Washington County Property Records
How To Search Property Records in Washington County in 2026
WashingtonPARecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to property records in Washington County, Pennsylvania. Members of the public may find data pertaining to ownership history, assessed values, recorded deeds, tax information, and encumbrances. Record categories available through official and third-party sources include:
- Deeds and title transfers
- Mortgage and lien records
- Property tax assessments and payment history
- Plat maps and legal descriptions
- Building permits and zoning records
Records can be searched through the following official resources in Washington County:
Washington County Assessment Office
100 West Beau Street, Suite 603
Washington, PA 15301
Phone: (724) 228-6850
Washington County Assessment Office
Washington County Recorder of Deeds
100 West Beau Street, Suite 203
Washington, PA 15301
Phone: (724) 228-6774
Washington County Recorder of Deeds
Washington County Tax Claim Bureau
100 West Beau Street, Suite 201
Washington, PA 15301
Phone: (724) 228-6767
Washington County Tax Claim Bureau
1. Property Assessment Website
The Washington County Assessment Office maintains an online database that provides free public access to property assessment records without registration.
Search Options:
- By property address
- By owner name
- By parcel ID number
- By map/GIS location
- By legal description
Information Available:
- 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)
- Taxable value and exemptions applied
- Sales history
- GIS map location
How to Search:
- Visit the Washington County property search portal
- Select the preferred search type (address, owner name, or parcel number)
- Enter the search criteria in the appropriate field
- Review the results list returned
- Select the specific property to view the full property card
- Access maps, sales history, and assessment details
- Print or save the information as needed
2. Recorder of Deeds Official Records Search
The Washington County Recorder of Deeds maintains the official index of recorded instruments affecting real property. Under 49 P.S. § 351, all deeds, mortgages, and other instruments affecting title to real property must be recorded to provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers.
Searchable By:
- Grantor name (seller)
- Grantee name (buyer)
- Document type
- Recording date range
- Instrument number
- Book and page 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 declarations of restrictions
- Plats and surveys
- Powers of attorney affecting property
- Lis pendens notices
- HOA documents
How to Search:
- Access the Recorder of Deeds online search
- Select the preferred search type
- Enter grantor/grantee names, date ranges, or document type
- Review the results and select the relevant document
- View document images where available online
- Note the book and page or instrument number for reference
- Some document images may require a fee to view or download
3. Tax Claim Bureau Website
The Washington County Tax Claim Bureau provides public access to tax payment records and delinquency information.
Search By:
- Property address
- Owner name
- Parcel number
- Tax account number
Information Available:
- Current tax bill status
- Payment history
- Outstanding balances
- Tax certificate information for delinquent properties
- Payment options and installment plan status
4. GIS Mapping System
Washington County maintains an interactive GIS mapping system that allows visual property searches.
How to Use:
- Navigate the interactive map to the property location
- Click on a parcel to view property information
- Access linked assessment and deed records
- View aerial photography and property boundaries
- Examine zoning layers, flood zones, and environmental features
- Measure distances and view multiple map layers simultaneously
In-Person Searches:
Washington County Assessment Office
100 West Beau Street, Suite 603
Washington, PA 15301
Phone: (724) 228-6850
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Washington County Assessment Office
Services available in person include public access computers, staff assistance, property cards, maps and plats, and exemption applications.
Washington County Recorder of Deeds
100 West Beau Street, Suite 203
Washington, PA 15301
Phone: (724) 228-6774
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Washington County Recorder of Deeds
Services available in person include viewing official records, requesting certified copies, searching grantor/grantee indexes, accessing record books, and receiving staff assistance with searches.
Washington County Tax Claim Bureau
100 West Beau Street, Suite 201
Washington, PA 15301
Phone: (724) 228-6767
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Washington County Tax Claim Bureau
Services available in person include tax payment information, copies of tax bills, delinquency information, and tax certificate searches.
By Mail Requests:
Members of the public may submit written requests to the Recorder of Deeds by mail. Requests should specify the document by book and page number, instrument number, or property address with an approximate date range. Payment for copy fees must accompany the request. Certified copies are available upon request with the applicable fee. Mail requests to:
Washington County Recorder of Deeds
100 West Beau Street, Suite 203
Washington, PA 15301
For Assessment Office records by mail, include the property address or parcel number, a return envelope, and note that copying fees may apply.
Through Professionals:
Title companies provide comprehensive title searches, abstracts of title, and title insurance commitments that identify all recorded interests affecting a property. Real estate attorneys handle complex ownership issues, legal title opinions, and dispute resolution. Real estate agents may access MLS data for listed properties, pull property histories, and obtain comparable sales data as part of their representation services.
Search Tips:
- When searching by address, try with and without directional prefixes (N, S, E, W) and check spelling variations
- When searching by owner name, try last name first, check variations with and without middle initials, and consider both married and maiden names as well as business entity names
- When searching by legal description, use the exact legal description from the deed, including subdivision name and lot and block numbers
- For historical records not available online, an in-person visit to the courthouse is required, as older records may be in books or on microfilm
Common Search Challenges:
Very recent transactions may not yet appear online due to recording delays. Very old properties may not be digitized. Errors in indexing and name spelling variations can affect search results. Common names and similar addresses may return multiple results; verifying by parcel number or legal description resolves ambiguity.
What Cannot Be Found Online:
- Unrecorded documents and private agreements not submitted for recording
- Current pending sales prior to closing
- Some pre-digital records not yet digitized
- Documents filed under seal by court order
What Is Washington County Property Records
Property records in Washington County are official documents related to real property — land and buildings — maintained by county government offices. These records constitute the legal documentation of property ownership, transfers, encumbrances, and valuations. They are essential for establishing clear title and are accessible to any member of the public.
Purpose of Property Records:
- Establish legal ownership and chain of title
- Record encumbrances such as mortgages and liens
- Document property transfers and sale prices
- Support property tax assessment and collection
- Protect property rights and enable title insurance
- Facilitate real estate transactions
Types of Property Records:
Ownership Records include warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, special warranty deeds, life estate deeds, trust documents affecting property, and the full chain of title from original grant to present ownership.
Encumbrance Records include mortgages and deeds of trust, tax liens, mechanic's liens, judgment liens, easements, deed restrictions and covenants, homeowner association documents, and lis pendens notices.
Tax and Assessment Records include property tax assessments, tax bills and payment history, exemption records, millage rates, special assessments, and tax delinquency records maintained by the Tax Claim Bureau.
Legal Descriptions include plat maps, subdivision plats, surveys, lot and block information, and metes and bounds descriptions recorded with the Recorder of Deeds.
Building and Permit Records include building permits, certificates of occupancy, code violations, zoning information, and land use designations maintained by the Washington County Planning Commission.
Who Maintains Property Records:
The Washington County Recorder of Deeds is responsible for recording and indexing official instruments including deeds, mortgages, and liens, and for maintaining permanent records of all documents affecting title to real property. The Assessment Office maintains property valuations, assessment records, property characteristics, ownership information, and exemption applications. The Tax Claim Bureau maintains tax bills, payment records, and delinquent tax information. The Washington County Planning Commission maintains permits, zoning records, and code enforcement records.
Legal Framework:
Pennsylvania's recording statutes, codified at 49 P.S. § 351, establish the requirement that instruments affecting title to real property be recorded to provide constructive notice. The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq., governs public access to government records, including property records maintained by county offices. As the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records notes, "The Right-to-Know Law presumes that government records are public."
Are Property Records Public Information in Washington County?
Property records in Washington County are public information. Under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, any person may request access to public records maintained by county government agencies without stating a reason or demonstrating a particular interest. This principle reflects centuries of American common law tradition establishing that land records must be open to public inspection to support a functioning real estate marketplace.
Legal Basis for Public Access:
- Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.
- Pennsylvania recording statutes, 49 P.S. § 351
- Common law tradition of public land records
- Constitutional protections for property rights under the Pennsylvania Constitution
Why Property Records Are Public:
Transparency in property ownership serves multiple public interests. The public has a right to know who owns property within the county, and open records support accountability in property taxation and prevent fraudulent transfers. Commercially, public property records enable real estate transactions, title searches, property appraisals, market analysis, and the mortgage lending industry. Legally, recorded documents provide constructive notice, establish chain of title, protect against fraudulent transfers, and record the priority of competing interests.
What Property Information Is Freely Accessible:
- Current and historical property ownership
- Legal descriptions and property addresses
- Sale prices and transfer amounts
- Recorded mortgage amounts
- Liens and encumbrances
- Tax assessments and payment history
- Property characteristics (size, age, building type)
- Deeds and all recorded instruments
- Plat maps and surveys
Privacy Considerations:
Social Security numbers and bank account numbers are redacted from recorded documents under current Pennsylvania law. Certain individuals — 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 public; the Assessment Office can advise on applicable policies.
Who Can Access Property Records:
No residency requirement, ownership interest, or stated business purpose is required to access Washington County property records. Common users include prospective buyers, real estate agents and brokers, title companies, appraisers, lenders, attorneys, property owners reviewing their own records, investors, genealogists, historians, and members of the media.
Commercial Use of Property Records:
Commercial use of public property records — including real estate marketing, property valuation services, title insurance, investment analysis, and market research — is permitted under current law. Commercial data aggregators such as CoreLogic and First American compile public records into subscription databases. Anti-harassment laws, fair housing laws, and other applicable statutes continue to govern how information obtained from public records may be used.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in Washington County?
The Washington County Recorder of Deeds charges fees for copies of recorded documents in accordance with Pennsylvania law. Members of the public may inspect records at no charge during regular business hours. The following fee structure applies under current county schedules:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of recorded document | $1.50 per page + $3.00 certification fee |
| Uncertified copy of recorded document | $1.50 per page |
| Recording a deed | $107.25 for first two pages + $3.00 per additional page |
| Recording a mortgage | $107.25 for first two pages + $3.00 per additional page |
| Online document viewing | Free (index); per-image fees may apply for full document images |
| Property assessment records | Free online and in person |
| Tax information | Free online and in person |
Pennsylvania's Recorder of Deeds Fee Act governs the fees that recorders may charge for recording and copying services. Recording fees include a surcharge that funds the Pennsylvania Affordable Housing Trust Fund under the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.
Accepted Payment Methods:
- Cash (in person)
- Check or money order (in person and by mail, payable to Washington County Recorder of Deeds)
- Credit and debit cards (in person; surcharge may apply)
What Is Available at No Cost:
- Online inspection of the property assessment database
- Online inspection of the recorded document index
- In-person inspection of records at county offices
- Tax payment status and history online
- GIS mapping system
Fee waiver provisions are not broadly available for standard copy requests. Indigent individuals involved in legal proceedings may seek fee waivers through the court system for court-related documents.
What's Included in a Washington County Property Record?
A complete Washington County property record draws from multiple county databases and recorded instruments. The following categories of information are available through official sources.
Ownership Information:
Current ownership records identify the legal owner or owners by name, ownership type (individual, joint tenants, tenants in common, trust, LLC, or corporation), acquisition date, deed book and page or instrument number, and mailing address for tax billing. Previous ownership information includes the chain of title, prior owners' names, transfer dates, and historical deed references traceable to the county's formation.
Property Identification:
Each parcel is identified by a site address, mailing address if different, legal description (lot and block number, subdivision name, plat book and page reference, or metes and bounds description), parcel identification number, and tax account number.
Physical Characteristics:
Land information includes lot size in square feet or acres, lot dimensions, frontage, zoning classification, and land use designation. Building information includes total living area, year built, number of stories, building type, construction type, exterior wall material, roof type, foundation type, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and total room count. Additional features recorded include garage type and spaces, pools, porches, fireplaces, central air conditioning, heating type, water source, and sewer system.
Valuation Information:
Assessment records include land value, building value, total assessed value, and market value as estimated by the Assessment Office. Historical assessed values for prior years are available, along with year-over-year percentage changes. Agricultural classification values are recorded where applicable.
Tax Information:
Current year tax records include the total tax amount, exemptions applied, taxable value after exemptions, millage rate, and a breakdown by taxing authority (county general fund, school district, municipality, and special districts). Tax history includes prior years' taxes paid, payment dates, and any delinquency history.
Exemptions Applied:
Washington County property records reflect homestead exemptions, senior citizen tax relief under the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, veteran exemptions, disability exemptions, and agricultural use exemptions where applicable.
Sales History:
Sales history includes sale dates, sale prices, deed types (warranty, quitclaim, foreclosure, tax deed, or trust transfer), deed document numbers, grantor and grantee names, and documentary stamp amounts for recent transactions.
Encumbrances and Liens:
Recorded mortgages, lien amounts, lender names, recording dates, and book and page references are available through the Recorder of Deeds. Liens include federal and state tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, HOA liens, and code enforcement liens. Other encumbrances include easements, deed restrictions, covenants, life estates, and lis pendens notices.
Legal and Regulatory Information:
Zoning classification, land use code, future land use designation, school district, fire district, water district, and special taxing district assignments are included. FEMA flood zone designation, wetlands designations, and conservation area information are available through the GIS mapping system.
Maps and Images:
Property records include exterior photographs, aerial photographs, GIS maps with property boundaries, plat maps, and property sketches where available through the Assessment Office database.
What Is Not Typically in Public Property Records:
- Current mortgage balances (only original amounts at recording)
- Personal financial information beyond recorded documents
- Interior photographs
- Social Security numbers (redacted under current law)
- Private agreements not submitted for recording
- Actual purchase contract terms beyond the recorded sale price
How Long Does Washington County Keep Property Records?
Property records in Washington County are maintained permanently. The legal requirement to preserve recorded instruments affecting title to real property is established under Pennsylvania's recording statutes and the Pennsylvania State Records Management Program administered by the Pennsylvania State Archives.
Records Kept Permanently:
All recorded deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, lien releases, plats, surveys, easements, restrictions, and other instruments affecting title are retained permanently by the Washington County Recorder of Deeds. These records date to the county's formation in 1781 and include original land grants and early territorial records. As the Pennsylvania State Archives notes, "Deeds and other instruments recorded in the office of the recorder of deeds are permanent records of the Commonwealth."
Format and Storage:
Historical records from the county's earliest period are preserved in handwritten ledger books. Mid-twentieth century records are available on microfilm. Current records are maintained in electronic document management systems with scanned images of original instruments. Digital records are backed up off-site. The Recorder of Deeds office maintains climate-controlled storage for paper and microfilm archives.
Access to Historical Records:
Records from approximately the past 20 to 40 years are available online through the Recorder of Deeds search portal. Older records are accessible in person at the courthouse in microfilm or original book format. Staff can retrieve records from storage; advance notice may be required for very old materials. The same public access rights and copy fee schedule apply to historical records as to current records.
Property Appraiser Assessment Records:
The Assessment Office retains current and historical assessment rolls permanently. Property cards are maintained permanently. Exemption applications are retained for a minimum of five to seven years under the Pennsylvania records retention schedule. Recent years of assessment history are available online; historical assessments are available at the Assessment Office.
Building Permit Records:
The Washington County Planning Commission retains building permits for major construction permanently. Minor permit records are retained for several years in accordance with the applicable retention schedule. Building permit records are maintained separately from deed and assessment records.
Tax Records:
The Tax Claim Bureau retains tax payment records for a minimum of seven years. Tax certificates are retained until redeemed or a tax deed is issued. Tax deed records are permanent. Delinquency records are retained for several years. Recent tax history is available online; historical records are available at the Tax Claim Bureau office.
Chain of Title:
Every transfer of Washington County real property from original grant to present is preserved in the permanent record. Title searches review the chain of title, with standard practice examining a minimum of 60 years. Pennsylvania's Marketable Record Title Act provides a framework for resolving ancient claims, but the underlying recorded instruments remain permanently accessible.
Digitization Projects:
Washington County is engaged in ongoing digitization of historical records. Many records from the mid-twentieth century forward are currently available online. Older records in book and microfilm format are being scanned as resources permit. Members of the public conducting historical or genealogical research may contact the Recorder of Deeds for assistance locating pre-digital records.
Contact for Historical Records:
Washington County Recorder of Deeds
100 West Beau Street, Suite 203
Washington, PA 15301
Phone: (724) 228-6774
Washington County Recorder of Deeds
Pennsylvania State Archives
350 North Street
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Phone: (717) 783-3281
Pennsylvania State Archives
How To Find Liens on Property in Washington County?
Liens on Washington County property are recorded instruments and are therefore part of the public record maintained by the Recorder of Deeds. Members of the public may search for liens using the following methods.
Step 1 — Search the Recorder of Deeds Index:
Access the Washington County Recorder of Deeds online search portal. Search by the property owner's name as grantee or grantor, or by the property address if the system supports address-based searches. Filter results by document type to identify mortgages, mechanic's liens, judgment liens, tax liens, and lis pendens notices. Note the book and page or instrument number for each lien found.
Step 2 — Search the Washington County Court of Common Pleas:
Judgment liens arising from court judgments are indexed in the Court of Common Pleas docket. Members of the public may search court records through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System web portal by party name to identify judgment liens that may have attached to real property.
Step 3 — Search Federal Tax Lien Records:
Federal tax liens filed by the Internal Revenue Service are recorded with the Recorder of Deeds and appear in the grantor/grantee index. The IRS also maintains a federal tax lien search through its online resources.
Step 4 — Search the Tax Claim Bureau:
Municipal and county tax liens for delinquent property taxes are maintained by the Washington County Tax Claim Bureau. Members of the public may search for delinquent tax status by property address or parcel number.
Step 5 — In-Person Search at the Recorder of Deeds:
For a comprehensive lien search, an in-person visit to the Recorder of Deeds allows access to the full grantor/grantee index, including records not yet available online. Staff can assist with searches of the index books and microfilm for older lien records.
Types of Liens Searchable:
- Mortgage liens (recorded with Recorder of Deeds)
- Mechanic's liens (recorded with Recorder of Deeds)
- Judgment liens (indexed in Court of Common Pleas and Recorder of Deeds)
- Federal tax liens (recorded with Recorder of Deeds)
- State tax liens (recorded with Recorder of Deeds)
- Municipal tax liens (Tax Claim Bureau)
- HOA liens (recorded with Recorder of Deeds)
- Code enforcement liens (recorded with Recorder of Deeds)
Title companies and real estate attorneys conduct comprehensive lien searches as part of the title examination process and can identify all recorded interests affecting a property.
What Is Property Owner Rule in Washington County?
The property owner rule in Washington 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.
Establishing Ownership:
Under Pennsylvania law, ownership of real property is established by a recorded deed. The deed must be executed by the grantor, acknowledged before a notary public, and recorded with the Washington County Recorder of Deeds to provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers and creditors. An unrecorded deed is valid between the parties but does not protect against a subsequent bona fide purchaser who records first, pursuant to Pennsylvania's recording act at 49 P.S. § 351.
Forms of Ownership:
Pennsylvania law recognizes the following forms of real property ownership:
- Individual ownership — A single person holds title in their name alone
- Joint tenancy with right of survivorship — Two or more persons hold equal shares; upon the death of one owner, the surviving owner(s) take the deceased owner's share automatically
- Tenancy in common — Two or more persons hold undivided interests that may be unequal; each owner's interest passes through their estate upon death
- Tenancy by the entireties — Available only to legally married couples in Pennsylvania; provides protection from individual creditors of either spouse
- Trust ownership — A trustee holds title for the benefit of beneficiaries named in the trust instrument
- Entity ownership — LLCs, corporations, partnerships, and other legal entities may hold title to real property in Pennsylvania
Property Owner Rights:
Property owners in Washington County hold the right to use, enjoy, lease, sell, mortgage, and devise their property subject to applicable zoning regulations, deed restrictions, easements, and other encumbrances of record. The Pennsylvania Constitution, Article I, Section 1, protects property rights as among the inherent rights of citizens.
Property Owner Obligations:
Property owners in Washington County are obligated to pay real property taxes assessed by the county, school district, and municipality. Under the Pennsylvania Real Estate Tax Sale Law, 72 P.S. § 5860.101 et seq., properties with delinquent taxes are subject to upset sale and judicial sale proceedings administered by the Tax Claim Bureau. Property owners are also responsible for compliance with applicable building codes, zoning ordinances, and any deed restrictions or HOA covenants affecting their property.
Transfer of Ownership:
Real property in Washington County is transferred by recorded deed. Pennsylvania imposes a realty transfer tax of 1% of the sale price at the state level, with an additional 1% local realty transfer tax, for a combined rate of 2% in most Washington County municipalities. The tax is typically split equally between buyer and seller unless otherwise negotiated. Certain transfers — including transfers between spouses, transfers to direct descendants, and transfers pursuant to court order — are exempt from realty transfer tax under Pennsylvania law.
Adverse Possession:
Pennsylvania law permits a person who has openly, continuously, exclusively, and hostilely possessed another's property for a period of 21 years to acquire title by adverse possession. A successful adverse possession claim requires a court action to quiet title, after which a court order is recorded with the Recorder of Deeds to establish the new ownership of record.
Washington County Planning Commission
100 West Beau Street, Suite 603
Washington, PA 15301
Phone: (724) 228-6816
Washington County Planning Commission