Allegheny County Property Records
What Is Allegheny County Property Records
Allegheny County property records are official documents that record ownership, transfers, and encumbrances of real property (land and buildings) within Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. These records serve as the authoritative documentation of property ownership and interests throughout the county's 130 municipalities, including the City of Pittsburgh. Pursuant to Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 21 § 351, all deeds, mortgages, and other instruments affecting real property must be recorded in the county where the property is located.
Property records in Allegheny County serve multiple essential functions:
- Establish legal ownership and chain of title
- Provide public notice of property interests
- Protect property rights through official documentation
- Facilitate real estate transactions and property transfers
- Support property tax assessment and collection
- Enable mortgage lending and property financing
The Allegheny County Department of Real Estate maintains the official repository of property records for the county, including deeds, mortgages, easements, liens, and other documents affecting real property interests. These records date back to the county's formation in 1788 and constitute a comprehensive historical record of land ownership throughout the region.
Allegheny County Department of Real Estate
County Office Building
542 Forbes Avenue, Room 101
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-350-4226
Allegheny County Department of Real Estate
Are Property Records Public Information In Allegheny County?
Property records in Allegheny County are public information and accessible to all citizens under Pennsylvania law. The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101) establishes the presumption that government records are public unless specifically exempted. Additionally, Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 21 § 357 mandates that recorded instruments affecting real property "shall be notice to all persons of the recording of the same."
The public nature of property records is founded on several important principles:
- Property ownership is fundamentally a matter of public record
- Recording statutes require public access to provide constructive notice
- Transparency in land ownership serves the public interest
- Public access facilitates real estate transactions and property research
Any member of the public may access Allegheny County property records without demonstrating a specific interest in the property or providing a reason for the request. This open access policy applies to both in-person requests at county offices and online searches through the county's digital platforms. The county may charge reasonable fees for copies or certified documents, but viewing records is generally available at no cost.
How To Search Property Records in Allegheny County in 2026
Members of the public seeking to search Allegheny County property records may utilize several methods currently available through the Department of Real Estate. The following procedures outline the standard process for conducting property record searches:
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Determine the specific property information needed (deed, mortgage, lien, etc.)
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Gather identifying information about the property:
- Property address
- Parcel ID number (if known)
- Owner name(s)
- Subdivision name (if applicable)
- Book and page number (for specific documents)
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Select the appropriate search method:
- Online search through the Allegheny County Real Estate Portal
- In-person visit to the Department of Real Estate
- Written request submitted by mail
For in-person searches, visitors may utilize public terminals at the Department of Real Estate during regular business hours:
Allegheny County Department of Real Estate
County Office Building
542 Forbes Avenue, Room 101
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-350-4226
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Allegheny County Department of Real Estate
For written requests, individuals should complete the Official Records Request Form and submit it with the appropriate fee to the Department of Real Estate. Processing times for written requests typically range from 3-5 business days under current procedures.
How To Find Property Records in Allegheny County Online?
Allegheny County maintains comprehensive online systems that allow public access to property records through digital platforms. The primary online resources for accessing property records include:
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Allegheny County Real Estate Portal - The Real Estate Portal provides access to basic property information including:
- Owner name and mailing address
- Property address and municipality
- Assessed value and tax information
- Basic property characteristics
- Recent sales history
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Allegheny County Department of Court Records - The Department of Court Records Real Estate Division maintains online access to:
- Deeds and mortgages
- Liens and judgments
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Other recorded documents
To conduct an online search for property records:
- Navigate to the appropriate county website
- Select the desired search method (address, owner name, parcel ID)
- Enter the search criteria in the provided fields
- Review the search results and select the property of interest
- Access available property information and document images
- Download or print documents as needed (fees may apply)
The Allegheny County Geographic Information Systems (GIS) platform also provides mapping capabilities that allow users to locate properties visually and access basic property information through an interactive map interface.
Allegheny County Department of Court Records
414 Grant Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-350-4230
Department of Court Records
How To Look Up Allegheny County Property Records for Free?
Allegheny County provides several no-cost options for accessing basic property records. These free resources allow members of the public to conduct preliminary research without incurring fees:
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Allegheny County Real Estate Portal - The public access website offers free searches for:
- Property ownership information
- Assessment values
- Property characteristics
- Sales history
- Tax information
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Public Access Terminals - Free on-site access is available at:
- Department of Real Estate (County Office Building)
- Department of Court Records (County Courthouse)
- Select public libraries throughout the county
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Allegheny County GIS System - The public GIS portal provides free access to:
- Property boundaries
- Parcel identification
- Basic property information
- Aerial photography
While basic property information is available at no cost, fees may apply for:
- Printed copies of documents
- Certified copies of records
- Document images downloaded from online systems
- Extensive research assistance from county staff
The Allegheny County Property Assessment Database also provides free access to property assessment data, including land values, building characteristics, and tax information.
Allegheny County Office of Property Assessments
County Office Building
542 Forbes Avenue, Room 347
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-350-4600
Office of Property Assessments
What's Included in a Allegheny County Property Record?
Allegheny County property records encompass a diverse range of documents and information related to real property within the county. Under Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 21 § 356, these records must be maintained in a systematic manner that allows for public access and retrieval.
Property records in Allegheny County typically include:
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Ownership Documents
- Deeds (warranty, quitclaim, special warranty)
- Executor's deeds
- Sheriff's deeds
- Tax deeds
- Trustee's deeds
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Financial Encumbrances
- Mortgages and mortgage satisfactions
- Mechanics' liens
- Tax liens (federal, state, local)
- Judgment liens
- Municipal claims
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Property Rights and Restrictions
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Restrictive covenants
- Condominium declarations
- Planned community documents
- Conservation easements
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Assessment Information
- Property classification
- Land value
- Building value
- Total assessed value
- Exemptions and abatements
- Building characteristics (size, age, features)
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Geographic Information
- Legal description
- Lot and block number
- Parcel identification number
- Subdivision information
- Survey data (when available)
These records are maintained by multiple county offices, including the Department of Real Estate, Department of Court Records, and Office of Property Assessments. The comprehensive nature of these records provides a complete history of ownership and interests for each parcel of real property within the county.
How Long Does Allegheny County Keep Property Records?
Allegheny County maintains property records permanently in accordance with Pennsylvania's County Records Manual and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Records Retention Schedule. Under state law, certain property records are considered permanent records that must be preserved indefinitely.
The retention periods for various property-related documents include:
- Deeds and Conveyances: Permanent retention
- Mortgages and Satisfactions: Permanent retention
- Easements and Rights-of-Way: Permanent retention
- Subdivision Plans: Permanent retention
- Tax Assessment Records: Permanent retention of final rolls; supporting documentation retained for 7 years
- Building Permits: Retained for life of structure plus 3 years
- Zoning Decisions: Permanent retention
- Property Tax Payment Records: Retained for 7 years after payment
The county employs multiple preservation methods to ensure the longevity of these records:
- Microfilming of historical documents
- Digital scanning and electronic storage
- Climate-controlled physical storage for original documents
- Regular backup and disaster recovery protocols
The Allegheny County Archives maintains historical property records dating back to the county's formation in 1788. These archives provide an invaluable resource for historical research, title examinations, and legal proceedings requiring evidence of past property ownership and interests.
Allegheny County Archives
County Office Building
542 Forbes Avenue, Room 204
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-350-4230
Allegheny County Archives
How To Find Liens on Property In Allegheny County?
Liens on property in Allegheny County are recorded as public documents and can be searched through several official channels. Members of the public seeking lien information may utilize the following resources:
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Department of Court Records - The primary repository for recorded liens, including:
- Tax liens (federal, state, local)
- Judgment liens
- Mechanics' liens
- Municipal claims
- Child support liens
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Online Lien Search - The Department of Court Records Real Estate Division provides online access to lien records through:
- Name search (debtor/property owner)
- Property address search
- Parcel ID number search
- Document type search
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Prothonotary's Office - For civil judgments that may constitute liens on real property
To conduct a comprehensive lien search:
- Gather identifying information about the property and owner
- Search the Department of Court Records database for recorded liens
- Check with the Allegheny County Treasurer for unpaid property taxes
- Verify with the municipality for local tax liens or municipal claims
- Search federal court records for federal tax liens or bankruptcy filings
For the most comprehensive results, professional title searchers often recommend searching under all variations of the property owner's name and checking multiple jurisdictions, as liens may be filed at the federal, state, county, or municipal level.
Allegheny County Department of Court Records
414 Grant Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-350-4230
Department of Court Records
What Is Property Owner Rule In Allegheny County?
The Property Owner Rule in Allegheny County refers to the legal principles governing property ownership, recording requirements, and the rights and responsibilities of property owners under Pennsylvania law. These rules are primarily established by Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 21 and local ordinances.
Key aspects of the Property Owner Rule include:
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Recording Requirement - Under 21 P.S. § 351, all deeds and conveyances must be recorded in the county where the property is located within 90 days of execution. Failure to record does not invalidate the document but may affect priority against subsequent purchasers or creditors.
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Notice Doctrine - Pennsylvania follows a modified race-notice doctrine, whereby recorded documents provide constructive notice to all parties. A bona fide purchaser who records first generally prevails over prior unrecorded interests.
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Property Disclosure Requirements - Under the Real Estate Seller Disclosure Law, sellers must disclose known material defects to potential buyers.
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Property Tax Responsibility - Property owners are responsible for paying county, municipal, and school district property taxes based on the assessed value determined by the Office of Property Assessments.
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Clean and Green Program - Agricultural and forest land may qualify for preferential assessment under the Pennsylvania Farmland and Forest Land Assessment Act, commonly known as "Clean and Green."
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Homestead Exemption - Qualifying owner-occupied residences may receive a homestead exemption reducing the assessed value for tax purposes.
Property owners in Allegheny County must comply with these rules and regulations to maintain clear title to their property and fulfill their legal obligations as property owners.