If you live in a home and consider yourself the homeowner, but your name isn’t on the deed, you may have a tangled title. Often, this happens when you inherit property from a relative who:
- died intestate (without a will); or
- died before the probate process was complete.
Without a clear title, you can’t get home loans or grants. You’ll also have trouble accessing homeowner’s insurance, utility or tax assistance programs, and licensed contractors. Properties with tangled titles (sometimes known as heirs’ property) are vulnerable to foreclosure and deed fraud.
How to get help
The Register of Wills’ Title Clearance Unit (TCU) helps qualified residents navigate the probate process and transfer the titles of their properties. We use the information you provide to do research and identify the issues that affect your home’s title.
To confirm that you’re eligible for help, you’ll need to provide:
- A valid form of government ID.
- Two forms of proof of income. This may include:
- Consecutive paystubs.
- Bank statements.
- Tax returns.
- Proof of SSA, SSDI, SSI, or unemployment compensation.
As part of the process, you’ll also need to share details about the property and the relative who owned it. It’s helpful to have:
- A death certificate and date of death for the deceased person.
- A birth certificate for the person who will become the administrator or executor of the estate.
- The decedent’s will or other probate documents (if an estate was opened).
The TCU can advise on how to get these documents if you don’t have them.
Our online intake form will gather information about you, the deceased relative, and the property. It will take around 30 minutes to complete.
Alternatively, you can call us at (215) 686-6262 or use our printable intake form and visit us in person. We accept walk-ins from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
City Hall
Room 189
Philadelphia, PA 19107
We’ll confirm whether you’re qualified and start researching. We can help:
- Determine whether the deceased person had a will and assist with preparing probate documents.
- Search for lost or unknown relatives who may be heirs.
- Locate property records, identify the title owner(s) of a property, and assist with deed preparation for modest cases. (Deed recording fees will be waived for qualified residents.)
- Identify any liens, delinquent taxes, property judgments, mortgages, or licenses and inspections violations that affect the property.
The TCU can only guide residents and provide resources. We’re not a replacement for legal advice.
What happens next
Depending on the complexity of your situation, it may take time to complete the probate and deed recording processes. We may also refer you to legal assistance.
Once you have a clear title to your property, we can help you apply for tax relief programs, home improvement, and deed fraud guard.