tax assessment information. | Use Assessment resources or current tax assessment search, not the Recorder index alone. | Centre County Assessment Office |
| You need a certified copy. | Identify the document first, then contact the Recorder to confirm copy, certification and page costs. | Recorder of Deeds |
| You need estate or inheritance records. | Use Register of Wills resources; recorded deeds may only show real-estate instruments, not the full estate file. | Register of Wills |
| You need legal ownership or lien status. | Do not rely on WEBIA alone. Use a title company or Pennsylvania attorney. | Title professional / attorney |
Centre County Recorder of Deeds FAQs
Where is the Centre County Recorder of Deeds Office?
The Centre County Recorder of Deeds Office is located in the Willowbank Office Building at 414 Holmes Street, Suite #1, Bellefonte, PA 16823.
Who is the Centre County Recorder of Deeds?
Centre County lists Joseph L. Davidson as Recorder of Deeds.
What is the Centre County Recorder of Deeds phone number?
The Centre County Recorder of Deeds phone number is 814-355-6801. The office email listed by the county is rodinfo@centrecountypa.gov.
What are the Centre County Recorder of Deeds office hours?
The official Recorder page lists hours as Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Check county holiday closures before visiting.
Can I search Centre County deeds online?
Yes. Centre County provides WEBIA and the Centre County Online Information System for Recorder of Deeds searching. The county advises users to search spelling variations of proper names to maximize results.
How far back do Centre County deed records go?
Centre County states that all document records since the year 1800, except military discharges, are available for public inspection during regular office hours.
Does every Centre County deed need a UPI number?
The Centre County fee bill says all deeds require a Uniform Parcel Identifier number before recording, and UPI stamps are obtained through the Centre County Assessment Office for $10.00.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Centre County?
The Centre County fee bill lists deeds and mortgages at $71.25 for four pages and four names, plus $2 per additional page and 50 cents per additional name. Other fees, such as UPI stamp, transfer tax, copies, certification or credit card fee, may also apply.
Are military discharge records public like deeds?
No. Centre County separates military discharges from ordinary public document inspection language. Contact the Recorder before requesting or filing a veterans discharge record because privacy rules may apply.
Can the Recorder change my deed for me?
No. Recorder staff can record eligible documents and provide public-record access, but changing ownership requires a properly prepared and recorded document. For deed drafting, estate transfers, divorce, trust, mortgage or title questions, use a Pennsylvania attorney or title professional.
Independent Educational Guide
County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with the Centre County Recorder of Deeds Office, Centre County Government, WEBIA, the Centre County Assessment Office, or any Pennsylvania government agency.
This guide is not legal advice, title advice, tax advice, a title search, a lien opinion or a substitute for professional deed preparation. Recording requirements, fees, WEBIA access and office procedures can change. Always verify current requirements directly with the responsible official office before recording or relying on a document.
Property-owner records and deed records 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.