Westmoreland County Property Records
Westmoreland County property records are maintained by the Recorder of Deeds at the county courthouse in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. The office records deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and subdivision plans for every parcel in Westmoreland County. As one of the larger counties in southwestern Pennsylvania, Westmoreland has an active real estate market and a deep record history going back to county formation in 1773. You can search Westmoreland County property records through the statewide online portal or visit the Greensburg courthouse for older documents and certified copies.
Westmoreland County Quick Facts
Westmoreland County Recorder of Deeds
The Westmoreland County Recorder of Deeds is located at the county courthouse in Greensburg. The office has been recording land transactions since the county was formed in 1773, making it one of the longer-established recorder offices in Pennsylvania. Every deed, mortgage, easement, and lien filed in the county is assigned a book and page number at the time of recording. That number becomes the permanent reference in the Westmoreland County property index.
The index organizes all recorded documents by grantor and grantee name. Grantor is the party conveying an interest in real property, and grantee is the party receiving it. Tracing ownership requires searching both parts of the index to identify every transfer in the chain of title. The Recorder's staff can assist with index searches and copies, but detailed title research for real estate transactions is typically handled by a licensed title professional.
Westmoreland County's diverse economy and suburban growth near Pittsburgh have made it one of the more active real estate counties in western Pennsylvania. The Recorder's office processes a high volume of new filings and maintains a comprehensive digital and physical record collection.
| Office | Westmoreland County Recorder of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Address | Westmoreland County Courthouse, Greensburg, PA 15601 |
| Phone | (724) 830-3517 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | co.westmoreland.pa.us |
Note: Confirm recording submission deadlines with the office, as cut-off times may be earlier than general office hours.
Searching Westmoreland County Property Records Online
The primary online tool for Westmoreland County deed and mortgage records is pa.uslandrecords.com, the Pennsylvania State Real Property Official Records Search. This statewide system covers all 67 counties. You can search by grantor or grantee name or by property address. Document images for recorded instruments are viewable and printable at no charge from your browser without visiting Greensburg.
Search results show the document type, recording date, book and page number, and all named parties. Clicking through provides the full scanned image of the original recorded document. This is the most efficient path to a Westmoreland County deed or mortgage for records from the modern recording era.
The Westmoreland County website at co.westmoreland.pa.us provides access to county resources, assessment data, and GIS mapping tools. The county GIS system shows parcel boundaries, ownership information, and property characteristics. Use it to identify the correct parcel and obtain a parcel number before running a deed search in the statewide portal.
Property Documents in Westmoreland County
Westmoreland County's Recorder of Deeds holds property documents going back to 1773. Deeds are the most commonly requested record type and include warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, and sheriff's deeds from tax or judicial sales. The office also holds mortgages and satisfactions, easements, rights-of-way, and subdivision plans that document the development and encumbrances of land across the county.
Natural gas activity in parts of Westmoreland County means that gas leases and pipeline easements also appear in the deed records. Subdivision plans are important for understanding lot boundaries in the county's many developed communities. Mechanics' liens and municipal claims may appear when contractors or local governments hold unpaid claims. All of these document types must be reviewed in a complete title search.
- Warranty deeds and sheriff's deeds
- Mortgages and mortgage satisfactions
- Gas leases and pipeline easements
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Subdivision plans and lot descriptions
- Mechanics' liens and municipal claims
- UCC fixture filings
Foreclosure actions and judgment liens can be searched through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal.
Pennsylvania Property Records and Public Access
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law at 65 P.S. § 67.301 presumes that all records held by public agencies are public. Westmoreland County property records at the Recorder of Deeds are subject to this framework. Any person may request access without providing a reason or showing any ownership interest. The county bears the burden of demonstrating that a record meets an exemption to justify withholding it.
The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records enforces the RTKL and handles appeals from denied requests. If Westmoreland County denies your records request, you have 15 business days to file an appeal with the OOR. The OOR issues binding decisions. Deeds, mortgages, and most property documents are fully public under Pennsylvania law without any residency requirement.
Westmoreland County Assessment Records
The Westmoreland County Assessment Office maintains property valuation records for every taxable parcel in the county. These records include assessed land and building values, property class, lot size, owner name, and mailing address. Assessment data drives the calculation of annual property taxes in the county. The county GIS system provides public access to assessment data alongside parcel boundary maps.
Using assessment records as a starting point in property research confirms the current owner and provides the parcel number needed to search the deed index. Westmoreland County's diverse property base ranges from suburban residential parcels to large agricultural and rural tracts. Assessment values may be appealed through the county's formal review process.
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue oversees state property tax regulations. The Pennsylvania Local Government Commission provides guidance on assessment practices across Pennsylvania counties.
Note: Westmoreland County's assessment system is linked to the GIS mapping platform, making it possible to view a parcel's location and boundaries alongside its assessment data.
How to Get Westmoreland County Property Records
Start with pa.uslandrecords.com for deed and mortgage images. Documents from the modern recording era are viewable and printable at no charge. For certified copies or older records, contact the Westmoreland County Recorder of Deeds at (724) 830-3517 or visit the courthouse in Greensburg during business hours.
Mail requests should include the property address, owner name, and approximate recording date. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of copies. Staff will locate the record and provide copies at the standard per-page fee. The county website at co.westmoreland.pa.us lists contact information for all county offices.
For land records predating Westmoreland County's formation in 1773, the Pennsylvania State Archives holds warrants, surveys, and patents from the Commonwealth Land Office. The Pennsylvania Land Title Association can provide referrals to title professionals for complete searches in Westmoreland County.
Nearby Counties
Properties near the Westmoreland County border may have records in these neighboring county offices.