Cameron County Deed Records
Cameron County is one of Pennsylvania's smallest counties by population, located in the north-central part of the state. The Recorder of Deeds maintains all property records for the county's one township and two boroughs. Deed records and related land documents in Cameron County are accessible online through the LANDEX system and third-party property search tools. This page covers how to search Cameron County deed records and what to know about property recording in this rural Pennsylvania county.
Cameron County Quick Facts
About Cameron County Deed Records
Cameron County was formed in 1860 from parts of Clinton, Elk, McKean, and Potter counties. Land records in the county date back to its formation. The Recorder of Deeds maintains the county's collection of deeds, mortgages, and other land instruments. Cameron County is a small, rural county with just one township, Shippen, and two boroughs, Emporium and Driftwood. The county's small size means the deed record collection is more manageable than larger counties, but records still span more than 160 years of property transactions.
Cameron County property values are modest compared to much of Pennsylvania. The median home value is around $98,800, with a median household income of approximately $46,209 and a median property tax rate of 1.06%. These figures reflect the rural character of the county and its limited development pressure. Despite its small size, Cameron County maintains the same recording standards and access requirements as all other Pennsylvania counties.
Pennsylvania's race-notice recording law at 21 P.S. § 351 applies to all Cameron County deed recordings. A buyer who records first in good faith holds priority over unrecorded prior claims. The Recorder assigns each document a book and page number and creates an index by grantor and grantee name. This index is the foundation for all title searches in Cameron County. The LANDEX system provides online access to these records for both frequent and occasional searchers.
Searching Cameron County Property Records Online
Cameron County uses the LANDEX system for online remote access to deed records. LANDEX offers two options. The LANDEX Remote application is designed for frequent searchers and bills by time and pages viewed. The LANDEX Webstore is a browser-based option for less frequent users that charges per document. Both options give you the same search capabilities available at the courthouse. You can access Cameron County deed records 24 hours a day through either LANDEX platform from any location with internet access.
The Pennsylvania Property Checker for Cameron County lets you search by address, owner name, or parcel ID and access deed records, lien data, and tax information.
The Property Checker at pennsylvania.propertychecker.com covers Cameron County properties and allows searching by property address, owner name, or parcel identification number. Results include deed records, loans and liens, property values, tax data, building permits, and purchase history. This tool is a useful starting point for quick property lookups in Cameron County without requiring a LANDEX account.
Courthouse Direct provides access to scanned Cameron County deed records including historical documents and current property instruments through its FileViewer system.
Courthouse Direct at courthousedirect.com provides FileViewer access to Cameron County deed records. The platform notes that its public access policy must be reviewed before browsing records. Data update frequency varies by service for Cameron County. This platform is useful for researchers who need access to both current and historical property documents from this small north-central Pennsylvania county.
The statewide Pennsylvania land records portal at pa.uslandrecords.com also includes Cameron County, connecting it to all 67 Pennsylvania recorder districts in one system. This is a convenient option when your property research extends beyond Cameron County to neighboring Clinton, Elk, McKean, or Potter counties.
Cameron County Recorder of Deeds
The Cameron County Recorder of Deeds is located at 526 Elm Street, Suite 2 in Emporium. The office handles all property record recordings and provides access to the county's land records collection. You can call the office at (814) 486-3349 or (814) 486-3355. Staff can assist with name searches, document retrieval, and questions about recording requirements in Cameron County. Copy fees are $0.50 per page, with $2.00 per page for requests requiring more than four additional pages.
| Office | Cameron County Recorder of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Address | 526 Elm Street, Suite 2, Emporium, PA 15834 |
| Phone | (814) 486-3349 or (814) 486-3355 |
| Online Access | LANDEX Remote Access |
| Statewide Portal | pa.uslandrecords.com |
The Cameron County Planning Commission can be reached at (814) 486-3439 for zoning and land use questions related to properties in the county. Emporium Borough has its own separate zoning ordinance system, so zoning questions for properties in Emporium should be directed to the borough's office rather than the county planning office. The PRODA directory at padeeds.com lists current Cameron County officials and provides a fee calculator for recording cost estimates.
Note: Cameron County's small size means the Recorder's office handles a lower volume of recordings than larger Pennsylvania counties, which can make it easier to get personal assistance when you call or visit in person.
Recording Requirements in Cameron County
Deeds recorded in Cameron County must meet Pennsylvania's standard requirements. The document must name the grantor and grantee, include a complete legal description of the property, and bear the grantor's notarized signature. A certificate of residence for the grantee is required under 16 P.S. § 9781. The Uniform Parcel Identifier must appear on the deed to link it to Cameron County's assessment records for that parcel.
Pennsylvania's realty transfer tax applies to most deed recordings in Cameron County. The state levies 1% under 72 P.S. § 8102-C. The local municipality adds its own portion, typically bringing the combined rate to around 2% for most Cameron County property transfers. Form REV-183 must accompany taxable deed recordings. Certain transfers are exempt, including family conveyances, charitable transfers, and correctional deeds that fix prior recording errors without changing actual ownership interests. The PRODA fee calculator helps estimate recording costs before you submit a deed in Cameron County.
Recording fees in Cameron County are based on the number of pages in the document. Contact the Recorder's office directly at (814) 486-3349 for the current fee schedule. All payments must be made at the time of submission. The Recorder issues a receipt that shows the book and page number assigned to the recorded instrument, which is the permanent reference number for that document in Cameron County deed records.
Cameron County Property Research
Cameron County's small size and rural character mean that many properties have long ownership histories with relatively few transfers. Tracing a chain of title in Cameron County often requires reviewing deed books going back decades or even a century. Historical deed records can be accessed through the LANDEX system, Courthouse Direct, or in person at the Recorder's office in Emporium.
For the deepest historical research, the Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg holds land warrant records that predate county deed books. Cameron County was formed from older counties in 1860, so properties within its current boundaries may have earlier records in Clinton, Elk, McKean, or Potter county deed books. The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law at 65 P.S. § 67.101 ensures that all Cameron County deed records are publicly accessible. Any person may request access regardless of citizenship, residency, or purpose.