Delaware County (“Delco” to the locals) is home to more than a half-million residents, making it Pennsylvania’s 5th most populated county. It borders the southwest edge of Philadelphia. It’s a little bit country, a little bit urban. It includes scenic Ridley Creek State Park. Several universities stand at least partly within it: Cheyney, Villanova, and Widener.
The Delaware County Recorder of Deeds’ office, which holds 240 years’ worth of documents, is putting them all online. The public can already take advantage of the county’s new system. And this year, the Delco Recorder of Deeds has deployed keyword search software.
Search through public documents using keywords? What a novel idea! Let’s see what else people can do with this new online resource.
Hurry Up, Delco! Catching Up With Technology
Delco is using the Google-style search engine tailored for governments known as GovOS Cloud Search.
Used to be that people wanting to see official property records had to go to the Delaware County Government Center and make their way to the recorder’s office. Until 2019, just before the pandemic, Delco was among the high-profile U.S. counties that did not offer eRecording.
In 2020, started to accept eRecorded documents. That year, Delco officials began a process of placing records online, using County Fusion (which has been left up to co-exist with the county’s newer platform).
Then came GovOS software. It can store immense volumes of records, makes searches lightning-fast, and comes with anti-fraud features.
This is why Delco deeds and other property records can now be searched from the comfort of home. Now, there’s no need to hunt down a parcel number. Don’t have a location? You can search for documents using names.
Big Deal? Why The Changes Matter So Much
Delco’s public record modernization is a big deal. It’s long been the case that most every query into the office has begun with stating a a parcel number. Keyword search software can hunt through records starting with words as cues. So the new, cloud-based software makes property research far easier than it used to be.
Some deeds have been abandoned and the county doesn’t know who they belong to. Software that can sift through all the history will make a trove of new information available.
As the Delco Recorder of Deeds states:
This site contains indexes and images of every land record recorded in Delaware County since 1799. These are exactly the same records that you would find in our physical office.
Mortgage consultants, real estate lawyers, title companies, and lenders can all enter documents into this system. The system offers convenience to people who sell, buy, and finance homes, or have any other reasons to verify public records. People may also go online to purchase official copies of a number of legal documents.
Subscription to a “Title Lock” Service? The Government’s Alerts Are Free
There’s another must-have online tool available for Delco residents, too. Residents can sign up for a Property Alert feature. An email notifies the homeowner within one day from the time anyone records a claim on a title.
If you’re a Delco homeowner, it’s easy to register your account with the county’s free property fraud protection tool, powered by FraudSleuth®. Go to the Recorder of Deeds Online Services website > Property Alert. Once you register your property, you’ll be automatically emailed if there are any claims on it.
With this new service, the county hopes to spare its residents — older adults especially — from being scared into paying for “title lock” subscriptions. The county’s free alert system performs basically the same function.
Delco Deed FAQ: Key Highlights
On its website, Delco answers a variety of questions that the public might have. Here’s a sampling.
What Documents Does the County Record?
If you could record it through the regular mail, it’s eRecordable. Such documents include: warranty deeds, quitclaims, and mortgage documents; easement and stormwater control documents; covenants and restrictions; subdivision plans; power of attorney documents; and certain other instruments. Contact the Recorder of Deeds if unsure whether a document must be mailed.
Does This Mean Paper Isn’t Acceptable Now?
Paper documents won’t be turned away. The Delco Recorder of Deeds, for a fee, accepts documents that are submitted in person. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Can I Create My Own Deed?
Yes. Using the proper form, you are free to create your own Pennsylvania deed. Your real estate attorney can review it for you and offer you guidance on Pennsylvania real estate law.
Can the Recorder of Deed Create My Deed?
No, the personnel at the Delco Recorder of Deeds may not create your deed. Nor may they dispense legal advice.
Can I Make a Change on My Deed?
No matter what kind of change you want to make on your deed, you’ll need to have a new deed. Submit the new deed to the Recorder of Deeds for filing.
Can the Recorder of Deeds Send Me My Deed?
No, the office doesn’t keep your actual deed. It records it, then mails it back to the homeowner. Look for the deed among your home title and insurance papers.
In the case of an eRecorded document, the piece will also be returned to the party who submitted it.
Can the Recorder of Deeds Give Me a Copy?
Yes. You’ll need to purchase a copy if you get it from the county. Use the Cloud Search on your computer, as that’s the one place to buy a certified copy of your deed.
Does the Recorder of Deeds Send Me Something to Show My Home Is Paid Off?
In Pennsylvania, after your final mortgage payoff, the mortgage company releases the lien and records the deed of reconveyance, a.k.a. satisfaction of mortgage. The county sends this document to the homeowner. It becomes the homeowner’s proof of clean title.
Do I Have to Pay Transfer Tax When I Convey and Record My Deed?
Email your query to RA-BITRealyTransferTax@pa.gov for information applicable to your transaction. If tax is due, both parties are (jointly) responsible for paying the (usually 1%) tax.
What Transfers Are Tax-Exempt?
Sometimes, a deed transfer isn’t taxed. Untaxed deed conveyances can include transfers within families, to agencies, between religious charities, to name just a few examples.
Please note: This and other articles at Deeds.com are for our readers’ general awareness only. State laws, as well as local rules and systems, are updated from time to time. For situation-specific legal advice, consult an experienced attorney in your state.
Supporting References
Kenny Cooper for WHYY News [Public] Radio & Podcasts: Delaware County Modernizes Its Land Records System, Unraveling 240 years of Historical Records Online (Mar. 11, 2024). Republished on the GovOS blog (Mar. 11, 2024).
County of Delaware Recorder of Deeds, Media, Pennsylvania: E-Recording in Delaware County (see Attention: Cloud Search Is Now Live and ongoing updates).
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: Realty Transfer Tax.
And as linked.
More on topics: The digital real estate industry, Hackers infiltrate deed records, Realty transfer tax
Photo credits: Public domain (both) images, courtesy of Wikimedia.org.