You are NOT on the Lackawanna County official website, you are on Deeds.com, a private website that is not affiliated with any government agency.
The Recorder of Deeds is responsible for recording and maintaining real property records in Lackawanna County.
Recording Fees
Action to quiet title $ 18.50
Addendum $ 18.50
Affidavit $ 18.50
Agreement of Sale $ 58.75
Agreements $ 18.50
Amendments $ 18.50
Articles of Merger/Incorporation $ 18.50
Assignment $ 18.50
* Each additional reference on Assignment will be assessed an additional $5.00 fee for
each such reference.
Assignment of Mortgage $58.75
* Each additional reference on Assignment of Mortgage will be assessed an additional
$5.00 fee for each such reference.
Assignment Rents & Leases $ 18.50
Assignments of Rents & Leases (30 years) $ 31.50
Assumption Agreement $ 18.50
Bill of Sale $ 18.50
Certificate of Award of Real Estate $ 71.75
Certificate of Completion/Adoption/Amendment/Limited Partnership/Award $ 18.50
Clean & Green $ 18.50
Clean & Green Amendment $ 18.50
Consent $ 18.50
Contractual Consent of Landowner $ 18.50
Court Order $ 18.50
Court Order to Quiet Title $ 18.50
Court Order to Satisfy $ 23.50
Declaration Acquisition/Easement $ 43.50
Declaration/of Protective Covenants /Restrictions $ 18.50
Declaration of Taking/of Condemnation/of Amendment/of Trust $ 18.50
Deed Re-determination (Notice of Assessment) $ 40.00
Deeds $ 71.75
Disclaimer $ 18.50
Easement Agreement $ 71.75
Easement Termination Agreement $ 58.75
Easements/Easement Conservation $ 71.75
Highway Permits $ 18.50
Installment Land Contract $ 18.50
Installment Sales Agreement $ 58.75
Lease $ 71.75
Lease -- 30 years $ 71.75
Lease Agreement $ 18.50
Memorandum $ 18.50
Memorandum of Lease $ 71.75
Memorandum of Lease -- 30 years $ 71.75
Mortgage Modification/Agreement $ 18.50
Mortgages $ 71.75
Notice $ 18.50
Novation $ 18.50
Oil and Gas Lease $ 71.75
Ordinance $ 18.50
Partial Release of Mortgage $ 18.50
Permit $ 18.50
Postponement Mortgage $ 18.50
Power of Attorney $ 18.50
Release of Mortgage $ 58.75
Releases $ 18.50
Right of First Refusal $ 18.50
Right of Way $ 71.75
Satisfactions $63.75
* Original or certified copies of the mortgage are no longer required to accompany
the mortgage satisfaction piece
* Each additional reference on a Satisfaction will be assessed an additional $5.00
fee for each such reference.
Subordination $ 18.50
Termination Agreement $ 18.50
Termination of Assignment of Rents and Leases $ 18.50
Waiver $ 18.50
* They no longer accept cash for any transactions other than for copies of documents through our
computer access.
* $2.00 Fee will be charged for the Cover/Index page that after recording becomes an official
page of the recorded document (effective March 1, 2015)
* Fees include up to four pages, four names, one acknowledgement and one parcel
* Each name over four $0.50 per name
* Additional pages over four $2.00 per page
* Each additional acknowledgment $0.50
* Each additional parcel $0.50
* Statement of Value $2.00
* Each additional reference on a Satisfaction, Assignment and Assignment of Mortgage will be
assessed an additional $5.00 fee for each such reference.
* All documents listed below will require a $10.00 parcel identification fee for each parcel certified inside the document to be recorded. The fee for each PIN certification shall be $10.00. If a document contains multiple parcels, the cost for each PIN certification shall be $10.00 per PIN certified.
If a check mailed in with a document exceeds the fees by more than $5, the document will be returned unrecorded. Over-payments of $5 and under will not be refunded.
Document Formatting Requirements
* When submitting a document for recordation, it must be legible so that a clear copy can be read without magnification after it is imaged. Do not highlight any areas on the document, since those areas will appear unreadable once the document is scanned. If a document contains highlighting, it will be rejected.
* The maximum size page accepted is 8.5 x 14 inches, while the minimum is 8.5 x 11 inches. Use black ink in a font size of at least 10 point. Margins should be a minimum of 1 inch and should be clear of markings.
* Documents will be deemed unacceptable for recording without the proper PIN certification stamp and seal of the Lackawanna County Assessment Office. The fee for the PIN certification should be included in fees presented for recording.
* All signatures and initials in the document must be original and in dark ink suitable for imaging.
* On a deed or mortgage, indicate the property's municipality, county, and state.
* The acknowledgment date must not pre-date the date of execution shown on the document. These two dates (execution and acknowledgment) must conform to each other.
* The document must have a formal acknowledgment ("sworn and subscribed" is not sufficient) by a notary public which must include the following: state, county, date, name of individual, corporate or authorized officer appearing, notary signature, notary stamp (where applicable), and expiration date.
* All deeds (or other transfers of real estate) must include a "Certificate of Residence" in order to meet Pennsylvania recording requirements. The Certificate of Residence must be signed by the grantee (or grantees) or by someone acting on their behalf, setting forth the precise residence and the complete post office address of the grantee (or grantees). This will be recorded with the deed.
* All mortgages presented for recording must have the signature of the holder, owner, or assignee on any mortgage presented for recording. The document should contain the full name, residence (including street number), and the address of the holder, owner, or assignee.
* The consideration stated must be total and complete. The required written amount must match the numerical amount. If the consideration is not stated in total on the face of the document, it must be stated on the Statement of Value form, which needs to be submitted with the deed. If claiming an exemption from realty transfer taxes, the reason for the exemption must be stated on the document or on the Statement of Value.
* Any transfer that involves more than one municipality must stipulate the division of transfer taxes applicable to each municipality.
* When submitting subsequently related documents, include proper references for the previously recorded documents. This may include docket numbers, book and page numbers, instrument numbers and/or recording dates.
* Multiple documents constituting one transaction must clearly indicate the order of recording. Any re-recording expenses resulting from an improper order of recording will be paid by the party submitting the documents.
* To re-record a document, the original recording page must be attached. The document must contain an explanation for the re-recording. It must be re-executed and re-acknowledged.
* A foreign language document must include a written English translation to be recorded along with the original.
STATEMENT OF VALUE
A Statement of Value is needed when (1) the full value/consideration is not set forth in the deed, (2) the deed is without consideration or by gift, or (3) a tax exemption is claimed.
A Statement of Value is not needed if the transfer is wholly exempt from tax based on familial relationship or public utility easement.
All deeds must be accompanied by transfer taxes (if applicable) and a Statement of Value form, when required. If this form is required, it must be fully completed. Transfer taxes are 2% of the value of the property being conveyed, with the exception of property transferred in the City of Scranton. The total Realty Transfer Tax collected in Scranton is 2.4%.
In most sales agreements, the transfer tax is split between the buyer and the seller. The new owner is responsible if questions arise over the amount of tax paid.