According to the Philadelphia Department of Records, homeowners pay a $277.75 deed recording fee when buying or selling property. The fee is allocated to support various community programs.
The deed recording fee in Philadelphia is divided into several parts, including $110 for the recording process and $110 for the Philadelphia Housing Trust Fund. The fund is used for developing affordable housing, managing housing improvements, and assisting families in obtaining affordable homes.
Another portion of the deed recording fee, $40.25, goes to the Access to Justice program, which supports legal aid services for lower-income residents in Pennsylvania. Additionally, $15 is allocated to the Philadelphia County Demolition Fund, which funds the removal of dilapidated buildings.
A $0.50 portion of the deed recording fee—the State Writ Tax—goes toward state court operations, and $2 covers county administrative expenses. The Philadelphia Department of Records stated, "Every dollar helps make Philadelphia a better place to live, work, and raise a family."
The Philadelphia Department of Records welcomes inquiries from homeowners about the deed recording process and the allocation of fees. The department aims to provide transparency about how these fees are used.
