York County Public Records /York County Property Records

York County Property Records

How To Search Property Records in York County in 2026

YorkCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to property records in York County, Pennsylvania. Members of the public may find data pertaining to ownership history, assessed values, recorded instruments, tax information, and parcel characteristics. Available record categories include deeds, mortgages, liens, plat maps, tax assessments, and transfer records. Information presented through third-party directories and official county portals may vary in completeness and currency.

Property records in York County may be searched through several official channels maintained by county government agencies. The primary resources include the York County Assessment Office, the York County Recorder of Deeds, and the York County Tax Claim Bureau. Each office maintains distinct categories of records, and members of the public are encouraged to consult the appropriate office based on the type of information sought.

Official Resources for Searching York County Property Records:

Resource	Records Available	Access Method
York County Assessment Office	Assessed values, property characteristics, ownership	Online, in-person
York County Recorder of Deeds	Deeds, mortgages, liens, recorded instruments	Online, in-person, by mail
York County Tax Claim Bureau	Delinquent taxes, tax liens, upset sales	In-person, by mail
York County GIS	Parcel maps, aerial imagery, zoning layers	Online

Multiple Access Methods:

Online searches — The most convenient method; available at no cost through official county portals
In-person visits — Required for certified copies and access to older records not yet digitized
By mail — Written requests submitted to the appropriate office with applicable fees
Through professionals — Title companies, real estate attorneys, and licensed abstractors conduct comprehensive searches

Online Search Methods

1. Property Appraiser Website

The York County Assessment Office serves as the primary resource for property valuation and ownership information. The York County Assessment Office property search portal provides free public access with no registration required.

Search Options Available:

By property address
By owner name
By parcel ID number
By map and GIS location
By legal description

Information Available Through the Assessment Portal:

Current owner name and mailing address
Property address and legal description
Parcel identification number
Land use and zoning classification
Property characteristics (square footage, year built, lot size, building type)
Assessed value (land and improvements separately)
Taxable value and exemptions applied
Sales history
GIS map location

How to Search:

Navigate to the York County Assessment Office property search
Select the preferred search type (address, owner name, or parcel ID)
Enter the search criteria in the appropriate fields
Review the results list returned by the system
Select the specific property to view the full property card
Review ownership details, valuation history, and sales records
Print or save the information as needed

2. County Recorder of Deeds — Official Records Search

The York County Recorder of Deeds maintains the official index of recorded instruments affecting real property. Members of the public may search recorded documents through the Recorder's online portal.

Searchable By:

Grantor name (seller or transferor)
Grantee name (buyer or transferee)
Book and page number
Document type
Recording date range
Instrument number

Documents Available:

Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
Mortgages and deeds of trust
Satisfactions and releases of mortgage
Mechanic's liens, judgment liens, and tax liens
Easements and rights-of-way
Declarations of restrictions and covenants
Subdivision plats and surveys
Powers of attorney affecting real property
Lis pendens notices
HOA declarations

How to Search:

Access the Recorder of Deeds search system through the York County government portal
Select the preferred search type
Enter grantor or grantee names, date ranges, or document type
Review the results and select the relevant instrument
View document images where available online
Note the book and page or instrument number for reference

3. Tax Claim Bureau

The York County Tax Claim Bureau maintains records of delinquent real estate taxes, upset sale listings, and tax lien certifications. Members of the public may search delinquent tax information through the Bureau's office.

Information Available:

Outstanding delinquent tax balances
Tax lien certifications
Upset sale and judicial sale listings
Payment history for delinquent accounts
Repository list properties

4. GIS Mapping System

York County maintains an interactive GIS mapping system that provides visual property search capabilities, including aerial photography, parcel boundaries, zoning layers, flood zone designations, and environmental features. Members of the public may access the York County GIS mapping portal to navigate to a specific location, click on a parcel, and retrieve linked property information.

In-Person Searches:

York County Assessment Office
28 East Market Street
York, PA 17401
Phone: (717) 771-9232
York County Assessment Office

York County Recorder of Deeds
28 East Market Street
York, PA 17401
Phone: (717) 771-9606
York County Recorder of Deeds

York County Tax Claim Bureau
28 East Market Street
York, PA 17401
Phone: (717) 771-9205
York County Tax Claim Bureau

By Mail Requests:

Requests for copies of recorded documents may be submitted by mail to the York County Recorder of Deeds at 28 East Market Street, York, PA 17401. Requestors should specify the document by book and page number or instrument number, include the property address and approximate recording date range, and enclose payment for applicable copy fees. Certified copies are available upon request with the appropriate fee.

Through Professionals:

Title companies operating in York County conduct comprehensive title searches, prepare abstracts of title, and issue title insurance commitments identifying all recorded interests affecting a property. Real estate attorneys provide legal title opinions and assist with complex ownership disputes. Licensed abstractors perform chain-of-title research dating back to original land grants.

Search Tips:

When searching by address, attempt variations with and without directional prefixes (N, S, E, W)
When searching by owner name, try last name first and check spelling variations
For business-owned properties, search under the entity name rather than individual names
Very recent transactions may not yet appear online due to recording processing delays
Records predating county digitization efforts may require an in-person visit to the courthouse

What Is York County Property Records

Property records in York County are official documents related to real property — land and the improvements affixed to it — maintained by county government offices as permanent public records. These instruments establish legal ownership, document the chain of title, record encumbrances such as mortgages and liens, and provide the foundation for property taxation and real estate transactions throughout the county.

Types of Property Records:

Ownership Records:

Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and special warranty deeds
Transfer records and ownership history
Life estate deeds and trust documents affecting real property
Chain of title documentation

Encumbrance Records:

Mortgages and deeds of trust
Tax liens, mechanic's liens, and judgment liens
Easements and rights-of-way
Deed restrictions and covenants
Homeowner association declarations
Lis pendens notices

Tax and Assessment Records:

Real property tax assessments
Tax bills and payment history
Exemption records (homestead, senior, veteran, disability)
Delinquent tax records maintained by the Tax Claim Bureau

Legal Descriptions and Plats:

Subdivision plat maps
Surveys and re-plats
Lot and block information
Metes and bounds descriptions

Building and Permit Records:

Building permits and certificates of occupancy
Zoning classifications and land use designations
Code violation records

Who Maintains Property Records in York County:

The York County Recorder of Deeds is responsible for recording, indexing, and maintaining all instruments affecting title to real property pursuant to 53 Pa. C.S. § 8101, which governs the recording of deeds and related instruments in Pennsylvania. The York County Assessment Office maintains property valuation records, ownership information, and exemption applications. The York County Tax Claim Bureau administers delinquent tax records under the authority of the Pennsylvania Real Estate Tax Sale Law.

Are Property Records Public Information in York County?

Property records in York County are public information. Under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.301, members of the public have the right to access public records maintained by government agencies without demonstrating a specific purpose or interest. Pennsylvania's recording statutes further establish that instruments recorded with the Recorder of Deeds are available for public inspection as a matter of law.

As the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records has stated, "The presumption is that all records are public unless they fall within one of the exceptions set forth in the Right-to-Know Law." This principle applies directly to property records, which carry no general exemption from public disclosure.

Why Property Records Are Public:

Transparency — Public access to ownership records prevents fraudulent transfers and ensures accountability in property taxation
Commercial necessity — Real estate transactions, title insurance, mortgage lending, and property appraisals all depend on access to recorded instruments
Legal protections — Recording provides constructive notice to all subsequent purchasers and encumbrancers, protecting the priority of interests
Public interest — Tax assessment transparency, community planning, historical research, and journalistic investigation all rely on open property records

What Property Information Is Freely Accessible:

Current and historical property ownership
Legal descriptions and parcel identification numbers
Sale prices and transfer amounts
Recorded mortgage amounts
Liens and encumbrances
Tax assessments and payment status
Property characteristics (size, age, building type)
Deeds and all recorded instruments
Plat maps and surveys

Privacy Considerations:

Certain personal information is protected within otherwise public property records. Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from recorded documents under Pennsylvania law. Individuals in protected categories — including law enforcement officers, judges, domestic violence victims, and stalking victims — may be eligible for address confidentiality protections under the Pennsylvania Address Confidentiality Program. Homestead exemption applications may contain financial information that is not fully subject to public disclosure; the Assessment Office administers these policies on a case-by-case basis.

Who Can Access Property Records:

Any member of the public may access York County property records regardless of residency, ownership status, or stated purpose. Common users include prospective buyers, real estate agents and brokers, title companies, appraisers, lenders, attorneys, property investors, genealogists, historians, and journalists. No registration or credentials are required to access the public search portals maintained by the county.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in York County?

Members of the public may view property records online through the York County Assessment Office portal and the Recorder of Deeds search system at no charge. Fees apply when requesting physical copies, certified copies, or document images from county offices.

Current Fee Schedule — York County Recorder of Deeds:

Service	Current Fee
Copy of recorded document (per page)	$0.25 per page
Certified copy of recorded document	$1.50 per document plus $0.25 per page
Recording a deed	$107.25 for first two pages; $3.00 each additional page
Recording a mortgage	$107.25 for first two pages; $3.00 each additional page
UCC filing	Varies by document type
Document search (staff-assisted)	No charge for basic search

Recording fees in Pennsylvania are governed in part by 42 Pa. C.S. § 21101, which establishes the schedule of fees applicable to the offices of the Recorder of Deeds and related county row offices.

Assessment Office Fees:

Online property record viewing: Free
Printed property record cards: $0.25 per page (standard copy fee)
Certified assessment records: Available upon request; fees consistent with the county's standard copy schedule

Tax Claim Bureau Fees:

Tax lien certification: Fee applies; contact the Bureau directly at (717) 771-9205 for the current schedule
Copies of tax records: $0.25 per page

Accepted Payment Methods:

Cash (in-person)
Check or money order payable to York County (mail requests)
Credit and debit cards (in-person; surcharge may apply)

Fee Waivers:

Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law provides that agencies may reduce or waive fees when disclosure is in the public interest and the requester demonstrates that the primary purpose of the request is not commercial. Requestors seeking fee waivers must submit a written request to the relevant office explaining the basis for the waiver.

What's Included in a York County Property Record

A complete York County property record draws from multiple county databases and recorded instruments. The information available varies depending on the source consulted.

Ownership Information:

Legal owner name(s) as recorded on the current deed
Ownership type (individual, joint tenants, tenants by entirety, trust, LLC, corporation, life estate)
Acquisition date and deed book and page or instrument number
Mailing address for tax billing purposes
Chain of title with previous owners, transfer dates, and historical deed references

Property Identification:

Site address and mailing address
Parcel identification number
Legal description (lot and block, subdivision name, plat book and page reference, metes and bounds)
Municipality and school district

Physical Characteristics:

Lot size in square feet or acres, lot dimensions, and frontage
Total living area in square feet
Year built and effective year
Number of stories and building type
Construction type, exterior wall material, roof type, and foundation
Number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and total rooms
Garage, pool, porch, fireplace, and other additional features
Heating and cooling systems, water source, and sewer system
Condition and quality ratings

Valuation Information:

Land value and building value (assessed separately)
Total assessed value and estimated market value
Historical assessed values for prior years
Agricultural classification where applicable

Tax Information:

Total tax amount due and taxable value after exemptions
Millage rate breakdown by taxing authority (county, school district, municipality, special districts)
Payment status, due dates, and payment history
Exemptions applied (homestead, senior, disability, veteran, widow/widower)

Sales History:

Sale dates, sale prices, and deed document numbers
Grantor and grantee names for each transaction
Sale type designation (arms-length, quitclaim, foreclosure, tax deed, inheritance)
Documentary stamp amounts

Encumbrances and Liens:

Recorded mortgages with lender names, recording dates, and original amounts
Tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, HOA liens, and code enforcement liens
Easements, deed restrictions, covenants, and lis pendens notices

Legal and Regulatory Information:

Zoning classification and permitted uses
Land use code and future land use designation
Special taxing districts (school, fire, water, community development)
Flood zone designation (FEMA)
Wetlands and conservation area designations

What Is Not Typically Included in Public Property Records:

Current outstanding mortgage balances (only original recorded amounts)
Interior photographs
Detailed personal financial information beyond recorded instruments
Social Security numbers (redacted by law)
Private purchase contract terms beyond the recorded sale price
Unrecorded agreements between parties

How Long Does York County Keep Property Records?

Property records in York County are maintained permanently. Recorded instruments affecting title to real property — including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and easements — are never destroyed. This permanent retention is both a legal requirement and a practical necessity, as the chain of title for any parcel depends on an unbroken historical record extending back to the original land grant or earliest recorded conveyance.

Pennsylvania's records retention requirements for county offices are established under the authority of the Pennsylvania State Records Committee and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Act, 71 P.S. § 1405.1, which governs the preservation and disposition of public records throughout the Commonwealth.

Records Kept Permanently:

All recorded deeds (warranty, quitclaim, trustee's, and all conveyance types) dating back to county formation
All recorded mortgages, satisfactions, and releases
All recorded liens and lien releases
All subdivision plats, re-plats, and condominium declarations
All recorded easements, restrictions, covenants, and declarations
All lis pendens and court documents affecting title
Assessment rolls and property cards
Tax deed records

Format and Storage:

Historical records in York County exist in multiple formats depending on the era of recording. Very early records are preserved in handwritten ledger books maintained in the Recorder of Deeds vault. Mid-twentieth century records are available on microfilm. Records from recent decades are maintained as digital scans within the county's electronic document management system, with off-site backup and disaster recovery protocols in place.

Online Availability by Time Period:

Time Period	Availability
Recent (last 20+ years)	Fully online; immediate access
Moderate age (20–50 years)	Partially online; microfilm available in-person
Historical (50+ years)	In-person access; original books or microfilm
Very old (100+ years)	Archive storage; advance notice may be required

Assessment Records Retention:

The York County Assessment Office retains current and historical assessment rolls permanently. Property cards are maintained as permanent records. Exemption applications are retained for a minimum of several years following the applicable assessment year, consistent with the county's records retention schedule.

Tax Claim Bureau Records:

Tax payment records are retained for a minimum of seven years. Tax certificates remain on file until redeemed or a tax deed is issued. Tax deed records are maintained permanently as recorded instruments with the Recorder of Deeds.

Accessing Historical Records:

Members of the public seeking records predating the county's online systems may contact the York County Recorder of Deeds directly to arrange retrieval. Staff can assist with identifying the appropriate book and page reference for older instruments. Very old records stored in archive facilities may require advance notice for retrieval.

York County Recorder of Deeds — Historical Records Contact:
28 East Market Street
York, PA 17401
Phone: (717) 771-9606
York County Recorder of Deeds

How To Find Liens on Property in York County

Liens on property in York County are recorded instruments that encumber title and must be identified through a search of the official records maintained by the Recorder of Deeds, the Tax Claim Bureau, and the Court of Common Pleas.

Types of Liens Affecting York County Properties:

Mortgage liens — Recorded with the Recorder of Deeds; searchable by grantor/grantee name or parcel
Judgment liens — Entered by the York County Court of Common Pleas; attach to all real property owned by the judgment debtor in the county
Federal tax liens — Filed by the Internal Revenue Service with the Recorder of Deeds
State tax liens — Filed by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue with the Recorder of Deeds
Mechanic's liens — Filed by contractors and materialmen with the Court of Common Pleas under the Pennsylvania Mechanics' Lien Law
Municipal liens — Filed for unpaid municipal assessments, code enforcement fines, or utility charges
HOA liens — Recorded by homeowner associations for unpaid assessments
Delinquent real estate tax liens — Maintained by the York County Tax Claim Bureau

Steps to Search for Liens:

Search the Recorder of Deeds — Access the York County Recorder of Deeds online portal or visit in person at 28 East Market Street, York, PA 17401. Search by the property owner's name as grantor to identify recorded mortgages, federal and state tax liens, and HOA liens.
Search Court of Common Pleas judgment records — Judgment liens are indexed through the Prothonotary's office. Contact the York County Prothonotary at 28 East Market Street, York, PA 17401, Phone: (717) 771-9611, to search the judgment index by defendant name.
Search the Tax Claim Bureau — Contact the York County Tax Claim Bureau at 28 East Market Street, York, PA 17401, Phone: (717) 771-9205, to determine whether delinquent real estate taxes constitute an outstanding lien against the property.
Search municipal records — For municipal liens arising from code enforcement or utility charges, contact the relevant municipality directly.
Request a lien certification — The Tax Claim Bureau issues written certifications of delinquent tax status upon request, which is standard practice in real estate transactions.

York County Prothonotary
28 East Market Street
York, PA 17401
Phone: (717) 771-9611
York County Prothonotary

York County Tax Claim Bureau
28 East Market Street
York, PA 17401
Phone: (717) 771-9205
York County Tax Claim Bureau

Title companies and licensed abstractors routinely conduct comprehensive lien searches as part of the title examination process. A full title search will identify all recorded encumbrances, including liens that may not be immediately apparent through a single-database search.

What Is Property Owner Rule in York County

The property owner rule in York County refers to the body of Pennsylvania law and local regulations governing who may own real property, how ownership is established and transferred, and what rights and obligations attach to property ownership within the county.

Establishing Ownership:

Under Pennsylvania law, ownership of real property is established through a recorded deed. A deed must be executed by the grantor, acknowledged before a notary public, and recorded with the York County Recorder of Deeds to provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers and encumbrancers. An unrecorded deed is valid between the parties but does not protect the grantee against a subsequent bona fide purchaser who records first, consistent with Pennsylvania's race-notice recording statute.

Forms of Ownership Recognized in Pennsylvania:

Individual ownership — A single natural person holds title in fee simple
Joint tenancy with right of survivorship — Two or more persons hold equal undivided interests; upon the death of one owner, the surviving owner(s) take the decedent's interest by operation of law
Tenants in common — Two or more persons hold undivided interests that may be unequal; each owner's interest passes through their estate upon death
Tenants by the entirety — Available exclusively to legally married couples in Pennsylvania; neither spouse may convey or encumber the property without the other's consent, and the property is protected from the individual debts of either spouse
Trust ownership — A trustee holds legal title for the benefit of named beneficiaries
Entity ownership — Corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, and other legal entities may hold title to real property in Pennsylvania

Transfer of Ownership:

Real property in York County is transferred by recorded deed. Pennsylvania imposes a realty transfer tax on the value of real estate transferred, currently at a combined state and local rate that varies by municipality. The deed must contain a complete legal description of the property, identify the grantor and grantee, state the consideration, and be properly acknowledged and recorded.

Property Owner Rights and Obligations:

Property owners in York County hold the right to use, enjoy, and dispose of their property subject to applicable zoning regulations, deed restrictions, easements, and other encumbrances of record. Owners are obligated to pay real estate taxes assessed by the county, school district, and municipality. Failure to pay real estate taxes subjects the property to the tax sale process administered by the York County Tax Claim Bureau under the Pennsylvania Real Estate Tax Sale Law.

Zoning regulations applicable to properties within York County are administered by the York County Planning Commission for unincorporated areas and by individual municipalities for incorporated jurisdictions. Members of the public may access current zoning information through the York County Planning Commission.

York County Planning Commission
28 East Market Street, Suite 1500
York, PA 17401
Phone: (717) 771-9870
York County Planning Commission