Fayette County Property Records
How To Search Property Records in Fayette County in 2026
FayettePARecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to property records in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, including deeds, tax assessments, liens, mortgage filings, and ownership history. Members of the public may find current and historical ownership data, recorded encumbrances, property valuations, and transfer records. Information presented reflects what is available through official public sources and may not capture every transaction or document on file.
Records may be searched through the following official resources:
- Fayette County Recorder of Deeds – primary repository for recorded instruments including deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Fayette County Assessment Office – property valuations, tax assessment data, and exemption records
- Fayette County Tax Claim Bureau – delinquent tax records and tax sale information
- Pennsylvania Uniform Parcel Identifier (UPI) System – parcel identification and mapping
Online Search Methods:
1. Fayette County Recorder of Deeds Online Search
The Fayette County Recorder of Deeds maintains the official repository for all recorded property instruments. As stated on the office's official website, "These records are essential to ensuring legal property ownership and public transparency."
Primary Resource for Recorded Documents:
- Free public search available through the Recorder's online portal
- No registration required for basic document searches
- Document images available for viewing and download
Searchable By:
- Grantor name (seller/transferor)
- Grantee name (buyer/transferee)
- Document type (deed, mortgage, lien, etc.)
- Recording date range
- Book and page number
- Instrument number
How to Search:
- Navigate to the Recorder of Deeds official records portal
- Select the preferred search type (name, document type, or date range)
- Enter search criteria in the designated fields
- Review the results list for matching instruments
- Click on a specific record to view document details
- Access document images where available
- Note the book and page or instrument number for reference or certified copy requests
In-Person Search:
Fayette County Recorder of Deeds
Fayette County Courthouse, 61 East Main Street
Uniontown, PA 15401
Phone: (724) 430-1238
Fayette County Recorder of Deeds
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Public access terminals are available on-site, and staff members are available to assist with document retrieval and index searches.
2. Fayette County Assessment Office
The Assessment Office maintains property valuation records, ownership data, and exemption information for all parcels within the county.
Search Options:
- By property address
- By owner name
- By parcel identification number
- By map and lot number
Information Available:
- Current owner name and mailing address
- Parcel identification number
- Legal description
- Assessed land and building values
- Property characteristics (square footage, year built, lot size)
- Exemption status
- Sales history
In-Person Search:
Fayette County Assessment Office
Fayette County Courthouse, 61 East Main Street
Uniontown, PA 15401
Phone: (724) 430-1350
Fayette County Government
3. Fayette County Tax Claim Bureau
The Tax Claim Bureau maintains records of delinquent real estate taxes, tax sales, and tax claim filings under the authority of the Pennsylvania Real Estate Tax Sale Law, 72 P.S. § 5860.101.
In-Person Search:
Fayette County Tax Claim Bureau
Fayette County Courthouse, 61 East Main Street
Uniontown, PA 15401
Phone: (724) 430-1256
Fayette County Government
By Mail Requests:
Members of the public may submit written requests for recorded document copies to:
Fayette County Recorder of Deeds
61 East Main Street
Uniontown, PA 15401
Requests should specify the document by book and page number, instrument number, or property address with an approximate recording date range. Payment for applicable copy fees must accompany the request, and a self-addressed stamped envelope should be included for return correspondence.
Through Professionals:
Title companies conduct comprehensive title searches and produce abstracts of title identifying all recorded interests affecting a property. Real estate attorneys provide legal title opinions and assist with complex ownership or encumbrance issues. These professional services involve fees that vary by scope and provider.
Search Tips:
- When searching by owner name, attempt both last-name-first and full-name formats, and consider spelling variations
- When searching by address, try entries with and without directional prefixes (N, S, E, W)
- Very recent transactions may not yet appear online due to recording processing time
- Historical records predating digitization may require an in-person visit to the courthouse
- Staff at the Recorder's office can assist with locating records in original deed books or microfilm archives
What Is Fayette County Property Records
Fayette County property records are official legal documents related to real property — land and improvements — maintained by county government offices pursuant to Pennsylvania recording statutes. These records establish legal ownership, document the chain of title, record encumbrances such as mortgages and liens, and support property tax administration. Under 21 Pa. C.S. § 351, recorded instruments provide constructive notice to all subsequent purchasers and encumbrancers.
Types of Property Records:
Ownership Records:
- Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and special warranty deeds
- Trustee's deeds and sheriff's deeds
- Life estate deeds
- Transfer records and chain of title documentation
Encumbrance Records:
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Satisfactions and releases of mortgage
- Judgment liens, mechanic's liens, and tax liens
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Declarations of restrictions and covenants
- Lis pendens filings
Tax and Assessment Records:
- Annual property tax assessments
- Tax bills and payment history
- Homestead and farmstead exemption records
- Special assessments
- Delinquent tax records
Legal Description Records:
- Recorded subdivision plats
- Survey plats
- Condominium declarations
- Lot and block information
- Metes and bounds descriptions
Building and Permit Records:
- Building permits issued by the municipality
- Certificates of occupancy
- Zoning designations
- Code enforcement records
Who Maintains Property Records:
The Fayette County Recorder of Deeds is responsible for recording, indexing, and maintaining all instruments affecting title to real property, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats. The Assessment Office maintains valuation and ownership data for tax purposes. The Tax Claim Bureau administers delinquent tax records and tax sale proceedings. Municipal building and zoning departments maintain permit and code enforcement records independently.
Are Property Records Public Information in Fayette County?
Property records in Fayette 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, including recorded property instruments. No special permission, stated purpose, or residency requirement is necessary to inspect or obtain copies of property records.
Legal Basis for Public Access:
- Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.301
- Pennsylvania recording statutes establishing constructive notice
- Centuries-old common law tradition of public land records
- Constitutional protections for property rights
Why Property Records Are Public:
The public nature of property records serves multiple essential functions:
- Transparency: Public access ensures accountability in property taxation and prevents fraudulent or secret transfers of title
- Commercial purposes: Real estate transactions, title searches, mortgage lending, and property appraisals all depend on open access to recorded instruments
- Legal protections: Recording provides constructive notice, establishes priority of interests, and protects against fraudulent conveyances
- Public interest: Journalists, researchers, genealogists, and community planners rely on property records for historical and investigative purposes
What Property Information Is Freely Accessible:
- Current and historical ownership names
- Legal descriptions and parcel identification numbers
- Sale prices and transfer dates
- Recorded mortgage amounts and lender names
- Liens and encumbrances of record
- Tax assessments and payment status
- Property characteristics and improvement data
- Recorded plats, surveys, and subdivision documents
Privacy Considerations:
While property records are public, certain personal information is protected under Pennsylvania law. Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from recorded documents. Certain individuals — including law enforcement officers, judges, and domestic violence victims — may qualify for address confidentiality protections under applicable state programs. Homestead exemption applications may contain financial information that is not fully subject to public disclosure; the Assessment Office can provide guidance on applicable policies.
Who Can Access Property Records:
Any member of the public may access Fayette County property records regardless of residency, ownership status, or stated purpose. Common users include prospective buyers, real estate agents and brokers, title companies, lenders, appraisers, attorneys, investors, genealogists, and journalists.
Commercial Use of Property Records:
Commercial aggregation of public property records is legally permitted. Title insurance companies, data services such as CoreLogic and First American, and subscription-based research platforms compile public property data for professional use. Such use remains subject to applicable anti-harassment statutes, fair housing laws, and other legal restrictions on the use of personal information.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in Fayette County?
The Fayette County Recorder of Deeds charges standard fees for document copies and certified copies pursuant to Pennsylvania recording fee schedules. Members of the public may inspect records at no charge during regular business hours. The following fee structure is current as of the time of publication:
| Service | Standard Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of recorded document | $1.00 per page + $3.00 certification fee |
| Uncertified copy of recorded document | $1.00 per page |
| Online document viewing | Free (basic search) |
| Document recording (deeds) | $107.25 for first four pages; $3.00 each additional page |
| Document recording (mortgages) | $107.25 for first four pages; $3.00 each additional page |
| UPI (Uniform Parcel Identifier) fee | $20.00 per parcel (required at recording) |
Pennsylvania Realty Transfer Tax is imposed at the time of deed recording at a combined rate of 2% of the sale price (1% state, 1% local), pursuant to 72 P.S. § 8101-C.
Accepted Payment Methods:
- Cash
- Check or money order payable to the Fayette County Recorder of Deeds
- Credit and debit cards (fees may apply)
What Is Available at No Cost:
- In-person inspection of recorded documents at the courthouse
- Basic online index searches through the Recorder's portal
- Property assessment data through the Assessment Office
- General parcel information through county GIS systems
Fee waiver provisions are not broadly available for standard copy requests; however, government agencies and certain nonprofit organizations may be entitled to reduced fees under applicable Pennsylvania statutes. The Recorder's office can provide current fee schedules upon request.
What's Included in a Fayette County Property Record?
A complete Fayette County property record draws from multiple official sources and may include the following categories of information:
Ownership Information:
- Legal owner name(s) as recorded on the current deed
- Ownership type (individual, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants by entirety, trust, LLC, corporation, or life estate)
- Acquisition date and deed book and page or instrument number
- Mailing address for tax billing purposes
- Chain of title reflecting prior owners, transfer dates, and historical deed references
Property Identification:
- Site address and mailing address
- Parcel identification number and tax account number
- Legal description including lot and block, subdivision name, plat book and page reference, and metes and bounds description where applicable
Physical Characteristics:
- Lot size in square feet or acres, lot dimensions, and frontage
- Total living area, year built, number of stories, and building type
- Construction type, exterior wall material, roof type, and foundation
- Number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and total rooms
- Additional features including garage, pool, porch, fireplace, heating and cooling systems, and water and sewer source
- Condition and quality ratings
Valuation Information:
- Assessed land value and building value
- Total assessed value and estimated market value
- Historical assessed values for prior years
- Agricultural classification values where applicable
Tax Information:
- Current year tax amount, taxable value after exemptions, and millage rate
- Breakdown by taxing authority (county, school district, municipality, special districts)
- Tax payment history and delinquency status
- Applied exemptions including homestead, senior, disability, and veteran exemptions
Eligible Pennsylvania homeowners may apply for property tax relief through the homestead exclusion administered through the county assessment office. Additionally, older adults and persons with disabilities may qualify for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, which provides rebates of up to $1,000 for eligible applicants. Applications and payments are processed through myPATH, the Department of Revenue's online portal.
Sales History:
- Sale dates, sale prices, and deed document numbers for recent transfers
- Sale type (warranty deed, quitclaim, foreclosure, tax deed, gift, inheritance, or divorce transfer)
- Grantor and grantee names for each transaction
- Qualified or unqualified sale designation
Encumbrances and Liens:
- Recorded mortgages including lender name, recording date, and original amount
- Tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, HOA liens, and code enforcement liens
- Easements, restrictions, covenants, and lis pendens filings
Legal and Regulatory Information:
- Zoning classification and permitted uses
- Land use designation and future land use
- Special taxing district assignments (school, fire, water, and other districts)
- Flood zone designation per FEMA mapping
- Deed restrictions and subdivision covenants
Maps and Visual Information:
- Property photograph and aerial imagery
- GIS map with parcel boundaries
- Recorded plat map and property sketch
What Is Not Typically Included:
- Current outstanding mortgage balances (only original recorded amounts)
- Interior photographs
- Private agreements not submitted for recording
- Actual purchase contract terms beyond the recorded sale price
- Social Security numbers (redacted under Pennsylvania law)
- Confidential details from exemption applications
How Long Does Fayette County Keep Property Records?
Property records in Fayette 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 conveyance.
Legal Basis for Retention:
Pennsylvania's recording statutes and the Pennsylvania State Records Management Act, 42 Pa. C.S. § 6104, establish the framework for preservation of official public records. Recorded instruments are classified as permanent records and are not subject to routine destruction schedules applicable to administrative documents.
Records Kept Permanently:
- All recorded deeds, including warranty, quitclaim, trustee's, and sheriff's deeds
- All recorded mortgages, satisfactions, releases, and assignments
- All recorded liens and lien releases
- Subdivision plats, re-plats, and condominium declarations
- Easements, restrictions, covenants, and declarations
- Court documents and lis pendens filings affecting title
- Powers of attorney recorded in connection with property transactions
Format and Storage:
Historical records in the Fayette County Recorder's office exist in multiple formats depending on the era of recording:
- Pre-20th century records: Handwritten deed books maintained in the courthouse vault
- Early-to-mid 20th century: Typed entries in bound record books and early microfilm
- Late 20th century: Microfilm and early digital scanning
- Current records: Electronic document management systems with scanned images and digital originals
Online Availability by Time Period:
| Time Period | Availability |
|---|---|
| Recent (last 20+ years) | Fully online through Recorder's portal |
| Moderate age (20–50 years) | Partially online; microfilm available in-person |
| Historical (50+ years) | In-person access at courthouse; books and microfilm |
| Very old (100+ years) | Archive storage; staff retrieval required |
Assessment and Tax Records:
The Assessment Office retains property assessment rolls and property cards permanently. Tax payment records are retained for a minimum of seven years under standard retention schedules, while tax deed records are maintained permanently as recorded instruments. Exemption applications are retained for varying periods depending on the type of exemption and applicable retention schedules.
Requesting Historical Records:
Members of the public seeking historical records that are not available online should contact the Recorder of Deeds directly. Staff can retrieve documents from bound books, microfilm archives, or digital storage. Advance notice may be required for very old records stored off-site or in archival conditions.
Fayette County Recorder of Deeds
61 East Main Street
Uniontown, PA 15401
Phone: (724) 430-1238
Fayette County Recorder of Deeds
Preservation Efforts:
The Recorder's office maintains climate-controlled storage for paper records and microfilm archives. Digital records are maintained with off-site backup systems and disaster recovery protocols. Ongoing digitization projects continue to expand online access to historical documents, with some counties in Pennsylvania having digitized records extending back to the 1800s.
How To Find Liens on Property in Fayette County?
Liens on property in Fayette County are recorded instruments and are therefore searchable through the same official channels used for deeds and mortgages. A lien search requires examining multiple record sources, as different types of liens are filed with different offices.
Step-by-Step Lien Search Process:
-
Search the Recorder of Deeds index at the Fayette County Recorder of Deeds using the property owner's name as grantor or grantee. This search will identify recorded judgment liens, mechanic's liens, mortgage liens, and other instruments filed against the owner or the property.
-
Search the Fayette County Court of Common Pleas for judgment liens entered against the property owner. Judgment liens attach to all real property owned by the judgment debtor in the county where the judgment is docketed. The Prothonotary's office maintains the judgment index.
Fayette County Prothonotary
61 East Main Street
Uniontown, PA 15401
Phone: (724) 430-1272
Fayette County Government -
Search the Tax Claim Bureau for delinquent real estate tax claims filed against the property. Under the Pennsylvania Real Estate Tax Sale Law, unpaid taxes become liens against the property and are administered through the Tax Claim Bureau.
Fayette County Tax Claim Bureau
61 East Main Street
Uniontown, PA 15401
Phone: (724) 430-1256
Fayette County Government -
Search federal tax lien records through the IRS or through the Recorder of Deeds, where federal tax liens are required to be filed against real property pursuant to federal law.
-
Search municipal code enforcement records for any municipal liens arising from code violations, weed cutting, demolition, or other municipal services charged against the property.
Types of Liens Searchable:
| Lien Type | Where Filed |
|---|---|
| Judgment liens | Prothonotary / Court of Common Pleas |
| Mechanic's liens | Prothonotary / Court of Common Pleas |
| Mortgage liens | Recorder of Deeds |
| Real estate tax liens | Tax Claim Bureau |
| Federal tax liens | Recorder of Deeds |
| Municipal liens | Municipality / Recorder of Deeds |
| HOA liens | Recorder of Deeds |
Search Tips:
- Search under all name variations of the current and prior owners, as liens attach to the person rather than the property in many cases
- Verify that any lien of record has been released or satisfied before concluding a title search
- A professional title search conducted by a licensed title company or real estate attorney provides the most comprehensive lien identification and is standard practice in real estate transactions
What Is Property Owner Rule in Fayette County?
The property owner rule in Fayette County refers to the body of Pennsylvania law governing the rights, responsibilities, and legal standing of real property owners within the county. Property ownership in Pennsylvania is governed by a combination of state statutes, common law principles, and local ordinances.
Establishing Legal Ownership:
Legal ownership of real property in Fayette County is established by a recorded deed. Under Pennsylvania recording law, a deed must be recorded with the Recorder of Deeds to provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers and encumbrancers. An unrecorded deed may be valid between the parties but does not protect the grantee against a subsequent bona fide purchaser who records first.
Rights of Property Owners:
Pennsylvania property owners hold a bundle of rights that include the right to use, occupy, lease, sell, mortgage, and devise their property. These rights are subject to:
- Zoning and land use regulations imposed by the municipality or township
- Deed restrictions and covenants recorded against the property
- Easements granted to utilities, municipalities, or neighboring landowners
- Eminent domain — the government's power to acquire private property for public use upon payment of just compensation, as protected by the Pennsylvania Constitution, Article I, Section 10
- Property tax obligations — owners are required to pay annual real estate taxes assessed by the county, school district, and municipality
Homestead Protections:
Pennsylvania law provides certain protections for owner-occupied residential property. Eligible homeowners may apply for the homestead exclusion, which reduces the assessed value subject to taxation. Applications are submitted to the Assessment Office by the annual deadline. The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development administers the homestead exclusion program at the state level.
Transfer of Ownership:
Property transfers in Fayette County must comply with Pennsylvania deed requirements, including proper execution, acknowledgment, and recording. The Pennsylvania Realty Transfer Tax applies to most conveyances at the time of recording. Certain transfers — including transfers between spouses, transfers to or from government entities, and certain family transfers — may qualify for exemptions from the realty transfer tax under applicable Pennsylvania statutes.
Adverse Possession:
Under Pennsylvania common law and statute, a person who openly, continuously, exclusively, and hostilely possesses another's land for a period of 21 years may acquire legal title through adverse possession. Claims of adverse possession must be adjudicated through the Court of Common Pleas.
Landlord-Tenant Obligations:
Property owners who lease residential property in Pennsylvania are subject to the Pennsylvania Landlord and Tenant Act, 68 P.S. § 250.101, which governs lease terms, security deposits, habitability standards, and eviction procedures. Local municipalities within Fayette County may impose additional landlord registration or rental inspection requirements.
Fayette County Assessment Office
61 East Main Street
Uniontown, PA 15401
Phone: (724) 430-1350
Fayette County Government