How to Record a Power of Attorney With the County Recorder of Deeds in Pennsylvania

If your power of attorney will ever be used for a real estate transaction in Pennsylvania — buying, selling, refinancing, or transferring property — it must be recorded with the Recorder of Deeds in the county where the property is located. An unrecorded POA is valid between the principal and agent but is not effective against third parties in the chain of title.

Here is where to go, what to bring, and what it costs.

When Recording Is Required

Recording is mandatory when the POA will be used for:

• Signing a deed to buy or sell real estate
• Executing mortgage or refinancing documents
• Transferring property between family members
• Signing settlement documents at a property closing

Recording is not required for POAs used only for banking, bill paying, healthcare decisions, or other non-real-estate matters. Many families never record their POA because they never need to use it for property transactions.

What to Bring to the Recorder of Deeds

The Recorder of Deeds office will need:

1. The original executed POA — fully signed by the principal, witnessed by two adults, and acknowledged before a notary. Under Act 95, all three are required.
2. The agent's acknowledgment page — attached to the POA per 20 Pa. C.S. § 5601(d).
3. Payment — cash, check, or credit card depending on the county. Some counties charge a credit card processing surcharge (Chester County adds 2.25%).

The document must be legible, on standard-size paper, and include the principal's printed name and address. Some counties require the property's parcel identification number if the POA is being recorded in connection with a specific transaction.

County Recording Fee Comparison

Fees vary significantly across Pennsylvania's 67 counties. Here are several examples:

Most POAs run 4 to 8 pages. A typical recording in a rural or suburban county costs $20 to $25 total; Philadelphia is significantly more expensive.

Call your county's Recorder of Deeds office before visiting to confirm current fees, accepted payment methods, and office hours. Many offices have reduced hours or require appointments.

Recording vs. Filing With the Register of Wills

These are two different offices that handle different documents:

• Recorder of Deeds: Records real estate documents, including POAs used for property transactions. This is where you file a POA.
• Register of Wills: Handles probate, estate administration, and inheritance tax. This is where you file a will after someone dies.

Do not go to the Register of Wills to record a power of attorney. They will redirect you to the Recorder of Deeds.

What Happens After Recording

The Recorder stamps the document with a recording date, time, and instrument number. You receive the original back (or a certified copy, depending on the county). The recorded POA becomes part of the public record in that county's land records.

If the POA is later revoked, the revocation should also be recorded with the same Recorder of Deeds office to ensure the public record reflects that the agent no longer has authority over property in that county.

Get the Recording Right

The Pennsylvania Power of Attorney Kit includes explicit real estate authority language formatted for county recording and a step-by-step filing checklist that covers everything the Recorder of Deeds requires.

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