Property Records

Philadelphia County property records—including deeds, ownership history, liens, and appraisals—are publicly accessible through two main tools: Atlas (atlas.phila.gov) and the Property App (property.phila.gov). Deeds can be searched and purchased through the Department of Records’ Public Access Web portal, and questions can be directed to the Office of Property Assessment at (215) 686-4334.

Atlas (atlas.phila.gov) serves as a broad gateway to city data, letting users look up permits, zoning details, and document archives tied to a specific address. The Property App (property.phila.gov), meanwhile, focuses specifically on ownership, sales history, value, and physical characteristics of a property. Users can search either tool by address, property account number, or Department of Records Map Registry number.

What Are Deeds and How Do You Look Them Up in Philadelphia?

A deed is the legal document that transfers ownership of real property from one party to another. It’s arguably the most important document in any property’s history, since it provides the legal proof of who holds the title.

Philadelphia deeds can be searched through the Department of Records’ Public Access Web portal (epayss.phila-records.com). This system functions like a digital card catalog—it helps users locate the index entry for a document, though it notes that the index itself shouldn’t be relied upon as a substitute for the underlying document. Since November 2008, Philadelphia has also required a name match between the seller and buyer listed on a deed and the names from the prior transaction, under City Council Bill No. 080424-A.
Attorneys and title companies can bypass this requirement by submitting an affidavit form instead. Appraisers play a key role in determining a property’s assessed value, which affects everything from tax bills to resale pricing. The Property App provides historical property values dating back to 2025 and across many previous years, letting users track how a property’s assessed value has changed over time.

What Does It Cost to Get Deed Records in Philadelphia?

Fees for official property records vary depending on what’s requested. Standard lookups through the Public Access Web portal are typically less expensive than certified copies, which carry additional legal weight and are often required for formal transactions like refinancing or legal disputes.

For specific property questions, corrections, or official inquiries, residents can submit a request directly through the Office of Property Assessment’s inquiry system or call (215) 686-4334 for assistance. This is especially useful if a property doesn’t appear in a standard search or if there’s an error on record.