Property Records in Armstrong County

Armstrong County property records are kept by the Recorder of Deeds at the Armstrong Courthouse Administration Building in Kittanning, Pennsylvania. The office records and maintains deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other land documents for all parcels in the county. Armstrong County was formed in 1800, and land records date back to that founding year. You can search records through the Pennsylvania statewide portal or visit the Kittanning courthouse during regular business hours. The grantor-grantee indexing system makes it possible to trace ownership by searching either the buyer or seller name.

Armstrong County Recorder of Deeds Office

The Armstrong County Recorder of Deeds is located at 450 East Market Street, Suite 20, in Kittanning. The office has maintained land records since the county was carved out of Allegheny, Lycoming, and Westmoreland counties in 1800. Every property transaction in the county is recorded here, creating a continuous chain of title that allows researchers to trace ownership back over two hundred years.

Documents recorded at this office are assigned a book and page number, then scanned into the county's computer system. Public access terminals at the courthouse let you search and view images without staff assistance. The grantor-grantee index is the standard tool for most searches. Grantor names are sellers and grantor searches help trace who sold a given property. Grantee names are buyers and can help you find when someone acquired a property.

The statewide PA USLandRecords system provides online access to Armstrong County deed records. The image below shows this portal, which covers recorded documents for all 67 Pennsylvania counties.

Using the statewide portal, you can search Armstrong County records by party name or property address from any internet-connected device without traveling to Kittanning.

How to Search Armstrong County Property Records

The primary online tool for Armstrong County property records is pa.uslandrecords.com, the Pennsylvania State Real Property Official Records Search. This statewide portal gives access to recorded deeds, mortgages, and other land documents for Armstrong County. You can search by grantor or grantee name, property address, or document type. Document images are available to view and print from the site.

For in-person searches, the Recorder of Deeds office in Kittanning has public access terminals and grantor-grantee index books available during business hours. When you find a document in the index, the book and page reference tells you exactly where to locate the full document. Bring the property address or the owner's name to start your search. Staff can answer general questions but are not able to conduct searches on your behalf.

Armstrong County also provides parcel-based search capabilities. Searching by property location rather than owner name can be helpful when you know the address but not the ownership history. For court-related property records such as foreclosures, judgments, and sheriff's sales, the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal provides access to Armstrong County court dockets.

Note: For a complete title search going back to the county's founding year, you may need to review physical index books held at the Recorder's office for the oldest records.

Land Records Available in Armstrong County

Armstrong County's Recorder of Deeds office holds a full range of documents that affect real property ownership and use. The most sought records are warranty deeds and quit claim deeds, which transfer ownership between parties. The office also maintains sheriff's deeds from foreclosure sales and tax sales. Mortgages and mortgage releases document financial encumbrances on property. Easements and rights-of-way define how others may use a piece of land.

Subdivision plans show how larger tracts were divided into individual lots. These plans are critical when verifying legal descriptions and lot boundaries. UCC filings for fixtures attached to real property, notary commissions, and military discharge records (DD-214 forms) round out the types of documents kept at this office.

• Warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, and sheriff's deeds
• Mortgages and mortgage releases
• Easements and rights-of-way
• Subdivision plans
• UCC filings
• Notary commissions
• Military discharge papers (DD-214)

The Pennsylvania State Archives holds original land warrants and patents from the colonial era, which predate county-level records and document the original grants from the Commonwealth to the first landowners.

Pennsylvania Property Records Law

All Pennsylvania property records at the Recorder of Deeds are public documents under the Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.301. The law creates a presumption that government records are open to the public. You do not need to explain why you are requesting property records, and there is no residency requirement to access them.

The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records is the state agency that enforces the RTKL. If a county office denies your records request, you can appeal to the OOR within 15 business days of the denial. The OOR reviews the appeal and can order the agency to release the records. Their enforcement powers apply to all county offices including the Recorder of Deeds.

Section 708 of the RTKL lists specific exemptions that agencies can invoke to withhold certain information, such as personal security details and specific identification numbers. However, the core content of property records, including names, legal descriptions, and transaction details, falls within the public domain. This framework ensures open access to Armstrong County land records for anyone who needs them.

Armstrong County Property Assessment Records

The Armstrong County Assessment Office maintains valuation records for all taxable parcels. Assessment records include land value, building value, total assessed value, property class, and applicable exemptions. These records are used to calculate annual property taxes for each parcel in the county.

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue oversees property tax programs at the state level. The Department maintains records of tax liens and delinquencies. Local tax claim bureaus in Armstrong County handle delinquent taxes and coordinate tax sales. Understanding a property's assessment and tax history is an important step in any real estate transaction.

The Pennsylvania Local Government Commission publishes guidance on property assessment procedures and tax administration across Pennsylvania counties. Their resources explain the legal basis for assessments and the appeals process available to property owners who disagree with their valuations.

How to Request Armstrong County Records

You can request Armstrong County property records by visiting the Recorder of Deeds office in person, by mail, or through the statewide online portal. In-person requests during business hours give you direct access to the index books and public terminals. For mail requests, write to 450 East Market Street, Suite 20, Kittanning, PA 16201. Include the property address or owner name, type of document, and a self-addressed stamped envelope for return copies.

Copy fees are $0.50 per page, with an additional $1.50 for certified copies. Recording fees vary by document type. The statewide pa.uslandrecords.com portal provides online document viewing and printing. For UCC filings that affect real property fixtures, the Pennsylvania Department of State maintains a searchable statewide UCC database. Historical records from the colonial and early statehood period are held by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Nearby Counties

Properties bordering Armstrong County may have associated records in these neighboring county offices.

View All 67 Counties