Erie Pennsylvania Property Records
Erie property records are maintained by Erie County through the Recorder of Deeds office at the county courthouse. Erie is the county seat of Erie County and the fourth-largest city in Pennsylvania. All deeds, mortgages, liens, and real estate documents for Erie properties are recorded at the county level. The City of Erie also maintains records related to zoning, permits, and property maintenance. This page explains where to find Erie property records and how to search them using county and state resources.
Erie Quick Facts
Where to Find Erie Property Records
The Erie County Recorder of Deeds is the main office for Erie property records. The office is located at the Erie County Courthouse and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This office records all real estate instruments for properties within Erie County, including the City of Erie. Recorded documents include deeds, mortgages, mortgage satisfactions, easements, subdivision plans, liens, and related land documents.
The City of Erie maintains additional records through city departments. Property-related city records include zoning information, building permits, and code enforcement history. Visit erie.pa.us to access city services and locate the appropriate department for permit and zoning records. City records complement county deed data when building a complete picture of an Erie property's history.
| Office | Erie County Recorder of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Location | Erie County Courthouse, Erie, PA |
| Phone | (814) 451-6270 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| County Website | eriecountypa.gov |
Note: When requesting records by mail, send your written request to the Erie County Recorder of Deeds at the Erie County Courthouse. Include the property address, party names, document type, and a self-addressed stamped envelope with payment for copy fees.
How to Search Erie Property Records
Erie County provides property records access through its county website at eriecountypa.gov. Users can search property tax and assessment records for Erie properties. The county provides online tools for looking up parcels by address or parcel number. Assessment data, ownership information, and tax status are available through these online resources.
The statewide Pennsylvania Real Property Official Records Search at pa.uslandrecords.com provides access to recorded Erie County documents using grantor and grantee indexes. This portal allows searches by seller name, buyer name, or property address and covers deed and mortgage records for Erie properties. It is particularly useful for tracing chains of title over multiple transactions.
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System at pacourts.us/public-records covers court records that may affect Erie property titles, including foreclosure cases and judgment liens. These records are maintained separately from deed records but are important for understanding the full picture of a property's legal history.
Property Documents in Erie
The Erie County Recorder of Deeds maintains the complete set of recorded real estate documents for Erie properties. These include warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, sheriff's deeds, and other transfer instruments. Mortgage instruments, mortgage assignments, and satisfactions are also held here. Additional document types include easements, rights-of-way, subdivision plans, mechanic's liens, municipal liens, and federal tax liens.
All documents are assigned a book and page number and scanned for digital access. Images are available at public terminals in the Recorder's office. The Erie County assessor maintains separate records of property valuations and physical characteristics for all Erie parcels. This data includes land value, building value, total assessed value, year built, lot dimensions, and property class.
For UCC filings tied to Erie real property, use the Pennsylvania Department of State at dos.pa.gov. These filings document security interests and may affect property ownership and transfers. Historical pre-county land records for Erie-area properties are held by the Pennsylvania State Archives, which maintains warrants and patents going back to the Commonwealth's early land grant system.
Pennsylvania Property Law and Open Records
Erie property records are public under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (RTKL) at 65 P.S. § 67.301. The law establishes a presumption that all government-held records are open to the public. Agencies must prove that an exemption applies before withholding records from requesters. No reason is required to access Erie property records.
The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov provides oversight of the RTKL and handles appeals for denied requests. If Erie County denies a records request, the requester has 15 business days to appeal. The OOR maintains a directory of agency open records officers for Erie County offices. The OOR's new address is 555 Walnut Street, Suite 605, Harrisburg, PA 17101.
The Pennsylvania State Archives maintains colonial-era land records for Erie County including warrants, surveys, and patents. Researchers tracing early Erie property history can find the state land records overview at PA State Archives. Note that private deed transfers between individuals are held at the county level, not the State Archives.
Note: The Pennsylvania Land Title Association at plta.org offers resources on professional title search practices for properties in Erie and across Pennsylvania.
Erie Property Assessment Records
Erie County assesses all city properties for tax purposes. The assessment office maintains records of land values, building values, total assessed values, and property classifications for Erie properties. These records are updated on a regular schedule. Assessment data is tied to the tax billing cycle and reflects the county's current valuation methodology.
Property owners in Erie who disagree with their assessed value may file an appeal with the Erie County Board of Assessment. The appeal requires a formal application and supporting evidence such as a recent property appraisal or data from comparable sales. Contact the Erie County assessor's office at the courthouse for appeal deadlines and procedures.
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue at revenue.pa.gov administers state-level property tax programs, including the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program for qualifying Erie residents. The Department also tracks tax liens and delinquencies that may affect Erie property titles.
Getting Copies of Erie Property Records
Copies of Erie property records are available in person at the Erie County Courthouse, by mail, and through online portals. In-person visits during office hours allow same-day access to most documents. Bring the property address or parcel ID number to locate records quickly. Staff can assist with identifying the correct document type and locating the book and page number for specific instruments.
Mail requests should be sent to the Erie County Recorder of Deeds at the courthouse. Include the property address, names of parties involved, the document type, and payment for copy fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of copies. Call (814) 451-6270 to confirm current fee rates before mailing payment.
Online access through the statewide pa.uslandrecords.com portal provides index searches for free and charges fees for document images. The Erie County website also provides free access to assessment data for Erie properties. Combining both online tools with in-person access covers the full range of Erie property record types.
Erie County Property Records
Erie property records are maintained through Erie County. For full county recorder details, deed search tools, and additional resources, visit the Erie County property records page.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
These nearby cities also maintain property records through their respective county offices.