Washington County Recorder of Deeds: Search Deeds, Get Copies, Fees & Office Guide
This guide covers the Washington County Recorder of Deeds in Pennsylvania. The office records deeds, mortgages, subdivisions and other land-related documents, and the county states that deeds from 1781 to the present are available online through Landex.
Use this page to search deed records, understand what the Recorder can and cannot do, check the Washington PA office address, avoid common recording rejections, estimate extra page/name/PIN charges, and decide when to contact Assessment, Tax Revenue, Treasurer, Tax Claim or the courts instead.
What Does the Washington County Recorder of Deeds Do?
The Washington County Recorder of Deeds is the local Pennsylvania office for recording and preserving land records such as deeds, mortgages, subdivisions and other documents that state law treats as having long-term public value. The Recorder keeps the recorded document history; it does not appraise property, collect yearly real-estate taxes, decide ownership disputes or prepare deeds for you.
Use the Recorder For
- Searching recorded deeds and mortgages.
- Getting recorded document copies.
- Recording deeds, mortgages, plans and related land documents.
- Checking book/page, instrument and recording references.
Use Assessment For
- Parcel records and assessed values.
- Tax-map or property-card questions.
- Property transfers after recorded deeds are processed.
- Clean and Green, homestead or assessment appeal forms.
Use Treasurer / Tax Offices For
- Current tax bills and payment questions.
- Delinquent tax and tax-claim matters.
- Tax sale information.
- Receipts, refunds and payment status.
How to Search Washington County PA Deed Records Online
Washington County directs users to Landex for remote access to deed records from 1781 to the present. Public computers are also available in the Recorder of Deeds office for people who want to search recorded documents in person.
Start With the Official County Recorder Page
Open the Washington County Recorder of Deeds page first. Confirm the current office notice, fee-schedule notice, legal-size electronic document warning, Landex access statement and public-computer availability.
Choose the Right Search Method
If you already have a recorded document reference, search by instrument number, deed book/page or other exact reference where available. If you only know the parties, search by grantor, grantee or name. If you only know the property address, first use the county property/assessment site to find owner and parcel clues.
Read the Result Before Buying Copies
Open the matching result and check the party names, recording date, document type, book/page or instrument number, parcel/PIN reference and legal description clues. Do not pay for the wrong copy just because a name looks similar.
Use the Office Computers if Remote Search Is Confusing
The Recorder’s office states that computers are available in the office for public searching. This can help if the record is old, the owner name has several spellings, the property changed municipalities, or the search requires a Russell index or older reference.
Call Landex for Platform Help
For help with Landex access, copies or using the Landex website, Washington County points users to Landex support at 1-800-370-2836, Option 4. Call the Recorder for county-office and fee questions; call Landex for platform-use questions.
How to Read a Washington County Deed Search Result
A recorder search result is not the same as a property-tax card. The Recorder’s index helps identify recorded documents. Assessment and tax offices connect those documents to parcel values, tax bills and mapping.
| Field You May See | What It Usually Means | Why It Matters | Where to Verify Next |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grantor | The person or entity transferring an interest. | Useful when tracing who sold, granted or released the interest. | Check the deed image and legal description. |
| Grantee | The person or entity receiving the interest. | Useful when confirming buyer, transferee or receiving party. | Compare to the assessment owner record. |
| Instrument / Document Number | The unique recording reference for a document. | Best reference to request or cite a recorded copy. | Use with Recorder or Landex copy request. |
| Book and Page | Traditional recorded-document location reference. | Helpful for older deeds and legal/title research. | Search Landex or public office computers. |
| PIN / Parcel Reference | Property identification reference connected to the county assessment system. | Helps link the recorded deed to the tax parcel. | Verify through Washington County Assessment records. |
| Legal Description | Formal description of the property or interest. | More important than the mailing address for deed research. | Compare deeds, surveys, plans and assessment maps. |
| Recording Date | Date the document was accepted for recording. | Different from sale date, signing date or settlement date. | Review deed and tax-transfer timing separately. |
Washington County Recorder Fees: What to Check Before Recording
Washington County’s current recorder page says base recorded-document fees are listed on the fee schedule and that documents include 4 pages, 4 indexed names and 1 PIN. It also lists additional charges of $2.00 per extra page, $0.50 per extra indexed name and $10.00 per extra PIN. Always confirm the final total with the Recorder before recording.
Fee Items to Check
- Document type: deed, mortgage, satisfaction, subdivision, UCC or other filing.
- Number of pages after the first 4 pages.
- Number of indexed names after the first 4 names.
- Number of PINs after the first PIN.
- Current CJEA surcharge update and any state/county fee change.
Transfer-Tax Items
- Pennsylvania state realty transfer tax is generally 1%.
- Washington County fee materials list local transfer tax generally at 1%.
- Peters Township is commonly listed separately at 1.5% local transfer tax.
- Some transfers require Pennsylvania Form REV-183 Statement of Value.
- Transfers involving more than one municipality may need clear tax division details.
Extra Page, Name and PIN Charge Estimator
This tool estimates only the common extra charges shown by the county: pages after 4, indexed names after 4 and PINs after 1. It does not replace the official fee schedule, transfer taxes, CJEA surcharge, local taxes or Recorder review.
Formula used: extra pages after 4 × $2.00; extra indexed names after 4 × $0.50; extra PINs after 1 × $10.00. Add these to the official base fee, transfer tax and any current surcharge shown by the Recorder.
Washington County Recording Requirements and Common Rejection Triggers
Recorder offices can reject documents when formatting, fee, acknowledgment, tax or parcel information is incomplete. These points are especially important for deeds, mortgages, easements, long-term leases, subdivisions and re-recorded documents.
| Requirement / Issue | What to Check | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic legal-size pages | Washington County states it no longer accepts legal-size pages electronically. | Electronic submissions can fail if the page size does not match current county rules. |
| Font size | County notice says letter-size pages must use at least 12-size font and legal-size pages at least 14-size font. | Small text can create recording and scanning problems. |
| Municipality, county and state | Deeds and mortgages should clearly identify the property location. | Transfer-tax distribution and parcel routing may depend on the correct municipality. |
| Notary acknowledgment | Check county, state, date, appearing party names/titles, notary signature, seal and expiration details where required. | Defective acknowledgments are a common reason recorded documents are delayed or rejected. |
| Document date vs acknowledgment date | The acknowledgment should not predate the document date. | An inconsistent date can create a recording defect. |
| REV-183 Statement of Value | Use the PA form when required, especially for certain exempt, nominal-consideration or non-arm’s-length transfers. | The recorder may need it to process realty transfer tax correctly. |
| Correct checks | Verify whether separate checks are needed for recording fees, state transfer tax and local transfer tax. | Wrong check amounts can stop recording even if the deed itself is prepared correctly. |
| Re-recording | Re-recorded documents may need a new acknowledgment and a clear correction reason. | Trying to fix a recorded document informally can create title confusion. |
Washington County Recorder of Deeds Office Address, Hours and Phone
Use the Recorder of Deeds office for recorded-document questions, deed copies, fee clarification and in-office deed searching. Call ahead if you need same-day recording, certified copies, older-record help or fee confirmation.
Washington County Recorder of Deeds
Recorder: Carrie Perrell
Address:
95 W. Beau St., Suite 520
Washington, PA 15301
Phone: 724-228-6806
Hours: 9:00am–4:30pm
Recording cutoff: Document recording stops at 4:00pm.
Open Recorder Map ↗Official Washington County Recorder of Deeds Links
Use these official and agency resources before paying for deed copies, mailing a document or relying on a third-party search page. Each link includes what to do after opening it.
Washington County PA Recorder of Deeds
Official county page for office location, Landex notice, fee schedule notice, recording cutoff, public-computer search and current recorder information.
- Read the top notices before preparing a document.
- Use the Access Deeds Online section for Landex guidance.
- Open the fee schedule before writing checks.
- Call 724-228-6806 if the fee, page size or document type is unclear.
Landex Remote / Webstore
Washington County points users to Landex for remote deed access and to Landex support for help using the platform or purchasing copies.
- Select the Landex access option that fits your use: occasional copy search or regular account-based searching.
- Choose Pennsylvania and Washington County when prompted.
- Search by the best available clue: grantor, grantee, document reference, book/page or date range.
- Verify party names and recording references before buying a copy.
- For Landex help, call 1-800-370-2836, Option 4.
Washington County Tax Revenue — Assessments
Use this when you need parcel records, assessed value, tax-roll information, property transfers, mapping or assessment forms rather than the recorded deed image.
- Use this office when the question is about assessed value, parcel data or tax-map information.
- Search the property record if you only have the address and need owner/PIN clues.
- Use deed details from the Recorder to confirm transfer history.
- Do not assume the assessment record replaces the recorded deed.
Pennsylvania DOR — Realty Transfer Tax
Official Pennsylvania guidance for state realty transfer tax, which is generally imposed at 1% on transfers of real estate.
- Read the current state realty transfer tax rule.
- Compare state tax with Washington County/local transfer-tax requirements.
- Check whether your deed needs a Statement of Value.
- Ask the Recorder or a title professional how taxes should be paid for your transaction.
PA REV-183 — Realty Transfer Tax Statement of Value
Official form used for certain Pennsylvania realty transfer-tax situations, including some exempt, nominal-consideration and non-arm’s-length transfers.
- Open the PDF only if your transaction requires a Statement of Value.
- Complete the property, party, consideration and exemption sections that apply.
- Make sure a responsible person connected with the transaction signs it.
- Submit it with the deed package when required by Pennsylvania rules and county review.
Common Washington County Deed Search and Recording Mistakes
Mistakes That Waste Time
- Searching by street address in a recorder system before finding the owner or parcel clues.
- Confusing the Recorder’s deed record with the county assessment card.
- Mailing a deed with the wrong transfer-tax checks.
- Using legal-size pages electronically despite the county warning.
- Assuming recorded ownership changes instantly fix tax-bill mailing information.
- Trying to add or remove a person from a deed without a properly prepared new document.
Better Workflow
- Use the assessment record to get parcel/PIN and owner clues.
- Use Landex or office computers to find the recorded deed.
- Confirm book/page or instrument number before buying copies.
- Call the Recorder before mailing documents with transfer tax.
- Verify post-recording changes with Assessment and Tax Revenue when needed.
- Keep copies of receipts, stamped documents and return mail tracking.
What Should You Do Next?
Choose the path below based on the problem you are trying to solve. This prevents the most common Recorder vs Assessment vs Tax Office confusion.
| Your Goal | Best First Step | Office / Resource |
|---|---|---|
| Find a deed or mortgage copy. | Search Landex or use the public computers in the Recorder’s office. | Recorder of Deeds / Landex |
| You only know the property address. | Use the county assessment/public access site to find owner, PIN and parcel details first. | Washington County Assessments |
| Record a new deed. | Confirm document preparation, notarization, fees, transfer tax and REV-183 requirements before submission. | Recorder of Deeds + attorney/title professional |
| Change a tax-bill mailing address after a transfer. | Check whether the deed has recorded, then contact the correct tax/assessment office for address updates. | Tax Revenue / Assessment |
| Research delinquent taxes or tax sale status. | Do not rely only on the deed record. Contact Tax Claim or Treasurer depending on the issue. | Washington County Tax Claim / Treasurer |
| Fix a deed mistake. | Ask a Pennsylvania attorney or title professional what corrective document is needed, then verify recording requirements. | Attorney/title professional + Recorder |
Washington County Recorder of Deeds FAQs
Which Washington County Recorder of Deeds does this guide cover?
This guide covers the Washington County Recorder of Deeds in Pennsylvania. The office is located at 95 W. Beau St., Suite 520, Washington, PA 15301.
How far back do Washington County PA online deed records go?
Washington County states that all deeds from 1781 to the present are available online and remotely through Landex. Older records may require careful name, book/page or index searching.
What is the phone number for the Washington County Recorder of Deeds?
The Recorder of Deeds office phone number listed by Washington County is 724-228-6806. Use this number for office questions, recording-fee clarification and local document-recording guidance.
What are the Washington County Recorder of Deeds office hours?
The county lists Recorder office hours as 9:00am to 4:30pm. Recording of documents stops at 4:00pm, so same-day recording questions should be handled before the cutoff.
Can I search Washington County deeds from home?
Yes. Washington County directs users to Landex for remote access to deed records. For help using Landex, purchasing copies or accessing records from a personal computer, the county points users to Landex support at 1-800-370-2836, Option 4.
Are public search computers available at the Recorder’s office?
Yes. Washington County says computers are available in the Recorder of Deeds office for the public to search recorded documents.
Does the Recorder of Deeds show current property taxes?
No. The Recorder shows recorded land documents such as deeds and mortgages. For assessed value, parcel data, tax mapping and many property-record questions, use Washington County Assessment or Tax Revenue resources.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Washington County PA?
The exact amount depends on the current fee schedule, document type, page count, indexed names, PINs and realty transfer tax. The county says recorded document base fees include 4 pages, 4 indexed names and 1 PIN; extra pages, names and PINs cost more. Call 724-228-6806 before mailing payment.
What is Pennsylvania realty transfer tax for deeds?
Pennsylvania’s state realty transfer tax is generally 1% of the value of real estate transferred. Washington County materials also refer to local transfer tax, commonly 1%, with Peters Township treated differently at 1.5% local transfer tax. Verify the final tax for your transaction before recording.
Can the Recorder prepare or fix my deed?
No. Recorder staff can explain recording procedures and fees, but they cannot provide legal advice, draft a deed, decide who should be on title or fix legal ownership problems. Contact a Pennsylvania real-estate attorney or title professional for deed preparation or correction.
Independent Educational Guide
County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational resource. It is not affiliated with Washington County, Pennsylvania, the Washington County Recorder of Deeds, Landex, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, any title company or any law firm.
Recorded-document access, recording acceptance, transfer-tax treatment, fee totals, rejected-document decisions and legal title issues are determined by official agencies, statutes, courts and qualified professionals. This page is not legal, financial, tax or title advice.
Property-owner and recorded-document 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.