Westmoreland County Recorder of Deeds: Search Deeds, Copies, Recording & Office Guide
The Westmoreland County Recorder of Deeds records, indexes, scans and returns real-estate documents such as deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, assignments, easements, agreements, plans and other land records for Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.
This guide explains how to search the official deed system, how to use name, advanced/legal, instrument, book/page and archives searches, what to check before recording a deed, how Pennsylvania realty transfer tax and REV-183 fit into recording, and when to use Tax Assessment instead of the Recorder.
What Does the Westmoreland County Recorder of Deeds Handle?
Use the Recorder of Deeds for deeds, mortgages, mortgage satisfactions, assignments, easements, plans, document recording, deed copies, public deed search and AlertMe document notifications. Use Tax Assessment or GIS when your starting point is a property address, parcel number, assessment value, tax map, property card or ownership record for assessment purposes.
Recorder of Deeds
Best for recorded land documents, deed and mortgage images, recording fees, realty transfer tax collection at recording, e-recording workflow and deed/mortgage copy questions.
Phone: 724-830-3518
Tax Assessment
Best for assessed value, property characteristics, parcel ownership for assessment purposes, tax assessment records, appeal notices and property information search by parcel, owner name or address.
Phone: 724-830-3409
GIS / Tax Mapping
Best for map layers, aerial photography, tax map context and locating parcel information when a deed search fails because a name, UPI/PIN or old map number is missing.
Use it before recorder search when you only know an address.
How to Search Westmoreland County Recorder of Deeds Records Online
Westmoreland County uses a Document Technology Systems public-access search for Recorder records. You can search without creating an account, but the portal says account registration is recommended because it lets users save search settings, keep a search history and save documents to a cart.
Open the Official Recorder Page First
Start with the county Recorder of Deeds page and use the official “Search our Records” link. The blue disclaimer page must be acknowledged before reaching the search screen.
Use Name Search for Most Deed and Mortgage Research
Name search is the default search path. Search by last name and first name or by organization name. Date range can be added, but the county search guide says it is not required for a basic name search.
Open the Image and Save the Record Details
The county search guide says a document can open in a separate window and can be printed, emailed or saved from the image toolbar. Save the document number, book/page, recording date, document type, party names and legal description before leaving the result.
Use Advanced / Legal Search When Names Are Too Broad
Advanced/legal search can narrow by category-document types, consideration, subdivision, lot, municipality, UPI and tax map number. The county warns that not all documents have all of those fields.
Use Instrument Search for Exact Records
Instrument search is best when you already have an instrument number from a deed, title report, mortgage satisfaction, estate file or previous recorder result. Book/page search is especially useful for documents recorded before November 13, 2000.
Use Archives Search for Old Books and Plan Books
Archives Search is the route for old books and plan books. Use this when older chain-of-title research, plan reference, subdivision plan or book-based historical research does not appear in ordinary search results.
Westmoreland County Recorder Search Fields Explained
A recorder result helps identify a recorded document. It does not prove that title is clear, that all liens have been released, or that a transfer was legally valid.
| Search Field | What It Means | When to Use It | Westmoreland Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name Search | Searches grantor, grantee and other indexed party names. | Use for owners, buyers, sellers, borrowers, lenders, estates, trusts and organizations. | Search both current and prior names; try spelling variations and organization names. |
| Advanced / Legal Search | Filters by document category, consideration, subdivision, lot, municipality, UPI or tax map number. | Use when a common last name returns too many documents. | Do not rely only on tax map number for older documents because tax map indexing was not always required. |
| Instrument Search | Finds a specific recorded document by instrument number. | Use when a title report, deed copy, mortgage statement or prior search gives the exact instrument number. | Best route for avoiding wrong-document copy orders when names are common. |
| Book/Page Search | Older record-location method for documents recorded before modern instrument numbering. | Use when a deed or mortgage references a deed book, mortgage book or page number. | The county search guide says book/page is used for documents recorded prior to November 13, 2000. |
| UPI / PIN | Parcel identifier connected to Westmoreland County land records. | Use to narrow real estate documents when parcel details are known. | Westmoreland County requires a 10-digit PIN on all documents presented for recording. |
| Archives Search | Search route for old books and plan books. | Use for historic deeds, older plans and chain-of-title research that does not appear in modern search. | Write down old book/page references before requesting staff help. |
How to Get a Westmoreland County Deed or Mortgage Copy
Westmoreland’s official search guide says the online image window lets users print, email or save a document from the image toolbar. For research help or difficult copy requests, call the Recorder office before visiting because fifth-floor research hours are Tuesday and Thursday by appointment only.
Online Copy Path
Use the DTS Public Access search, open the matching document image, and use the black image toolbar to print, email or save the document where available.
Best for: deeds, mortgages, satisfactions and indexed recorded documents that appear online.
Research Appointment Path
The Recorder page lists fifth-floor research hours on Tuesday and Thursday by appointment only. Call 724-830-3518 before visiting for older, complex or staff-assisted research.
Bring: name, instrument number, book/page, PIN/UPI, municipality and approximate date.
Certified Copy / RTKL Path
Westmoreland County’s open-records advisement explains that Recorder copy fees may be separate statutory fees. Ask the Recorder whether you need a certified recorder copy or an ordinary image/print.
Do not overpay: verify the copy type before ordering.
How to Record a Deed in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
Westmoreland County’s Recorder checks documents before recording. The county says all papers presented must be original documents that are properly executed, signed, dated, acknowledged before a notary, and submitted with recording fees and transfer taxes due at the time of recording.
Prepare the Correct Original Document
The Recorder records documents; it does not draft your deed, mortgage satisfaction or title-correction document. Prepare the original document with required signatures, notary acknowledgment, municipal location and legal description before submitting it.
Check the Notary and Document-Date Rules
Westmoreland’s recording requirements say the acknowledgment date cannot predate the document date, the acknowledgment must include county, state, date, names/titles, notary signature, seal and expiration date where required, and re-recorded documents must be re-acknowledged.
Add Municipality, County, State and Certified Address
Deeds and mortgages should identify the property’s municipality, county and state. Deeds, mortgages and assignments must also have a certified grantee or mortgagee address, and the certification should be signed.
Include the 10-Digit PIN
Westmoreland County requires a parcel identifier number on all documents. The county specifically describes this as a 10-digit number in Westmoreland County.
Check Realty Transfer Tax and REV-183
Pennsylvania realty transfer tax is generally imposed at 1% of real-estate value at the state level, and local realty transfer tax may also be collected by county recorders. Westmoreland County says all deeds must set forth true consideration or include two copies of an Affidavit/Statement of Value, and any full or partial transfer-tax exemption must be filed in duplicate with complete explanation.
Use the Correct Document Order
If multiple documents are part of one transaction, Westmoreland County says each document must clearly show the order of recording. Any re-recording expense from improper recording order is paid by the party submitting the documents.
Prepare Exact Payment and Return Envelope
The fee schedule says exact payment must be included with any document sent for recording, and the county notes require a stamped, addressed reply envelope for return of documents and receipts. Include a phone number with correspondence.
Use E-Recording Only When Eligible
Westmoreland County offers e-recording through Simplifile and CSC. E-recorded documents are routed first to the UPI/GIS Tax Mapping department for review and then to the Recorder for official recording after certification.
Westmoreland County Recorder Fees and Payment Rules
Recording fees can change and depend on document type, names, pages, UPI/PIN count, tax-map numbers, transfer tax and whether notations apply. Use the official fee schedule or Pennsylvania Recorder of Deeds Association fee calculator before mailing or recording a deed.
| Item | County-Listed Amount / Rule | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Deed | $110.25 base listing on the county fee schedule. | Transfer tax, Statement of Value, extra pages, extra names, extra UPI and tax-map issues may add cost. |
| Mortgage | $110.25 base listing on the county fee schedule. | Check additional pages, names and recording requirements before mailing. |
| Mortgage Satisfaction | $84.25 listed as “Mtg Sat.” | Use when a lender has released a paid mortgage; verify book/page or instrument references. |
| Corrective Document | $43.00 listed on the county fee schedule. | Corrections may need new acknowledgment and legal review. |
| Extra names | $0.50 each after included names. | County fee note says many documents include 4 names. |
| Extra pages | $2.00 each after included pages. | County fee note says many documents include 4 pages. |
| Extra UPI | $20.00 each. | Important for multi-parcel deeds and plans. |
| Payment methods | Cash, money orders, cashier/certified checks and personal checks. | County payment policy says debit/credit cards are not accepted at this time. |
Westmoreland County Deed Recording and Transfer Tax Estimator
This calculator is only for planning. It does not replace the official Westmoreland County fee schedule, Recorder of Deeds Association fee calculator, local realty transfer tax rate table, or county staff review.
Extras estimate assumes county-listed included limits of 4 names, 4 pages and 1 UPI for many documents, then adds $0.50 per extra name, $2 per extra page and $20 per extra UPI. Transfer-tax rates vary by locality and exemption status; verify final rates with official sources.
Westmoreland County Recorder of Deeds Office Address, Hours and Contact
For deed recording, search help, record-copy questions, e-recording questions, AlertMe and Recorder document issues, contact the Westmoreland County Recorder of Deeds. For assessment value and parcel information, contact Tax Assessment.
Westmoreland County Recorder of Deeds
Recorder: Frank Schiefer
Address:
40 N Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 420
Greensburg, PA 15601
Phone: 724-830-3518
Fax: 724-853-4647
Research hours: Tuesday and Thursday by appointment only; call 724-830-3518 to schedule.
Fourth-floor extension hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm.
Open Recorder Map ↗Westmoreland County Tax Assessment
Chief Assessor: Camdon Porterfield
Address:
40 N Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 440
Greensburg, PA 15601
Phone: 724-830-3409
Toll free: 800-442-6926
Use for: assessed value, property characteristics, assessment records, parcel search, owner records for assessment purposes and property-tax questions.
Before You Visit
- Bring document number, book/page, party names, PIN/UPI and municipality if you have them.
- Call before fifth-floor research because research hours are appointment-only.
- Bring valid photo ID if paying by check in person.
- Bring exact payment and a return envelope for mailed recordings.
Westmoreland County AlertMe: Deed and Document Notification Tool
Westmoreland County’s AlertMe tool is a courtesy notification service from the Recorder of Deeds Office. It can notify you when a document containing your referenced name has been recorded or recently corrected, but it does not verify the truthfulness of recorded documents or replace your due diligence.
What AlertMe Can Help With
- Receive notice tied to a referenced name.
- Spot unexpected documents that mention you.
- Act faster if a deed, mortgage, lien or correction appears unexpectedly.
- Keep a monitoring layer alongside your own property-record checks.
What AlertMe Cannot Do
- It does not block a document from being recorded.
- It does not prove a document is valid or fraudulent.
- It does not replace a title search, attorney or law enforcement.
- It does not remove the need to independently research recorded interests or claims.
Why a Westmoreland County Deed Search May Not Find the Record
Search Fixes to Try
- Search last name and first name separately if the full name fails.
- Search organization names, trust names, estate names and prior owner names.
- Use Advanced/Legal Search with municipality, subdivision, lot, UPI or tax map when available.
- Use Instrument Search when you have a 15-digit number or older book/page reference.
- Use Archives Search for old books and plan books.
- Use Tax Assessment or GIS first when you only have an address.
Common Mistakes
- Searching only by tax map number for older documents before 2009 indexing rules.
- Mailing documents without exact payment or a stamped return envelope.
- Recording a deed without the required 10-digit PIN.
- Claiming a realty-transfer-tax exemption without duplicate Statement of Value support.
- Using one check for more than five documents.
- Asking the Recorder to prepare or fix legal deed language.
Official Westmoreland County Recorder Links
Use these official resources for live deed searches, recording requirements, fee verification, payment rules, e-recording, AlertMe, parcel/assessment lookup and Pennsylvania realty-transfer-tax guidance.
Westmoreland County Recorder of Deeds
Official county page for Recorder contact, search access, fee schedule, AlertMe, inquiry form, hours and department news.
- After opening this link, use “Search our Records” for deed and mortgage search.
- Use “Fee Schedule” before mailing or recording any document.
- Check research hours before visiting the fifth floor.
- Use the inquiry form when you cannot contact the office during business hours.
DTS Public Access Recorder Search
Official Westmoreland County Recorder public-access search system for deed, mortgage and land-record research.
- After opening this link, read the disclaimer.
- Click “I have read and understand the above Disclaimer.”
- Use name search, instrument search, advanced/legal search or archives search based on your record clue.
- Create an account only if you want saved settings, search history or cart features.
How to Search Our Records
Official Westmoreland County help page explaining name search, advanced/legal search, instrument search and archives search.
- After opening this link, read the Name Search section first.
- Use Summary Search to view records under a name.
- Use Advanced/Legal Search for document type, consideration, subdivision, lot, municipality, UPI or tax map filters.
- Use Instrument Search for instrument number or book/page, and Archives Search for old books or plan books.
Recorder Fee Schedule
Official county fee page for deed, mortgage, satisfaction, corrective document, extra-page, extra-name, extra-UPI, transfer-tax and mail-return notes.
- After opening this link, find your document type in the fee table.
- Add extra names, pages, tax map numbers and UPI charges when needed.
- Review the Realty Transfer Tax section for deed consideration and exemption support.
- Include exact payment, phone number and stamped return envelope when mailing documents.
Recording Requirements
Official county checklist for acknowledgments, original signatures, municipality/county/state, transfer taxes, recording order and 10-digit PIN.
- After opening this link, check your notary acknowledgment date and document date.
- Confirm all original signatures, notary seal and expiration details are present.
- Add municipality, county, state, certified grantee/mortgagee address and 10-digit PIN.
- Attach transfer tax or REV-183/Statement of Value when required.
Payment Policy
Official county payment rules for cash, money orders, cashier/certified checks, personal checks and no debit/credit cards.
- After opening this link, verify whether you are paying in person or by mail.
- For in-person checks, bring valid driver’s license or picture ID.
- For mailed checks, include full address, phone number and driver’s license ID on the check.
- Do not plan to pay by debit or credit card unless the county updates this policy.
E-Recording Services
Official page for e-recording through Simplifile and CSC, including the UPI/GIS Tax Mapping review route.
- After opening this link, review the Simplifile and CSC setup notes.
- Confirm your document type is eligible for e-recording.
- Remember that documents with Statement of Value attachments must be submitted by mail or in person.
- Wait for UPI/GIS review and Recorder certification before treating the document as recorded.
AlertMe Document Notification
Courtesy notification tool for documents recorded or recently corrected under a referenced name.
- After opening this link, read the disclaimer and limitation language.
- Accept only if you understand it does not verify document truthfulness.
- Register your email through the AlertMe login page if you want notifications.
- Independently research any unexpected document and contact law enforcement if fraud is suspected.
Westmoreland County Tax Assessment
Official office for assessed values, property characteristics, assessment certification, tax assessment records and property-search questions.
- After opening this link, use it when the issue is assessed value, property information or parcel context.
- Call 724-830-3409 if you need assessment-office help.
- Use property search or GIS when you only know a street address.
- Return to Recorder search after you identify names, PIN/UPI, municipality or deed references.
Pennsylvania Realty Transfer Tax
Official Pennsylvania DOR guidance for the 1% state realty transfer tax, county recorder collection and common exemption categories.
- After opening this link, review the 1% commonwealth realty-transfer-tax rule.
- Check how local realty transfer taxes are collected by county recorders.
- Review exemption categories before claiming a transfer-tax exemption.
- Use REV-183 and CLR factors when valuation or exemption support is needed.
REV-183 Realty Transfer Tax Statement of Value
Official Pennsylvania Department of Revenue form used when value is not fully stated, the deed is without consideration/by gift, or an exemption is claimed.
- After opening this link, complete transfer data, real estate location, valuation data and exemption data where applicable.
- Enter Westmoreland County, municipality/borough/township, school district and tax parcel number.
- Attach trust, corrective deed, estate or exemption documents when the form requires them.
- File in duplicate with the Recorder of Deeds when required.
What Should You Do Next?
| Your Situation | Best Office / Tool | Next Action |
|---|---|---|
| You need a copy of a deed, mortgage or satisfaction. | DTS Public Access Recorder Search | Search by name, instrument, book/page, advanced/legal fields or archives; print, email or save the document image if available. |
| You only know the street address. | Tax Assessment / GIS | Find the parcel/PIN, municipality and owner context first, then search Recorder documents. |
| You need to record a deed. | Recorder Fee Schedule + Recording Requirements | Prepare original signed/notarized deed, 10-digit PIN, transfer-tax support, REV-183 if needed, exact payment and return envelope. |
| You are filing multiple transaction documents. | Recorder of Deeds | Clearly mark the order of recording and prepare separate checks if more than five documents are being recorded. |
| You are an attorney, lender or settlement professional. | E-Recording Services | Use Simplifile or CSC if eligible; avoid e-recording documents with Statement of Value attachments. |
| You want document-fraud monitoring. | AlertMe | Register for name-based recording notices, but still verify documents independently. |
Westmoreland County Recorder of Deeds FAQs
How do I search Westmoreland County deeds online?
Open the official Westmoreland County Recorder of Deeds page, click “Search our Records,” read the DTS Public Access disclaimer, and continue to the search page. Use name search, advanced/legal search, instrument search or archives search depending on what information you have.
How far back do Westmoreland County deed records go online?
Westmoreland County’s public-record search page lists deed records from 1850 to present. The Recorder page also says records began in 1785 with the first recorded registry, so older historic research may require archives or staff-assisted searching.
Can I print or save a deed image from the Westmoreland County search?
Yes, where the image is available. The county search guide says that after you open a document line, the document opens in a separate window and the toolbar allows you to print, email or save it to your computer.
What is the Westmoreland County Recorder office address?
The Recorder of Deeds office is listed at 40 N Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 420, Greensburg, PA 15601. The main phone number is 724-830-3518.
What are the Westmoreland County Recorder hours?
The Recorder page lists fourth-floor extension hours as Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. It lists fifth-floor research hours as Tuesday and Thursday by appointment only, with instructions to call 724-830-3518 to schedule.
What is a 10-digit PIN in Westmoreland County recording?
PIN means parcel identifier number. Westmoreland County requires a PIN on all documents and describes it as a 10-digit number in the county. Use Tax Assessment or GIS to confirm the correct parcel identifier before recording.
How much is a deed recording fee in Westmoreland County?
The current county fee schedule lists a deed at $110.25, but total cost may change depending on realty transfer tax, Statement of Value requirements, extra pages, extra names, extra tax map numbers, extra UPI/PIN parcels and other document-specific charges.
Can I pay Westmoreland County Recorder fees by credit card?
The Recorder payment policy says accepted payment forms are cash, money orders, cashier/certified checks and personal checks, and that debit/credit cards are not accepted at this time.
Can I e-record documents in Westmoreland County?
Yes. Westmoreland County offers e-recording through Simplifile and CSC. The county says submitted documents route first to the UPI/GIS Tax Mapping department for review and then to the Recorder for official recording after certification. Documents with attachments to the Statement of Value must be submitted by mail or in person.
Is this website the official Westmoreland County Recorder of Deeds?
No. County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent educational resource. The official Westmoreland County Recorder of Deeds page is on westmorelandcountypa.gov, and the official public-access deed search is the county’s DTS Public Access system.
Independent Educational Guide
County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with Westmoreland County Government, the Westmoreland County Recorder of Deeds, the Westmoreland County Tax Assessment Office, the Westmoreland County GIS Department, DTS, Simplifile, CSC, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, any title company, or any law firm.
Recorder index results, deed images, recording fees, realty transfer tax, REV-183 requirements, title status, legal ownership, lien priority, e-recording acceptance and fraud investigations are controlled by the responsible official offices and Pennsylvania law. This article is not legal advice, tax advice, title advice or a substitute for a title search.
Public property and owner records 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.