Delaware County PA Recorder of Deeds: Search Records, Copies & Office
If you landed here because you need a Delaware County deed, mortgage, property document, certified copy, parcel-linked recording or Recorder of Deeds office information, you usually do not need to start with a commercial records website. Delaware County provides official public-access systems for researching its recorded land records.
The most useful starting point is the county’s newer Cloud Search. You can search recorded documents by owner name, Parcel ID, subdivision, document type or document number, then open the matching record and purchase a copy when needed.
Delaware County deed search guide
Jump directly to the task you are trying to complete.
How to search Delaware County PA Recorder of Deeds records
Delaware County currently offers two official online land-record systems: the newer Cloud Search and the older Recorder of Deeds Online Records system. For most ordinary searches, Cloud Search is the easiest place to start because it supports quick and advanced searching, document purchasing, certified electronic copies and Property Alert.
Open Delaware County Recorder of Deeds Cloud Search
Which search method should you use?
| What you have | Best method | Why it helps | What to verify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parcel ID / folio | Search the Parcel ID with dashes | County guidance identifies the parcel number as the most accurate starting point. | Owner, instrument type and recording date |
| Current or former owner’s name | Grantor/grantee search | Useful for locating transfers and mortgages when the parcel number is unknown. | Confirm the property before assuming two people with the same name are the same owner. |
| Document number | Search the exact document number | Usually the quickest path to one known recording. | Recorded date, parties and document type |
| Approximate transaction date | Name plus recorded-date range | Reduces unrelated older and newer results. | Remember execution and recording dates may differ. |
| Subdivision name | Subdivision search | Helpful when researching plans or groups of related parcels. | Parcel ID and lot/property description |
| A phrase contained in a document | Search Index & Full Text (OCR) | Cloud Search can search document text rather than only indexed fields. | OCR can be imperfect, especially on older scans. |
How to find the Parcel ID before searching deeds
Delaware County uses a property Parcel ID—also commonly called a folio number, PIN or APN—to connect real-estate records with the parcel. The Recorder recommends using this identifier because names can change, be misspelled or appear in multiple forms.
How to get a copy of a Delaware County deed
You do not need the original paper deed merely to see what was recorded. The Recorder’s office maintains the official recorded record, and copies can be obtained online or from the office.
The Recorder currently states that copies purchased online are $0.50 per page.
The Recorder currently lists ordinary copies purchased in the office at $1.00 per page.
The current fee schedule lists electronic certified copies through Cloud Search at $12.50.
The current fee schedule also lists Recorder certifications covering up to four pages at $7.00, plus $1.00 for each additional page. Because fees can change, verify the latest schedule before ordering or mailing payment.
View the official Recorder of Deeds fee scheduleWhat information does a deed-search result actually tell you?
A recorded deed is evidence of a recorded conveyance, but a useful search means more than finding an owner name. Compare the document against the parcel and the transaction you are investigating.
What to do when you cannot find a Delaware County deed
| Problem | Try this next |
|---|---|
| Owner-name search returns nothing | Search the surname only, a prior owner’s name or the Parcel ID instead. |
| Too many same-name results | Add a recorded-date range and verify the Parcel ID on each plausible document. |
| You only know the street address | Use the county Real Estate/Tax System from the Public Access page to obtain the Parcel ID first. |
| Recent closing is missing | Allow for recording/indexing time, then search by grantee name and Parcel ID. Contact the settlement or title company if necessary. |
| Very old deed is missing online | Online copies begin in 1799. Contact the Recorder for earlier Delaware County land-record research. |
| You are searching for a lien | Do not assume the Recorder portal is a complete lien search. The Recorder specifically states that its office does not perform title searches. |
| OCR full-text search misses a phrase | Search indexed names, document types and dates. Scanned handwriting and older images may not OCR reliably. |
Sign up for Delaware County Property Alert
Delaware County offers a free Property Alert through Cloud Search. It is designed to email you when a document is recorded using the Parcel ID for which you registered.
Before recording a deed or other document in Delaware County
Searching a deed is different from preparing and recording one. A deed changes legal interests in real estate, so a seemingly small drafting error can have tax, estate, financing or ownership consequences. The Recorder can record qualifying documents but its employees do not draft deeds or provide legal advice.
Review Delaware County e-recording information
Delaware County Recorder of Deeds fees
The Recorder’s published fee schedule effective December 1, 2025 includes the following frequently used amounts. These are useful for planning, but always reopen the official fee schedule immediately before recording because statutory surcharges can change.
| Document or service | Published amount | Included / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Deed | $117.25 | Four-page deed total; schedule permits up to 4 pages, 4 names and 10 folio numbers before extras. |
| Mortgage | $115.25 | Four-page mortgage total; additional pages, names and folios can add fees. |
| Satisfaction / Release / Assignment | $84.25 | Published four-page total. |
| Agreement / General Misc. / Power of Attorney | $43.00 | Published four-page total. |
| UCC filing | $100.00 | Published flat fee. |
| Certification | $7.00 | Up to four pages; $1.00 for each additional page. |
| Electronic certified copy | $12.50 | Available through Cloud Search. |
| Online ordinary copy | $0.50/page | Amount currently stated on the Recorder’s main page. |
| In-office ordinary copy | $1.00/page | Amount currently stated on the Recorder’s main page. |
Delaware County realty transfer tax basics
Recording fees and realty transfer taxes are separate costs. Delaware County’s Recorder currently states that the Pennsylvania state transfer tax is generally 1%, while the local transfer tax is generally 1%, subject to exemptions and municipality-specific rates.
| Municipality | Local rate | State rate |
|---|---|---|
| Most Delaware County municipalities | 1% | 1% |
| Radnor Township | 1.5% | 1% |
| Upper Darby Township | 1.5% | 1% |
| Chester City | 1.5% | 1% |
| Upper Providence Township | 2% | 1% |
The Recorder’s June 22, 2026 update states that the 2026–27 Common Level Ratio factor is 1.83 for documents dated July 1, 2026 or later. If your transaction requires a common-level-ratio calculation or Statement of Value, verify the current factor and tax treatment immediately before recording.
How do you add, remove or change a name on a Delaware County deed?
The Recorder’s FAQ is explicit: changing a name on a deed requires a new deed to be prepared and recorded. The office recommends having a real-estate attorney prepare it and states that Recorder employees cannot draft a deed or give legal advice.
The recorded document remains part of the permanent record. A new instrument is generally needed to create the new ownership record.
Adding a spouse, child, trust or other owner can affect title, transfer tax, inheritance, creditor exposure and financing. Drafting should match the intended legal result.
What happens to your deed when the mortgage is paid off?
Paying off a mortgage does not create a new deed. The Recorder explains that original recorded documents are returned according to the filer’s instructions and are not permanently held as originals by the office.
After a mortgage payoff, the lender or mortgage company typically sends a mortgage satisfaction for recording. That satisfaction is the document showing that the recorded mortgage was discharged. If you want to confirm that the satisfaction was recorded, search your Parcel ID or owner name in the Recorder’s public-access system.
Can the Recorder of Deeds tell you whether a property has liens?
Not as a complete title search. Delaware County states that the Recorder’s office is not insured to perform title searches. Its FAQ also notes that the liens recorded in the Recorder’s office are mortgages.
This distinction matters if you are buying property, refinancing, handling an estate or trying to establish whether title is clear. A Recorder search can reveal important recorded land documents, but a comprehensive title examination may need records from other offices and courts in addition to the Recorder’s land-record index.
Delaware County PA Recorder of Deeds office information
Recorder of Deeds
Government Center, Room 108201 W. Front Street
Media, PA 19063
Phone: 610-891-4152
Office hours: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Recording hours: 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Before making the trip
- Call if your question involves an unusual document type.
- Check county holiday closures.
- Bring the Parcel ID when asking about a specific property.
- For recording, verify the fee and required payment method first.
- Arrive before the 3:30 p.m. recording cutoff if you intend to submit a document.
Which Delaware County office or system should you use?
| Your task | Best starting point | What it provides |
|---|---|---|
| Find a deed | Recorder Cloud Search | Recorded deed index and document image options |
| Find a mortgage or satisfaction | Recorder Cloud Search | Recorded mortgage-related instruments |
| Get a Parcel ID | Real Estate/Tax System via Public Access page | Property parcel/folio identifier |
| Order an electronic certified deed | Cloud Search | Electronic certified copy |
| Change an owner name | Attorney / deed preparer, then Recorder | Preparation and recording of a new deed |
| Check for a complete set of liens | Qualified title professional or attorney | Broader title search beyond Recorder records alone |
| Monitor future recordings | Cloud Search Property Alert | Email when a document is recorded using the registered Parcel ID |
Direct Delaware County Recorder links
Delaware County PA Recorder of Deeds FAQs
What is the official Delaware County PA deed search?
Delaware County’s current Cloud Search is at delaware.pa.publicsearch.us. It supports searches for grantor/grantee names, Parcel IDs, subdivisions, document types and document numbers.
How far back do Delaware County deed records go?
The Recorder states that it preserves real-property records dating to 1789. Online copies are available from 1799 through the present, so some of the earliest records may require assistance from the office.
Can I search Delaware County deeds by property address?
The stronger method is to convert the address to its Parcel ID using the county Real Estate/Tax System, then search the Recorder database with that Parcel ID. The Recorder specifically recommends Parcel ID searches when possible.
How do I get a certified copy of a Delaware County deed?
Use the official Cloud Search and locate the correct recorded document. Delaware County states that electronically certified copies are available through Cloud Search. The published fee schedule currently lists an electronic certified copy at $12.50.
Can I add or remove someone’s name from a deed at the Recorder’s office?
Not by simply editing the existing document. Delaware County’s FAQ states that any deed-name change requires a new deed to be drawn up and recorded. The office recommends using a real-estate attorney and does not provide deed drafting or legal advice.
I paid off my mortgage. Does the Recorder give me my deed?
No. The Recorder does not retain original deeds indefinitely. A mortgage payoff normally results in a mortgage satisfaction being recorded. You can search the Recorder’s database to verify that the satisfaction appears in the public record.
Can the Delaware County Recorder tell me whether there are liens on my property?
The office says it does not perform title searches. Its FAQ notes that the liens recorded with the Recorder are mortgages. A complete lien or title investigation can require research beyond the Recorder’s database.
Can Delaware County stop someone from recording a fraudulent deed?
The Recorder states that it cannot place a freeze or flag on a property that prevents an otherwise recordable document from being recorded. Property owners can instead enroll in the free Property Alert service to receive email when a document is recorded using their Parcel ID.
Where is the Delaware County Recorder of Deeds office?
The office is in the Government Center, Room 108, 201 W. Front Street, Media, PA 19063. The Recorder’s phone number is 610-891-4152. Posted office hours are 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., with recording hours of 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Start with the official record, then move to the right next step
For most people searching the Delaware County PA Recorder of Deeds, the fastest workflow is simple: identify the correct Parcel ID, search the official Cloud Search, verify the parties and recording details, then open or purchase the specific document you need.
Use the same official system to obtain certified electronic copies and activate Property Alert. If you are preparing a new deed, changing ownership, calculating transfer tax or trying to establish clear title, treat that as a different task: verify the current Recorder requirements and fees, and obtain professional legal or title assistance when the consequences extend beyond merely retrieving a public record.