Property records in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, are maintained by both county-level offices and individual municipalities. The county acts as the central authority for legal ownership records, including deeds, liens, and mortgage filings. Municipal offices contribute additional documents related to zoning classifications, development approvals, and construction permits.
Recent figures from county property records reveal that Delaware County has a median home value of $246,800.00 and a median rent of $1,237.00. Household income levels average $96,689.00, while property owners typically pay median real estate taxes of 2.21% based on assessed values.
How to Search for Property Records in Delaware County
Delaware County, PA, offers multiple ways to search for property records, depending on the level of detail required.
Online systems provide convenient access to many commonly requested records. The Public Access System allows users to locate assessment, valuation, description, tax, and other property-related data. In addition, the Recorder of Deeds Online Services platform is available, focusing on recorded instruments such as deeds and mortgages.
In-person visits are still useful for reviewing physical documents or requesting official copies. Requests may also be submitted by mail or email, depending on the office and the document type. Response times vary based on request volume and record availability.
PropertyChecker provides an alternative way to search for property information using aggregated public data. Individuals can review ownership details, parcel information, and property history to support preliminary research before accessing official county systems.
Preparing before searching a property record in Delaware County is essential. Property owners should have the property address, parcel number, or owner name available to narrow down search results.
Also, access restrictions may apply to specific records. Recently filed documents, sensitive data, or restricted legal filings may not appear online. Some materials may only be accessible through in-person review or formal written requests.
Property Ownership and Title Information
Property ownership and title records in Delaware County are accessed through the Recorder of Deeds Online Services and in person at the Delaware County Recorder of Deeds. Available documents include deeds, mortgages, releases, assignments, and property transfer records filed with the county.
The online system enables users to view indexed information and recorded document images for most filings. Searches may be completed using the owner’s name, property address, or document reference number. Certified copies and certain older records require an in-person visit to the Recorder of Deeds office at Room 108 in the Delaware County Government Center.
Property Sales and Transaction History
Property sales and transaction history in Delaware County is available through the Recorder of Deeds Online Services and the Public Access System. These online databases may provide records showing sale dates, transfer amounts, grantor and grantee names, and related document references, when available.
PropertyChecker also offers a centralized way to review property sales information compiled from multiple public record sources. It allows owners and property appraisers to examine prior transactions, track ownership changes over time, and observe patterns in recorded sales activity.
Property Tax Assessment and Payment Records
The Delaware County Board of Assessment provides access to property tax assessment records through office visits and the county’s Public Access System. Available information often includes assessed values, improvement details, and assessment history reviewed by property tax assessors. Property owners who disagree with an assessment may submit an appeal directly to the Board during the designated appeal period.
Meanwhile, the Delaware County Treasurer’s Office maintains property tax payment records. Tax amounts and payment history are available through the Public Access System. The Treasurer’s Online Property Tax Payment database also allows users to view outstanding balances and submit property tax payments online.
For delinquent property tax details, individuals can direct their queries to the Tax Claim Bureau.
Property Characteristics and Parcel Details
Property characteristics and parcel details in Delaware County are commonly accessed through the Public Access System. A property parcel search can be conducted using the database, where interested parties can search by parcel ID. The search process can reveal year built, property type, lot size, building attributes, land use codes, and improvement details, depending on availability.
When the parcel ID is not known, the Public Access System supports search by address. It also offers an advanced search option where users can apply multiple property criteria to narrow results and locate specific parcels more efficiently.
Zoning, Land Use, and Planning Records
Municipal planning and zoning offices provide the primary access to zoning and land-use records in Delaware County. These offices maintain zoning maps, ordinances, variance records, and development approvals for properties within their jurisdictions. Records may be accessed through municipal websites or by visiting local offices.
The Delaware County Planning Department assists municipalities with zoning ordinance development, updates, and long-range planning efforts. It also publishes county-level planning resources, including land use plans and development guidance, which may support zoning research and compliance.
Legal Documents Affecting Property
The Delaware County Recorder of Deeds maintains legal documents affecting property in Delaware County. Common filings, such as deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, assignments, easements, and property transfer records, document ownership changes and recorded legal interests in real estate.
Certified copies of these records are available at the Recorder of Deeds’ office. Those seeking documents online can use the Recorder of Deeds Online Services, which accepts searches by name, document number, document type, recording date, and legal description.
Building Permits, Inspections, and Construction Records
Local municipal building and code enforcement offices in Delaware County maintain building permits, inspection reports, and construction records. Records typically include permit applications, inspection results, certificates of occupancy, and compliance documentation.
Access to these records varies by municipality. For example, the Haverford Township Building and Codes Department provides a Citizen Portal where one can search for permit details using property information and permit, license, and reference numbers. Other municipalities may provide similar online systems or require in-person requests at the local building office.
Maps and Visual Property Data
Maps and visual property data in Delaware County are accessible via the Public Access System’s Map Search feature. Nearly 208,000 parcels are included, with possible details such as lot size, land area, and parcel boundaries. The application supports aerial views and multiple map overlays, including zoning and land use.
Users may search the application by property address or parcel ID to examine maps and associated property information.
How to Do a Delaware County Parcel Search
Delaware County parcel searches are conducted through the County Public Access System, which provides access to the assessment office’s property records database. The platform is designed to be user-friendly and offers several ways to locate a property.
Users can choose from four search options: Search by Address, Search by Parcel ID, Advanced Search, and Map Search. When searching by address, it is best to enter only the street name without suffixes such as St., Ave., or Blvd., and an asterisk may be used as a wildcard if needed. The Parcel ID search accepts all or part of an 11-digit parcel number, entered without hyphens.
For more refined results, the Advanced Search allows users to combine multiple criteria, such as Municipality and Street Name. Alternatively, the Map Search provides an interactive county map where parcels can be located visually or by entering a parcel ID in the search field.
Delaware County Property Statistics
Displayed here are charts summarizing the county's tax rates, accompanied by insights into median home values, income figures, and rent rates.
Median Rent
| Pennsylvania |
$839.00
|
| National |
$840.25
|
-
+47.4 %vs Pennsylvania
-
+47.2 %vs National
Median Home Value
| Pennsylvania |
$168,550.00
|
| National |
$173,750.00
|
-
+46.4 %vs Pennsylvania
-
+42.0 %vs National
Median Household Income
| Pennsylvania |
$63,611.00
|
| National |
$65,108.00
|
-
+52.0 %vs Pennsylvania
-
+48.5 %vs National
Median Property Tax Rate
| Pennsylvania |
1.3%
|
| National |
0.74%
|
-
+70.0%vs Pennsylvania
-
+198.6 %vs National
Unemployment Rate
| Pennsylvania |
2.84%
|
| National |
2.87%
|
-
+32.4 %vs Pennsylvania
-
+31.0 %vs National
Renter Occupied Housing
| Pennsylvania |
19.64%
|
| National |
21.81%
|
-
+41.2 %vs Pennsylvania
-
+27.1 %vs National
Delaware County Registrar of Deeds
The Delaware County Recorder of Deeds preserves real property records dating back to 1789. The office maintains deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, assignments, easements, and property transfer documents.
Records maintained by the office establish legal ownership. They also affect other property information, including assessment values, zoning classifications, and land use decisions managed by county and municipal offices.
The property documents can be accessed in person at the Recorder of Deeds Office in Media, Pennsylvania. In addition, online access is available through two platforms: Recorder of Deeds Online Services and Official Records Search (Cloud Search).
Both platforms provide copies of land records; however, electronically certified copies are offered exclusively through Cloud Search. Individuals can search these databases using criteria like name, recording date, document type, and book/page reference.
Fees apply for copies and certification. Online copies cost $0.50 per page, while copies obtained in the office are $1 per page. For certification fees or additional information, contact the Recorder of Deeds at 610-891-4152.
Municipality-Level Property Records Information
Delaware County comprises 49 municipalities. While the county maintains deeds and other property-related legal records, individual municipalities oversee zoning, land use planning, and other locally managed documents.
The section below lists all municipalities in the county, along with links to their official websites for direct access to local records and resources.
- Aldan Borough
- Aston Township
- Bethel Township
- Brookhaven Borough
- Chadds Ford Township
- Chester City
- Chester Heights Borough
- Chester Township
- Clifton Heights Borough
- Collingdale Borough
- Colwyn Borough
- Concord Township
- Darby Borough
- Darby Township
- East Lansdowne Borough
- Eddystone Borough
- Edgmont Township
- Folcroft Borough
- Glenolden Borough
- Haverford Township
- Lansdowne Borough
- Lower Chichester Township
- Marcus Hook Borough
- Marple Township
- Media Borough
- Middletown Township
- Millbourne Borough
- Morton Borough
- Nether Providence Township
- Newtown Township
- Norwood Borough
- Parkside Borough
- Prospect Park Borough
- Radnor Township
- Ridley Park Borough
- Ridley Township
- Rose Valley Borough
- Rutledge Borough
- Sharon Hill Borough
- Springfield Township
- Swarthmore Borough
- Thornbury Township
- Tinicum Township
- Trainer Borough
- Upland Borough
- Upper Chichester Township
- Upper Darby Township
- Upper Providence Township
- Yeadon Borough
County Offices That Maintain Delaware County Property Records
Several departments within Delaware County manage property records. These offices act as official points of access for deeds, ownership histories, and other real estate documents. The following list highlights the main offices and their contact details.
Delaware County Recorder of Deeds
- Government Center, Room 108, 201 W. Front Street, Media, PA 19063
- 610-891-4152
Delaware County Treasurer’s Office
- Government Center, Ground Floor, 201 W. Front St., Media, PA 19063
- 610-891-4273
- 610-891-4883
Delaware County Planning Department
- 2 W. Baltimore Avenue, Suite 202, Media, PA 19063
- 610-891-5200
- Planning_Department@co.delaware.pa.us
Other Counties in Pennsylvania
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