Adams County Recorder of Deeds: Search Records, Find the Office, Fees, Copies and Recording Help
This guide covers the Adams County Recorder of Deeds in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Use this office when you need recorded land documents such as deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, easements, agreements, subdivision plans, financing statements, UCC filings, notary oath and bond filings, or confidential veteran discharge recording.
The key point is simple: the Recorder handles recorded documents. It does not decide property value, send annual tax bills, prepare deeds for you, or perform a legal title opinion. For values and parcel assessment details, use Adams County Tax Services. For a deed image, mortgage release, recording fee or PropertyCheck alert, start with the Recorder.
What Does the Adams County Recorder of Deeds Do?
The Adams County Recorder of Deeds records and preserves real-estate-related documents for property located in Adams County, Pennsylvania. The office also acts as an agent for Pennsylvania realty transfer tax collection, records Pennsylvania notary oath and bond filings, and records DD-214 military discharges for safekeeping when presented by the veteran.
Use the Recorder For
- Recorded deeds and deed copies.
- Mortgages, releases and satisfaction pieces.
- Easements, agreements and right-of-way documents.
- Subdivision plans, UCCs and financing statements.
- PropertyCheck recording alerts.
Do Not Use the Recorder For
- Changing a deed without preparing a new deed.
- Legal advice about ownership or title defects.
- Property assessment values or tax calculations.
- Annual real estate tax payments.
- Address-based land-record searches in eSearch.
Office Contact
Recorder: Karen R. Heflin
Phone: 717-337-9826
Fax: 717-334-1758
How to Search Adams County Deed and Land Records Online
Adams County uses a Register of Wills & Recorder of Deeds public records search system called eSearch. The portal is useful for estate and land records, but it is not an address-first property search. The official portal states that users need a name for land-record searches and cannot search land records by property address or parcel number.
Start With the Correct Name
Gather the grantor, grantee, borrower, lender, current owner, prior owner, estate name, business name or attorney-provided party name before opening eSearch. If you only have a street address, first use county tax/parcel resources to identify the owner name.
Open the Public Records Search / eSearch Portal
Open the county Recorder page and select Public Records Search. The eSearch screen includes account login, account creation, site requirements, certified dates and paid subscription options.
Check the Certified Dates Before Searching
Adams County explains that certified dates show the date through which work has been recorded, scanned, indexed and verified. A recently recorded document may exist but still show as incomplete, not verified or not yet fully released for public viewing.
Choose the Right Search Period
The portal lists online General land records from 01/01/1937 to current, Miscellaneous records included in the General Index from 01/02/1964 to current, UCC records from 08/04/1997 to current, and Highway Plans from 2003 to current. Older online index books include deeds from 1800 to 1936 and mortgages from 1800 to 1936, with mortgages noted as index only.
Use a Paid Subscription if You Need Online Images
The portal lists subscription options for index and available image access: 1-day access, 30-day access, 6-month access and 1-year access. For a single deed image, the daily option may be enough; for title research, a longer subscription may make sense.
Use the Courthouse Public Terminals When Needed
Public terminal searching is available in the courthouse lobby, not inside the Register & Recorder office itself. The county says the public terminals provide access to Register & Recorder records, Prothonotary records and Tax Services records.
Why Adams County eSearch May Not Find the Deed You Expected
Recorder searches often fail because users search like a tax-assessor portal. Adams County’s land-record search is name-centered, not address-centered.
| Problem | What It Usually Means | Try This Instead |
|---|---|---|
| You entered a property address and found nothing. | The Adams eSearch land-record system says users cannot search land records by property address or parcel number. | Use Tax Services or the parcel locator first to identify the owner, then search the Recorder by name. |
| The buyer’s name does not find the deed. | The deed may be indexed under a different spelling, entity name, trust name, estate name or prior owner. | Search both grantor and grantee names, try fewer words, remove punctuation, and try the seller/prior-owner name. |
| A recent deed appears incomplete or not verified. | The document may have been accepted but not fully recorded, scanned, indexed and verified. | Check the Certified Dates tab and call the Recorder if the transaction is urgent. |
| You need a mortgage payoff record. | A paid mortgage normally appears through a satisfaction piece or release submitted by the lender. | Search by borrower and lender name; contact the Recorder to verify whether a satisfaction has been recorded. |
| You need an old deed before 1937. | The modern General index starts in 1937, while online index books list older deed indexes from 1800 to 1936. | Use the online index books if available, or use the public terminals / office copy process for historical research. |
How to Record a Deed or Land Document in Adams County PA
Recording requirements are stricter than a normal copy request. The Recorder can reject documents that lack proper signatures, notarization, fees, envelopes or required statements.
What Adams County Requires for Recording
- Original signatures that are properly notarized.
- Cash, check or money order payable to “Recorder of Deeds.”
- A self-addressed stamped envelope or other prompt retrieval arrangement.
- Correct recording fee from the current fee schedule.
- Certificate of Residence for deeds, mortgages and certain mortgage assignments.
- Date of document must be the same as or before the notary acknowledgment date.
Submission Options Listed by the County
- Scheduled appointment is preferred but not required.
- Outside secure drop-off box during working hours under the roofed entrance area.
- Mail-ins by FedEx, UPS or USPS.
- Use binder clips, paper clips or envelopes to keep work in the order you want recorded.
- Original documents are generally mailed back about two weeks from the recorded date.
Adams County Recorder of Deeds Fees, Copy Costs and eSearch Access
The current official Adams County Recorder fee schedule is marked effective December 1, 2025. Fees can change, so verify the PDF before mailing documents or bringing a check.
| Item | Published Fee / Rule | Practical Note |
|---|---|---|
| Deed recording | $71.25 for deeds under the 12.01.25 fee schedule; each page over 4 is $4; each name over 4 is $1. | Realty transfer tax and local tax may also apply. Do not mail only the base recording fee if the deed is taxable. |
| Mortgage recording | $71.25 for mortgages under the 12.01.25 fee schedule; same page/name add-ons as deeds. | Certificate of Residence is required for deeds and mortgages. |
| Other instruments | For instruments other than deeds and mortgages, the schedule lists $2 per page over 4 and $0.50 per name over 4. | Specific document types such as easements, assignments, powers of attorney, plans and UCC-related filings have separate lines. |
| Copies / certification | The latest fee schedule lists copies at $2.00 per page and certification at $28.00. | If an older FAQ page shows a different copy amount, use the newest fee schedule or call the office before ordering. |
| eSearch 1-day access | $10.00 daily subscription for index and available image access. | Useful for one-time deed lookups when you already know the name to search. |
| eSearch longer access | 30 days $45.00, 6 months $230.00, 1 year $415.00. | Better for repeated title research, attorneys, searchers or ongoing property research. |
| State realty transfer tax | Pennsylvania’s state realty transfer tax is generally 1% of the value of transferred real estate. | Local realty transfer tax may also apply and is separate from Recorder recording fees. |
Adams County PropertyCheck: Free Recorded-Document Alerts
PropertyCheck is Adams County’s free subscription-based alert feature. It can notify property owners by email or text when a recorded document affects their property. It does not stop fraud by itself, but it can help owners notice suspicious recordings faster.
What It Monitors
PropertyCheck sends alerts when real estate documents are recorded that match the notification criteria you set, such as name or property address.
How to Sign Up
Open the Recorder of Deeds page, choose Public Records Search, then look for PropertyCheck at the top of the eSearch / PropertyCheck area to create an account and PIN.
What It Does Not Do
It does not verify title, block recording, replace a deed review, or guarantee that fraud cannot happen. Treat alerts as an early-warning tool.
Recorder vs Tax Services vs Prothonotary: Which Adams County Office Should You Use?
Adams County offices are located in the same courthouse complex, but they do different work. Choosing the right office saves time.
| Your Problem | Correct Starting Office | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Find or copy a deed, mortgage, easement, subdivision plan or satisfaction piece. | Recorder of Deeds / Register & Recorder | The Recorder records, indexes and preserves land documents. |
| Find the owner name, parcel/tax map details, assessed value or property tax assessment information. | Adams County Tax Services | Tax Services handles county assessment and property tax system information, not recorded deed images. |
| Pay delinquent taxes or review county tax-related services. | Adams County Tax Services / Tax Claim as applicable | Tax payment and collection issues are separate from recording a deed. |
| Search civil case records, judgments or court filings. | Prothonotary / Court records | Recorded land documents are different from court case filings. |
| Record or retrieve a DD-214 military discharge. | Recorder of Deeds, with privacy limits | Adams County says military discharges are confidential and protected by the Federal Privacy Act. |
Adams County Recorder of Deeds Office Address, Hours and Map
The Recorder of Deeds is in the Adams County Courthouse Complex in Gettysburg. The county location page places Recorder of Deeds and Register of Wills on the first floor.
Adams County Recorder of Deeds
Address:
117 Baltimore Street, Room 102
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Building: Adams County Courthouse Complex
Floor: First floor
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Recording cutoff: 4:00 p.m.
Phone: 717-337-9826
Email: registerrecorder@adamscountypa.gov
Open Map ↗Official Adams County Recorder Links and What to Do After Opening Them
Use these official pages for live search access, filing details, current fees, copy rules, PropertyCheck alerts and Pennsylvania realty transfer tax guidance.
Adams County Recorder of Deeds Homepage
Official county page for the Recorder office, public record search, PropertyCheck, fee schedule links, document center and contact information.
- Confirm you are on the Adams County, Pennsylvania government website.
- Use Public Record Search/eSearch if you need online land records.
- Use PropertyCheck if you want recording alerts.
- Use the Information Center links for the fee schedule, requirements and documents.
Adams County Public Records Search / eSearch
Official online access point for Adams County Register & Recorder estate and land records, subscription access and certified dates.
- Read the site requirements before logging in or creating an account.
- Open Certified Dates first to confirm how current indexing and verification are.
- Search land records by name; do not expect an address or parcel-number search.
- Choose a subscription period only after confirming the portal covers the record range you need.
Recording Requirements
Official Adams County rules for signatures, notarization, payment, envelopes, UPI note and other recording details.
- Confirm the payment method and payee before writing a check.
- Check that every required signature is original and properly notarized.
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope or retrieval arrangement.
- Verify that your deed, mortgage or assignment includes the Certificate of Residence when required.
Recording Information
Official guidance on appointments, drop-off box, mail-ins, public terminal search rules and the no-photo policy.
- Review whether you want an appointment, mail-in or drop-off option.
- Use binder clips, paper clips or envelopes to keep submissions in order.
- Bring no camera-based copying plan; the county prohibits photographing record images.
- Call 717-337-9826 if a same-day or unusual recording issue is time-sensitive.
Recorder of Deeds Documents Center
Official hub for forms, Statement of Value, fee schedule, holiday schedule, notary forms and Recorder resources.
- Open the current fee schedule before mailing a payment.
- Use Statement of Value when the transfer requires Pennsylvania REV-183 support.
- Check the holiday schedule before visiting the courthouse.
- Use notary forms only for notary oath, bond, name change or resignation needs.
Adams County PropertyCheck
Official free property and mortgage recording alert feature for Adams County constituents.
- Read what PropertyCheck can and cannot do.
- Open Public Records Search from the Recorder page.
- Create an account or log in to an existing account.
- Set alerts by name or property address and save your PIN/account details.
Pennsylvania Realty Transfer Tax
Official Pennsylvania Department of Revenue page for state realty transfer tax rules and forms.
- Confirm whether your deed is taxable or exempt.
- Check whether the Realty Transfer Tax Statement of Value is required.
- Review state-level 1% tax guidance and local tax considerations.
- Contact the Recorder or Pennsylvania DOR if the exemption/valuation issue is unclear.
Adams County Recorder Mistakes That Delay Searches or Recordings
Avoid These
- Searching eSearch by address or parcel number instead of by name.
- Mailing a deed without the correct current fee and transfer-tax handling.
- Submitting documents with photocopied signatures instead of original signatures.
- Forgetting a self-addressed stamped envelope for returned originals.
- Arriving after the 4:00 p.m. recording cutoff.
- Assuming Recorder staff can prepare a deed or give legal title advice.
- Trying to photograph public terminal, book, computer or microfilm images.
Do This Instead
- Start with the owner/grantor/grantee name.
- Check certified dates before relying on a missing recent recording.
- Use the latest fee schedule before preparing payment.
- Call the office before unusual filings, large document sets or deadline-sensitive recordings.
- Use PropertyCheck for free recording alerts.
- Use Tax Services when the problem is assessment or parcel information.
- Use a title professional or attorney for legal title-search conclusions.
What Should You Do Next?
| If Your Goal Is… | Best Next Step | Office / System |
|---|---|---|
| Find a recorded deed or mortgage image. | Use eSearch with a party name, check Certified Dates, then open the matching instrument. | Recorder eSearch |
| Get an official copy or certified copy. | Check the latest fee schedule and request through the Recorder office or official copy process. | Recorder of Deeds |
| Record a deed, mortgage or release. | Verify requirements, notarization, Certificate of Residence, fee, tax handling and return envelope. | Recorder of Deeds |
| Know whether a mortgage was paid off. | Search for a satisfaction piece or contact the Recorder to verify whether one has been recorded. | Recorder of Deeds / lender |
| Find assessed value or parcel details. | Use Adams County Tax Services or the parcel locator, not the Recorder search as the first step. | Tax Services |
| Protect against suspicious recordings. | Sign up for PropertyCheck alerts and monitor name/address notifications. | PropertyCheck |
Adams County Recorder of Deeds FAQs
Is this Adams County Recorder of Deeds guide for Pennsylvania?
Yes. This guide covers Adams County, Pennsylvania, where the Recorder of Deeds office is located at 117 Baltimore Street, Room 102, Gettysburg, PA 17325. Other Adams Counties in Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and elsewhere use different offices and systems.
Can I search Adams County PA land records by property address?
No. The Adams County eSearch portal states that users must have a name for land-record searching and will be unable to search land records by property address or parcel number. Use Tax Services or parcel resources first if you only have an address.
How much does Adams County eSearch cost?
The public records search page lists paid subscription access for index and available images: 1 day for $10, 30 days for $45, 6 months for $230 and 1 year for $415. Verify current pricing on the portal before purchasing.
Does Adams County PA eRecord documents?
Adams County’s FAQ says that at this time the county does not eRecord. Use the official recording information page for current walk-in, appointment, drop-off and mail-in options.
What is the Adams County Recorder recording cutoff?
The Adams County Recorder page posts a 4:00 p.m. cutoff to accept recordings. If you have a special circumstance, call or email the office before relying on same-day acceptance.
What documents does the Adams County Recorder record?
The Recorder records real-estate-related documents including deeds, mortgages, easements, agreements, stormwater management documents, financing statements, subdivision plans, UCCs and other real estate instruments. The office also handles notary oath and bond recording and confidential DD-214 recording.
How do I add or remove a name from an Adams County deed?
Adams County’s FAQ explains that a new deed is required to change names on a deed and suggests contacting an attorney or abstracting company for assistance. The Recorder records the document; it does not prepare the deed or give legal advice.
Are Adams County military discharge records public?
No. Adams County says military discharge records are protected under the Federal Privacy Act and are confidential. The veteran must bring the DD-214 document in to be recorded for safekeeping.
What if a recent deed is missing from eSearch?
Check the Certified Dates tab in eSearch. Adams County explains that certified dates show the date through which work has been recorded, scanned, indexed and verified. A newer document may still be in the process and may show incomplete or not verified.
Is this website an official Adams County government website?
No. County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent educational resource. It is not Adams County Government, the Adams County Recorder of Deeds, Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, a title company, a law firm or a consumer reporting agency.
Independent Educational Guide
County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational website. It is not affiliated with Adams County Government, the Adams County Recorder of Deeds, the Adams County Register of Wills, Adams County Tax Services, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue or any title company.
This page is not legal advice, title advice, tax advice, a title search, a deed-preparation service or an official property record. Recording acceptance, fees, indexing status, copy charges, realty transfer tax treatment and document validity are determined by the responsible official office and applicable law.
Do not use property-owner records, recorded documents or public property data for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or any other regulated consumer-reporting purpose. This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.