Armstrong County Recorder of Deeds: Search Property Records & Visit the Office
Trying to find a recorded deed for a house in Kittanning, Ford City, Leechburg, Freeport, Apollo, or elsewhere in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania? The Armstrong County Recorder of Deeds maintains real-estate documents and provides both courthouse research and online access through LANDEX.
There is one detail that can save you a frustrating search: the Recorder’s system does not search by street address or tax map number. You can search by a person’s first and last name or by book and page. If you only have a property address, the county Mapping Department is the better first stop.
How to Find Armstrong County Pennsylvania Deed Records
Armstrong County offers courthouse searches and remote access through LANDEX. The Recorder’s office provides computer assistance, but staff are not permitted to conduct title searches or give legal interpretations.
Search by Owner Name
Use the first and last name of a grantor or grantee. This is useful when you know the current owner, former owner, buyer or seller named on a recorded instrument.
Follow the name-search workflow →Search by Book and Page
If you have an older deed reference, use the book and page to locate the recorded document. Check the document type, parties and legal description.
Learn what the reference means →Only Have an Address?
The Recorder explicitly says its system cannot search by address or tax map number. Start with the county Mapping Department to identify property information that can help your deed research.
Call Mapping: (724) 548-3234How to Search Armstrong County Recorder of Deeds Records
LANDEX is the county-listed remote access provider. Its two main service models are different: LANDEX Remote is aimed at frequent research, while the LANDEX Webstore supports document-by-document purchases for occasional users.
Open the County’s Recorder Information
Visit the Armstrong County Register & Recorder page. Read the Recorder of Deeds section, which explains the search options and links to LANDEX.
Choose LANDEX Remote or Webstore
Open LANDEX. Choose an appropriate service based on whether you need frequent records research or occasional documents. Review the provider’s current account, access and fee information before paying.
Select Armstrong County, Pennsylvania
Within the available county selection or search interface, confirm that you are accessing Armstrong County records. Avoid assuming the same database covers Armstrong County, Texas.
Use a Name or Recording Reference
If you know a person involved in the transaction, search by first and last name using the available fields. If you know the deed book and page, use the corresponding reference search. The county’s in-office system supports these methods; verify the exact field labels in the current LANDEX interface.
Match the Correct Instrument
Compare the names, recorded date, document type, book and page, and property description. Someone with the same surname may have recorded an unrelated transaction.
Review the Image and Related Records
If the document image is accessible, read the legal description and parties. When researching a mortgage, also look for a satisfaction, assignment or related instrument instead of treating the first result as the complete history.
Save the Reference or Request a Copy
Write down the book and page, parties and recording date. For an office copy, Armstrong County lists regular recorded-document copies at $0.50 per page. If certification is required, contact the office about the exact charge and process.
What to Do When You Cannot Find an Armstrong County Deed
The Owner’s Name Does Not Match
- Try a former owner’s name from an old closing statement.
- Check whether a business, trust or estate is listed as a party.
- Verify spelling and initials against a known document.
- Search a wider date range if supported.
- Check the document itself before assuming two same-name results refer to the same person.
You Only Have a Street Address
- Contact the Armstrong County Mapping Department.
- Ask how to identify the correct tax map number or parcel information.
- Use that information to investigate ownership or recording references through the proper county resources.
- Return to the Recorder’s name or book-and-page search when you have a suitable reference.
What Armstrong County Recorded Documents Mean
Finding a deed is only the beginning. Different recorded instruments answer different property questions.
| Document | What It Generally Shows | What to Check Next |
|---|---|---|
| Deed | A conveyance of a real-property interest. | Grantor, grantee, recording date, municipality and legal description. |
| Mortgage | A security interest associated with a loan. | Borrower, lender, property, related assignments and satisfactions. |
| Mortgage Satisfaction | A recorded document indicating a specified mortgage was satisfied. | Reference to the original mortgage and whether it matches the instrument in question. |
| Easement | Rights affecting the use of land, such as access or utilities. | Benefited or burdened land, legal description and scope of rights. |
| Subdivision or Plan of Lots | A recorded plan depicting lots or related subdivision information. | Plan reference, lot number, dimensions and any restrictions. |
| Corrective Deed | A document intended to correct an earlier recording. | Original recording reference, reason for correction and legal effect. |
How to Prepare a Deed for Recording in Armstrong County
The Recorder publishes a detailed acceptance checklist. Checking these points before submission may prevent rejected documents, extra trips and re-recording expenses.
Document Identification and Legal Details
- The document date must be on or before the acknowledgment date.
- Deed and mortgage legal descriptions should identify the municipality, Armstrong County and Pennsylvania.
- Include the required tax map number.
- Complete and sign the Certificate of Residence.
- Use legible documents without shaded areas that the office cannot accept.
Acknowledgment and Submission Details
- Include the acknowledgment’s county and state.
- Match the signer name with the signature.
- Include the appropriate notary signature, readable stamp and expiration information.
- Make sure the notarial acknowledgment is dated on or after execution.
- Provide properly sized stamped, self-addressed return envelopes when submitting physical documents for return.
Corrective Documents
Armstrong County says a corrective document must refer to the document being corrected and state the reason for correction.
For a corrective deed, the county also requires a Statement of Value and a recorded copy of the document being corrected. The Statement of Value is submitted in duplicate.
Multiple Documents in One Transaction
When several instruments form part of one transaction, the county requires the intended recording order to be clearly indicated on each document.
Re-recording after an incorrect sequence can generate additional expense for the submitting party.
Armstrong County Recorder of Deeds Recording Fees
The county’s Recorder of Deeds fee schedule effective December 1, 2025 lists the following selected charges. Fees are different for recording, obtaining copies and using LANDEX remotely. Always check the newest official fee PDF before making payment.
| Service or Instrument | Published Fee | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Deed | $87.75 | Up to 4 pages and 4 names under the December 1, 2025 schedule |
| Mortgage | $87.75 | Up to 4 pages and 4 names |
| Mortgage Assignment | $61.75 | Check classification and additions |
| Mortgage Satisfaction | $61.75 | Check current fee schedule |
| Easement | $59.75 | Base fee for the listed instrument category |
| Additional recorded page | $2.00 | Added when beyond included pages |
| Additional indexed name | $0.50 | Added when beyond included names |
| Ordinary recorded-document copy | $0.50/page | Copies obtained at the office |
| Large plan copy (11 × 17) | $3.00/page | Plan of Lots copy |
| LANDEX access | Varies | Check the provider’s current fees before purchasing |
Realty Transfer Tax
Armstrong County’s recording requirements describe 1% Pennsylvania state transfer tax and 1% local/school transfer tax, generally totaling 2% when both apply.
The county instructs submitters to use separate checks for the two taxes and the filing fee, all payable to the Recorder of Deeds. Multi-municipality deeds must state the allocation percentages.
Exemptions, valuation rules and taxable consideration require separate review. The 2% figure should not be applied automatically to every deed.
Statement of Value (REV-183)
A Pennsylvania Realty Transfer Tax Statement of Value may be required when:
- Full consideration is not shown on the deed.
- The deed is a gift or is without consideration.
- A transfer-tax exemption is claimed.
- A right-of-way or easement transaction requires the statement under county instructions.
The county identifies some exceptions, including certain wholly exempt family transfers where the relationship is stated in the deed. It requires two copies when a Statement of Value applies.
Armstrong County Recorder of Deeds Office Address, Phone and Hours
The Recorder of Deeds is part of the combined Register & Recorder office at the Armstrong County Courthouse in Kittanning. The county publishes different cutoff times for research and over-the-counter transactions.
Register & Recorder Office
Armstrong County Courthouse
500 E. Market Street, Suite 102
Kittanning, PA 16201
Office contact: (724) 548-3280
Fax: (724) 548-3236
Recorder: Lori Hirst
First Deputy: Johnna Deyarmin
Plan Your Visit
Research: 8:00 AM–4:15 PM
Over-the-counter transactions: 8:00 AM–3:45 PM
The published page provides these transaction windows rather than a separate deed-specific appointment timetable. Call before visiting on holidays or for unusual transactions.
Marriage and estate matters use different procedures, and the office asks people to schedule appointments for those services.
Map shows the Armstrong County Courthouse. The Register & Recorder office is in Suite 102. Confirm current entrance, parking and accessibility arrangements before traveling.
Recorder of Deeds vs. Mapping vs. Assessment vs. Prothonotary
Several courthouse departments handle property-related information, but they do not all maintain the same records.
| Your Question | Best Office | Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Where is my deed or recorded mortgage? | Recorder of Deeds | Search names or book/page; use LANDEX or courthouse research. |
| What is the tax map number? | Mapping Department | Call (724) 548-3234 and identify the property location. |
| What is the property’s assessed value? | County Assessment Department | Request assessment or parcel information rather than a deed copy. |
| Who maintains probate and estate filings? | Register of Wills | Contact the combined Register & Recorder office about estate matters. |
| Where are certain court judgments or civil liens? | Prothonotary / Clerk of Courts | Check the relevant court records; not every lien is a Recorder of Deeds instrument. |
| Can someone confirm marketable title? | Qualified title professional or attorney | Request a professional title examination if needed. |
Armstrong County Free Record Alert System
Armstrong County offers a free Record Alert System through its recording vendor, LANDEX. The county says residents and businesses can register to receive an email when a document is recorded using a registered name.
How to Sign Up
- Open the county-linked Armstrong County Record Alert page.
- Review the provider’s registration instructions.
- Enter the name or names you want monitored.
- Provide the contact information requested by the service.
- Review future alerts and verify any unfamiliar document directly through the official Recorder system.
What an Alert Does Not Do
An alert can notify you of a name-related recording. It does not automatically block someone from recording a document, prove that a document is fraudulent or establish who legally owns a property.
If you receive an unexpected alert, save the recording reference and contact the Recorder. For suspected fraud, seek appropriate legal or law-enforcement guidance.
Military Discharges, E-Recording and Historical Records
Military Discharge Records
The Recorder accepts military discharge papers without a filing fee. The county restricts access to the veteran, family or authorized veteran-organization officials and provides certified copies on request at no charge.
Electronic Recording
The office lists Simplifile, CSC Recording, ePN and Indecomm as e-recording vendors. Confirm vendor participation, document acceptance and applicable service charges before submitting.
Older Recorded Documents
For older instruments, a book-and-page reference is particularly useful. If a document is not readily available through remote access, call the Recorder about courthouse research and copy availability.
Armstrong County Recorder Official Websites and Resources
1. Armstrong County Register & Recorder
Official office information, search guidance, recording requirements, fees and Record Alert links.
- Find the Recorder of Deeds heading.
- Review the name/book-and-page search explanation.
- Open the linked fee schedule or recording requirements as needed.
- Use the published office phone for transaction-specific questions.
2. LANDEX Land Records
County-listed vendor for remote deed and recorded-document research.
- Choose the Remote or Webstore service appropriate to your needs.
- Locate Armstrong County, Pennsylvania.
- Search using the offered name or recording-reference fields.
- Check the document identity and purchase terms before downloading.
3. Recording Requirements
Official checklist for deeds, mortgages, acknowledgments, tax map numbers and Statements of Value.
- Confirm the legal description includes the municipality, county and state.
- Check the tax map number and completed Certificate of Residence.
- Verify signature, notarial acknowledgment and return-envelope requirements.
- Determine whether a Statement of Value and transfer-tax payments are needed.
4. Recorder Fee Schedule PDF
County-published recording rates, document categories and page/name surcharges.
- Confirm the fee schedule’s effective date.
- Find the exact instrument type you are submitting.
- Calculate extra-page and extra-name charges.
- Call before submitting if the document is unusual or the PDF cannot be opened.
5. Armstrong County Record Alert
Free county-promoted email alerts for new recordings matching registered names.
- Review the enrollment instructions.
- Register your name or relevant business name.
- Verify your contact information.
- Check suspicious alerts against official documents.
What to Do After Your Armstrong County Deed Search
If You Found the Deed
Save the names, recording date and book/page. Obtain a copy if you need supporting records. Ask about certification if a bank, court or government agency specifically requires it.
If You Found a Possible Mortgage
Search for a later satisfaction or assignment referencing that mortgage. Do not conclude the loan remains unpaid simply because the original mortgage was recorded.
If You Cannot Find the Property
Contact Mapping for the tax map information, then identify possible owner names or recording references. The deed-search system is not address-searchable.
If a Recorded Deed Contains an Error
Compare the current instrument with the prior recorded deed and your transaction documents. Corrective deeds have specific county requirements; involve a Pennsylvania attorney or the document preparer where appropriate.
Armstrong County Recorder of Deeds FAQs
Where is the Armstrong County Recorder of Deeds office?
The office is located at Armstrong County Courthouse, 500 E. Market Street, Suite 102, Kittanning, PA 16201. The county’s Register & Recorder page lists the office phone as (724) 548-3280.
Can I search Armstrong County deeds by street address?
No. The county explicitly states that the Recorder’s system cannot search by street address or tax map number. It supports searches using first and last names or book-and-page references.
Is Armstrong County deed search available online?
Yes. The county lists LANDEX as the remote records-access provider. LANDEX Remote is aimed at frequent searches, while LANDEX Webstore supports occasional document purchases. Provider fees may apply.
How much does Armstrong County charge for deed copies?
The county lists ordinary recorded-document copies at $0.50 per page, including Plans of Lots. Large 11-by-17-inch copies of Plans of Lots cost $3 per page. Ask the office about certified copies.
Can I pay the Armstrong Recorder with a credit card?
The county’s official office page states that the office accepts cash or check only and does not accept debit or credit cards. A separate online vendor may have its own payment methods.
What is the Armstrong County deed recording fee?
The county’s fee schedule effective December 1, 2025 lists $87.75 for a deed of up to four pages and four names, with $2 for each additional page and $0.50 for each additional name. Realty transfer taxes, when applicable, are separate.
What is the Armstrong County realty transfer tax?
The county’s recording guidance identifies 1% for Pennsylvania state transfer tax and 1% for local/school transfer tax, generally totaling 2% for taxable transfers. Exemptions and valuation rules can change the result.
Does Armstrong County offer a free property record fraud alert?
Yes. Armstrong County promotes a free Record Alert System through LANDEX that can email registered users when a document is recorded with a matching name.
Will Recorder employees search a property’s complete ownership history for me?
The county says its staff can help visitors use the research computers but cannot conduct title searches or provide legal advice or interpretation.
Source Review and Independent Guide Notice
Reviewed: October 25, 2026.
Core details were checked against the official Armstrong County Register & Recorder page, recording requirements, county-published fee schedule and LANDEX information linked by the office. Fees, policies and vendor interfaces can change; verify important transactions with the county before filing.
This article is published as an independent educational guide. County-Appraisal-District.org is not the Armstrong County government, Recorder of Deeds, LANDEX or a legal-service provider. The information does not establish ownership or replace a title search, legal advice or an official certified record.
Public land records are not consumer reports and should not be used as a substitute for legally compliant employment, tenant, credit or insurance screening.