Montgomery County, PA

 Document Standards - update September 8, 2011 

STAMPED SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE OF SUFFICIENT SIZE TO ACCOMMODATE DOCUMENTS MUST BE INCLUDED WITH EVERY RECORDING OR REQUEST.

The following is a list of requirements that will help reduce the number of documents returned. These items are required by all Recorders who are members of the Pennsylvania Recorder of Deeds Association.

1. Acknowledgment date cannot predate document date.

2. Acknowledgment must include the following: County, State, date, person or corporate officer's  names and titles of persons appearing, notary signature, seal and expiration date. If any item is missing, the acknowledgment is defective.

3. Deeds and mortgages should indicate the property's  municipality, county, and state.

4. Numerical amount must match written amount on deeds and mortgages.

5. Book and page numbers of mortgages must appear on all documents that refer back to this document.

6. Transfer taxes or statement of value must accompany all transfers unless exemption is clearly stated in the deed (family transfers). The Department of Revenue requires statement of value form to be fully completed.

7. Multiple documents constituting one transaction must clearly indicate on each document the order of recording; any re-recording expenses from improper order of recording will be paid by party submitting document.

8. Re-recording of document must be re-acknowledged.

9. Deed with transfer tax in more than one municipality must stipulate division of transfer taxes.

10. Deeds and mortgages and assignments must have certified grantee/mortgagee address; certifications should be signed.

11. All checks must include the account holders address.

In addition to the above items Montgomery County requires:

A PIN (parcel identifier number) number must be on all documents. This is a 12 digit number in our county.

All documents must be registered by the Montgomery County Board of Assessments prior to being recorded.  The Montgomery County Board of Assessments is located directly across the hall from the Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds office on the third floor of One Montgomery Plaza.  

Pre-Registration of Deeds was rescinded as of December 9, 2008; however, some Boroughs and Townships still require registration of deeds after recording. It is the submitter's responsibility to take the deed to the municipality to be registered after it is returned to them from the Recorder of Deeds Office. 

The following is a list of the Boroughs and Townships that currently require Registration; however, the list and/or fee may have changed, so please contact the Borough or Township for their current regulation and fee.