Allegheny County PA Deed Search: Recorder Records, Deed Images, Copies & Recording Office
For an Allegheny County recorder of deeds search, use the county’s official Division of Real Estate land-record system. It includes recorded deeds, mortgages, subdivision plans, block-and-lot maps, historical plats and property-history records.
Allegheny County still uses the familiar Recorder of Deeds wording in its online land-record portal, but day-to-day deed recording and record access are handled through the Allegheny County Division of Real Estate at the County Office Building in Pittsburgh.
Where Do You Search Allegheny County Deeds?
The official starting point is the Allegheny County Division of Real Estate’s online land-record portal. The portal identifies itself as the Allegheny County Recorder of Deeds Online Search and provides free index searching for its available records.
Recorded Deed Needed
Use the official land-record database for deed, mortgage and other recording indexes. Search name variations carefully because the county specifically recommends checking all possible spellings of a proper name.
Open Recorder Search ↗Only Know the Address?
Start with the free assessment Real Estate Portal. Search the street address to identify the parcel, current owner and property record before switching to the deed database.
Find Property First ↗Very Old Deed?
The modern portal links to a separate historical search for deeds and selected historical records dated 1792–1857. Search and images in that historical system are listed as free.
Open Historical Entry Point ↗How to Search Allegheny County Recorder of Deeds Records
The most reliable search path depends on what information you already know. Use the recorded-document portal when you know a party name or recording reference. Use the property portal first when all you know is the street address.
Open the Official Recorder Search
Open the Allegheny County Recorder of Deeds Online Search hosted for the Division of Real Estate. Index searches are free for the document ranges listed by the system.
Open Allegheny County Recorder Search ↗
Search Party Names With Variations
Deeds may be indexed under individuals, married names, trusts, estates, LLCs, corporations or earlier owners. The county’s portal specifically advises users to search all possible spelling variations of proper names.
If a full name produces no useful result, try a shorter name variation, previous owner, trust name or business name connected to the transfer.
If You Only Have an Address, Find the Parcel First
The public Allegheny County Real Estate Portal supports address and parcel-number searches. For an address search, enter the house number and street name. The county specifically says not to include street suffixes such as Street, Drive or Circle.
Municipality is optional if you are unsure.
Save the Parcel ID and Owner Name
Once the correct assessment parcel opens, save the parcel ID and owner name. These identifiers help distinguish neighboring properties, condominiums, similarly named owners and properties with similar street addresses.
Do not treat the assessor record as a substitute for the recorded deed; use it as a bridge to the land-record search.
Open the Correct Recorded Document
Compare the party names, recording information and document type before paying for an image. A sale can generate several related records, so do not assume the first result is the deed you need.
Save the Recording Reference Before Ordering a Copy
Record the document reference shown in the index before leaving the search system. That information is useful when ordering a copy, requesting certification or asking Division staff to help locate the correct record.
Which Allegheny County Search Should You Use?
What Allegheny County Deed and Land Records Are Online?
The official recorder portal publishes specific online-availability ranges. Knowing these limits prevents you from assuming an old record does not exist just because an image is not available online.
| Record Type | Official Online Availability | How to Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Document indexes | 1986 to current | Use the index to identify recording references before ordering document images. |
| Imaged deeds | 1976 to current | Useful for modern ownership transfers and deed-copy research. |
| Imaged mortgages | 1986 to current | Use when researching mortgage recording and related document history. |
| Subdivision plans | All years listed by portal | Useful when a deed refers to a subdivision, plan, lot, plan-book volume or page. |
| Other documents | October 2001 to current | Coverage depends on document type. |
| Block and lot maps | Historical maps dated 2003 | Helpful for connecting older parcel references with county mapping. |
| GIS maps | Portal says updated every three months | Use for orientation and parcel context, not as a substitute for a legal survey. |
| Property history cards | Available cards prior to 1999 | Helpful for historical assessment and property research. |
| Historical deeds | 1792–1857 in separate archive | The portal says search and images for this historical collection are free. |
What to Check When You Find an Allegheny County Deed
Grantor and Grantee
Confirm the parties match the transfer you are researching. A grantor generally transfers an interest; a grantee generally receives an interest.
Name spelling matters, especially for trusts, estates, corporations and owners whose names changed.
Recording Information
The date a document was recorded may differ from its signing or closing date. Save the official recording reference because it is the cleanest way to locate the same record later.
Legal Description
Allegheny County requires deed legal descriptions to identify the municipality and, where applicable, plan/lot references, metes and bounds or prior-deed references.
A street address alone is not a replacement for the legal description.
Block and Lot
Allegheny County requires parcel identification numbers—commonly described as Block and Lot numbers—on deeds. Use this identifier to connect recorded documents to the assessment parcel.
Prior Deed Reference
Prior deed references can help move backward through a chain of recorded ownership. They are especially useful when a name search produces too many records.
What the Record Does Not Prove
The recording database is not a legal opinion about title. Questions involving competing interests, estates, corrective deeds, adverse claims or title defects may require an attorney or title professional.
Allegheny County Deed Copy Fees and Ordering Options
Allegheny County offers in-person, mail and online options for land-record copies. Online pricing differs for casual and commercial users.
Online Recorder Images
- Index searching is free for the portal’s available records.
- Casual credit-card users: $1 per page for the first 10 pages of a document.
- Commercial draw-down users: 50¢ per page for the first 10 pages.
- Remaining pages of the same document are listed by the portal as no additional image charge after the first 10 pages.
2026 County Copy Schedule
- Copies up to 11″ × 17″: $1 per page.
- Large 24″ × 30/36″ copies: $3 per page.
- Historical property cards: 25¢ per page.
- Mail copy service: county schedule lists a $10 flat fee.
- Fax copies: $10 flat fee where applicable.
Official Copy Instructions
County instructions for deeds, mortgages, satisfactions and property-assessment records.
- Decide whether you need a plain image or a certified record.
- Locate the deed in the land-record index first when possible.
- Save the document reference and party names.
- Choose online, mail or in-person copy service.
- Confirm current cost before sending payment.
How to Record a Deed in Allegheny County
Searching for an existing deed and recording a new deed are different tasks. Allegheny County publishes document-formatting, deed-certification and transfer-tax requirements that should be checked before submission.
Prepare the Deed and Legal Description
The county says the legal description must be complete and identify the municipality, ward when the property is in Pittsburgh, county and state.
It must also contain an accepted property description, such as a subdivision lot with Plan Book Volume/Page, metes and bounds, or a qualifying prior-deed reference.
Include the Block and Lot Numbers
Allegheny County requires parcel identification numbers—Block and Lot numbers—on deeds. Verify the parcel information before recording instead of relying only on a postal address.
Complete the Certificate of Residence
The county requires a Certificate of Residence for deed certification. The Division’s certification clerk reviews the grantors, legal description and residence addresses before recording.
Check Realty Transfer Tax Forms
Some transactions require Pennsylvania realty-transfer-tax forms, including a Statement of Value. Properties spanning more than one municipality have additional county instructions.
Use Correct Document Formatting
Recorded documents generally must use 8½” × 11″ or 8½” × 14″ paper, black typed text of at least 10-point size, and the county’s required margins. Deed-related documents need at least a one-inch top margin for certification stamping.
Record Online or Deliver the Paper Document
Most eligible documents can be eRecorded through an approved vendor. Paper documents can be delivered to Room 101 of the County Office Building.
Certain documents cannot be eRecorded, including subdivision plans, corrective deeds, sheriff deeds, deeds in lieu of foreclosure, deeds transferring property into a trust, and deeds taxable in multiple jurisdictions.
Common Allegheny County Deed Recording Problems
Problems the County Checks
- Grantor names that do not match the prior deed.
- Missing references explaining a deceased titled owner.
- Incomplete legal description.
- Missing Certificate of Residence.
- Missing Block and Lot identification.
- Incorrect document format or margins.
- Using handwriting where typed text is required.
Better Filing Workflow
- Pull the prior recorded deed before preparing the new one.
- Match grantor spelling to the prior deed.
- Verify parcel identification in the assessment system.
- Use the official Certificate of Residence format.
- Review deed-certification requirements before paying.
- Have an attorney handle legal drafting questions when appropriate.
Recorder vs Assessor vs Treasurer: Which Allegheny County Office Do You Need?
A deed problem, assessment problem and tax-payment problem can involve the same property but different county offices.
| Your Task | Best Office / System | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Search a recorded deed or mortgage | Division of Real Estate / Recorder land records | Maintains recorded land documents and public record images. |
| Record a new deed | Division of Real Estate | Handles deed certification and recording. |
| Find parcel value, building data or assessment information | Office of Property Assessments | Maintains assessment and valuation records. |
| Find an address-linked parcel before deed searching | Real Estate Portal | Public portal supports address and parcel searches. |
| Pay county real-estate taxes | Allegheny County Treasurer | The Treasurer handles county real-estate tax billing/payment functions. |
| Research county tax liens | County Courts / appropriate lien record | County guidance directs tax-lien research to court records rather than the assessment system. |
| Challenge assessed value | BPAAR / Office of Property Assessments | Assessment appeals are separate from deed-recording issues. |
Allegheny County Property Fraud Alert
The Recorder search portal offers a free Property Fraud Alert service that can send an email notification when a land-record document is recorded with a monitored name.
What the Alert Does
It is a monitoring tool. It helps you learn that a document matching the registered name has been filed so you can review the official record promptly.
What the Alert Does Not Do
A notification service does not block a recording, guarantee fraud detection or determine whether a document is legally valid. If an unfamiliar deed or mortgage appears, review the recorded image and contact the appropriate county office or qualified attorney.
Allegheny County Recorder of Deeds / Division of Real Estate Office
Allegheny County’s Division of Real Estate performs the local recording and land-record functions associated with the Recorder of Deeds.
Division of Real Estate
County Office Building
542 Forbes Avenue, Room 101
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Office hours:
Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
General Real Estate:
412-350-4226
Deed & Plan Copies:
412-350-4224
Deed Certification:
412-350-5021
County INFO:
412-350-4636, Option 2
The official online search identifies Jessica Garofolo as Department Director and Recorder of Deeds. The county contact directory separately lists Division of Real Estate management and specialized deed desks.
Open Directions ↗Official Allegheny County Deed Search and Recording Resources
These are the action pages most likely to help with a deed search, copy request or recording. Follow the steps under each link rather than opening a portal without knowing what to do next.
Recorder of Deeds Online Search
Official county-linked land-record index and document-image system.
- Start with the free search rather than purchasing an image immediately.
- Search the owner, prior owner, lender, trust or entity name associated with the property.
- Try alternate spellings if the expected record does not appear.
- Review the index result and confirm the document type and parties.
- Save the recording reference before buying or requesting the image.
Allegheny County Real Estate Portal
Use this first when you have an address but do not yet know the parcel or owner information.
- Select the address-search option.
- Enter the house number separately.
- Enter the street name without suffixes such as Street, Drive or Circle.
- Leave Municipality blank if you do not know it.
- Open the matching parcel and save the parcel ID and owner name.
- Return to the Recorder land-record system for the recorded deed.
Allegheny County Land Records
County landing page for deeds, mortgages, subdivision plans, maps, historical records and copy services.
- Choose Find Land Records for the online recorded-document portal.
- Choose Obtaining Copies if you already identified the document.
- Choose Historical Records for older land-record research.
- Use county contact information if an older record is outside the online range.
Recording Documents
Official preparation, recording, payment and document-specific requirements.
- Open deed-specific requirements before preparing the instrument.
- Review formatting specifications.
- Check Certificate of Residence and deed-certification requirements.
- Confirm the current recording fee.
- Choose eRecording or Room 101 paper submission if the document is eligible.
Allegheny County Deed Requirements
Detailed rules for legal descriptions, Block and Lot numbers, transfer tax and related deed information.
- Confirm the legal description is complete.
- Verify the Block and Lot parcel numbers.
- Check grantor and prior-deed information.
- Review transfer-tax instructions.
- Use an attorney for legal drafting or title questions the county cannot answer.
2026 Fee Schedule
Current county schedule for recording, copies and related Division of Real Estate charges.
- Open the current fee-schedule PDF linked by the county.
- Identify your exact document type.
- Check copy charges separately from recording charges.
- Confirm any extra-name or extra-parcel charges.
- Verify acceptable payment method before mailing or visiting.
What If You Cannot Find the Allegheny County Deed?
| Problem | What to Try |
|---|---|
| Owner name gives no result | Try alternate spellings, maiden/married names, middle initials, trust names, estate names, company names and the prior owner. |
| You only know the address | Use the Real Estate Portal first. Enter house number and street name without a street suffix. Save the parcel ID and owner name. |
| Condo or multi-parcel property | Verify the exact parcel/Block and Lot before choosing a deed. A single street address can relate to more than one legal parcel. |
| Deed is older than online image coverage | Use the historical archive if the document falls within its period, or contact/visit Room 101 for older land-record research. |
| Wrong person with same name | Compare municipality, legal description, parcel identification, recording dates and related parties before purchasing an image. |
| Current assessment owner differs from deed result | Check recording dates and later transfers. Ask Deed Mapping/Registry or the assessment office which record needs correction. |
| Possible forged or suspicious record | Save the document information, use the county fraud-reporting resources and obtain legal advice rather than attempting to alter the record yourself. |
Which Allegheny County Property Office Should You Contact Next?
Deed Is Missing or Wrong
Start with Division of Real Estate deed records. If the recorded deed itself contains a legal error, the county may require a corrective deed, and legal advice may be appropriate.
Assessment Owner Is Wrong
Determine whether the deed was correctly recorded first. Then contact Deed Mapping/Registry or the Office of Property Assessments about the assessment ownership record.
Tax Bill Is Wrong
A deed search does not correct a tax bill. First determine whether the problem comes from ownership, assessment value or tax collection, then contact the responsible county office.
Allegheny County Recorder of Deeds Search FAQs
Where can I search Allegheny County deeds online?
Use the official Allegheny County Recorder of Deeds Online Search linked by the county’s Division of Real Estate. The system provides free index searching for the document types and date ranges it lists.
Is an Allegheny County deed index search free?
Yes. The official land-record portal states that index searching is free for the dates and documents available in the system. Charges can apply when obtaining document images or copies.
How far back are Allegheny County deed images available online?
The official portal lists imaged deeds from 1976 to current. Document indexes are listed from 1986 to current. A separate historical system covers historical deeds and selected records from 1792 through 1857.
How do I find an Allegheny County deed if I only know the property address?
Start with the Allegheny County Real Estate Portal. Search by house number and street name, omitting suffixes such as Street, Drive or Circle. Open the correct parcel, save the parcel ID and owner name, and then search the Recorder land-record system.
How much does an online Allegheny County deed image cost?
The Recorder portal lists casual credit-card users at $1 per page for the first 10 pages of a document and commercial draw-down users at 50 cents per page for the first 10 pages. The portal states the remaining pages of that document are then available without additional page charges under that pricing structure.
What is the 2026 Allegheny County deed recording fee?
The Allegheny County Division of Real Estate fee schedule effective January 1, 2026 lists a $200 document recording fee for deeds and the listed deed/mortgage categories. Additional charges can apply in special situations, so the current fee schedule should be checked before recording.
Where is the Allegheny County Recorder of Deeds office?
Deed recording and land-record services are handled by the Allegheny County Division of Real Estate at the County Office Building, 542 Forbes Avenue, Room 101, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Published office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Can I record an Allegheny County deed electronically?
Most eligible land-related documents can be eRecorded through county-listed vendors. Some documents require paper submission, including corrective deeds, sheriff deeds, deeds in lieu of foreclosure, deeds transferring property into a trust, subdivision plans and deeds taxable in multiple jurisdictions.
Does Allegheny County require a parcel number on a deed?
Yes. The county’s deed instructions state that parcel identification numbers, described as Block and Lot numbers, must be included on deeds.
Does finding a deed online prove clear legal title?
No. The recorded-document database provides access to public land records, but the Division of Real Estate does not provide legal advice. A complete title determination may require review of additional recorded documents, court records, estate records, liens and professional title or legal analysis.
Independent Public-Records Guide
County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational website. It is not Allegheny County, the Allegheny County Division of Real Estate, the Recorder of Deeds, the Office of Property Assessments, the Treasurer, a title company or a law firm.
Recorded land documents are public records, but a database search is not a title examination and does not establish that a person has marketable or unencumbered title. Contact the appropriate government office or a qualified Pennsylvania attorney/title professional when a legal title determination is required.
Property-owner and land-record information should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or another purpose regulated as a consumer report. This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.