Chester County Property Search
Chester County Property Records are official documents containing the details of various real property in the county. These include property title details, deeds and mortgage reports, index maps, and liens/encumbrances.
A Chester County property search can help interested persons find publicly available information on real estate in the county. The information obtained can help a search review a property's market value, settle boundary disputes, and gather pre-purchasing information during a real estate transaction.
The County Recorder of Deeds is in charge of keeping and maintaining all county property records and related Chester County Public Records pertaining to the county. The office operates multiple databases that members of the public can use to obtain property records online. Inquirers are required to provide information to facilitate the search, follow the document recording requirements and take note of fee schedule when performing a property search.
Are Chester County Property Records Public?
Yes. According to Pennsylvania Right to Know Law, Chester County Property Records are available for public viewing. However, the law includes various exceptions to public property records disclosure in the county. Some records are considered private and exempt from public disclosure because of the following information:
- Personal details and identity of confidential informants
- Financial information
- Personal phone numbers
- Social Security numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Employee numbers
- Addresses of law enforcement and judges.
What Does Chester County Property Records Contain?
Chester County Property Records contain information, such as deeds and mortgage records, details of the legal description of the property, and transfer of ownership title. Below are details on the various kinds of information in a typical property record in Chester County.
- Grant Deeds: A grant deed contains the details of the transfer of a property's title from an old owner to a new owner. This guarantees the new owner that they are the only ones with title to the property. Transactions and payments are involved and there are no outstanding or undisclosed liens recorded.
- Mortgage Records: This contains the transactions that bind a property owner to the mortgage lender. It shows the amount a property owner paid for the property and the amount the mortgage lender contributed. Mortgage records also document the payment schedule, the interest rate, and legal recourse for cases where the homeowner fails to pay.
- Special Warranty Deeds: This contains the details of a property's ownership transfer. It assures the buyer that the seller has the right to transfer the property. It may also include the absence of any liens or encumbrances while the seller used the property. However, the buyer may still encounter outstanding liens before the seller's time.
- Index Maps: Provides a visual description of a property and includes parcel, survey, and subdivision maps. Parcel maps determine the property's boundaries around others while Survey maps show a property's exact dimensions. Subdivision maps help explain how large properties break into smaller lots.
Where to Perform a Chester County Property Lookup
Individuals interested in performing a Chester County property lookup may visit the Chester County Recorder of Deeds office. The Recorder of Deeds preserves and archives all property and land transfer-related records. Documents recorded after 1994 can be printed from the website using an online records search database.
To submit a written request to the Office of the Recorder of Deeds, requesters must include:
- Owner's name
- The book and page number of the document
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
- A check covering the fee.
The fee to make a request is $5 per page and will require $1.50 to certify the document if needed. To obtain a document through fax, one must provide a book and page number. The fee is $5 per page and an additional $1 fax charge. However, the office may not be able to certify copies sent by fax.
How to Perform a Property Owner Lookup in Chester County
Persons interested in conducting a property owner lookup in Chester County can visit ChescoViews, an online platform created by the county government to facilitate online searches for property information. Requestors can use the owner's name, address, or other details to search for property records.
How to Find Chester County Property Records Online
The Chester County Recorder of Deeds office provides an online record search database for interested members in the county. Some of the property documents are made available through Info Quick Solutions (IQS). Individuals who wish to find the records for a specific property online must provide the necessary details to facilitate the search. These include the property owner's name or the street name and house number of the property of interest.
Members of the public can search and view all documents for free and the images can be printed or downloaded for $0.50 per page. Requesters can access property documents and images by creating a user account or signing up as a guest.
How to Find Property Owner by Address for Free
To find property owners by address for free, visit the ChescoViews website. It is an online GIS application that provides access to county property records. Search information to help locate properties in the county for free include:
- Owner Name
- Street Name
- Street Intersections
- Parcel Identification Number
- UPI number
- Municipality.
Chester County Property Tax Lookup
Members of the public interested in obtaining property tax information in Chester County can visit the County's Personal Property Tax Office. The county government uses the property tax as a revenue source for the 14 school districts and 73 municipalities in Chester County. These sources include funding public services like schools, roads, bridges, parks, and the police.
Chester County Property Office
313 West Market Street
Suite 4202
West Chester, PA 19380-0991
Phone: (610) 344-6105
However, note that Pennsylvania tax records are private and may only be accessible to the taxpayer or per a release the taxpayer confirms. All requests for tax records must be submitted using the REV-467, Authorization for Release of Tax Records.
The Chester County Tax Claim Bureau is responsible for the collection of all real estate taxes within the county. Upon request, the Bureau also provides Tax Certifications regarding paid and unpaid taxes in the county.
How to Find Chester County Property Appraiser
To find a Property Appraiser in Chester County, visit the State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers website. The Board manages the certification of real estate appraisers and assessors in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In Chester County, the Property Assessment Office is accessible to property owners, tax agencies, and customers who depend on property data to perform business activities. This department is responsible for the following:
- Place value on real properties in the county
- Provide tax roll certification and data distribution services
- Appeals all current property assessments
- Change mailing address for tax billing
- Executes homestead and farmstead exclusion enrollment
- Ensures annual assessment appeal filing
Chester County Assessment Office
313 West Market Street
Suite 4202
West Chester, PA 19380-0991
Phone: (610) 344-6105
Fax: (610) 344-5902
Chester County Property Assessor
The Office of the Property Assessor handles the appraising, assessing, and mapping of property in the county. Contact the office for the following services:
- Providing property tax bill
- Property tax payment
- Changes and upgrade report
- Retrieving information on property's tax assessment
- Serving and confirming property tax due dates.
Chester County Assessor's Office
121 North Walnut Street
Suite 200
West Chester, PA 19380
Phone: (610) 344-6105
