Deed Recording Requirements in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania recorders require a deed to bear a notary acknowledgment, and a 1 percent state realty transfer tax applies, usually alongside a local realty transfer tax.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Pennsylvania at a glance
- Notary acknowledgment
- Required to record
- Witnesses
- None
- Transfer tax
- State tax applies
- Exemptions may apply
The rules in Pennsylvania
Does a deed need to be notarized in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania requires a deed to be acknowledged (or, where the statute allows, proved) before it can be recorded.
How many witnesses does a deed need in Pennsylvania?
None. Pennsylvania does not require witnesses to sign a deed.
Is there a real estate transfer tax in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania charges a state transfer tax or similar fee when a deed is recorded. Some transfers may be exempt, so check the current statute.
Where do the Pennsylvania rules for deeds come from?
They come from Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, Realty Transfer Tax, City of Philadelphia, Record a deed or other document and 21 P.S. 42 Acknowledgment of deeds before recording. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How Pennsylvania compares
Pennsylvania is one of 35 jurisdictions that charge a state transfer tax or deed fee.
What this means in practice
Record the signed deed with the county recorder, register of deeds or land records office where the property is located. Recording puts the world on notice of the transfer and generally protects the new owner against later claims.
Recording offices often have formatting rules (margins, paper size, a return address, a parcel number) and charge a fee. Check the county's requirements before you sign.
A deed does not pay off a mortgage. If the property is mortgaged, the loan usually stays in place after the transfer.
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.