Susquehanna County Deed Records

Susquehanna County deed records are maintained by the Recorder of Deeds in Montrose, Pennsylvania. The office holds deed books, mortgage books, grantor and grantee indexes, and sheriff's deeds going back to the county's founding in 1812. Searching Susquehanna County deed records is available online through the statewide pa.uslandrecords.com portal and in person at the county courthouse. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Real estate records are also accessible online through aggregated property databases for quick ownership lookups.

Susquehanna County Deed Records Overview

Susquehanna County was established in 1810 and is located in northeastern Pennsylvania. Deed records in the county begin in 1812. The Pennsylvania State Archives holds extensive digitized and microfilm records for Susquehanna County, including Deed Books from 1812 to 1886 covering volumes 1 through 68, additional deed books from 1945 through 1955, a grantor index from 1812 to 1923, and a grantee index covering the same period. Mortgage Books from 1812 to 1855 and mortgage indexes from 1812 to 1973 are also preserved. Sheriff's and Treasurer's Deeds from 1828 to 1922 add to the county's rich historical record collection.

The Susquehanna County Recorder holds the county's mailing address at P.O. Box 218 in Montrose. The office phone for deed records is 570-278-4600 extension 112 or 113. The Assessor's office is at extension 150, and the Treasurer is at extension 130. Real estate records in Susquehanna County are available online through the statewide portal and through third-party aggregators that pull data from the county's recording system. Standard Pennsylvania recording rules apply, including the race-notice priority system established under 21 P.S. § 351.

Susquehanna County is a primarily rural county with a mix of agricultural land, timber properties, and residential parcels. The county borders New York State to the north and has seen significant natural gas leasing activity in recent years. Deed records in the county often include oil and gas lease addenda and pipeline easements in addition to standard conveyance documents. Researchers reviewing property history in Susquehanna County should check for both deeds and any separately recorded mineral or surface rights instruments.

Susquehanna County Recorder of Deeds

The Susquehanna County Recorder is part of the consolidated county courthouse operation in Montrose. The mailing address is P.O. Box 218, Montrose, PA 18801. In-person visits to the courthouse allow researchers to access the deed index, review microfilm records, and request copies of recorded documents. Staff can help you locate records by name, book and page number, or recording date. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The statewide portal at pa.uslandrecords.com is the main online connection to Susquehanna County's recording system.

Searching Susquehanna County Deed Records

The statewide portal at pa.uslandrecords.com is the main online tool for Susquehanna County deed searches. Select Susquehanna County from the list, and then search by grantor name, grantee name, document type, or date range. The system uses the county's own recording database and provides access to indexed data and scanned document images. For records that predate the digital system, in-person courthouse research or a review of the Pennsylvania State Archives microfilm collection is the best approach.

The Pennsylvania Property Checker database provides aggregated deed, tax, and lien data for Susquehanna County properties. This is a useful starting point for identifying a property and understanding its recorded history before searching the deed index directly.

For historical research, the Pennsylvania State Archives is the primary resource for pre-1886 Susquehanna County deed books. The Archives research room in Harrisburg holds digitized microfilm and provides research guides to help navigate the county's extensive historical records. Grantor and grantee indexes from 1812 to 1923 make it possible to trace property ownership through more than a century of Susquehanna County history. Sheriff's deeds from 1828 to 1922 provide documentation of tax sales and court-ordered property transfers, which are important for understanding breaks in a chain of title.

Recording and Transfer Requirements

All deeds submitted for recording in Susquehanna County must include a complete notary acknowledgment. The acknowledgment must state the county and state of signing, include the date, and bear a legible notary signature and stamp. A Certificate of Residence is required for the grantee. Taxable transfers must include a Form REV-183 Realty Transfer Tax Statement of Value. Pennsylvania's state realty transfer tax of 1% applies to all taxable transfers. Most Susquehanna County municipalities add a local rate that brings the combined total to 2% in most areas of the county.

The PRODA fee calculator at padeeds.com allows you to calculate your total recording fees and transfer taxes in advance. This tool is particularly useful for complex transactions that involve multiple parcels or unusual instrument types. Under 16 P.S. § 9781, the Susquehanna County recorder must maintain a complete and searchable index of all recorded instruments from 1812 to the present.

Note: Susquehanna County's historical deed records at the Pennsylvania State Archives are available for research at no charge through the Archives' online research guides, with physical access at the Harrisburg facility during regular hours.