Somerset County Recorder of Deeds: Search Records, Record Documents, Fees & Office Guide
The Somerset County Recorder of Deeds in Somerset, Pennsylvania preserves records relating to real property. The office records deeds, mortgages, easements, powers of attorney, military discharges, property options, leases, highway and subdivision plans, mine maps, agreements of sale and many other real-estate documents.
This guide explains how to search Somerset County deed records, use Landex remote access, request recorded-document copies, prepare a deed or mortgage for recording, check the Act 45 of 2025 fee schedule, use Record Alert and Notary Alert, and choose the right county office for property taxes or assessment questions.
What Does the Somerset County Recorder of Deeds Do?
The Somerset County Recorder of Deeds preserves real-property records for Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Use this office for recorded deeds, mortgages, easements, powers of attorney, military discharges, property options, oaths of office, nonprofit charters, leases, highway plans, subdivision plans, mine maps, agreements of sale and related recorded land documents.
Use the Recorder For
- Searching recorded deeds and mortgages.
- Recording deeds, mortgages, easements, releases and agreements.
- Recorded-document copies and recording references.
- Landex remote-access guidance.
- Record Alert and Notary Alert links.
Use Assessment For
- Real estate search and tax calculator.
- Assessment value and property-card questions.
- Parcel maps and tax map numbers.
- Homestead/farmstead and tax relief forms.
- Board of Assessment Appeals questions.
Use Tax Offices For
- Local real estate tax payment questions.
- Tax collector contact details.
- Delinquent taxes and Tax Claim matters.
- Tax sale or upset sale questions.
- Payment status and tax-bill follow-up.
How to Search Somerset County Deeds and Recorded Documents
Somerset County links users to Landex remote instructions for online record access. Use Landex when you need to search recorded deeds, mortgages, easements, releases, agreements or other recorded real-property documents. Use the county Assessment real estate search when you only have a property address, owner name, property ID or map number.
Start on the Official Recorder Page
Open Somerset County’s Recorder of Deeds page first. The official page links to Landex remote instructions, Record Alert, Notary Alert, the fee schedule, recorded plat maps, and the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue Common Level Ratio page.
Search Names Like a Recorder Index
Search grantor, grantee, borrower, lender, trust, estate, company, mineral owner, agreement party and prior-owner names. For Somerset County mineral, easement, mine map, highway plan or right-of-way research, individual deed names may not be enough.
Use Assessment Search When You Only Have Property Clues
Somerset County’s real estate search supports owner, property ID, house number, street, municipality, map number, land-use code, assessed value and sales searches. Use it to find the tax map number or property clues, then return to Recorder records for the recorded document.
Save the Recording Reference Before Ordering Copies
Record the document type, party names, recording date, instrument number, book/page, volume/page or other reference shown by Landex. This helps the Recorder staff locate the exact record and reduces the chance of ordering the wrong copy.
Do Not Treat the Index as a Title Opinion
The search system helps locate recorded documents. It does not prove that a deed was legally drafted correctly, that all liens were released, that a transfer-tax statement was correct, or that title is marketable.
How to Record a Deed, Mortgage or Plan in Somerset County
Pennsylvania recording is document-specific. Somerset County says its minimum fee includes state fee and recording fee for an instrument up to and including four pages and four names, and any fractional part of a page is counted as one page. Before recording, verify the fee schedule, the tax map number, the legal description, acknowledgments, transfer-tax treatment and return instructions.
| Requirement | What to Check | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Correct county | Record in Somerset County only when the Pennsylvania property is located in Somerset County. | Documents recorded in the wrong county may not provide the public-record effect you expected. |
| Notarial acknowledgment | Deeds and many recordable real estate documents must be properly acknowledged before recording. | A missing or defective acknowledgment is a common reason a document needs correction. |
| Tax map number / parcel reference | Use the Somerset County Assessment search or property paperwork to verify the correct tax map number and municipality. | Recorder and Assessment workflows rely on property identifiers to match records correctly. |
| Legal description | Check the legal description against the prior deed, survey, plan or title work. | Do not shorten or “fix” the legal description without professional review. |
| Pages and names | Somerset County states the minimum recording fee includes up to four pages and four names; extra pages/names can change the total. | Incorrect page or name counting can cause rejection or delay. |
| Realty transfer tax | Taxable deed transfers generally need Pennsylvania and local transfer-tax treatment, or a valid statement of value/exemption where applicable. | Recorder offices collect realty-transfer-related amounts when applicable, but they do not give tax-planning advice. |
| Special plan rules | Somerset County lists special interim procedures for wind turbine and tower minor land development plans, including surveyor seal, recorder statement, planning approval block, owner signature/acknowledgment, municipality, full tax map number and minimum plan size. | Plans can have requirements beyond ordinary deed formatting. |
How to Request Somerset County Recorded Document Copies
Copy requests are faster when you already have a document reference from Landex or the Recorder’s index. For recorded deeds, mortgages, easements, mine maps, subdivision plans or older documents, collect as many details as possible before contacting the office.
Information to Gather First
- Document type, such as deed, mortgage, easement, lease or agreement.
- Grantor and grantee names.
- Recording date or approximate date range.
- Instrument number, book/page or volume/page reference.
- Tax map number, municipality or property address clue.
- Whether you need a plain copy or certified copy.
Recorder Mailing / Visit Address
Somerset County Recorder of Deeds
300 N. Center Ave
Suite 400
Somerset, PA 15501
Call 814-445-1547 before mailing payment if you need certification, multiple copies, plan copies, older record assistance, or exact current fees.
Somerset County Recorder of Deeds Fees and Act 45 Fee Update
Somerset County lists recording charges effective November 14, 2025 under Act 45 of 2025. The county warns users to read the fee instructions carefully because the required payment depends on pages, names, document type and other recording factors. The minimum fee includes state fee and recording fee for an instrument up to four pages and four names.
Base Fee Rule
Somerset County states the minimum fee includes the state fee and recording fee for an instrument up to and including four pages and four names. Fractional pages count as full pages.
Extra Pages and Names
Use the county’s official “Price List for Additional Pages” and “Recorder Fees” links before mailing. Extra pages, extra names, plans, copies or certification can change the total.
Transfer Tax
Deed transfers may involve Pennsylvania realty transfer tax and local transfer-tax handling. Use the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue Common Level Ratio resource when a statement of value or valuation factor is needed.
Recording Fee Checklist Estimator
This tool is a planning checklist, not an official Somerset County fee quote. Enter the base amount shown on the current official fee schedule, then use the extra-page/name fields to estimate whether the document may exceed the minimum.
Somerset County Recorder of Deeds Office Address and Contact
The Recorder of Deeds is located in the Somerset County Annex Office Building on North Center Avenue. The same county complex includes several land, property and tax offices, so confirm the correct suite before visiting.
Somerset County Recorder of Deeds
Address:
300 N. Center Ave
Suite 400
Somerset, PA 15501
Phone: 814-445-1547
Fax: 814-445-1563
Recorder of Deeds: Patricia A. Peifer
First Deputy: Carlie Boxler
Second Deputy: Stephanie M. Hay
Open Recorder Map ↗Recorder vs Assessment vs Tax Offices in Somerset County
Deeds, assessments and taxes are connected, but Pennsylvania counties split the work across different offices. Use the right office for the right problem.
| Office / System | Use It For | Do Not Use It For | Local Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recorder of Deeds | Recorded deeds, mortgages, easements, releases, powers of attorney, agreements, mine maps, subdivision plans, recording fees, Landex access, Record Alert and Notary Alert. | Property valuation, tax-bill payment, deed drafting, legal-title opinions or tax appeals. | 300 N. Center Ave, Suite 400; 814-445-1547. |
| Assessment Office | Real estate search, sales search, assessed values, property maps, tax map numbers, homestead/farmstead, tax calculator, assessment appeals and property records. | Recording a deed or issuing Recorder-certified deed copies. | 300 N. Center Ave, Suite 440; 814-445-1536. |
| Tax Collectors | Municipal/school tax collection and local payment questions for current taxes. | Recording deeds or changing assessed value. | Use the county tax collector directory to find the correct local collector. |
| Tax Claim Bureau | Delinquent real estate taxes, tax claim status, tax-sale listings and delinquent-tax procedures. | Current deed recording, title search or legal advice. | Use this office only when delinquent tax or tax sale is involved. |
Somerset County Record Alert and Notary Alert: What They Do
Somerset County links to Landex Record Alert and Notary Alert signup pages. The county also states that the Recorder of Deeds office and Landex are unable to sign anyone up for the service, so users must complete the alert signup themselves.
Record Alert Can Help With
- Monitoring names connected to recorded documents.
- Receiving alerts after a matching document is recorded.
- Watching personal, trust, estate or company name variations.
- Prompting you to search Landex quickly after an alert.
Notary Alert Can Help With
- Monitoring notary name and commission information.
- Spotting unexpected recording activity tied to notary details.
- Helping notaries notice possible misuse faster.
- Creating an early-warning habit for recorded documents.
Official Somerset County Recorder Links
Use these official links to complete the task. Each resource includes a short micro-guide so users know exactly what to do after opening it.
Somerset County Recorder of Deeds Main Page
Best starting point for office address, phone, staff names, Act 45 fee notice, Landex access, fee schedule, recorded plats, Record Alert and Notary Alert.
- Confirm you are on the official co.somerset.pa.us county site.
- Read the Act 45 fee notice and effective date.
- Use the Landex remote instructions link for online record access.
- Open the official fee schedule before mailing payment.
Landex Remote Instructions
County-linked resource for remote online access to Somerset County recorded documents.
- Review Landex remote-access options and account requirements.
- Choose the search or access method that fits your record need.
- Search by grantor, grantee, document type, date or known reference where available.
- Save the document reference before ordering or printing copies.
Somerset County Recorder Fees
Official Somerset County fee schedule effective November 14, 2025 under Act 45 of 2025.
- Open the PDF before preparing a check.
- Identify the exact document type.
- Count pages and indexed names carefully.
- Check whether state fees, recording fees, extra pages, extra names, copies, certification or transfer-tax items apply.
Price List for Additional Pages
Official county PDF linked by the Recorder for calculating added page-related costs.
- Count every page, including attachments and fractional pages.
- Compare your page count with the base fee allowance.
- Add the listed additional-page amounts where required.
- Call the Recorder if the document has multiple instruments or unusual attachments.
Somerset County Recorded Plat Maps
Official county map page with recorded plats and parcel/map resources.
- Choose the map type that matches your need.
- Select Recorded Plats if you need plat-map resources.
- Use parcel maps for property-location context, not as a substitute for a recorded deed.
- Email or contact the county GIS/map contact only for map-related questions.
Somerset County Real Estate Search
Official Assessment search for owner, property ID, address, municipality, map number, assessed value and sales search clues.
- Use one search field at a time for best results.
- Search owner as last name first and avoid punctuation.
- Use the property ID, address, municipality or map number when available.
- Return to Recorder/Landex when you need the recorded deed or mortgage document.
Pennsylvania DOR Common Level Ratio
Official Pennsylvania Department of Revenue resource linked by Somerset County for realty-transfer-tax valuation context.
- Select the correct county and tax year.
- Use the ratio only when a statement of value or valuation factor is required.
- Do not guess transfer-tax treatment for exempt or unusual transfers.
- Ask a title company, attorney or tax professional when deed taxability is unclear.
Common Somerset County Recorder of Deeds Mistakes
Mistakes That Delay Records Work
- Using Somerset County, New Jersey land-record links for a Pennsylvania property.
- Calling the Assessment Office when the real need is a recorded deed copy.
- Using the Recorder when the question is really property value or tax payment.
- Mailing old pre-Act-45 fees without checking the current Somerset County schedule.
- Forgetting extra pages, extra names, statement of value or transfer-tax handling.
- Assuming Landex search results are a legal title opinion.
- Expecting the Recorder or Landex to sign you up for Record Alert or Notary Alert.
Better Local Workflow
- Start on the official Somerset County Recorder page.
- Use Landex remote instructions for recorded-document access.
- Use Assessment search for map number, owner, address and property clues.
- Check the Recorder fee schedule effective November 14, 2025.
- Save document references before requesting copies.
- Use a title company or attorney for deed preparation and legal sufficiency.
- Register for Record Alert and Notary Alert yourself through the official links.
What Should You Do Next?
| Your Situation | Best Next Step | Correct Office / System |
|---|---|---|
| You need to find a deed, mortgage, easement, agreement or mine map. | Open the official Recorder page and follow the Landex remote access instructions. | Recorder of Deeds / Landex |
| You only have an address, owner name, property ID or map number. | Use Somerset County Real Estate Search first, then use the document clues for Recorder research. | Assessment Office, then Recorder |
| You need a copy of a recorded deed or mortgage. | Find the document reference, then contact the Recorder about copy and certification requirements. | Recorder of Deeds |
| You need to record a deed or real estate document. | Confirm acknowledgment, legal description, tax map number, pages, names, transfer-tax treatment and current fees before submitting. | Recorder; title/legal professional for drafting |
| You need tax value, homestead/farmstead, tax map or appeals information. | Use Assessment Office tools and forms, including real estate search, tax calculator and Board of Appeals resources. | Assessment Office |
| You want recording alerts for your name or notary commission. | Use the Landex Record Alert or Notary Alert links and complete signup yourself. | Landex alert links |
Somerset County Recorder of Deeds FAQs
Which Somerset County Recorder of Deeds is this article about?
This article is about the Somerset County Recorder of Deeds in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. The Recorder office is located at 300 N. Center Ave, Suite 400, Somerset, PA 15501. Do not use Somerset County, New Jersey land-record instructions for Pennsylvania property.
What is the Somerset County Recorder of Deeds phone number?
The Somerset County Recorder of Deeds phone number is 814-445-1547. The fax number listed by the county is 814-445-1563.
Who is the Somerset County Recorder of Deeds?
The official county page lists Patricia A. Peifer as the Somerset County Recorder of Deeds. It also lists Carlie Boxler as First Deputy and Stephanie M. Hay as Second Deputy.
How do I search Somerset County recorded deeds online?
Start on the official Somerset County Recorder of Deeds page and use the Landex remote instructions linked there. Search by grantor, grantee, business, trust, estate, document type, date range or known recording reference where available.
What documents does the Somerset County Recorder record?
The county says more than fifty document types are recorded in the office, including deeds, mortgages, easement agreements, powers of attorney, military discharges, property options, oaths of office, nonprofit charters, leases, highway and subdivision plans, mine maps and agreements of sale.
What is the current Somerset County Recorder fee schedule date?
The official Recorder page lists recording charges effective November 14, 2025 under Act 45 of 2025. Check the county’s official fee schedule before mailing or submitting a document because the amount can depend on document type, pages, names and related requirements.
How are pages and names counted for Somerset County recording fees?
The county states that the minimum fee includes state fee and recording fee for an instrument up to and including four pages and four names. It also states that any fractional part of a page is considered one full page.
Does the Recorder handle property assessments or tax bills?
No. The Recorder handles recorded documents. The Assessment Office handles real estate search, assessed value, property maps, tax map numbers, homestead/farmstead and assessment appeals. Tax collectors and the Tax Claim Bureau handle tax payment and delinquent-tax matters.
Can the Recorder or Landex sign me up for Record Alert?
The Somerset County Recorder page says users should use the links to sign up for alert systems and that the Recorder of Deeds office and Landex are unable to sign anyone up for the service. You must complete the signup yourself through the alert link.
Is this website the official Somerset County Recorder?
No. County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent educational resource. It is not Somerset County, the Recorder of Deeds, the Assessment Office, Landex, a title company, a law firm or a consumer reporting agency. Always verify current records, fees and filing requirements with the official county office.
Independent Educational Guide
County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with Somerset County, Pennsylvania, the Somerset County Recorder of Deeds, the Somerset County Assessment Office, Landex, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, any title company or any law firm.
Recorded documents, copy availability, certification rules, recording acceptance, fees, transfer-tax treatment, title status, assessment records, tax map numbers and legal outcomes are controlled by official county offices, Pennsylvania law and applicable public-record systems. This page is not legal, title, escrow, tax or financial advice.
Public property-owner and land-record information 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.