Butler County PA Recorder of Deeds: Search Deeds, Record Documents, Fees & Office Guide
The Butler County Recorder of Deeds is the county office for recorded land records in Butler County, Pennsylvania. Use this office for deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, easements, powers of attorney, recorded-document copies, notary bond recording, UCC filings and questions about whether a real-estate document has been recorded.
This guide explains how to search Butler County deed records, what to check before recording a deed, how current fees work, where the Recorder’s office is located in the Government Center, and when you should contact the Assessment office, local tax collector or another county office instead.
Where Do You Search or Record Butler County PA Deeds?
Start with the Butler County Recorder of Deeds for land and deed records. The county’s search page describes the Recorder’s office as the central location for Butler County land records and says real-estate transactions and documents are recorded there.
Use the Recorder For
- Deeds and mortgages.
- Recorded-document images and copies.
- Mortgage satisfactions and releases.
- Easements, right-of-way documents and long-term leases.
- UCC filings and notary bond recording.
Use Assessment For
Contact Butler County Assessment when the issue is property record data, assessed value, old record card information, assessment appeals, homestead/farmstead exclusions or whether a parcel sketch is available online.
Assessment phone: 724-284-5316
Use Tax Collector For
Butler County Assessment says county and municipal real-estate tax bills are sent March 1, school property-tax bills are sent August 1, and missing-tax-bill questions should go to the local tax collector.
Do not use the Recorder for routine tax-bill payment questions.
Recorder of Deeds vs Assessment vs Tax Collector in Butler County
A deed record, property assessment record and tax bill can all refer to the same parcel, but they are not the same record. This table helps you choose the correct office before you call or visit.
| Office / Tool | Best For | Not Best For | Helpful Local Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recorder of Deeds | Recorded deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, document copies, recording fees, UCC filings, notary bonds and land records. | Property valuation, tax bill due dates, tax collector payments, legal deed drafting or title opinions. | Main Recorder phone: 724-284-5340. Office is in Government Center, Floor L. |
| Assessment Department | Property record search, assessed values, old record cards, appeals, homestead/farmstead forms and assessment questions. | Recording a deed, certifying a recorded document copy or collecting deed transfer tax. | Assessment page says the department is in the Government Center Annex on Level UL. |
| Local Tax Collector / Tax Payment Tool | Tax bill payment, local collector contact, receipts and tax-bill due-date questions. | Correcting a deed, searching historical land records or preparing a Statement of Value. | The county says the online tax payment service is only available to selected municipalities. |
| GIS / Mapping | Parcel location, map layers, boundary context and geographic lookup. | Replacing the official recorded deed or legal title search. | Use GIS for location context, then confirm documents through the Recorder and values through Assessment. |
How to Search Butler County Recorder of Deeds Records Online
Butler County provides online access to Recorder records through its deed-record search system. The public access page notes that creating an account is not required, but it is recommended because an account can save search settings, search history and documents in a cart.
Open the Official Deed Record Search
Use the county’s Search Deed Records page or the public access system linked from the Recorder pages. If the search page prompts for browser settings, use a current browser such as Chrome or Edge and allow PDFs to open correctly.
Start With the Best Identifier
If you have a recorded instrument number, use it first. If you only have a property address, use the property record search or GIS first to identify the parcel, owner and tax parcel number, then return to the Recorder search for recorded documents.
Search Names Carefully
Deed indexes may use grantor and grantee names, business names, trusts, estates or prior owner names. Try surname-only searches, business-name variants, initials, and older owner names when the current owner search does not return the expected deed.
Open the Matching Record and Save the Reference
Review the document type, recording date, instrument number, book/page reference if shown, party names and image availability. Save the instrument number before ordering a copy or calling the Recorder.
Check the Current Cover Date
The county maintains a Current Cover Date page for recordings. Check it before assuming a very recent deed is missing, because recently recorded documents may not yet be fully verified through the online index.
What a Butler County Deed Record Result Means
A Recorder result helps you find documents in the public land records, but it does not by itself prove clear title. Use the fields below to understand what you are looking at.
| Field | Plain-English Meaning | Why It Matters | Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instrument Number | The Recorder’s unique reference for a recorded document. | Best number to provide when requesting copies or staff help. | Calling with only a street address when the instrument number is available. |
| Book / Page | An older or alternate recording reference used in deed chains and title work. | Useful for older deeds, mortgages, easements and references in later documents. | Assuming a book/page reference is the tax parcel number. |
| Grantor / Grantee | The parties transferring or receiving an interest in the recorded document. | Helps trace transfers, releases, mortgages, easements and assignments. | Assuming the first result is current ownership without checking later recordings. |
| Document Type | Examples include deed, mortgage, satisfaction, easement, agreement, affidavit or power of attorney. | Tells you whether the document transfers ownership, secures debt, releases debt or affects property rights. | Ordering a mortgage when you actually need the deed. |
| Parcel / Tax ID | The assessment/tax identifier connected to the property. | Helps connect Recorder records with Assessment and tax-bill records. | Treating the parcel record as a title report. |
| Document Image | The scanned or electronic image of the recorded document. | Needed to read legal description, clauses, signatures, acknowledgments and recording stamps. | Relying only on index text when the document language matters. |
How to Record a Deed or Real-Estate Document in Butler County
Recording is more than handing in paper. Deeds and many real-estate documents must meet county fee requirements, Pennsylvania transfer-tax rules, formatting expectations, signature/acknowledgment requirements and document-specific attachment rules.
Before You Submit
- Confirm the property is in Butler County, Pennsylvania.
- Use the correct legal document for the transaction.
- Include names, signatures and acknowledgments where required.
- Include the tax parcel number and legal description when applicable.
- Attach the Certificate of Residence when required.
- Attach REV-183 Statement of Value when needed.
- Verify fees before mailing or visiting.
Recorder Limitations
The Recorder’s office records eligible documents; it does not draft deeds, choose the correct deed type, decide if a transfer is tax-exempt, settle family ownership disputes or guarantee marketable title.
For a deed transfer after death, divorce, trust change, LLC transfer, family transfer or corrective deed, use a Pennsylvania attorney, title company or qualified tax professional before recording.
Verify Butler County Jurisdiction
Record real-property documents in the county where the real estate is located. If the address is near a county line, use the Butler County property record search or GIS map before submitting the document.
Prepare the Document Correctly
Deeds should identify the grantor, grantee, property, consideration or exemption basis, legal description, parcel information and required signatures. Pennsylvania deed issues can affect tax, estate, mortgage and title consequences.
Check REV-183 Statement of Value
Pennsylvania REV-183 is commonly used when the full value or consideration is not set out in the deed, the transfer is without consideration or by gift, or a transfer-tax exemption is claimed. The form warns that failure to complete it properly or attach requested documentation may cause the Recorder to refuse the deed.
Calculate Recording Fees and Transfer Tax Separately
Butler County recording fees are not the same as Pennsylvania realty transfer tax. PA Revenue says state realty transfer tax is 1% of the value of real estate transferred, and county Recorders often collect it along with local realty transfer taxes.
Submit by the Accepted Method
Use the county’s Recorder instructions, mail the document to the Recorder’s mailing address, visit the Government Center office, or use an approved e-recording pathway if you are an eligible submitter and the document type is accepted.
Save the Recorded Information
After recording, save the instrument number, recorded copy, receipt, book/page reference if shown, and any recording stamp information. You may need these later for taxes, refinancing, probate, sale, corrections or title review.
Butler County Recorder of Deeds Fees to Check Before Recording
Butler County’s fee schedule says standard documents include four names and four pages, with additional charges when a document exceeds the included count. The county also posted fee changes effective November 19, 2025, so verify the specific document type before preparing payment.
| Document / Service | County-Listed Fee Detail | What to Check Before Paying |
|---|---|---|
| Deeds, mortgages and re-recordings of deeds | Base fee listed as $87.75 beginning November 19, 2025. Includes four names, four pages and one parcel unless other fees apply. | Add fees for extra names, pages and parcels. Check transfer tax separately. |
| Re-recording of mortgage | Base fee listed as $89.75 beginning November 19, 2025. Includes four names, four pages, one parcel and one notation on original mortgage. | Add $2 per additional notation if more than one notation is needed. |
| Mortgage amendment, assignment, modification or release | Base fee listed as $61.75 beginning November 19, 2025. | Confirm whether the document requires a notation on the original mortgage. |
| Article of agreement / installment land contract | County fee page says these include four names and four pages and must have a Certificate of Residence. | Check whether the 2025 updated base fee applies and whether transfer tax reporting is required. |
| Maps / plans | Other Real Estate page lists $45 for the first page and $40 per additional page. | Ask whether subdivision, land-development, highway-plan or survey-related review fees apply. |
| Miscellaneous instruments | County miscellaneous page lists $18.50 for items such as affidavit, agreement, power of attorney and restrictive covenants. | Confirm the document category before assuming the miscellaneous fee applies. |
| Copies and certification | Mail-request record books/instrument numbers: $1 per page; certificate and seal: $1.50; service fee with book/page: $2; service fee without book/page: $4. | Give the Recorder the instrument number or book/page to avoid extra lookup time and wrong-copy requests. |
| UCC filings | UCC financing statements and amendments/assignments/continuations/releases/terminations are listed at $100 per document. | Confirm whether your filing belongs with the county Recorder or Pennsylvania Department of State. |
Butler County Recording Fee Planning Calculator
Use this estimator only for planning. It does not calculate every Pennsylvania or local realty transfer tax. The default base fee uses Butler County’s listed $87.75 deed/mortgage base fee effective November 19, 2025.
Formula used: documents × base fee + extra names × $1 + extra pages × $2 + extra parcels × $0.50 + extra notations × $2. Optional Pennsylvania state transfer tax estimate uses 1% of the entered transfer value and does not include local transfer tax or exemptions.
REV-183, Common Level Ratio and Realty Transfer Tax
Butler County Recorder pages include a Common Level Ratio Factor of 16.67 for the July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 period. This can matter when a Pennsylvania Statement of Value uses county assessed value and the common level ratio factor to compute value for certain transfer-tax situations.
REV-183 Statement of Value
Pennsylvania REV-183 asks for transfer data, real-estate location, tax parcel number, valuation data, exemption data and correspondent information. It is commonly used when value is not clearly stated, the deed is without consideration or by gift, or an exemption is claimed.
State Realty Transfer Tax
Pennsylvania Department of Revenue says the state realty transfer tax is imposed at 1% on the value of real estate transferred by deed, instrument, long-term lease or other writing, with county Recorders often collecting the state tax along with local transfer tax.
Why CLR Matters
The Statement of Value instructions explain that the common level ratio factor is multiplied by county assessed value to help determine taxable value for certain non-arm’s-length transactions, leases and acquired companies.
Why You Cannot Find a Butler County Deed Record
Most failed deed searches come from using the wrong office, wrong name, wrong identifier or a record that has not yet appeared in the verified index.
Common Problems
- Searching a street address in a Recorder index when the portal works better by party name or instrument reference.
- Using the current owner name when the deed was indexed under a prior owner, trust, estate or company.
- Confusing Assessment property records with Recorder document images.
- Expecting a very recent deed to appear before the current cover date catches up.
- Assuming the Recorder can perform a full title search for you.
Better Fixes
- Find the parcel in the property record search first.
- Search by grantor, grantee, business name and prior owner.
- Use instrument number or book/page if a title document gives one.
- Check the current cover date before deciding the record is missing.
- Call the Recorder with exact names, dates and instrument references.
Butler County Recorder of Deeds Address, Phone, Hours & Map
The Recorder of Deeds office is listed in the Butler County Government Center on Floor L. If you are recording a document or requesting copies, confirm the current fee and payment method before visiting.
Butler County Recorder of Deeds
Recorder: Michele Mustello
Physical address:
124 W Diamond Street
Government Center, Floor L
Butler, PA 16001
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 1208
Butler, PA 16003
Phone: 724-284-5340
Fax: 724-285-9099
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Open Recorder Map ↗Official Butler County Recorder Links and What to Do After Opening Them
Use these official links for deed searching, fee verification, document recording, transfer-tax forms, property records and office contact. Each action link includes the exact next steps.
Butler County Recorder of Deeds
Official county page for Recorder contact details, common level ratio factor, office address and main Recorder links.
- Confirm the current Recorder contact, address and phone number.
- Check the current common level ratio factor if your deed requires a Statement of Value calculation.
- Use the Recorder links for Search Records, fee pages and payment options.
- Call before mailing documents if your fee amount or exemption status is uncertain.
Butler County Search Deed Records / Public Access
Official public access path for Butler County Recorder document searching.
- Use a current browser and allow the document/PDF viewer to work.
- Create an account only if you want saved settings, history or a document cart.
- Search by party name, instrument number or available document reference.
- Save the instrument number before requesting copies or staff help.
Butler County “How Do I Search?” Page
Official hub that separates property records, GIS, land/deed records and tax search.
- Use Land/Deed Record Search for recorded real-estate documents.
- Use Search Property Records for assessment and parcel information.
- Use GIS Online Search for map and location context.
- Use Tax Search only for supported municipalities listed by the county.
Butler County Recorder Fee Schedule
Official page for standard document included counts and additional name/page/parcel/notation fees.
- Confirm the current notice about fee changes.
- Count names, pages, parcels and notations in your document.
- Add the extra fee for anything over the included count.
- Then check the document-specific fee page before preparing payment.
Butler County Deeds & Mortgages Fees
Official Recorder fee page for deeds, mortgages, re-recordings, assignments, releases and related mortgage instruments.
- Find the exact document type you plan to record.
- Check the base fee and the effective-date note.
- Add extra names, pages, parcels and notations as needed.
- Separate recording fees from transfer-tax calculations.
PA Revenue REV-183 Statement of Value
Official Pennsylvania Realty Transfer Tax Statement of Value form.
- Complete transfer data, real-estate location and valuation data.
- Enter county, school district and tax parcel number where applicable.
- Attach documentation if claiming an exemption, trust transfer, corrective deed or other special treatment.
- File it with the Recorder when the transaction requires it.
PA Department of Revenue Realty Transfer Tax
Official state guide explaining the 1% Pennsylvania realty transfer tax and county Recorder collection role.
- Read the state tax rate explanation.
- Review which real-estate transfers may be taxable or exempt.
- Check whether local transfer tax also applies to your municipality and school district.
- Ask a title company, attorney or PA Revenue if the transaction is unusual.
Butler County Assessment
Official page for property records, assessment forms, tax-bill timing, appeals and homestead/farmstead forms.
- Use this page when you need assessed value or property-record information.
- Open the property record search if you need parcel data before searching deed records.
- Use the appeals and homestead/farmstead forms only for assessment issues.
- Call 724-284-5316 to verify assessment information while the page is being updated.
What Should You Do Next?
| Your Situation | Best Next Step | Correct Office / Tool |
|---|---|---|
| You need a copy of a deed. | Search Recorder records, save the instrument number, then request a copy or certified copy if needed. | Recorder of Deeds / Public Access Search |
| You need to record a new deed. | Have the deed prepared correctly, check REV-183 and transfer-tax issues, verify fees, then submit to the Recorder. | Recorder of Deeds + Attorney / Title Company if needed |
| The property owner name looks wrong online. | Check the recorded deed chain first, then contact Assessment if the tax parcel record needs updating. | Recorder first, then Assessment |
| The assessed value is wrong. | Do not record a deed just to fix value. Use the Assessment page and appeal forms if appropriate. | Assessment Department |
| The tax bill or payment is the problem. | Review the tax bill, due dates and local tax collector information. | Local Tax Collector / Tax Search Tool |
| You are unsure if transfer tax applies. | Review PA Revenue guidance and REV-183, then ask a title company, attorney or PA Revenue before recording. | PA Revenue + Recorder + Professional Help |
Butler County PA Recorder of Deeds FAQs
Where is the Butler County Recorder of Deeds office?
The Butler County Recorder of Deeds is listed at 124 W Diamond Street, Government Center, Floor L, Butler, PA 16001. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1208, Butler, PA 16003.
What phone number should I call for Butler County Recorder questions?
Call the Butler County Recorder of Deeds at 724-284-5340. The county also lists fax number 724-285-9099 for the Recorder office.
How do I search Butler County deed records online?
Open the Butler County Search Deed Records or Public Access system from the official Recorder pages. Search by party name, instrument number, book/page or other available document reference, then save the instrument number before ordering a copy.
Do I need an account to search Butler County Recorder records?
The Public Access page says registering an account is not required, but it is recommended because an account can save search settings, search history and documents in a cart for future reference.
What is the Butler County deed recording fee?
Butler County’s Deeds & Mortgages page lists a base fee of $87.75 beginning November 19, 2025 for deeds, mortgages and re-recordings of deeds, including four names, four pages and one parcel unless additional fees apply.
What extra fees can apply to a Butler County deed recording?
The county fee schedule lists extra charges for items such as names after the first four, pages after the first four, parcels after the first parcel for deeds and mortgages, and additional notations. Realty transfer tax is separate from the recording fee.
What is the Butler County common level ratio factor for 2026–2027?
The Butler County Recorder page lists the Common Level Ratio Factor as 16.67 for the period from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Check the official Recorder page before using it in a current Statement of Value calculation.
When is REV-183 Statement of Value needed?
REV-183 instructions say to file the form in duplicate with the Recorder of Deeds when the full value or consideration is not set forth in the deed, the deed is without consideration or by gift, or a tax exemption is claimed. Supporting documentation may be required.
Does the Butler County Recorder handle property assessments or tax bills?
No. The Recorder handles land records and recording. Butler County Assessment handles assessed values and property records, while local tax collectors or supported tax-payment tools handle property-tax payment questions.
Is this website affiliated with Butler County government?
No. County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent educational website. It is not the Butler County Recorder of Deeds, Butler County Assessment Department, PA 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 resource and is not affiliated with Butler County, Pennsylvania, the Butler County Recorder of Deeds, the Butler County Assessment Department, any local tax collector, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, a title company, a law firm or any court.
Recorded documents, ownership interests, legal descriptions, title status, recording acceptance, realty transfer tax, exemption status, common level ratio calculations and copy fees are controlled by official records, Pennsylvania law, county procedures and professional title/legal review. This page is not legal, tax, title or financial advice.
Public deed and property records should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or any other regulated consumer-reporting purpose. This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.