Franklin County Pennsylvania Property Records
Franklin County property records are maintained by the Recorder of Deeds at the Franklin County Courthouse in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. The office records deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and all other documents affecting real property in the county. Franklin County was founded in 1784 and lies along the Maryland border in south-central Pennsylvania. Records here cover a mix of agricultural, residential, and commercial properties. You can search Franklin County property records online through the statewide portal, the county website, or in person at the Chambersburg courthouse.
Franklin County Quick Facts
Franklin County Recorder of Deeds
The Franklin County Recorder of Deeds is located at the Franklin County Courthouse in Chambersburg, PA. The office has maintained a continuous record of land transactions since the county's formation in 1784. Every deed, mortgage, easement, and lien recorded in Franklin County passes through this office and receives a permanent book and page assignment for future reference.
Franklin County covers a broad region of south-central Pennsylvania that includes the Cumberland Valley, South Mountain, and the Tuscarora Mountain range. The county is known for its strong agricultural character and proximity to Interstate 81, which has driven commercial and industrial development. Property records here reflect that diversity, from farm deeds and timber rights to commercial land transfers and residential subdivisions.
The Franklin County official website provides current information about the Recorder of Deeds office, including services available and current contact details.
| Office | Franklin County Recorder of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Address | Franklin County Courthouse, Chambersburg, PA 17201 |
| Phone | (717) 261-3872 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | franklincountypa.gov |
How to Find Franklin County Property Records
The PA USLandRecords portal is the primary online tool for searching Franklin County deed records. This statewide system provides grantor-grantee index data and document images for recorded instruments including deeds, mortgages, and easements. Search by owner name, property address, or parcel identifier from any internet-connected device.
The Franklin County website at franklincountypa.gov also provides access to assessment and GIS data. The county's assessment office maintains parcel valuations and property characteristic data that complements the deed record. You can use the county's online resources to confirm ownership, assessed values, and tax information alongside deed document searches.
In-person visits to the Chambersburg courthouse give you access to index books and staff assistance. Staff can help you trace a chain of title through the grantor-grantee index. For complex title work involving older records or unusual document types, a title professional familiar with Franklin County practices is recommended.
Note: The Pennsylvania Land Title Association can help connect you with licensed title professionals who work with Franklin County records.
Property Documents in Franklin County
Franklin County deed records go back to 1784. Standard property documents include warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, and sheriff's deeds. Warranty deeds offer the strongest title guarantee from the seller. Quit claim deeds transfer whatever interest the seller holds without further guarantee. Sheriff's deeds arise from court-ordered foreclosure and tax sales.
Mortgage documents record the lender's security interest in a property. Mortgage satisfactions are filed when the loan is repaid and the lien is released. Easements and rights-of-way documents are common in agricultural areas where access lanes, utility lines, and water rights are frequently formalized in writing. Subdivision plans map out the division of larger tracts into developable lots.
Tax liens and judgment liens affecting Franklin County properties are recorded here and affect title until resolved. UCC fixture filings for commercial and agricultural properties also appear in the Recorder's index. For UCC filings involving personal property or multi-county operations, the Pennsylvania Department of State maintains the statewide UCC database.
Pennsylvania Statutes Governing Property Records Access
Property records in Franklin County are public documents under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law (RTKL), codified at 65 P.S. § 67.301. The law presumes all public agency records are accessible to anyone. You do not need to state a reason for requesting property records, and you do not need to prove ownership or legal interest in a parcel to obtain records related to it.
If Franklin County offices deny a records request, appeal rights lie with the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records. File your appeal within 15 business days of the denial. The OOR reviews the agency's basis for denial and issues a binding decision. Agencies must release records unless a specific RTKL Section 708 exemption applies. Core property data in recorded deeds falls outside those exemptions.
The OOR also publishes advisory opinions interpreting the RTKL that help requesters understand their rights before submitting a request. Consulting these opinions can save time when dealing with unusual records requests at any Pennsylvania county office.
Franklin County Assessment and Property Tax Records
The Franklin County Assessment office maintains property valuation records for all parcels in the county. Each parcel carries an assessed value split between land and building. This drives the calculation of county, municipal, and school district property taxes. Assessment records are public and include owner information, parcel ID, property address, municipality, assessed values, property class, and applicable exemptions.
Sales history is often included in assessment records, showing prior transaction dates and prices. This data is useful for understanding market trends and estimating current value. The county conducts reassessment periodically, and parcel values are updated when sales or improvements occur. Property owners who disagree with their assessment can appeal through the county's formal appeal process.
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue governs state property tax regulations and maintains records of state tax liens. The local tax claim bureau in Franklin County handles delinquent taxes and annual tax sales. Checking both county and state tax records before completing any property purchase is advisable.
Requesting Record Copies in Franklin County
Franklin County property record copies are available online, in person, and by mail. The PA USLandRecords portal provides deed images you can view and print from home at no charge. For certified copies or original document extracts, contact the Recorder of Deeds at the Franklin County Courthouse, Chambersburg, PA 17201.
Mail requests should include the property address, parcel ID, owner name, and approximate document date. Include payment for applicable copy fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope for return. In-person visits allow you to use the index books directly and receive copies on the same day. The courthouse is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours.
For historical research into land warrants and patents predating Franklin County's 1784 formation, the Pennsylvania State Archives holds original Land Office records going back to the colonial period. These records document the original conveyances from the Commonwealth to early settlers in what is now Franklin County.
Nearby Counties
Property near Franklin County's borders may have records in these neighboring county offices.