Row Officers

Recorder of Deeds

Edward R. Gudknecht
Recorder of Deeds

The responsibility of the Bucks County Recorder of Deeds Office is to record and maintain for permanent record all documents related to real estate (deed, mortgages, subdivision plans, etc.) and various other documents such as veterans' discharges, notary public commissions, etc. The office is open to the public on weekdays from 7:30 AM to 5:15 PM; however no documents can be accepted for recording after 5:00 PM.

For additional information please contact the Recorder of Deeds Office.

Search records from 1980 to present online. Access this new feature by going to www.landex.com. (Fee charged)

A Homeowner's Guide to Good Deeds

• General
• Deeds
• Mortgage
• Taxes
• Seeking Information
• Historical Information
• Miscellaneous Information
• Public Access System
• Location
• Fee Schedule

General
What are the hours of the Recorder of Deeds office?
The office is open to the public on week-days from 7:30 AM to 5:15 PM; however no papers will be accepted for recording after 5:00 PM. We have no Saturday or evening hours.

How far back do your records go?
1684

I s there now a county registry of documents?
Yes, since January 1, 1989. All documents directly related to real estate MUST: show the County Tax Parcel Number; and be submitted to the Bucks County Board of Assessment PRIOR TO RECORDING.

What are the recording fees?
The base fee for a deed or mortgage not exceeding four names, four pages and one parcel number is $46.50; this includes the registry fee. Each page over four is an additional $2.00; each name over four is an additional $.50. For other recording, Registry of special situations contact the Department involved and/or our Fee Schedule. We charge the lowest fee as set by State Law.

How many checks do I need when recording?
Usually one except for deeds. When deeds are being recorded, three checks are needed. One each for: the recording fee, the State Transfer Tax and the Local Transfer Tax. These items are deposited in separate accounts. All checks are payable to Recorder of Deeds. The Registration fee may be included with the Recording fee in one check.

May I do recording by mail?
Yes but you should make sure the documents meet all legal requirements and that you have proper checks enclosed, made payable for the correct amounts.
Note that Deeds, Mortgages, Satisfaction Pieces, UCC forms, General Powers of Attorney, Veterans papers, Notary Commissions, copy requests, etc. should come directly to the Recorder's Office.

Can I get information over the phone?
General information can be obtained by phone but for more detailed information you should come into the Office or retain a Title Searcher or Attorney. Office employees are not permitted to make searches.

How long does it take to get papers back?
The Recorder's Office is the only one in the Courthouse to return the original papers. It takes about three weeks. The papers are sent back to the person who records them, in most cases a Title Company or Attorney. If you have not received your papers after two months, contact the person or firm who recorded them for you. We must have a self-addressed envelope if they are to be returned by mail.

Why does it take three weeks?
We are no longer preparing bound books, but all official records are retained in microfilm and microfiche modes. For your protection and accurate permanent record, all documents are filmed and the original documents are retained until the indices and records are verified.

Why are microfilm copies made?
A duplicate microfilm copy and a microfiche copy are stored for use by our office and the public. The microfilm copy is made for security reasons. The film is kept in an atomic-proof underground vault so that all records can be duplicated in the event of a disaster in the Courthouse that destroys our records. This is for your protection.

Can anyone look at my deed and mortgage?
Yes. All papers recorded in our office are public information with the exception of Military Discharge Papers which are impounded. This means anyone can come in and look at your Deed and Mortgage.

Can I prepare my own deed?
Yes. But it usually is a good idea to have someone with a certain expertise in the field such as a Real Estate Agent, Attorney or Title Company prepare it for you to make sure it is correct. Employees of the Recorder of Deeds may not do this for you.

How do I get a copy of my deed or mortgage?
You can get a copy by sending a request to the Recorder of Deeds Office. The charge is $1.00per page. If you want the copy certified there is an additional fee of $1.50. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Plans, when available, are $3.00 per sheet.

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Deeds
How do I replace a lost deed?
By obtaining a copy as described above. We must have your full name, location of property and what year you purchased it. It helps if you have the County Tax Parcel Number.

How do I change, add or delete a name on a deed?
This can only be done by recording a new deed showing the change. Many people think they can simply come into the office and change the present deed on record. However, once a paper is recorded, it cannot be changed. The new deed can be prepared by your Attorney, Title Insurance Co. or a Real Estate Office.

Is it necessary to delete a deceased spouse's name?
Generally, no, if the property was held jointly by husband and wife as tenants by entireties. If and when the survivor sells or mortgages the property, he or she simply explains in the new deed or mortgage that the other spouse is deceased. There could be a special instance when because of a particular legal situation, the name should be deleted. You should consult your Attorney.

If a woman marries, must she change her name on her deed?
It is not legally required, but again because of a particular situation it might be desirable. Consult your attorney

If I sell off a portion of my land, do I get a deed for the remainder?
No. Records in the Courthouse show your original deed and the deed(s) for portions sold. Anyone searching records simply deducts the land you sold from the original deed.

Must I record a deed?
A deed is binding even if it is not recorded, but because of numerous reasons it is in your best interests to record it. One good reason: the former owner can go on getting mortgages, judgments and suits on your property since records in the Courthouse would show he or she still owns it.

If I build on my lot, do I get a new deed for the house?
No. The original deed usually covers any buildings erected on the lot at a later date. Check your deed for exceptions.

If I find a mistake in my deed, how do I correct?
Usually, the same way you change a name, by recording a new deed. In this case, it is known as a deed of correction. You should contact your Attorney or Title Insurance Company.

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Mortgages
How is a mortgage satisfied?
ALL MORTGAGES MUST use a Mortgage Satisfaction Piece.

Who satisfies my mortgage?
This action must be initiated by the mortgagee (lender). They may however, send the actual forms to your. Upon making the final payment, contact your lender to see how it will be handled.

What do I do if satisfaction papers are sent to me?
Bring or mail the original Mortgage Satisfaction Piece to our office with the proper fee.

Must a mortgage be satisfied?
No, but it is to your benefit. It will establish a clear title to your property.

Is there a statute of limitations on the lien of a mortgage?
No. However, this is a legal procedure to have a mortgage satisfied if it appears to be stale.

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Taxes
What is the Real Estate transfer tax?
There is a State Tax and a Municipal Tax each amounting to 1% of the value of the property or interest being conveyed. This is not necessarily the sales price.

Who pays the transfer tax?
The state and local governments do not care who pays it as long as it is paid. The Recorder of Deeds Office will not accept a deed unless the tax is paid at the time of recording. In most sales agreements, the seller and the buyer split the tax. However, the new owner is responsible if there is any question over the amount of the tax paid.

Are any transactions exempt?
Some are. Conveyances between husband and wife, parent and child, grandparent and grandchild and brothers and sisters. There are some other exemptions allowed in certain situations. It is best to consult your attorney or contact our office concerning them. Note that non-profit corporations are NOT exempt. In most cases the transactions are taxable.

What is a statement of value?
This is a specific State form that is used either to set the value of the property being conveyed or to give the reason for exemption. It must be presented in duplicate and are forwarded by us to the Department of Revenue.

When is a statement of value required?
Anytime the transfer tax is not paid or anytime the true value of the land is not shown on the deed (such as in a $1.00 consideration). State investigators then check the property and see if the value is as stated or if the reason given for exemption is valid.

Why is additional transfer tax sometimes due?
This happens when the state investigator determines the property being sold is worth more than stated or if the reason for exemption is not valid.

How is additional tax paid?
A "Determination" is sent directly to you by the State Department of Revenue. The additional State Tax and interest are paid to them. They issue a receipt to our office to be recorded showing the taxes that were due and paid.

Is a transfer between divorced parties exempt?
A deed between ex-spouses is exempt from the tax.

Pre-Registration in certain communities?
Deeds conveying property in any of the following municipalities MUST be registered with them prior to being presented for recording: Sellersville, Perkasie, Quakertown, New Britain, Newtown, Doylestown and Morrisville Boroughs and Buckingham, Doylestown, New Britain Townships, Lower Southampton, West Rockhill and Wrightstown Townships.

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Seeking Information?
How do I check easements on my ground?
By coming into the Recorder's Office and checking the records. We will be glad to help you, or contact your Attorney or Title Company.

How do I check deed restrictions on my ground?
Again, by coming into the office. This could be tricky since deed restrictions do not have to be spelled out in each new deed. A restriction could be in a deed ten owners back and still be in effect. When a title company makes a search prior to granting title insurance, these restrictions are reported. Again check with them.

What is the elevation of my property?
This information is not included in a deed but can be found by referring to a United States Coast and Geodetic Survey Map of your area which is available in the Planning Commission.

How can I determine the latitude and longitude of my ground?
This can be checked on a United States Coast and Geodetic Survey Map of your area in the Planning Commission.

How can I determine my property line?
Your deed will give you the legal description but a surveyor is needed to use this information to actually locate your property lines, and place stakes or other markers.

Do you have plans showing location of my building?
No. The location of buildings might be on plans kept in your township building or borough hall for zoning or permit purposes.

Do you record deeds for cemetery lots?
No. A deed to a cemetery lot only gives you permission to use the ground. The cemetery still retains title to the ground. Such "Deeds" or "Titles" are maintained in the office of the cemetery company.

How can I check for liens against my property?
Except mortgages, most liens are filed in the Prothonotary's Office, not in the Recorder of Deeds Office. You can check with them for liens filed against you there.

How can I determine the location of old wells or water and sewer lines?
This information is not recorded in our office. Records in the municipality in which your property is located may give you this information. If they do not have it, have a plumber trace your lines.

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Historical Information
How can I determine the owner of a property?
Our records are by names, not locations. Our records will list all the ground owned by an individual. But if you want to know who owns a certain lot, go to the Board of Assessment on the third floor of the Courthouse and locate the lot on the tax map. They can tell you the owner, as well as our book and page reference.

How can I trace ownership of my property?
Following the legal description in your deed is a section known as Recital or "Being Clause." It gives the name of the persons who sold the property to the person who sold it to you and the Deed Book and page number where this transaction can be found. You go back to that deed and find the same information of the preceding transaction involving your property and so forth, hopefully back to 1684.

How can I tell the age of my house?
It is difficult to determine this by checking deeds since a deed is for the land and not the buildings. A deed may simply state "and the buildings thereon". It does not even have to state this. The Bucks County Historical Society has a pamphlet which contains pictures of various kinds of Building Techniques used at different times. By checking the construction of your home with the pictures in the pamphlet, you may be able to come up with a close guess.

What information do I need to check a deed or mortgage?
Information is indexed by Grantor (Seller) and Mortgagor (Borrower) now known as the DIRECT PARTY and the Grantee (Buyer) and Mortgagee (Lender) now known as the INDIRECT PARTY. These books are grouped by years. To locate a deed or mortgage we must know the full name of one of the persons involved and also the approximate year of the transaction.

What are the yearly groupings of your index?
The first set goes from 1684 to 1919, the next is 1920 to 1941, then 1942 to 1951, then 1952 to 1963, the next is 1964 to 1971 and 1972 to 1979 and 1980 to 1988 and 1989 to 1993 and 1994 to 1998 and 1999 to present.

How do I use the index books?
Except in the newest index, names are not indexed in pure alphabetical order like a phone book. Our staff will be glad to show you how to use the index books. The newest indexes are also on computer.

How do I determine if relatives lived here years ago?
By checking the index books to see if their name appears in either the deed or mortgage books back over the years.

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Miscellaneous Information
What documents do you handle?
We handle as many as twenty-five different kinds of documents in addition to deeds and mortgages. Some of them include mausoleum permits, sewer permits, cattle brands and filings under the UCC Code. For a complete list, ask for our fee schedule.

How do I get a certificate of ownership to move farm equipment?
We can prepare an official certificate. We must know the deed book and page number of the property being certified to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

Are there certain rules for plans?
Subdivision plans must be no longer than 24 by 36 inches to be accepted for recording. We need the original on linen or mylar. The plans must be signed by the local governing body and its planning commission, and the Bucks County Planning Commission, the owner and a Notary. If the plans were signed more than 90 days ago, we cannot accept them by State Law.

Are subdivision plans required?
Most municipalities in the county have subdivision ordinances. Check with your local officials.

Can I record my military discharge?
Yes. It is a good idea to record it in the event of loss. We provide you with three certified copy in the event you need them for various veteran benefits. There is no charge for this since the fee is paid by the county. No one but the veteran, his family or a veteran organization official is permitted to look at these records.

How do I become a Notary Public?
Contact your state senator or secure an application from us.

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Public Access System
Access mortgages and deeds from January 1, 1980 until August 31, 2004.Currently this system is free of charge. Please stay posted for changes.

Go to Public Access System