Philadelphia Department of Records – Philadelphia, PA

About the Department of Records

The Philadelphia Department of Records is the essential city agency responsible for the management and preservation of official municipal documents. 🏛️ Located primarily within City Hall (using the 1400 JFK Blvd entrance), this department serves as the Recorder of Deeds for the county. It is the primary destination for homeowners, real estate professionals, and researchers looking to record property transfers, collect real estate transfer taxes, or obtain certified copies of deeds and mortgages. 📝 Beyond land records, the department also manages the Public Safety Reports Unit, where citizens can request copies of police accident reports, fire reports, and EMS records.

Key Rooms and Services

The department operates out of several specific rooms in City Hall, each dedicated to different functions:

• Reference Room (Room 154): The main hub for searching and obtaining copies of deeds, mortgages, and liens dating back to 1974. (Older records are held at the City Archives).
• Document Recording (Room 111): The location for officially recording new real estate documents. Note that recording services often close earlier (around 3:30 PM) than general office hours.
• Police & Fire Reports (Room 168): The specific unit for obtaining traffic accident reports and fire incident records.
• Mapping Unit (Room 170): Maintains official city tax maps and registry plates.

Security and Payment Policies

Visitors must enter City Hall through the public visitor entrances (typically Northeast or Northwest corners) and undergo airport-style security screening. 👮‍♂️ Valid photo identification is required. When paying for services, please note the strict payment policy: Personal checks are NOT accepted. 💳 Acceptable methods include cash, money order, business/certified checks, or credit/debit cards (Visa/Mastercard/Discover/Amex) which incur a surcharge (typically 3.5%). Be prepared for lines, especially at the Reference Room and Document Recording counters.