Philadelphia County, PA Property Records
Property records in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania provide important details about real estate ownership, assessed values, property boundaries, tax history, deeds, mortgages, and recorded transfers. These records are useful for buyers, sellers, homeowners, researchers, attorneys, and anyone verifying ownership, reviewing property taxes, or investigating a property’s history.
Official Philadelphia property records are maintained by city agencies such as the Department of Records and the Office of Property Assessment. Users can access public property information, including ownership and assessment data, through the city’s online tools. A good starting point is the City of Philadelphia’s official property records search, where users can look up parcels by address, owner, or account number and find links to related records and services.
Philadelphia County, PA Property Records & Statistics
Philadelphia County has a median rent of $1,213.50, well above the $839 across Pennsylvania and the $840.25 national figure. Homes are also pricier: the median home value is $236,700, compared with $168,550 statewide and $173,750 nationally. Housing here costs noticeably more than in most of the state, for renters and buyers alike.
The county's median property tax rate of 0.95% is lower than the state rate of 1.3%, though above the national rate of 0.74%. Median household income is $59,269.50, which trails both the state figure of $63,611 and the national figure of $65,108. Higher rents and home values paired with lower incomes point to a significant affordability squeeze for many households.
The unemployment rate is 4.68%, well above the state rate of 2.84% and the national rate of 2.87%, suggesting a weaker job market than in surrounding areas. Renter-occupied housing makes up 46.45% of homes in the county, far above the 19.64% state share and the 21.81% national share. That makes Philadelphia a distinctly renter-heavy market, in contrast with most of Pennsylvania, where owner-occupancy is the norm.
Taken together, the figures describe a dense urban housing market with high rents and values, a moderate tax rate, incomes below average, and a large rental population.
Median Rent
Median Property Tax Rate
Median Home Value
Median Income
Unemployment Rate
Renter Occupied Housing
Property Records, Assessments, and Valuations in Philadelphia
Philadelphia County property records cover tax assessments, recorded deeds and mortgages, property valuations, and foreclosure filings. The county has 583,950 total parcels, including 532,395 residential and 40,414 commercial parcels, with tax records covering 93.24% of the population for the 2024 assessment year. Recorded documents include 901,660 deeds and 702,797 mortgages, and valuation data is available for 457,514 properties.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Parcels | 583,950 |
| Residential Parcels | 532,395 |
| Commercial Parcels | 40,414 |
| Tax Record Coverage | 93.24% |
| Assessment Year | 2024 |
| Deed Records | 901,660 |
| Mortgage Records | 702,797 |
| Properties with Valuation Data | 457,514 |
| Latest Valuation Update | August 19, 2025 |
| Foreclosure Process | Judicial |
Assignment and Release Records
Assignment and release records track what happens to a mortgage after it is recorded. An assignment shows that a mortgage was transferred from one lender or loan holder to another, while a release shows that a mortgage was paid off and the lien lifted from the property.
Philadelphia County has 1,196,348 assignment and release records. They include 253,125 assignment documents, recorded from April 12, 2001, through September 2, 2025, and 940,155 release documents, recorded from January 2, 2005, through September 2, 2025, along with 3,068 other documents.
For property research, these records show who currently holds a mortgage and whether earlier loans were satisfied. Buyers, owners and title researchers can use them to follow a loan between lenders and to spot mortgages that may still be open before a sale or refinance. Searches can be made through the Philadelphia Department of Records search.
How to Search Philadelphia County, PA Property Records
Philadelphia's property records are kept by several city offices. The Department of Records records and maintains deeds, mortgages and other documents, while the Office of Property Assessment handles assessed values. Together they cover the county's 583,950 parcels, including ownership, valuation and recorded transactions.
To search recorded documents such as deeds and mortgages, use the Philadelphia Department of Records official records search. The Department of Records website provides office information, and the record a deed or other document service page explains how to record documents. For assessed values and property details by address, use the Philadelphia property search.
The Department of Records is at 1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, and can be reached at 215-686-2261.
Start with a property address, owner name or document details. Enter as much as you know, review the matching results, and open the record that fits the property. If something doesn't appear online, call the office that holds it.
Philadelphia Registrar of Deeds
The Philadelphia County Probate Office is located at 1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19107 and can be reached at 215-686-2261. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM. Records can be accessed through epay.phila-records.com or the official website phila.gov.
Philadelphia County Department of Records
Philadelphia County Property Records FAQ
How can I search Philadelphia County property records by address?
Use the Philadelphia property search and enter the street address to see ownership and assessment details for the parcel. For recorded documents tied to that property, use the Department of Records search. If an address doesn't match, try a shorter version or call 215-686-2261.
How can I find property owners in Philadelphia County?
Search the address in the Philadelphia property search, which lists the owner of record. To confirm how ownership was transferred, look up the deed through the Department of Records official search.
How can I check a property's assessed value in Philadelphia County?
Assessed values are available through the Philadelphia property search, maintained by the city's Office of Property Assessment. The county's tax records reflect the 2024 assessment year. Enter the property address to review the current assessment, and contact the city if you want to ask questions about how a value was set.
Where can I find Philadelphia County property tax bills and payment records?
Property tax bills and payments are handled by the city's Department of Revenue. Visit the Philadelphia Department of Revenue to look up a bill, pay online, or find payment options. You can also search the address in the Philadelphia property search to review a property's tax details.
How can I find deeds and other recorded documents in Philadelphia County?
The Department of Records keeps deeds, mortgages and other recorded documents. Search them with the Department of Records official search. The office is at 1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd, open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, and can be reached at 215-686-2261. You can also review how to record a deed or document.
Where can I access Philadelphia County parcel maps and GIS information?
Atlas is the city's interactive map. Search an address to see the parcel, zoning, permits and other property information in one place. Maps are helpful for reference, but they are not a legal survey, so use a licensed surveyor if you need exact boundaries.
How can I check permits and zoning information in Philadelphia County?
The Department of Licenses and Inspections issues building permits and enforces zoning and property codes. You can also search an address in Atlas to see zoning and permit history. Check these before buying property or planning construction or renovation work.
How can I create a list of property owners in Philadelphia County?
The online tools are built for one property at a time. Use the Philadelphia property search for individual owners and the Department of Records search for recorded transfers. For bulk requests covering many properties, call the Department of Records at 215-686-2261 to ask what is available.