Chester County Deed Records and Property Search
Chester County property records span centuries of land ownership history in southeastern Pennsylvania. The Chester County Recorder of Deeds in West Chester maintains deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded land instruments going back to the county's founding in the 1600s. You can search Chester County property records through the county's online Records Search portal, an IQS historical database for documents prior to 1994, and the ChescoViews GIS mapping tool. Multiple search systems make Chester County one of the most accessible counties for property research in Pennsylvania.
Chester County Quick Facts
Chester County Recorder of Deeds Office
The Chester County Recorder of Deeds is located at 313 West Market Street, Suite 3302, West Chester, PA 19380. This office records and indexes all land instruments filed in Chester County. The recorder maintains deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, subdivision plans, UCC filings, and other legal documents affecting real property. Chester County is one of Pennsylvania's oldest counties, formed in 1682, and its records reflect centuries of property ownership in the region.
The Recorder of Deeds office offers a research library where the public can view records and obtain copies. The office also accepts e-recording submissions through authorized vendors. Recording hours are slightly shorter than regular business hours, running from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The office sends a complimentary copy of each recorded deed to the new property owner by email after filing, which helps protect against title fraud in Chester County.
The Chester County Records Search portal at chesco.org/431/Records-Search provides online access to documents from 1994 to present. The image below shows the county's modern records search interface.
The Chester County Records Search portal lets users search by name, address, or parcel ID and view document images for recorded instruments dating from 1994 onward.
| Office | Chester County Recorder of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Address | 313 West Market Street, Suite 3302, West Chester, PA 19380 |
| Phone | (610) 344-6330 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (Recording until 4:00 PM) |
| Website | chesco.org/170/Recorder-of-Deeds |
Note: The Chester County research library is open during business hours. Public access terminals are also available at the Government Services Center and Chester County Library for those who cannot visit the recorder office.
Searching Chester County Property Records
Chester County offers multiple search tools for property records. The main Records Search portal covers documents from 1994 to present. You can search by owner name, address, or parcel ID. Document images are available for most modern instruments. This tool is free for basic searches and allows online ordering of certified copies.
For documents prior to 1994, Chester County partnered with Info Quick Solutions to create the IQS Search database at searchiqs.com/pache. This system launched in January 2021 and contains historical records dating back to the county's founding in the 1600s. Users can log in as a guest for one-time access or create an account for frequent use. Images are free to view, with a $0.50 per page fee for printing or downloading. Note that the E-Film Reader contains documents not indexed by name, so you need the Book and Page number to locate those records.
The statewide portal at pa.uslandrecords.com also provides access to Chester County recorder data. The image below shows the PA Land Records system that covers Chester County recorded instruments.
PA Land Records supplements the county's own search systems and provides a statewide consistent interface for searching Chester County recorded documents.
The ChescoViews GIS portal is free and allows searches by address, parcel number, or owner name to view property boundaries, assessment data, and aerial imagery. The Chester County Assessment Office maintains a separate portal with ownership, assessment values, and property record cards. For historical research, the Pennsylvania State Archives holds original land grant records from the colonial era that predate even the county recorder system.
Types of Property Records in Chester County
Chester County maintains one of the most complete sets of property records in Pennsylvania, reflecting over three centuries of continuous land activity. Understanding the types of records available helps you target your search.
Deeds are the foundation of Chester County title history. The county holds deeds from the 1600s to present. These documents show every transfer of property ownership, including the parties involved, property description, and consideration paid. Mortgages and mortgage satisfactions track the financial liens placed on Chester County properties over time. When a mortgage is repaid, a satisfaction is recorded to clear the lien from the title chain.
Other Chester County property records include:
- Federal, state, and municipal tax liens
- Mechanics' liens from contractors
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Subdivision and condominium plans
- UCC financing statements
- Notary commissions and military discharge papers
- Historical colonial-era charters
Lien searches in Chester County require checking multiple offices. The Recorder of Deeds holds mortgages, judgment liens, and tax liens. The Prothonotary at 201 W. Market Street, Suite 1425, West Chester, (610) 344-6300, handles civil judgments and mechanics' liens. The Tax Claim Bureau handles property tax liens. UCC filings are maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of State.
Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law and Chester County Records
Chester County property records are public records under 65 P.S. § 67.301, the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law. The public may inspect and copy these records during regular office hours. The law creates a presumption that all government records are open unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
Chester County provides extensive free online access to property records, reducing the need for formal RTKL requests for most routine inquiries. The Records Search portal, ChescoViews GIS, and IQS Search all offer public access at no charge or low cost. If Chester County denies access to any property record, you may file an appeal with the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records. The OOR reviews appeals statewide and issues binding decisions within 30 days.
The Pennsylvania Local Government Commission provides guidance on RTKL compliance for county agencies. Chester County's proactive approach to online records access reflects the open government principles embedded in Pennsylvania law. Records from the colonial period are also accessible through the IQS historical database, furthering transparency for this historic county.
Chester County GIS and Assessment Portal
Chester County's ChescoViews GIS system is one of the strongest county mapping tools in Pennsylvania. It offers free access to parcel boundaries, ownership data, assessment values, aerial photography, and related records links. Users can search by address, parcel number, or owner name to quickly locate properties anywhere in Chester County.
The Chester County Assessment Office maintains a separate portal with detailed property record cards. These cards show land and building assessed values, property characteristics, construction type, and sales history. You can search by owner name, property address, or parcel ID to access assessment data. Chester County performs regular reassessments to keep values current and equitable across the county.
The Pennsylvania Land Title Association connects property buyers and lenders with licensed title searchers who can conduct thorough searches of Chester County records. Title searches typically cover deeds going back 60 years and include lien, judgment, and tax checks across all relevant Chester County offices.
Note: Chester County does not permit office staff to perform name searches on behalf of the public. All searches must be done through self-service tools or by hiring a title professional.
Getting Copies of Chester County Property Documents
Copies of Chester County property records are available through several channels. Online options are fast and convenient for modern documents. Older historical records may require in-person or written requests.
Online certified copies can be ordered through the Chester County Records Search portal for documents from 1994 onward. IQS Search provides downloadable images of historical records for $0.50 per page. These digital options cover most of what typical researchers and property owners need.
For in-person access, visit the Recorder of Deeds at 313 West Market Street, Suite 3302, West Chester. The research library is open during regular business hours. Staff can print copies from the system at standard copy rates. Copies made by staff in the research library cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies have an additional $1.50 fee. Mail requests are accepted for Chester County records. Send document details, contact information, and payment to the recorder office. Call (610) 344-6330 to confirm current fees. The Pennsylvania Land Title Association maintains a directory of title companies that perform professional Chester County property searches.
Nearby Counties
Chester County borders several southeastern Pennsylvania counties, all of which maintain their own property records systems.