Delaware County Public Records /Delaware County Property Records

Delaware County Property Records

What Is Delaware County Property Records

Property records in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, are official documents that establish and memorialize the ownership, transfer, and encumbrance of real property — including land parcels, residential structures, and commercial buildings — within the county's jurisdiction. These records serve as the legal foundation for determining chain of title, providing constructive public notice of property interests, and protecting the rights of buyers, sellers, lenders, and other parties with a stake in real estate transactions. Under Pennsylvania's recording statutes, instruments affecting real property must be recorded with the appropriate county office to be enforceable against third parties.

The primary custodian of property records in Delaware County is the Office of the Recorder of Deeds, which maintains deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and related instruments. The County Assessor's Office and the Court of Common Pleas also maintain records relevant to property ownership, valuation, and legal proceedings. Together, these offices form a comprehensive system of land records that supports real estate transactions, title searches, and government administration throughout the county.

Delaware County Recorder of Deeds Government Center Building, 201 W. Front St., Media, PA 19063 (610) 891-4152 Delaware County Recorder of Deeds

Delaware County Board of Assessment Government Center Building, 201 W. Front St., Media, PA 19063 (610) 891-4893 Delaware County Board of Assessment

Are Property Records Public Information In Delaware County?

Property records in Delaware County are public information under Pennsylvania law. The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.) establishes a presumption that government records — including those maintained by county offices — are accessible to the public. Additionally, Pennsylvania's recording statutes require that instruments affecting real property be entered into the public record upon filing, ensuring that ownership interests and encumbrances are transparent and discoverable by any interested party.

Members of the public may inspect property records without demonstrating a specific legal interest or providing a reason for their request. This open-access framework reflects the foundational principle that transparency in land ownership serves the public interest by preventing fraud, facilitating commerce, and enabling informed decision-making in real estate markets. Under 21 Pa. C.S. § 351, recorded instruments are deemed notice to all subsequent purchasers and encumbrancers, reinforcing the public nature of these documents.

Any individual — regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose — may access Delaware County property records through the Recorder of Deeds, the Board of Assessment, or authorized online portals. Certified copies may be obtained for a statutory fee, while general inspection of records is typically available at no charge during regular business hours.

How To Search Property Records in Delaware County in 2026

Searching property records in Delaware County involves several straightforward methods, depending on the type of record sought and the level of detail required. The following steps outline the standard process for conducting a property records search:

Identify the property: Gather the property's street address, parcel identification number (PIN), or the name of the current or previous owner before beginning a search.
Determine the record type: Decide whether the search involves deeds, mortgages, tax assessments, liens, or court judgments, as each type is maintained by a different office.
Visit the Recorder of Deeds: Members of the public may visit the Recorder of Deeds office in person during public counter hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) to search deed books, mortgage indexes, and related instruments.
Access the online portal: Delaware County provides an online property records search through its official property records database, allowing users to search by name, address, or instrument number.
Search assessment records: The Delaware County parcel search tool maintained by the Board of Assessment enables users to look up assessed values, ownership information, and parcel maps.
Request certified copies: Certified copies of recorded instruments may be requested in person or by mail. Fees are established by statute and are subject to change; current fee schedules are available at the Recorder of Deeds office.
Submit written requests: For records not available online, written requests may be submitted to the appropriate office, referencing the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law where applicable.

How To Find Property Records in Delaware County Online?

Delaware County currently provides several online resources that enable members of the public to locate property records without visiting a government office in person. The county's official online systems are maintained by the Recorder of Deeds and the Board of Assessment.

The Delaware County Recorder of Deeds online search allows users to search recorded instruments — including deeds, mortgages, and liens — by grantor/grantee name, document type, recording date, or instrument number.
The Delaware County Board of Assessment operates a parcel search portal where users may retrieve ownership information, assessed values, property characteristics, and tax map data by entering a property address or parcel identification number.
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal provides access to court records, including judgments and lis pendens filings that may affect property title.
Users seeking historical deed images or older recorded instruments may find that some records have been digitized and are accessible through the online portal, while others may require an in-person visit or a written request.

How To Look Up Delaware County Property Records for Free?

Members of the public may access a substantial portion of Delaware County property records at no cost through official government resources. Free access options currently include:

In-person inspection: The Recorder of Deeds and Board of Assessment offices permit members of the public to inspect property records during regular business hours at no charge. Staff assistance is available for basic navigation of indexes and record books.
Online portals: The county's online property search tools, accessible through the Delaware County government website, provide free access to ownership data, assessment information, and recorded instrument indexes.
Pennsylvania State Archives: Certain historical land records for Delaware County may be available through the Pennsylvania State Archives, which provides free online access to select digitized collections.
Tax assessment data: Current property assessment and ownership information is freely searchable through the Board of Assessment's online portal without registration or fees.

Fees apply only when certified copies or official printouts of recorded instruments are requested. The statutory fee schedule for certified copies is established under Pennsylvania law and is posted at the Recorder of Deeds public counter.

What's Included in a Delaware County Property Record?

A Delaware County property record encompasses a broad range of documents and data points that collectively describe the legal status, physical characteristics, and ownership history of a parcel of real property. Property records are distinguished from personal property records, which relate to movable assets; real property records pertain exclusively to land and structures permanently affixed to it.

Property records in Delaware County are maintained across multiple offices and typically include the following categories of information:

Ownership information: Names of current and previous owners, vesting type (individual, joint tenancy, tenancy in common, corporate entity), and dates of ownership transfer
Deed information: Grantor and grantee names, legal description of the property, consideration paid, recording date, instrument number, and book and page reference
Mortgage and lien documents: Lender names, loan amounts, recording dates, satisfaction or release instruments, and subordination agreements
Easements and restrictions: Recorded easements, deed restrictions, covenants, and rights-of-way affecting the property
Assessment data: Parcel identification number, assessed value of land and improvements, property classification, and acreage
Tax information: Current and delinquent tax status, tax map reference, and school district designation
Plats and surveys: Subdivision plats, lot dimensions, and boundary surveys recorded with the county

Under 21 Pa. C.S. § 357, recorded instruments are indexed by the Recorder of Deeds and made available for public inspection, ensuring that all parties have constructive notice of recorded interests.

How Long Does Delaware County Keep Property Records?

Delaware County retains property records in accordance with Pennsylvania's municipal records retention requirements and the schedules established by the Pennsylvania State Records Committee. Retention periods vary by document type:

Deeds and conveyance instruments: Permanently retained; these records establish chain of title and are never destroyed
Mortgages and satisfactions: Retained permanently or for a minimum of 75 years following satisfaction or discharge
Tax assessment records: Retained for a minimum of seven years for annual assessment rolls; historical records may be retained permanently
Liens and judgments: Retained for the duration of enforceability plus a statutory period, generally a minimum of 20 years
Subdivision plats and surveys: Retained permanently as part of the official land record
Correspondence and administrative records: Retained according to the general schedule, typically three to seven years

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, through the State Records Management Program, establishes retention schedules applicable to county offices. Delaware County offices are required to comply with these state-mandated schedules, ensuring that essential property records remain accessible for future generations.

How To Find Liens on Property In Delaware County?

Liens on property in Delaware County are recorded instruments that encumber title and must be discovered during any thorough title search. Members of the public may identify liens through the following methods:

Recorder of Deeds search: Mortgage liens, mechanics' liens, and other voluntary or involuntary encumbrances recorded against a property are indexed in the Recorder of Deeds system and searchable by property owner name or parcel identifier through the Recorder of Deeds online portal.
Court of Common Pleas: Judgment liens arising from civil court proceedings are docketed with the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas and are searchable through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal.
Tax claim bureau: Delinquent real estate tax liens are maintained by the Delaware County Tax Claim Bureau, which is responsible for the collection of delinquent taxes under the Pennsylvania Real Estate Tax Sale Law.
Federal tax liens: Liens filed by the Internal Revenue Service are recorded with the Recorder of Deeds and are searchable through the same indexes used for other recorded instruments.
UCC filings: Uniform Commercial Code financing statements that may affect real property fixtures are filed with the Pennsylvania Department of State and are searchable through the Pennsylvania Department of State UCC search.

Delaware County Tax Claim Bureau Government Center Building, 201 W. Front St., Media, PA 19063 (610) 891-4281 Delaware County Tax Claim Bureau

What Is Property Owner Rule In Delaware County?

The property owner rule in Delaware County refers to the body of regulations and legal principles governing who may own real property, how ownership interests are established and transferred, and what rights and obligations attach to property ownership within the county. Under Pennsylvania law, any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, or other legal entity may hold title to real property in Delaware County, subject to applicable state and local regulations.

Key principles of property ownership in Delaware County include:

Recording requirement: To be effective against third parties, all instruments transferring or encumbering real property must be recorded with the Recorder of Deeds pursuant to Pennsylvania's recording acts. Unrecorded instruments are generally not enforceable against subsequent bona fide purchasers for value.
Forms of co-ownership: Pennsylvania law recognizes several forms of concurrent ownership, including tenancy in common, joint tenancy with right of survivorship, and tenancy by the entireties (available to married couples), each carrying distinct rights regarding transfer and inheritance.
Adverse possession: Under Pennsylvania law, a party who openly, continuously, and exclusively occupies another's land for a period of 21 years may acquire title through adverse possession, subject to judicial determination.
Zoning and land use: Property ownership in Delaware County is subject to municipal zoning ordinances, which regulate permissible uses, setbacks, density, and development standards. Zoning information is maintained by individual municipalities within the county.
Property tax obligations: All real property owners in Delaware County are subject to annual real estate taxes assessed by the Board of Assessment and levied by the county, municipalities, and school districts. Failure to pay taxes may result in a tax lien and, ultimately, a tax sale under the Pennsylvania Real Estate Tax Sale Law (72 P.S. § 5860.101 et seq.).

Delaware County Court of Common Pleas 201 W. Front St., Media, PA 19063 (610) 891-4370 Delaware County Court of Common Pleas