Upper Darby Township Property Records
Upper Darby property records are maintained by Delaware County through the Recorder of Deeds office. Upper Darby Township is located in Delaware County, just west of Philadelphia. It is one of the most populous townships in Pennsylvania. All deeds, mortgages, liens, and real estate documents for Upper Darby properties are recorded at the Delaware County Government Center in Media. The township also maintains its own office with zoning and permit information. This page explains where to find Upper Darby property records and how to access them.
Upper Darby Quick Facts
Where to Find Upper Darby Property Records
The Delaware County Recorder of Deeds is the main source for Upper Darby property records. The office is located at the Government Center Building, 201 West Front Street, Media, PA 19063. Public hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Recording closes at 3:30 p.m. This office records all real estate instruments for Upper Darby properties, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and subdivision plans. Delaware County's recorded deed history runs back to 1770 and includes over 35 million scanned document images.
Upper Darby Township maintains its own office for zoning, building permits, and local property records. Visit upperdarby.org for township services, permit information, and contacts for local property matters. For deed and assessment records, the county level is the primary resource. The Delaware County Public Access System at delcopa.gov/publicaccess provides online access to assessment data and recorded documents.
| Office | Delaware County Recorder of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Address | Government Center Building, 201 West Front Street, Media, PA 19063 |
| Phone | (610) 891-4153 |
| Public Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Recording Closes | 3:30 PM |
| Cloud Search | delcopa.gov/publicaccess |
Note: Upper Darby Township has a 1.5% local real estate transfer tax, effective January 1, 2022. This is higher than the standard 1% local rate. Confirm the current transfer tax rate with the township or the Delaware County Recorder before completing any property transfer in Upper Darby.
How to Search Upper Darby Property Records
Delaware County uses the GovOS Cloud Search system for property records access. This system was launched in March 2024 and moved over 240 years of historical data and more than 35 million document images online. Cloud Search works like a keyword search engine for government records. Users can search by name, address, tax parcel number, or instrument number without needing to identify the parcel number first. Access it through the Delaware County Public Access portal at delcopa.gov/publicaccess.
Cloud Search allows users to register for a free account, purchase certified copies online, and set up a free property fraud alert. The alert system notifies property owners by email the next business day after any document is recorded on their parcel. This is a valuable tool for Upper Darby property owners who want to monitor their records without a paid subscription. The system also allows online purchase of document copies and index prints.
The statewide portal at pa.uslandrecords.com also provides access to Delaware County recorded documents using grantor and grantee indexes. This system is useful for tracing Upper Darby ownership chains across multiple transactions. The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System at pacourts.us/public-records covers foreclosure filings and judgment liens that may encumber Upper Darby properties.
Note: The Delaware County property assessment search only allows searches by address or parcel ID, not by owner name, due to privacy policies. Plan your search with the property address or tax parcel number ready.
Property Documents in Upper Darby
The Delaware County Recorder of Deeds maintains the full set of recorded real estate documents for Upper Darby properties. These include warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, sheriff's deeds, and other transfer instruments. The office also holds mortgages, mortgage assignments, mortgage satisfactions, easements, subdivision plans, mechanic's liens, municipal liens, and federal tax liens affecting Upper Darby properties.
Deed records for Delaware County go back to 1770. Historical deeds from 1770 to 1914 are available on FamilySearch. Mortgage records from 1789 to 1912 are also available through FamilySearch. More recent records from 1982 to the present are accessible through the GovOS Cloud Search system and the county's online portals. All recorded documents are scanned and available for online viewing through the Cloud Search system or at public terminals in the Media office.
Assessment records for Upper Darby properties are maintained by the Delaware County assessment office and are searchable through the Public Access System. Records include current assessed values, property characteristics, and sales data. For UCC filings affecting Upper Darby real property, search the Pennsylvania Department of State at dos.pa.gov.
Property Law and Public Records Access in Pennsylvania
Upper Darby property records are public under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (RTKL) at 65 P.S. § 67.301. The law presumes all government records are publicly accessible. Delaware County must prove an exemption applies before withholding any Upper Darby property record from a requester. No reason is required to make a records request.
The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov handles RTKL appeals for denied requests, including those involving Delaware County offices. Requesters have 15 business days after a denial to file an appeal. The OOR provides the standard RTK Request Form that all Pennsylvania agencies, including Upper Darby Township, must accept. Advisory opinions from the OOR can help clarify what records are available.
The Pennsylvania State Archives maintains colonial-era land records for Delaware County including warrants and patents. These are useful for tracing Upper Darby land history prior to modern deed recording. The PA State Archives land records overview explains the difference between state land patents and county deed records. The Pennsylvania Land Title Association at plta.org provides guidance on how title searches work for Pennsylvania properties including those in Upper Darby.
Upper Darby Property Assessment Records
Delaware County assesses all Upper Darby properties for tax purposes. The county assessment office maintains records of land value, building value, total assessed value, and property class. These records drive the calculation of annual property tax bills. Assessment data is searchable through the Delaware County Public Access System using the address or parcel ID. The system is available at delcopa.gov/publicaccess.
Property owners in Upper Darby who disagree with their assessed value may file an appeal with the Delaware County Board of Assessment. The appeal process requires documentation of market value, typically from a recent appraisal or comparable sales data. Contact the Delaware County Assessment Office at (610) 891-4153 for appeal deadlines and procedures.
Upper Darby properties are subject to local, county, and school district taxes. The township levies its own real estate tax in addition to the county rate. The 1.5% local real estate transfer tax that took effect in Upper Darby on January 1, 2022, also applies to property transfers in the township. Confirm all current rates before closing a real estate transaction in Upper Darby.
Getting Copies of Upper Darby Property Records
Copies of Upper Darby property records are available online through the GovOS Cloud Search, in person at the Delaware County Government Center in Media, or by mail. The Cloud Search system allows certified copies to be purchased online and downloaded immediately. This is often the fastest option for getting recent Upper Darby deed or mortgage copies.
In-person visits to 201 West Front Street, Media, PA 19063 allow same-day access to documents during regular business hours. Copy fees are $0.50 per page for online orders and $1 per page in person. Certified copies carry additional fees. The Cloud Search registration is free and provides full search capability. An in-person visit is still needed for very old documents or for records not yet loaded into the digital system.
Mail requests to the Delaware County Recorder of Deeds require a written description of the document needed, including the property address and party names. Include payment for estimated copy fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call (610) 891-4153 to confirm the page count and current fee before mailing your request.
Delaware County Property Records
Upper Darby property records are maintained through Delaware County. For full county recorder details, deed search tools, and additional resources, visit the Delaware County property records page.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
These nearby communities also have property records available through their respective county offices.