Erie County Property Records

Erie County property records are maintained by the Recorder of Deeds at the Erie County Courthouse in the city of Erie, Pennsylvania. The office holds deeds, mortgages, liens, and all other recorded instruments related to real property across the county's municipalities. Erie County sits on the southern shore of Lake Erie in Pennsylvania's northwest corner, and its records office handles one of the larger volumes of property transactions in the northwestern part of the state. You can search recorded documents online through the statewide PA USLandRecords portal or visit the courthouse in person.

Erie County Recorder of Deeds

The Erie County Recorder of Deeds is located at the Erie County Courthouse in the city of Erie. Erie County was formed in 1800, and records from that founding period through the present are maintained here. The Recorder indexes all property documents by grantor and grantee names, as well as by book and page number. This indexing system is standard across all 67 Pennsylvania counties and makes it possible to search for any party to a recorded transaction.

Erie is the fourth-largest county in Pennsylvania by population, and the city of Erie is the largest city on the state's Lake Erie shore. The volume of recorded property transactions reflects the county's size and urban center. The Recorder's office processes new documents throughout the business day and also provides access to the historical record for researchers, title professionals, and property owners.

The PA USLandRecords portal is the primary online system for searching Erie County deed records. The statewide portal covers all 67 Pennsylvania counties with grantor-grantee index data and document images.

How to Search Erie County Property Records

The PA USLandRecords portal is your main online tool for Erie County deed records. Search by grantor name, grantee name, or property address to find recorded instruments. The portal provides document images for deeds, mortgages, and other recorded instruments that you can view and print from home.

For property assessment and tax data, the Erie County Assessment office maintains records tied to each parcel's valuation. Assessment data includes owner information, assessed values for land and building, property characteristics, and sales history. Contact the county assessment office for current search options and access methods.

In-person visits to the Erie County Courthouse allow you to work through the index books directly and request copies on the spot. Staff are available during business hours to help with name searches and document location. If you are conducting a title search that goes back several decades, plan extra time to trace the chain through older index volumes.

Note: The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records maintains a directory of Agency Open Records Officers, including those for Erie County offices, which is useful if your request is denied.

Property Documents in Erie County

The Erie County Recorder holds all standard Pennsylvania property documents. Deeds are the most frequently sought record and go back to the county's formation in 1800. Warranty deeds show full title transfer with seller guarantees. Quit claim deeds transfer whatever interest the seller holds without title warranties. Sheriff's deeds arise from court-ordered property sales.

Mortgages document the lending arrangement secured by real property. Mortgage satisfactions record the payoff and lien release. Easements and rights-of-way are common in Erie County given its mix of urban, suburban, agricultural, and lakefront properties. Subdivision plans show how developers divided larger tracts into lots. UCC fixture filings and judgment liens also appear in the Recorder's records.

• Warranty deeds and quit claim deeds
• Mortgages and mortgage satisfactions
• Easements and rights-of-way
• Tax and judgment liens
• Subdivision plans
• UCC fixture filings
• Sheriff's deeds from foreclosure sales

For civil court records including foreclosure dockets and judgment records, use the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal.

Pennsylvania Land Records Law and Access Rights

The Right-to-Know Law (RTKL) at 65 P.S. § 67.301 sets out the public's right to access government records in Pennsylvania. The law presumes all records held by public agencies are public and places the burden on agencies to justify withholding any document. Erie County property records held by the Recorder of Deeds and Assessment offices are fully public under this standard.

Appeals from denied records requests go to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records. You have 15 business days after a denial to file. The OOR reviews the agency's basis for denial and issues a binding opinion. If the OOR finds in your favor, the county must release the requested records. The OOR also publishes advisory opinions on common access questions that help researchers understand their rights before submitting a request.

Core property data in Erie County deeds and assessments is public regardless of why you need it. Pennsylvania has no residency requirement for records access.

Note: The Pennsylvania Land Title Association offers guidance on how title professionals use Erie County property records to verify clear title before property sales.

Erie County Property Assessment Records

Erie County maintains property assessment records for every parcel in the county. Each parcel's assessed value includes separate figures for land and building. This data drives the calculation of local property taxes each year. The assessment office updates records when new assessments are conducted or when property owners successfully appeal their valuations.

Assessment records are public and available through the county's offices. The records show owner name, mailing address, property address, parcel ID, municipality, land value, building value, property class, and any applicable exemptions. Sales history data is often part of the assessment record as well, showing prior transaction dates and prices. This makes assessment records a useful supplement to deed research.

The Pennsylvania Local Government Commission provides publications on assessment procedures and property tax administration across the state. Understanding Erie County's assessment cycle and appeal process is helpful when reviewing tax obligations tied to any parcel.

Requesting Copies in Erie County

Property record copies in Erie County are available through several channels. The PA USLandRecords portal provides online document images you can view and print without visiting the courthouse. For certified copies and official record extracts, contact the Recorder of Deeds office directly at the Erie County Courthouse.

Mail requests should include the property address, owner name, and approximate document date. Include payment for copy fees and a return envelope. In-person requests during business hours allow same-day access to index books and document copies. For historical property research going back before Erie County was formed, the Pennsylvania State Archives holds original land warrants and patents covering this region of Pennsylvania.

UCC fixture filings that affect real property can be searched through the Pennsylvania Department of State. The statewide UCC database is separate from county deed records and covers security interests that may affect title.

Nearby Counties

Properties near Erie County borders may have records maintained by these neighboring county offices.

View All 67 Counties