Review a list of the fees associated with the Department of Records services.
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Archives
Copies
- Deeds (1683–1955): $2 per page
- Mortgages (1748–1963): $2 per page
- Certification of copies: $2 per document
- Copies of other documents: $1 per page ($2 minimum)
Searches
- Deeds, mortgages, and other land records: $20 per hour ($20 minimum)
- General archives search:
- $35 per hour ($35 minimum)
- $8.50 each additional 15 minutes
- Birth/death certificate (July 1860–June 1915):
- $10 to search three months of records (copy of certificate included if found)
$40 to search one year of records (copy of certificate included if found)
- $10 to search three months of records (copy of certificate included if found)
- Cemetery return (1803–June 1860): $10 per name search
- Marriage registration (July 1860–December 1885):
- $10 to search three months of records (copy of certificate included if found)
$40 to search one year of records (copy of certificate included if found)
- $10 to search three months of records (copy of certificate included if found)
- Naturalization (1793–1930): $10 per set for each name
Document recording
Deeds
- Deed: $274.75
- Deed, deceased spouse/partner: $42.75
- Deed, miscellaneous: $259.75
- Deed of condemnation:
- $5 for the first page
- $1 for each additional page
- 25 cents per name to be indexed
Mortgages
- Mortgage: $244.75
- Assignment of mortgage: $242.75
- Release of mortgage: $227.75
- Mortgage satisfaction: $227.75
Other fees
- Declaration of condominium and declaration of planned community: $112.50
- Certificate of stock transfer: $152.75
- Notary public commission and bond: $106.50
- Railroad/police commission: $96.50
- Miscellaneous documents: $96.50
- Powers of attorney: $96.50
- Uniform Commercial Codes (UCCs): $191.50
Land records
- Copy of plot plan: $10
- Copies of recorded legal documents: $2 per page
- Certification of copies of recorded legal documents: $2 per document
Public safety reports
Police reports
- Police accident report: $25
- Police incident report: $25
- Letter of good conduct:
- $40 for the first letter
- $3 for each additional letter
- Police record check: $40
Fire reports
- Fire report: $20
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS) report: $6.50
- Environmental search: $80
Realty Transfer Tax
The Realty Transfer Tax applies to the sale or transfer of real estate located in Philadelphia. This tax becomes payable when a property deed (or other document showing realty ownership) is filed with the Department of Records.
The Department of Records collects both local and state realty transfer tax. For more information on the state tax, see the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue’s website.