Perry County Property Records
How To Search Property Records in Perry County in 2026
PerryCountyRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to property records in Perry County. Members of the public may find ownership history, recorded deeds, tax assessments, mortgage documents, liens, plat maps, and property characteristics through this resource. Record categories include transfer documents, encumbrance filings, valuation data, and building permit information. Access to specific records may vary depending on the originating agency and the date of filing.
Property records in Perry County may be searched through several official channels, including the County Assessor's office, the Perry County Recorder of Deeds, and the County Treasurer. Each office maintains distinct record sets, and requesters are encouraged to identify the specific document type before initiating a search.
Official Resources for Searching Perry County Property Records:
| Resource | Record Type | Access Method |
|---|---|---|
| Perry County Recorder of Deeds | Deeds, mortgages, liens | Online, in-person, mail |
| Perry County Assessor | Valuations, property data | Online, in-person |
| Perry County Treasurer | Tax bills, payments | Online, in-person |
| Pennsylvania Spatial Data Access (PASDA) | GIS mapping | Online |
Multiple Access Methods:
- Online searches — The most convenient method; available through county portals at no cost for basic searches
- In-person visits — Required for certified copies and access to pre-digital records
- By mail — Written requests submitted with applicable fees and identifying information
- Through professionals — Title companies, real estate attorneys, and licensed abstractors provide comprehensive searches
1. Property Appraiser Website
The Perry County Assessment Office serves as the primary resource for property valuation and ownership information. Members of the public may access the Perry County Assessment Office at no charge and without registration.
Search Options:
- By property address
- By owner name
- By parcel ID number
- By subdivision or plan name
- By map and GIS location
- By legal description
Information Available:
- Current owner name and mailing address
- Property site address and legal description
- Parcel identification number
- Land use and zoning classification
- Property characteristics including square footage, year built, lot size, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and building type
- Assessed value of land and improvements
- Taxable value and applicable exemptions
- Sales history
- GIS map location and property card
How to Search:
- Navigate to the Perry County Assessment Office portal
- Select the preferred search type (address, owner name, or parcel number)
- Enter the search criteria in the designated field
- Review the results list returned by the system
- Select the specific property to view the full property card
- Review ownership data, valuation history, and sales records
- Print or save the information as needed
2. County Recorder of Deeds — Official Records Search
The Perry County Recorder of Deeds maintains all recorded instruments affecting real property. Basic searches are available to the public at no cost; document image retrieval may involve a per-page fee.
Searchable By:
- Grantor name (seller)
- Grantee name (buyer)
- Book and page number
- Document type
- Recording date range
- Instrument number
Documents Available:
- Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Satisfactions and releases of mortgage
- Mechanic's liens, judgment liens, and tax liens
- Easements and declarations of restrictions
- Plats and surveys
- Powers of attorney affecting property
- Affidavits affecting title
- Lis pendens filings
- HOA declarations and amendments
How to Search:
- Access the Perry County Recorder of Deeds portal
- Select the preferred search type
- Enter grantor or grantee name, date range, or document type
- Review the results list
- Select a document to view the image (fees may apply per page)
- Note the book and page number or instrument number for future reference
3. Tax Collector Website
The Perry County Treasurer's Office maintains tax billing and payment records. Members of the public may access current and historical tax information through the Perry County Treasurer's Office.
Search By:
- Property address
- Owner name
- Parcel number
- Tax account number
Information Available:
- Current tax bill and amount due
- Payment history and outstanding balances
- Applied exemptions and millage rates
- Tax certificate information for delinquent accounts
- Installment plan status and payment options
4. GIS / Mapping System
Perry County participates in the Pennsylvania Spatial Data Access (PASDA) system, which provides interactive mapping tools for property boundary identification, aerial photography, zoning layers, flood zone designations, and environmental features.
How to Use:
- Navigate the interactive map to the subject property location
- Click on the parcel to retrieve linked property information
- View multiple map layers including zoning, flood zones, and environmental constraints
- Measure distances and access linked assessment records
In-Person Searches:
Perry County Assessment Office 25 W. Main Street, New Bloomfield, PA 17068 Phone: (717) 582-2131 Perry County Assessment Office
Services available in person include public access computers, staff assistance, property cards, maps and plats, and exemption applications.
Perry County Recorder of Deeds 25 W. Main Street, New Bloomfield, PA 17068 Phone: (717) 582-2131 Perry County Recorder of Deeds
Services available in person include viewing official records, requesting certified copies, searching grantor/grantee indexes, accessing record books, and receiving staff assistance with document searches.
Perry County Treasurer's Office 25 W. Main Street, New Bloomfield, PA 17068 Phone: (717) 582-2131 Perry County Treasurer's Office
Services available in person include tax payment information, copies of tax bills, delinquency information, and tax certificate searches.
By Mail Requests:
Property Appraiser (Assessment Office):
- Mailing address: Perry County Assessment Office, 25 W. Main Street, New Bloomfield, PA 17068
- Include the property address or parcel number in the written request
- Enclose a self-addressed stamped return envelope
- Standard copying fees apply
Recorder of Deeds:
- Mailing address: Perry County Recorder of Deeds, 25 W. Main Street, New Bloomfield, PA 17068
- Specify the document by book and page number, instrument number, or property address with date range
- Include payment for applicable copy fees
- Certified copies are available upon request with the appropriate fee
Through Professionals:
Title companies conduct comprehensive title searches and provide abstracts of title and title insurance commitments that identify all recorded interests affecting a property. Real estate attorneys offer legal title opinions and assist with complex ownership disputes. Real estate agents may access MLS data for listed properties, pull property histories, and provide comparable sales data as part of their representation services.
Search Tips:
- When searching by address, use the complete street address and try variations with and without directional prefixes (N, S, E, W)
- When searching by owner name, try last name first, check spelling variations, and consider both married and maiden names as well as business entity names
- When searching by legal description, use the exact language from the deed, including subdivision name, lot and block numbers, and section, township, and range designations
- For historical records not available online, an in-person visit to the courthouse is required; staff can assist with microfilm and bound record books
Common Search Challenges:
- Very recent transactions may not yet appear due to recording delays
- Pre-digital records may not be indexed online
- Common names and similar addresses may return multiple results; verify by parcel number or legal description
- Unrecorded documents, private agreements, and documents filed under seal are not accessible through public search portals
What Is Perry County Property Records
Property records are official documents related to real property — land and the structures affixed to it — maintained by Perry County government offices as legal records of ownership, transfers, and encumbrances. These records establish clear title, document the chain of ownership, record mortgages and liens, support property tax assessment, and facilitate real estate transactions. Under § 1101 of the Pennsylvania Real Estate Tax Sale Law, property records serve as the foundational legal instrument for establishing and transferring ownership rights.
Types of Property Records:
Ownership Records:
- Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and special warranty deeds
- Title documents and transfer records
- Ownership history and chain of title
- Life estate deeds and trust documents affecting property
Encumbrance Records:
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Tax liens, mechanic's liens, and judgment liens
- Easements, restrictions, and covenants
- Homeowner association documents
- Lis pendens filings
Tax and Assessment Records:
- Property tax assessments and tax bills
- Payment history and exemption records
- Millage rates and special assessments
- Tax delinquency records
Legal Descriptions:
- Plat maps and subdivision plats
- Surveys and metes and bounds descriptions
- Lot and block information
- Condominium declarations
Building and Permit Records:
- Building permits and certificates of occupancy
- Code violations and zoning information
- Land use designations
Who Maintains Property Records:
The Perry County Recorder of Deeds records and indexes all official instruments including deeds, mortgages, and liens, and maintains the permanent record of all documents affecting title. The Perry County Assessment Office maintains property valuations, assessment records, property characteristics, ownership information, and exemption applications. The Perry County Treasurer's Office maintains tax bills, payment records, and delinquent tax information. The Perry County Planning Department maintains zoning records, building permits, and code enforcement files.
Legal Framework:
Pennsylvania's recording statutes, codified at 49 P.S. § 351, establish the requirement that instruments affecting real property be recorded with the county recorder to provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers and encumbrancers. The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq., governs public access to government records, including property records maintained by county offices.
Are Property Records Public Information in Perry County?
Property records in Perry County are public information. Under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, any member of the public may access property records maintained by county offices without demonstrating a specific purpose or obtaining prior authorization. This principle reflects centuries of American common law tradition establishing that land ownership records must be transparent and accessible to protect the integrity of the real estate marketplace.
Legal Basis for Public Access:
The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law designates records held by local agencies — including county recorders, assessors, and treasurers — as presumptively public. The recording system itself is designed to provide constructive notice: a document recorded with the Recorder of Deeds is legally deemed known to all subsequent parties. This principle underpins the entire system of title insurance, mortgage lending, and real estate conveyancing.
Why Property Records Are Public:
- Transparency — Public access to ownership records prevents fraudulent transfers and ensures accountability in property taxation
- Commercial purposes — Real estate transactions, title searches, appraisals, and mortgage lending depend on open access to recorded instruments
- Legal protections — Recording establishes the priority of competing interests and protects against undisclosed encumbrances
- Public interest — Tax assessment transparency, community planning, historical research, and journalistic investigation all rely on open property records
What Property Information Is Freely Accessible:
- Current and historical property ownership
- Legal descriptions and property addresses
- Sale prices and transfer amounts
- Recorded mortgage amounts
- Liens and encumbrances
- Tax assessments and payment history
- Property characteristics including size, age, and building type
- Deeds and all recorded instruments
- Plat maps and surveys
Privacy Considerations:
Social Security numbers and bank account numbers are redacted from recorded documents under Pennsylvania law. Certain individuals — including law enforcement officers, judges, domestic violence victims, and stalking victims — may request address confidentiality protections under applicable state statutes. Homestead exemption applications may contain financial information that is not fully subject to public disclosure; the Perry County Assessment Office can provide specific guidance on exemption application policies.
Who Can Access Property Records:
Any person may access Perry County property records regardless of residency, ownership status, or stated purpose. Common users include prospective buyers, real estate agents and brokers, title companies, appraisers, lenders, attorneys, property owners reviewing their own records, investors, genealogists, historians, and members of the media.
Commercial Use of Property Records:
Commercial aggregation of public property records is legally permitted in Pennsylvania. Companies such as CoreLogic and First American compile public record data into subscription databases used by the real estate and lending industries. Anti-harassment laws, fair housing statutes, and other applicable regulations continue to govern how information derived from public records may be used, regardless of the public nature of the underlying data.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in Perry County?
Members of the public may inspect property records at no charge. Fees apply when copies or certified copies are requested. The following fee schedule reflects current charges maintained by Perry County offices.
Perry County Recorder of Deeds — Copy and Recording Fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of recorded document | $1.50 per page + $3.00 certification fee |
| Uncertified copy of recorded document | $1.50 per page |
| Recording a deed | $107.25 for first two pages; $3.00 each additional page |
| Recording a mortgage | $107.25 for first two pages; $3.00 each additional page |
| Recording a satisfaction/release | $107.25 for first two pages; $3.00 each additional page |
| Realty Transfer Tax (state + local) | 2% of sale price (1% state, 1% local) |
Pennsylvania's Realty Transfer Tax is governed by the Pennsylvania Realty Transfer Tax Act, 72 P.S. § 8101-C, which establishes the state's 1% transfer tax rate. Perry County municipalities may impose an additional 1% local transfer tax.
Perry County Assessment Office — Copy Fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Property record card (paper copy) | $0.25 per page |
| Online property data access | Free |
| GIS map print | $0.25–$1.00 per page (varies by size) |
Perry County Treasurer's Office — Tax Record Fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Online tax information access | Free |
| Copy of tax bill | $0.25 per page |
| Tax certification letter | $10.00 per parcel |
Accepted Payment Methods:
- Cash (in-person only)
- Check or money order payable to the respective county office
- Credit and debit cards (accepted at most offices; convenience fee may apply)
Fee Waivers:
Members of the public who inspect records in person at the courthouse are not charged a viewing fee. Online access to assessment data and basic tax information is provided at no cost. Fee waiver provisions for indigent requesters are not formally established for property record requests under current county policy; however, the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law provides that fees may be reduced or waived when disclosure is in the public interest.
What's Included in a Perry County Property Record?
A complete Perry County property record encompasses ownership information, physical characteristics, valuation data, tax history, sales history, encumbrances, and legal and regulatory designations.
Ownership Information:
Current ownership records identify the legal owner or owners by name, ownership type (individual, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants by entirety, trust, LLC, or corporation), ownership percentage where multiple owners exist, the acquisition date, the deed book and page or instrument number, and the mailing address on file for tax billing purposes. Previous ownership records document the chain of title, including prior owners' names, transfer dates, and historical deed references.
Property Identification:
Each parcel is identified by a site address, mailing address if different, legal description (lot and block number, subdivision name, plat book and page reference, section/township/range, or metes and bounds description), parcel identification number, tax account number, and any alternate or previous parcel numbers.
Physical Characteristics:
Land information includes lot size in square feet or acres, lot dimensions, street frontage, corner lot designation, topography, land use designation, and zoning classification. Building information includes total living area, year built, number of stories, building type, construction type, exterior wall material, roof type, foundation type, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and total room count. Additional features documented include garage type and spaces, pool, porch and patio square footage, fireplaces, central air conditioning, heating type, water source, and sewer system.
Valuation Information:
Assessment records include land value, building value, total assessed value, market value, and just value. Historical values for prior assessment years are maintained, and percentage changes year-over-year are documented. Agricultural classification values are recorded where applicable.
Tax Information:
Current year tax records include the total tax amount due, exemptions applied, taxable value after exemptions, millage rate, and a breakdown by taxing authority (county general fund, school district, municipality, and special districts). Tax history includes prior years' taxes paid, payment dates, and any delinquency history.
Exemptions Applied:
- Homestead exemption
- Senior citizen exemption
- Disability exemption
- Veteran exemption
- Agricultural exemption
- Conservation or historic preservation exemption
Sales History:
Sales records document transfer dates, sale prices, sale types (warranty deed, quitclaim deed, gift, inheritance, foreclosure, tax deed, divorce transfer, or trust transfer), deed document numbers, grantor and grantee names, qualified or unqualified sale designation, and documentary stamp amounts.
Encumbrances and Liens:
Recorded mortgages are identified by lender name, recording date, book and page reference, and original mortgage amount. Liens — including tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, HOA liens, and code enforcement liens — are documented with recording dates, amounts, and lienholder identification. Other encumbrances include easements, restrictions and covenants, leases, life estates, and lis pendens filings.
Legal and Regulatory Information:
Zoning classification, land use code, future land use designation, special district assignments (school, fire, water, and community development districts), deed restrictions, subdivision covenants, HOA information, building code compliance status, and FEMA flood zone designation are all components of a complete property record.
Maps and Images:
Property records include exterior photographs, aerial photographs, GIS maps with property boundaries, plat maps, property sketches or floor plans, and historical aerial imagery where available.
What Is Not Typically in Public Property Records:
- Current mortgage balances (only original recorded amounts)
- Personal financial information beyond recorded documents
- Interior photographs
- Confidential exemption application details
- Social Security numbers (redacted under state law)
- Private agreements not submitted for recording
- Actual purchase contract terms beyond the recorded sale price
How Long Does Perry County Keep Property Records?
Property records in Perry County are maintained permanently. The legal requirement to preserve recorded instruments affecting real property title is established under Pennsylvania's recording statutes and the Pennsylvania State Records Management Act. As the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission notes in its records retention guidance, "records that document the acquisition, transfer, encumbrance, or disposition of real property are permanent records and shall not be destroyed."
Records Kept Permanently:
All recorded deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, releases, liens, plats, surveys, easements, restrictions, declarations, and other instruments affecting title are retained permanently by the Perry County Recorder of Deeds. These records date from the county's formation in 1820 and include original land grants, territorial period documents, and all subsequent conveyances.
Format and Storage:
Historical records from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries exist in handwritten ledger books and typed record books maintained in the Recorder's vault. Mid-twentieth century records are available on microfilm. Records from recent decades are maintained as digital scans in electronic document management systems with off-site backup and cloud-based redundancy.
Online Access by Time Period:
| Time Period | Availability |
|---|---|
| Recent (last 20+ years) | Fully online; immediate free access |
| Moderate age (20–50 years) | Partially online; microfilm available in person |
| Historical (50+ years) | In-person access; microfilm or bound books |
| Very old (100+ years) | Archive storage; advance notice may be required |
Property Appraiser Assessment Records:
Current and historical assessment records are maintained permanently. Property cards and assessment rolls are never destroyed. Online access covers recent assessment years; historical assessments are available at the Assessment Office in person.
Tax Collector Records:
Tax payment records are retained for a minimum of seven years under Pennsylvania's records retention schedule. Tax deed records are permanent. Delinquency records are maintained for several years following resolution. Tax certificate records are retained until redeemed or a tax deed is issued.
Chain of Title:
Every transfer from the original land grant to the present is preserved in the permanent record. Title searches in Pennsylvania review a minimum of 60 years of ownership history, though a full abstract may extend to the original grant. Gaps in the chain of title create marketability problems that require legal resolution.
Destruction of Records:
Recorded instruments affecting title are never destroyed. Administrative working files, duplicate copies, and internal correspondence may be destroyed following the applicable retention period under the Pennsylvania State Records Management Act. The Recorder of Deeds follows the retention schedule published by the Pennsylvania State Archives.
Digitization Efforts:
Perry County is engaged in ongoing digitization of historical record books and microfilm archives. Grant-funded preservation projects have accelerated the scanning of older documents. Members of the public seeking records not yet available online are encouraged to contact the Recorder's office directly to arrange retrieval.
Perry County Recorder of Deeds 25 W. Main Street, New Bloomfield, PA 17068 Phone: (717) 582-2131 Perry County Recorder of Deeds
Perry County Assessment Office 25 W. Main Street, New Bloomfield, PA 17068 Phone: (717) 582-2131 Perry County Assessment Office
How To Find Liens on Property in Perry County?
Liens on property in Perry County are recorded instruments and are therefore accessible through the same public record search systems used for deeds and mortgages. A lien is a legal claim against a property that must be satisfied before clear title can be conveyed, and all recorded liens are indexed in the Perry County Recorder of Deeds' official records system.
Types of Liens Recorded in Perry County:
- Mortgage liens — Recorded by lenders at the time of loan origination
- Judgment liens — Filed by creditors following a court judgment against the property owner; searchable through the Perry County Court of Common Pleas
- Federal tax liens — Filed by the Internal Revenue Service; searchable through the IRS Centralized Lien Operation and also recorded with the county recorder
- State tax liens — Filed by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue
- Mechanic's liens — Filed by contractors, subcontractors, or material suppliers for unpaid construction work
- HOA liens — Filed by homeowner associations for unpaid assessments
- Municipal liens — Filed by municipalities for unpaid utility bills, code enforcement fines, or special assessments
Steps to Search for Liens:
- Access the Perry County Recorder of Deeds official records portal at the Perry County Recorder of Deeds website
- Search by the property owner's name as grantor or grantee
- Filter results by document type to isolate lien filings (select "lien," "judgment," "UCC," or "tax lien" as applicable)
- Review all results within the relevant date range
- For judgment liens, search the Perry County Court of Common Pleas docket through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal
- For federal tax liens, search the IRS database or review the county recorder index under the property owner's name
- For municipal liens, contact the relevant municipality directly, as some municipal claims are not recorded with the county recorder
In-Person Lien Search:
Members of the public may conduct a lien search in person at the Recorder of Deeds office. Staff can assist with grantor/grantee index searches and retrieve documents from the record books or digital system. A title company or licensed abstractor may be engaged to conduct a comprehensive lien search as part of a title commitment.
Perry County Recorder of Deeds 25 W. Main Street, New Bloomfield, PA 17068 Phone: (717) 582-2131 Perry County Recorder of Deeds
Lien Releases:
When a lien is satisfied, the lienholder is required to record a release or satisfaction with the Recorder of Deeds. Members of the public may verify that a lien has been released by searching for the corresponding satisfaction document in the official records index. Unreleased liens that have been paid may require the property owner to obtain and record a formal release from the lienholder.
What Is Property Owner Rule in Perry County?
The property owner rule in Perry County refers to the body of Pennsylvania law and local regulations that govern who may own real property, how ownership is established and transferred, and what rights and obligations attach to property ownership. Pennsylvania follows the common law tradition of fee simple ownership, under which a property owner holds the broadest possible interest in real property, subject only to governmental regulations, recorded encumbrances, and the rights of others established by law.
Establishing Ownership:
Ownership of real property in Perry County is established by a recorded deed. Under Pennsylvania's recording statutes, a deed must be executed by the grantor, acknowledged before a notary public or other authorized officer, and recorded with the Perry County Recorder of Deeds to provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers. An unrecorded deed is valid between the parties but does not protect the grantee against a subsequent bona fide purchaser who records first.
Forms of Ownership Recognized in Pennsylvania:
- Fee simple absolute — The most complete form of ownership; the owner holds the property without limitation and may transfer it freely
- Joint tenancy with right of survivorship — Two or more owners hold equal shares; upon the death of one owner, the surviving owner(s) automatically acquire the deceased owner's interest
- Tenancy in common — Two or more owners hold undivided interests that may be unequal; each owner's interest passes through their estate upon death
- Tenancy by the entirety — Available only to married couples in Pennsylvania; neither spouse may transfer or encumber the property without the other's consent, and the property passes automatically to the surviving spouse
- Trust ownership — Property held by a trustee for the benefit of named beneficiaries
- Corporate or LLC ownership — Business entities may hold title to real property; the entity's authorized representative executes conveyance documents
Property Owner Rights and Obligations:
Property owners in Perry County hold the right to use, enjoy, lease, mortgage, and transfer their property subject to applicable zoning ordinances, deed restrictions, HOA covenants, and state and local regulations. Property owners are obligated to pay real estate taxes assessed by the county, school district, and municipality. Failure to pay taxes may result in a tax sale under the Pennsylvania Real Estate Tax Sale Law.
Zoning and Land Use Regulations:
Perry County municipalities administer zoning ordinances that regulate the permitted uses of property within designated zoning districts. Property owners must obtain building permits for new construction, additions, and significant renovations. Zoning information for specific parcels is available through the Perry County Planning Department and the applicable municipal zoning officer.
Perry County Planning Department 25 W. Main Street, New Bloomfield, PA 17068 Phone: (717) 582-2131 Perry County Planning Department
Adverse Possession:
Pennsylvania law recognizes adverse possession as a means by which a person who openly, continuously, exclusively, and hostilely occupies another's property for a period of 21 years may acquire legal title. A successful adverse possession claim requires a court action to quiet title, after which a court order is recorded with the Recorder of Deeds to establish the new ownership in the public record.
Eminent Domain:
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and its political subdivisions, including Perry County, hold the power of eminent domain — the authority to acquire private property for public use upon payment of just compensation. Eminent domain proceedings in Pennsylvania are governed by the Eminent Domain Code, and property owners are entitled to notice, a hearing, and fair market value compensation for any taking.
Homestead Protections:
Pennsylvania does not provide a constitutional homestead exemption from creditor claims comparable to those available in some other states. However, property held as tenants by the entirety is protected from the individual debts of either spouse under Pennsylvania common law, providing a significant protection for married homeowners.