Lehigh County Deed Records
Lehigh County deed records are maintained by the Recorder of Deeds, which operates as part of the Clerk of Judicial Records office in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The office records property deeds, mortgages, releases, and other real estate instruments for land in Lehigh County. Located in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania, Lehigh County is the third most populous county in the state. You can search Lehigh County deed records online through the Landex system, the Online Records Access portal, or the Record Alert service for monitoring your property.
Lehigh County Quick Facts
Lehigh County Deed Records Overview
Lehigh County was formed in 1812 from Northampton County. The county seat is Allentown, the third-largest city in Pennsylvania. Lehigh County is part of the Lehigh Valley metropolitan area, one of the most economically active regions in the state. The county has a mix of urban neighborhoods, established suburbs, and rural townships. All of these communities generate real estate transactions that flow through the Recorder of Deeds office. The county's rapid growth over recent decades has produced a high volume of deed recordings.
In Lehigh County, the Recorder of Deeds is part of the Clerk of Judicial Records office, led by Michelle Graupner. This organizational structure differs from many other Pennsylvania counties where the recorder is a standalone elected official. The office maintains the official record of real property ownership in the county and establishes clear title for property owners. Documents recorded include deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, assignments, powers of attorney, leases, UCC filings, notary commissions, and military discharge papers. The office offers e-recording services and accepts documents by mail or in person.
Lehigh County provides multiple online systems for searching deed records. The Landex remote access system is the primary tool for searching recorded documents by name, document type, and date range. The Online Records Access system integrates assessment data with deed references for a combined property search. The Record Alert service lets property owners monitor their properties for new recordings and receive automatic notifications. Under 21 P.S. § 351, recording a deed in the correct county protects the new owner's rights against later competing claims. Note: Lehigh County's status as the third most populous county in Pennsylvania means the recorder's office handles a substantial volume of documents compared to smaller rural counties.
Lehigh County Clerk of Judicial Records
The Lehigh County Clerk of Judicial Records office, which includes the Recorder of Deeds function, is located in the Lehigh County Government Center in Allentown. Full information about the recorder's services is available at lehighcounty.org/Departments/Clerk-of-Judicial-Records/Recorder-of-Deeds. The county's main website at lehighcounty.org provides links to all county services. The office accepts credit and debit card payments as well as eCheck options for transactions. Volunteer Firefighter Real Estate Tax Credit program information is also available through county resources.
| Office |
Lehigh County Clerk of Judicial Records Recorder of Deeds Division 455 West Hamilton Street Allentown, PA 18101 Phone: (610) 782-3162 |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Michelle Graupner |
| Website | lehighcounty.org/Recorder-of-Deeds |
| ORA Property Search | home.lehighcounty.org/ORA.UI |
| Record Alert | landex.com/recordalert/lehigh |
Searching Lehigh County Deed Records Online
Lehigh County provides several distinct online search tools for deed records. The Landex Remote system at landex.com/remote is the primary deed search portal. It lets you search by grantor and grantee name, document type, date range, book and page, or instrument number. Document images are viewable and printable. Subscription and pay-per-use options are available, making it accessible for both frequent researchers and occasional users. The system provides 24-hour access from any internet connection.
The Lehigh County Recorder of Deeds page at lehighcounty.org describes the office's functions within the Clerk of Judicial Records structure, and provides links to the online search systems used for accessing Lehigh County deed records.
The Landex Remote system is the primary online tool for searching recorded documents in Lehigh County, allowing researchers to search by name, instrument number, and date range with access to full document images for deeds, mortgages, and other recorded instruments.
The Lehigh County Record Alert service at landex.com/recordalert/lehigh is a free monitoring tool that sends automatic email notifications to property owners whenever a new document is recorded against their property, providing early warning against unauthorized transfers.
The Lehigh County Online Records Access system at home.lehighcounty.org provides a free public property search combining assessment records, ownership information, and deed references for parcels throughout Allentown and across Lehigh County.
For statewide coverage, the portal at pa.uslandrecords.com also connects to Lehigh County records. The Record Alert service at landex.com/recordalert/lehigh is particularly useful for homeowners who want ongoing protection against deed fraud. It is free, easy to set up, and lets you monitor multiple properties simultaneously.
Recording Requirements in Lehigh County
Documents submitted for recording in Lehigh County must follow Pennsylvania's standard requirements. All documents must be on white 8.5 by 11 inch paper and typed in a font no smaller than ten points. Notary acknowledgments must include the state, county, date, names of persons appearing, the notary's signature, and the notary's expiration date. The municipality, county, and state where the property is located must appear in the document. Staples and bindings that prevent scanning are not allowed.
Most deed transfers are subject to the realty transfer tax under 72 P.S. § 8102-C. Pennsylvania collects one percent at the state level. Local municipalities in Lehigh County add their own rate. A completed Statement of Value form must accompany all taxable transfers. Documents claiming an exemption must state the basis clearly in the body of the deed. Tax parcel identification numbers must appear on all deeds. The grantee's certified address, including zip code, must appear on deeds. P.O. boxes are not acceptable as the sole certified address.
The Lehigh County office accepts credit and debit cards for payment, as well as eChecks. E-recording is also available through approved vendors. For mailed submissions, include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Recording fees are set by state law. The fee calculator at padeeds.com gives you an estimate before you file. Note: Lehigh County's payment flexibility, including card and eCheck options, makes it easier to submit documents and pay remotely without requiring a cashier's check or money order.
Property Fraud Prevention in Lehigh County
Deed fraud is a growing concern in high-activity property markets, and Lehigh County's Landex Record Alert service addresses this risk directly. Property owners in Allentown and across the county can register their properties at landex.com/recordalert/lehigh to receive automatic email notifications whenever a document is recorded involving their property. This free service requires no ongoing maintenance once you register. You will receive an alert whether the recording is a legitimate transaction like a mortgage satisfaction or an unexpected filing that may warrant investigation.
Under 16 P.S. § 9781, the county recorder must maintain proper indexes so all documents are discoverable. This transparency is a fundamental protection for property owners. The combination of public indexing and voluntary fraud monitoring through Record Alert gives Lehigh County property owners multiple layers of protection. If you receive an alert about a document you did not authorize, contact the Lehigh County Recorder of Deeds at (610) 782-3162 immediately to begin an investigation.