Search Bradford County Property Records
Bradford County property records are maintained by the Recorder of Deeds at the Bradford County Courthouse in Towanda, Pennsylvania. Deed records date back to 1810, when Bradford County was formed. The Recorder maintains deeds, mortgages, easements, and other instruments affecting real property throughout the county. Bradford County provides a subscription-based online service for property tax records and assessment information, while deed and mortgage documents are also accessible through the statewide PA USLandRecords portal. In-person searches at the Towanda courthouse remain a reliable option for detailed title research.
Bradford County Quick Facts
Bradford County Recorder of Deeds
The Bradford County Recorder of Deeds is located at the Bradford County Courthouse, 301 Main Street, Towanda, PA 18848. The office has recorded real estate instruments since Bradford County was established in 1810. Every deed, mortgage, easement, and other land document filed in the county since then is part of the public record held at this office. Staff can assist with general questions and direct you to the appropriate index books or public terminals.
Documents recorded at the Bradford County Recorder of Deeds are indexed by grantor and grantee name. The grantor is the seller or transferring party; the grantee is the buyer or receiving party. Each document also carries a book and page reference that locates it within the physical archive. Searching the grantor-grantee index by name is the standard method for locating specific deeds or mortgages.
The statewide PA USLandRecords portal gives online access to Bradford County recorded documents. The image below shows this portal, which is available from any internet-connected device.
Through the statewide portal, Bradford County deed and mortgage documents are searchable by party name and property address, making remote research straightforward.
| Office | Bradford County Recorder of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Address | Bradford County Courthouse, 301 Main Street, Towanda, PA 18848 |
| Phone | (570) 265-1714 |
| Fax | (570) 265-1749 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | bradfordcounty.pa.gov |
How to Search Bradford County Property Records
The statewide pa.uslandrecords.com portal is the primary online tool for searching Bradford County deed and mortgage records. You can search by grantor or grantee name, property address, or document type. Document images are available to view and print from the portal. This system covers all 67 Pennsylvania counties in a single search interface.
Bradford County also offers a subscription-based online service for property tax and assessment records. This service provides access to detailed assessment information, ownership data, and tax payment records for parcels throughout the county. A subscription is required to access the full range of data.
In-person research at the Bradford County Courthouse on Main Street in Towanda gives you access to the grantor-grantee index books and any physical document archives not yet fully digitized. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Bring the property address or owner name to guide your search. For court records involving liens, foreclosures, and judgments, the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal covers Bradford County civil court records.
Note: Bradford County's subscription service provides access to assessment and tax records, but deed and mortgage document images are more readily available through the statewide land records portal.
Land Records Available in Bradford County
The Bradford County Recorder of Deeds maintains real property documents dating from the county's 1810 founding. Deeds form the core record of ownership transfers. The office also holds mortgages and their releases, easements and rights-of-way, and subdivision plans that document how land was divided into the parcels that exist today.
Tax assessment records available through the county's subscription service include annual property valuations, ownership information, property characteristics, and tax payment history. These records are maintained separately from the deed records at the Recorder's office.
- Deeds dating back to 1810
- Mortgages and mortgage releases
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Subdivision plans
- Tax assessment records (subscription service)
Historical records predating Bradford County's formation are held at the Pennsylvania State Archives, which maintains original land warrants and patents from the Commonwealth era and the William Penn period.
Pennsylvania Property Records Law
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law at 65 P.S. § 67.301 declares all government records presumptively public. Bradford County property records at the Recorder of Deeds are open to any person who requests them. You do not need to explain your reason for requesting the records, and you do not need to be a Pennsylvania resident to access them.
The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records enforces the RTKL and handles appeals when agencies deny records requests. You have 15 business days after a denial to appeal to the OOR. The OOR issues binding decisions and can compel agencies to release records that fall within the public access standard. The OOR also maintains a directory of Agency Open Records Officers so you know who to contact at each county office.
The Pennsylvania Land Title Association represents title professionals who work with Bradford County property records regularly. Their resources explain how title searches are conducted and what records are reviewed when researching property ownership and encumbrances.
Bradford County Property Assessment Records
The Bradford County assessment system maintains valuation records for every taxable parcel. Each record shows land value, building value, total assessed value, property class, and applicable exemptions. These values are used to calculate annual property taxes across all municipalities in Bradford County. The subscription service available through the county website gives access to these assessment records along with ownership information, property characteristics, and tax payment history.
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue maintains oversight of property tax programs at the state level. Delinquent tax records that may affect property title are tracked through the county Tax Claim Bureau. The Pennsylvania Local Government Commission provides guides on assessment law, tax administration, and the appeals process for property owners who dispute their assessed values.
How to Request Bradford County Records
Bradford County property records can be requested through the statewide online portal, the county subscription service, or by visiting or writing to the courthouse in Towanda. The statewide pa.uslandrecords.com portal provides deed and mortgage document images. The county subscription service covers assessment and tax records.
For in-person or mail requests, contact the Recorder of Deeds at 301 Main Street, Towanda, PA 18848. Include the property address or owner name, document type, and approximate date. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if requesting copies by mail. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission holds colonial and early statehood property records for historical research. The Pennsylvania Department of State maintains the statewide UCC database for fixture-related property encumbrances.
Nearby Counties
These counties share borders with Bradford County and maintain property records offices for parcels near those boundaries.