Cambria County Recorder of Deeds: Search Records & Office

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Cambria County, Pennsylvania · Deeds, mortgages, liens, copies and recording

Cambria County Recorder of Deeds: Search Records & Office

Use the Cambria County Recorder of Deeds when you need a recorded deed, mortgage, satisfaction, easement, right-of-way, assignment, land agreement or other document affecting real estate in Cambria County, Pennsylvania.

The fastest search depends on the age of the record. Cambria County currently directs users to its Tyler records system for 1986 to current, a separate historical SearchIQS index for 1924 through 1985, and the Recorder’s office for records before 1924. The office states that its land records extend back to 1804.

Search 1986-current records Search 1924-1985 index Office & contact details
Grantor or grantee name Instrument number Approximate recording date Book and page UPI / parcel identifier
Cambria County Land Record Desk
1986 → Current Tyler Self Service Web Current Search
1924 → 1985 SearchIQS historical index Historical Index
1804 → 1923 Research through Recorder’s office in Ebensburg Office Research
A Recorder search is not the same as a title search. Cambria County’s Tyler disclaimer describes the online index as a guide to the documents referenced. When ownership, liens, easements, mineral interests or other legal rights matter, review the actual recorded documents and use appropriate title or legal assistance rather than relying only on an index result.
Current online records

Tyler search: 1986 to current.

Historical index

SearchIQS: 1924 through 1985.

Oldest records

County FAQ says records date to 1804.

Recording cutoff

Recording hours end at 3:30 PM.

Reviewed

Official information checked October 18, 2026.

Start with the right task

What do you need from the Cambria County Recorder?

People frequently land on a Recorder of Deeds page with different goals. Choose the route that matches what you actually need so you do not waste time in a property-tax, assessment or court-record system.

RECORDED DOCUMENT Find a deed or mortgage

Search the Recorder index by party name, document reference, date or other available field.

Follow the online search steps
OLDER RECORD Research historical deeds

Use SearchIQS for 1924-1985; contact or visit the office when the record predates online coverage.

See historical coverage
COPY Get a deed copy

Locate the instrument first, then decide whether an online image, ordinary copy or certified copy is required.

Review copy options
RECORDING Record a new document

Check UPI approval, current fees, transfer-tax documents and recording requirements before submitting.

Prepare a recording
PROPERTY VALUE Find assessed value or parcel data

The Tax Assessment Office—not the Recorder—is the better starting point for valuation and assessment records.

Use the correct office
TITLE QUESTION Determine legal ownership

Use recorded instruments as evidence, but do not treat a public-index search as a guaranteed title examination.

Understand the limits

Cambria County Recorder guide

Jump directly to the part of the process you need.

Choose by recording period

How far back do Cambria County deed records go?

Cambria County’s Recorder FAQ states that the office’s records date back to 1804. Not all of that history is available in one online database, so the correct research method changes with the recording year.

1986-current Use the county-linked Tyler Self Service Web system.
1924-1985 Use the SearchIQS historical index linked by the Recorder.
Before 1924 Research through the Recorder of Deeds office in Ebensburg.

How to search the 1924-1985 historical index

Open the county’s historical index route The Recorder links users to SearchIQS for the historical period. Open Cambria County SearchIQS
Choose the Cambria County search Use the guest/public search option when available rather than creating an account merely to perform basic historical research.
Begin with grantor and grantee names Older indexing frequently depends heavily on names. Try initials, alternate spellings, married names, estate names and earlier owners.
Use an approximate year range Start wider than the single year you expect. A deed may have been executed on one date and recorded later.
Carry book/page information forward When an older index gives you a deed-book reference, save it exactly. That reference can be much more useful than a street address when requesting an old document.
Before 1924: do not conclude that the record does not exist simply because you cannot find it online. The county specifically directs pre-1924 research to the Recorder’s office. Bring the known owner names, municipality, approximate year, prior deed reference and any available legal description.
Search troubleshooting

What to do when the Cambria County deed search shows no result

Common land-record search problems and practical fixes
Problem Likely reason What to try next
Owner name returns nothing The document may use initials, a spouse, prior surname, trust, estate or alternate spelling. Search only the surname, then test likely variations individually.
Current buyer is missing You may be searching before the deed was recorded or under the wrong date/name. Search the seller as grantor and widen the recording-date range.
Only street address is known Recorder indexes are document-oriented rather than conventional real-estate listing searches. Use Tax Assessment resources to identify the owner and parcel, then return to the Recorder.
Older deed does not appear It may fall outside Tyler’s 1986-current coverage. Use SearchIQS for 1924-1985 or contact the office for earlier records.
Too many people share the name The name is too broad. Add approximate recording date, document type, municipality, UPI or known instrument information.
Mortgage appears but release does not The satisfaction/release may be recorded later or indexed under lender/assignee information. Search the mortgage holder and later assignees, and extend the date through the payoff period.
The Tyler disclaimer itself recommends searching all possible spelling variations and other criteria. Changing one variable at a time usually produces better results than filling every search field at once.
Documents and copies

How to get a copy of a Cambria County deed

First identify the exact instrument. A document number, book/page reference, recording date and party names make a copy request much easier and reduce the risk of purchasing the wrong record.

Online research copy

Use the available document image when you need the record for research or reference and an official certification is not required.

Certified copy

Contact the Recorder when a court, agency, lender, estate matter or other official purpose requires certification.

Older document

For documents outside online image coverage, provide the office with the strongest historical reference you have.

The Recorder currently states that its online documents can be accessed without a subscription fee, with a published $0.50-per-page print/download charge. Optional subscriptions are offered for users who need discounted printing and escrow-account features.

Find the instrument in the appropriate index Use Tyler, SearchIQS or in-office research depending on the year.
Save the document reference Record the names, recording date, document type, instrument number and book/page when displayed.
Decide whether certification is necessary A downloaded image may be enough for personal research, but legal or administrative use may require a certified Recorder-issued copy.
Call before mailing a copy request The county says the office handles mail requests and will provide information by phone. Ask for the current copy/certification price and payment instructions first. Call Recorder: (814) 472-1473
Veterans: the Recorder’s published services include recording military discharges and providing copies of those records to veterans without charge. Contact the office directly for the current identification and request procedure.
Document submission workflow

How to prepare a deed or other land document for recording

Recording a document is different from searching for one. A deed, mortgage, easement or other instrument can be delayed or rejected when parcel identification, signatures, acknowledgments, fees, transfer-tax documentation or other required information is incomplete.

Confirm that the document belongs with the Recorder of Deeds.
Review the county’s current recording requirements.
Determine whether UPI approval is required.
Verify the correct parcel/UPI information.
Check signatures and notarization requirements.
Prepare Pennsylvania transfer-tax documents when applicable.
Calculate fees from the current county fee schedule.
Submit before the 3:30 PM recording cutoff for in-person filing.
Open official recording requirements Open Recorder office page Check current fee schedule
Do not prepare a new deed from an online template simply because you found the prior deed. Deed language can affect ownership, survivorship, marital interests, estates, trusts, mineral rights, transfer tax and future title. Use appropriate Pennsylvania legal or settlement assistance when drafting or changing ownership rights.
Cambria-specific recording rule

Understand Cambria County UPI approval before recording

Cambria County requires Uniform Parcel Identifier (UPI) approval before recording many real-estate documents. The county notice specifically includes deeds, decrees of distribution, awards of real estate, mortgages, rights-of-way, easements, leases, condemnations, declarations of taking, certain assignments, sewage and water permits, highway occupancy permits, statements of adverse possession and boundary-line agreements.

Important timing: the Recorder states that UPI approval is not available from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. If the document still needs UPI review, do not arrive shortly before the 3:30 PM recording cutoff.
Confirm whether your document needs UPI review Start with the Recorder’s notice and current recording requirements rather than relying on instructions from an old closing file.
Verify the parcel identifier Compare the UPI against Cambria County Tax Assessment records and the legal description before submitting the document.
Use the county’s pre-approval option The Recorder encourages document preparers to obtain UPI pre-approval by emailing the document to the county’s published UPI address. Email UPI pre-approval: upicambria@co.cambria.pa.us
Resolve discrepancies before recording A parcel-number mismatch, changed subdivision description, multiple UPIs or unclear legal description is easier to resolve before the instrument is presented for final recording.
Read Cambria County UPI memo Open Tax Assessment office
Fees and Pennsylvania transfer tax

Check current recording fees before submitting a deed

Recording charges can depend on the document type, number of pages, names, property descriptions, UPIs and other statutory or county charges. Cambria County also announced an additional fee change effective December 1, 2025 for numerous listed document categories. For that reason, use the current county fee schedule instead of copying a fee total from an older deed, search result or closing statement.

Recording and copy payment

The Recorder’s FAQ currently states that cash or checks are accepted and that checks should be payable to Recorder of Deeds. Call for an exact quote when the total is uncertain.

Pennsylvania transfer tax

Pennsylvania’s Department of Revenue states that the Commonwealth realty transfer tax is generally 1% of the value of real estate transferred, and additional local realty transfer tax may also apply.

When a Pennsylvania Statement of Value may be needed

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue’s REV-183 instructions state that a Realty Transfer Tax Statement of Value is generally filed when the full consideration is not stated in the deed, when the deed is without consideration or by gift, or when a transfer-tax exemption is claimed. Some transactions require supporting documents.

Current Cambria fee schedule Open official REV-183 PA Realty Transfer Tax guidance
Courthouse office

Cambria County Recorder of Deeds office address, phone and hours

Recorder of Deeds
Cambria County Courthouse, 1st Floor
200 South Center Street
Ebensburg, PA 15931
Contact

Phone: (814) 472-1473
Fax: (814) 472-1412
Email: mkelly@co.cambria.pa.us

Office hours

Monday-Friday
9:00 AM-4:00 PM

Recording hours

Monday-Friday
9:00 AM-3:30 PM

The county currently identifies Melissa Kelly as Recorder of Deeds. The elected-official page states that she was first elected in 2019 and is serving a second term.

If you are recording a document: arrive well before 3:30 PM, especially when UPI approval, fee calculation or transfer-tax questions still need to be resolved. The general office remains open later than the recording window.
Official Recorder office page Recorder elected-official page
Avoid the wrong county office

Recorder of Deeds vs. Tax Assessment: which office do you need?

Where to go for common Cambria County property questions
Your task Best office/resource Why
Recorded deed Recorder of Deeds Maintains recorded land instruments and deed indexes.
Mortgage or satisfaction Recorder of Deeds Mortgages, assignments, satisfactions and related instruments are recorded here.
Easement or right-of-way Recorder of Deeds Recorded easements and rights-of-way are land records.
Assessed value Tax Assessment Assessment maintains valuation and property-characteristic records.
UPI verification Tax Assessment / UPI staff UPI approval is tied to parcel identification and assessment records.
Property-tax payment Tax collection resources The Recorder records instruments; it does not function as the property-tax payment office.
Legal title opinion Title professional / attorney The public Recorder index does not guarantee clear title or interpret legal ownership rights.

If you know only the property address

A homeowner often begins with an address but the Recorder system is built around recorded instruments. In that situation, first identify the parcel owner and property identifiers through the county’s Tax Assessment resources, then carry the owner name and UPI into the Recorder search.

Open Cambria County Tax Assessment The county page links its real-estate information resource and explains that Assessment maintains property-characteristic and ownership records for valuation. Open Cambria County Tax Assessment
Identify the owner and parcel Match the address carefully and save the current owner display, municipality and UPI or parcel identifier.
Return to the Recorder search Search the owner’s name as a grantee to locate the acquisition deed. Search prior owners as grantors when necessary.
Verify with the recorded deed Compare the legal description and other property identifiers rather than assuming the assessment owner display is a substitute for the deed.
Ownership and title research

How to trace ownership without mistaking the index for a title search

You can use Recorder records to build an ownership trail, but a DIY public-record search can miss matters that a professional title examination is designed to identify. Name variations, indexing errors, unreleased liens, judgments, probate transfers, boundary issues, mineral reservations and documents recorded under related parties can complicate the chain.

Start with the current deed

Identify the grantee, grantor, recording date, instrument reference and legal description.

Follow the prior-deed reference

Many deeds contain language identifying the prior conveyance. Use that information to work backward.

Search related instruments

Look for mortgages, assignments, satisfactions, easements, rights-of-way and other documents affecting the same parties or property.

Buying, selling or lending? Use a Pennsylvania title company, attorney or other qualified professional when you need a complete title examination, insurable title conclusion or legal interpretation. A Recorder’s searchable index is extremely useful research infrastructure, but it does not itself guarantee ownership or lien status.
Electronic recording

Does Cambria County accept eRecording?

Yes. The Recorder’s official page states that the office accepts electronic recording of certain document types through approved eRecording providers, including SimpliFile, CSC, Indecomm and ePN.

eRecording does not eliminate local recording requirements. The document still needs to satisfy applicable formatting, UPI, transfer-tax, fee and document-specific rules. Confirm with the Recorder and your chosen eRecording service that the exact instrument type is eligible before submitting it electronically.

Verify accepted eRecording providers
Direct official resources

Cambria County Recorder of Deeds official links

Recorder of Deeds Office

Office notices, services, hours, staff, eRecording information, current search links and local recording guidance.

Open official Recorder page
Tyler Online Records

County-linked public system for Cambria County Recorder records from 1986 to current.

Open current deed search
Historical SearchIQS Index

Recorder-linked historical index for the county’s 1924-1985 record period.

Open historical search
Tax Assessment Office

Property valuation, assessment records, ownership display and parcel/UPI-related resources.

Open Tax Assessment
Current Fee Schedule

Use the county’s latest published schedule before presenting a document for recording.

Check Recorder fees
Recording Requirements

Review Cambria County’s published document requirements before mailing, visiting or eRecording.

Read recording requirements
UPI Memo

County information for parcel-identifier approval associated with recordable documents.

Read UPI guidance
Pennsylvania Realty Transfer Tax

State tax rules, forms, exemptions, common-level-ratio resources and official Department of Revenue guidance.

Open PA Revenue guidance
Practical final checklist

The fastest way to use the Cambria County Recorder of Deeds

Decide whether the record is current, historical or pre-1924.
Search names with multiple spelling variations.
Save instrument number, date and book/page immediately.
Open the underlying document before making an important decision.
Use Tax Assessment first when you know only an address.
Confirm current fees rather than relying on an old deed or article.
Complete UPI approval before recording when required.
Arrive before the 3:30 PM recording cutoff.

For most users, the process is simple: identify the correct record period, find the deed in the appropriate county-linked index, verify the actual instrument, and save the recording reference. If you are preparing a new document rather than researching an existing one, switch from search mode to recording mode and check UPI approval, current fees, transfer-tax paperwork and county recording requirements before filing.

Editorial review

How this Cambria County guide was checked

Reviewed against current county and Pennsylvania sources

Search coverage, office contacts, office and recording hours, UPI notices, copy access, eRecording information and Recorder procedures were checked against Cambria County’s Recorder of Deeds resources and county-linked search systems. Pennsylvania realty transfer tax and Statement of Value information was checked against Department of Revenue material.

Review completed October 18, 2026. Search interfaces, personnel, fees, document requirements and office schedules can change after publication, so use the linked official page for the final live action.

9 practical answers

Cambria County Recorder of Deeds FAQs

Where can I search Cambria County deeds online?

Use the county-linked Cambria County Tyler Self Service Web system for Recorder records from 1986 to current. Read the disclaimer, accept it and search the available document index using the strongest party or instrument information you have.

How far back do Cambria County Recorder of Deeds records go?

The Recorder’s official FAQ says records date back to 1804. Current online coverage is divided by period: Tyler covers 1986 to current, the county lists SearchIQS for 1924-1985, and documents before 1924 must be researched through the Recorder’s office.

What are the Cambria County Recorder of Deeds office hours?

The Recorder currently publishes office hours of Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Recording hours are shorter: 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. If you need UPI approval or fee review, arrive well before the recording cutoff.

Where is the Cambria County Recorder of Deeds office?

The office is on the first floor of the Cambria County Courthouse at 200 South Center Street, Ebensburg, PA 15931. The Recorder phone number is (814) 472-1473.

Can I search Cambria County deeds by property address?

If the Recorder search does not provide a practical address route, first use Cambria County Tax Assessment to identify the owner and parcel/UPI. Then search that owner as a grantor or grantee in the Recorder system. This is often more reliable than trying to force a street address into a document-oriented index.

Is it free to search Cambria County deed records online?

The Recorder states that online documents are available without a subscription fee. The county currently publishes a $0.50-per-page print/download charge. Optional subscriptions are available for discounted printing and escrow-account setup.

What is UPI approval and when do I need it?

UPI is the Uniform Parcel Identifier associated with the real estate. Cambria County requires UPI approval before recording many document categories, including deeds, mortgages, easements, rights-of-way, leases and boundary-line agreements. The Recorder also states that UPI approval is unavailable from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM and encourages advance approval through upicambria@co.cambria.pa.us.

Can I electronically record a deed in Cambria County?

Cambria County says the Recorder accepts eRecording for certain document types through approved providers. Check the official Recorder page for the currently accepted provider list and confirm that your specific document type is eligible.

Can the Recorder of Deeds tell me whether a property has clear title?

Do not treat the searchable index as a guaranteed title examination. Cambria County’s Tyler disclaimer says the index is a guide to the information in the referenced documents. Review the underlying instruments and use a qualified title company or Pennsylvania attorney when ownership, liens or other legal rights require certainty.

Conclusion

Start with the record period, then verify the actual document

The most important step in a Cambria County Recorder of Deeds search is choosing the correct record system. Use Tyler for 1986-current documents, the county-linked SearchIQS historical index for 1924-1985, and the Recorder’s courthouse resources for earlier records.

Search names broadly, save the instrument details as soon as you find the right result and read the underlying document before relying on legal descriptions, ownership language, liens or easements. If you are recording rather than researching, check UPI approval, the current fee schedule, Pennsylvania transfer-tax requirements and the 3:30 PM recording cutoff before submitting the instrument.

Search Cambria County records Open official Recorder page Review office details
Accuracy and independence notice

AppraisalDistrict.org is an independent informational website. It is not the Cambria County Recorder of Deeds, Cambria County government, the Cambria County Tax Assessment Office, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a title company or a law firm.

Online indexes, document images, fees, office personnel, recording rules, UPI procedures, transfer-tax requirements and hours can change. Verify the live official record before filing, paying, buying, selling, refinancing, distributing an estate or making a legal or financial decision.

A Recorder index can help locate deeds and other recorded instruments, but it is not a survey, title policy or legal opinion. Obtain the appropriate recorded documents and professional assistance when legal certainty is required.

Primary resources: Cambria County Recorder of Deeds Office, Recorder elected-official page, Tyler Self Service Web, county-linked SearchIQS historical index, Cambria County Tax Assessment, county fee and UPI resources, and Pennsylvania Department of Revenue realty-transfer-tax guidance.

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