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PhilaDox: Obtain Property Records from the Philadelphia Department of Records
If you need a copy of a real estate document that was recorded in Philadelphia - such as a deed, mortgage, declaration of condominium, lis pendens, certificate of stock transfers, easement, etc. - check out PhilaDox.
PhilaDox is an online system that allows users to search for deeds and other property records from 1974 through the present (according to the site, “[d]ocuments are not searchable until two to four weeks after they are recorded”). PhilaDox is provided by the Philadelphia Department of Records, which maintains real estate documents from the late 17th Century to the present, among other responsibilities.
The database enables users to search within specific document categories by clicking on tabbed pages for Deeds, Mortgage, Assignment of Mortgage, Miscellaneous, and Uniform Commercial Code. The “Everything” tab searches across all categories.
To use Philadox to its fullest extent, users may create an account to find, print, and purchase documents. Registered users can subscribe to the system for varying rates based on subscription length, starting at $15 for a 24-hour period. Weekly, monthly, and annual rates are also available. See the PhilaDox website for more information on subscriptions.
There is also a Free Public Search option that allows users to search by property address or by the name of the property grantor/grantee only. This option provides access to unofficial, watermarked copies of documents. It does not allow users to print or to obtain a clean version of the actual document.
Users may also visit the Department of Records at Philadelphia City Hall, Room 154 (Mon. - Fri., 8:30 am - 3:30 pm) to use PhilaDox with the assistance of staff members or to request copies of documents ($2.00 per page).
The Department of Records also offers tools such as a Historical Index website (for viewing digitized versions of older record books), a Historical Land and Vital Records database, and Atlas to help Philadelphians find older records and additional property information.
