Search Lackawanna County, PA Property Records

In Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, property records are managed through a structured system involving county-level offices and municipalities. County agencies handle the indexing of real estate documents and supervise assessments and land development. Local governments retain authority over records concerning zoning decisions and issued building permits.

Recent housing data indicates that the county reports a median home value of $165,300.00 and a median monthly rent of $925.00. The median household income stands at $62,181.00, while property owners typically encounter a median real estate tax rate of 1.54%.

Individuals seeking property records in Lackawanna County, PA, have several options for access, including online databases, in-person visits, and written requests. Each method serves a different purpose based on the type of record needed and the level of detail required.

For online research, the county provides dedicated tools for property and document searches. The Assessment Database Search allows users to review parcel data and assessment information. Meanwhile, the Self-Service Document Search focuses on recorded instruments such as deeds and mortgages.

For a compilation of general property details into one view, interested parties may begin with PropertyChecker. This platform can assist with identifying ownership and tax context before accessing official county systems for verification.

In-person access remains available for those who need physical copies or assistance with record searches. Requests can also be submitted by mail or email, which may be helpful for individuals outside the county. Phone contact is often used for guidance, though formal requests are still required for document release.

Parcel searches typically require a property address, parcel number, or owner name. Deed searches or other record instrument lookups often depend on grantor/grantee name, recording date, and instrument type.

Users should note that some records may have limited online visibility, and older filings may not appear in digital systems. Copies of recorded documents may also involve applicable fees.

The next sections outline specific property record categories and explain how to access each type in the county.

Property Ownership and Title Information

Ownership and title records in Lackawanna County are available through the Self-Service Document Search, which is managed by the Recorder of Deeds.

This database can reveal warranty and quitclaim deeds, mortgage filings, liens, and related documents that can confirm property ownership and title changes. Users can search by owner name, document type, or recording date to locate relevant filings.

For certified copies or records not available online, requests may be submitted in person at the Recorder of Deeds Office in Scranton.

Property Sales and Transaction History

Property sales and transaction history in Lackawanna County are primarily obtained by locating deeds filed with the Recorder of Deeds through the Self-Service Document Search. These recorded instruments document sale transfers, purchase amounts stated in consideration clauses, prior ownership, and financing activity tied to each transaction.

The Assessment Database Search also includes an Advanced/Sales Search feature that allows users to locate properties by sale date and reported sale price. This tool can assist with identifying comparable transactions and reviewing broader sales activity within the county.

PropertyChecker can also be utilized to pinpoint recorded sale events of county properties. It can track each transaction stage, log repeated sales actions, and clearly sequence ownership transfers.

Property Tax Assessment and Payment Records

In Lackawanna County, property tax assessment records are provided by the County Assessment Office and can be viewed through the Assessment Database Search. This system allows users to view assessed property values, exemptions, and classification data used by property tax assessors in determining taxable value.

Assessment appeals follow the county’s General Appeals Rules and Regulations and are filed with the Board of Assessment Appeals. Hearings are scheduled after submission, and supporting evidence is required for review and possible adjustment of assessed values.

To obtain tax payment records, interested parties can rely on municipal tax collectors, who track payments for each property. Delinquent taxes are managed separately by the Tax Claim Bureau, which offers a Delinquent Real Estate Taxes portal for remotely viewing delinquent account information.

Property Characteristics and Parcel Details

Property parcel searches can be conducted through the Assessment Database Search to obtain detailed parcel and property characterisitcs in Lackawanna County. This search process can be facilitated using the owner's name, parcel number, or address.

Records may show residential features such as living area, year built, remodel status, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and structural style. Additional information can cover heating system type, basement information, condition, and total fixtures.

Zoning, Land Use, and Planning Records

Municipal governments in Lackawanna County primarily handle zoning, land use, and planning records. These offices typically manage zoning maps, land development applications, and planning approvals.

For instance, the City of Scranton Planning Commission oversees zoning decisions and maintains records for development projects within its jurisdiction. It can provide access to its records through its municipal office or its website.

At the county level, the Regional Planning Commission reviews subdivision and land development plans. It supports coordinated planning efforts and guides regional growth. Property owners may contact this office for planning reports, development coordination, and related documentation.

Legal Documents Affecting Property

Lackawanna County residents can obtain legal documents affecting properties through the Recorder of Deeds. Common records maintained by this agency include liens, easements, judgments, mortgages, and releases. These documents may place financial claims, restrict use, or define access rights tied to a property, which can influence ownership and marketability.

The Recorder of Deeds offers the Self-Service Document Search for remote retrieval of these land records. Certified copies can also be requested directly from the office.

Building Permits, Inspections, and Construction Records

Building permits, inspections, and construction records in Lackawanna County are maintained by municipal building, permitting, and code enforcement departments. Records typically include permit applications, issued permits, inspection reports, and final approvals related to construction or renovation work.

For example, the Code Enforcement Officer in Old Forge Borough manages these records within its jurisdiction. The Building and Zoning Division in Jessup Borough also oversees permits and inspection documentation for local projects.

Most municipal offices provide access to these records through direct requests at their municipal halls. Some municipalities also provide online permit search tools that may show permit status, inspection results, and compliance details for specific properties.

Maps and Visual Property Data

Maps and visual property data in Lackawanna County are available through the GIS Viewer, which includes over 101,000 parcels. This mapping tool can show parcel boundaries, land area, and identification details. It could also feature flood zones, aerial imagery, and display measured distances, property dimensions, and neighboring parcels in spatial view.

Two primary tools provide access to parcel maps in Lackawanna County: the Assessment Database Search and the GIS Viewer.

The Assessment Database Search allows users to look up parcel records by Parcel Number, Owner Name (in last-name-first format), or Street Address, with an optional Municipality filter.

In addition to assessment details, the system may provide links to related map references or basic mapping views tied to a specific parcel. Results can be sorted by Parcel, Owner, Location, or Municipality in either ascending or descending order. The search also supports wildcard use; placing an asterisk or percent sign before a street name returns all properties on that street.

For more detailed mapping, the GIS Viewer uses ArcGIS Map Viewer to display Lackawanna County’s parcel layer, showing boundaries for different areas. Through the Layers panel, users can zoom to parcels, view properties, rename or remove layers, and organize the map. It is accessible without an account, but saving views requires registration.

Displayed here are charts summarizing the county's tax rates, accompanied by insights into median home values, income figures, and rent rates.

Median Rent

$925.00

Pennsylvania	$839.00
National	$840.25

• +10.3 %
  vs Pennsylvania
• +10.1 %
  vs National

Median Home Value

$165,300.00

Pennsylvania	$168,550.00
National	$173,750.00

• --1.9 %
  vs Pennsylvania
• --4.9 %
  vs National

Median Household Income

$62,181.00

Pennsylvania	$63,611.00
National	$65,108.00

• --2.2 %
  vs Pennsylvania
• --4.5 %
  vs National

Median Property Tax Rate

1.54%

Pennsylvania	1.3%
National	0.74%

• +18.5%
  vs Pennsylvania
• +108.1 %
  vs National

Unemployment Rate

2.76%

Pennsylvania	2.84%
National	2.87%

• -2.8 %
  vs Pennsylvania
• -3.8 %
  vs National

Renter Occupied Housing

31.66%

Pennsylvania	19.64%
National	21.81%

• +61.2 %
  vs Pennsylvania
• +45.2 %
  vs National

The Lackawanna County Recorder of Deeds records and maintains the official county property documents. It oversees instruments such as deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and releases, with records dating back to 1878.

These recorded instruments are relied upon by county offices during tax assessment, zoning reviews, and land use planning. Individuals may also utilize them for due diligence, title verification, refinancing, and real estate transactions.

Records from 1957 to the present are retrievable online using the Self-Service Document Search. For earlier filings from 1878 to 1956, interested parties can utilize the Index Book Search. These tools allow users to locate recorded documents by name, instrument type, or recording details.

In addition to online access, individuals can visit the Recorder of Deeds Office in person for direct assistance and to view public records.

Fees may apply for record copies, certified copies, and related services. Since the Recorder Fee Schedule does not specify copy fees, residents are encouraged to contact the office at 570-963-6775 for the latest copy pricing details.

Lackawanna County consists of 40 municipalities, each of which oversees its own property records within its boundaries. These records generally cover tax payments, zoning information, building permits, and code-compliance documentation.

The list below showcases all municipalities in the county along with links to their official websites:

• Cities

• Boroughs

• Townships

• West Abington (no official website found)

• Carbondale
• Scranton
• Archbald
• Blakely
• Clarks Green
• Clarks Summit
• Dalton
• Dickson City
• Dunmore
• Jermyn
• Jessup
• Mayfield
• Moosic
• Moscow
• Old Forge
• Olyphant
• Taylor
• Throop
• Vandling
• Waverly
• Benton
• Carbondale
• Clifton
• Covington
• Elmhurst
• Fell
• Glenburn
• Greenfield
• Jefferson
• La Plume
• Madison
• Newton
• North Abington
• Ransom
• Roaring Brook
• Scott
• South Abington
• Spring Brook
• Thornhurst