Philadelphia Property Records: Free OPA Search, Atlas, Deeds, Taxes, Permits & Assessment Guide
Philadelphia property records are spread across several official city systems: Property Search for OPA/BRT assessment data, Atlas for a map-style property dashboard, Philadox and the Department of Records for deeds and mortgages, the Philadelphia Tax Center for real estate taxes, and the Board of Revision of Taxes for assessment appeals. This guide shows exactly where to search, which number to copy, what each record means, how to order deed copies, how to check tax relief, and when you need a title professional instead of a free public lookup.
Fastest Way to Search Philadelphia Property Records
Which Philadelphia Property Record Do You Need?
Philadelphia has one county-level recorder system because the city and county are consolidated, but assessment, tax, mapping, permits and deed records still live in different official portals.
| Your Question | Use This Official Source | What It Shows | What to Prepare |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is the property value or OPA number? | Property Search / Office of Property Assessment | Assessed value, building description, square footage, sales history, OPA/BRT account. | Address, city block or OPA/BRT account number. |
| Where is the property on a map? | Philadelphia Atlas | Address dashboard, map, OPA account, DOR map registry number, property assessments and related city layers. | Address, intersection, OPA account or DOR number. |
| Where is the deed or mortgage? | Department of Records / Philadox | Deeds, mortgages, assignments, satisfactions, recorded legal documents from 1974-present online, older copies by mail/in person. | Property address, OPA number, owner names, document type, date range, document number. |
| How much real estate tax is due? | Philadelphia Tax Center / Department of Revenue | Real Estate Tax bill, payments, refunds, assistance programs, liens and delinquent-tax risk. | OPA account number, address, tax year, payment proof. |
| Can I appeal the assessment? | OPA First Level Review / Board of Revision of Taxes | First Level Review, formal BRT appeal, market value appeal deadline, hearing path. | Assessment notice, photos, appraisal, comparable sales, property-characteristic errors. |
How to Search Philadelphia OPA Property Records
The City says Philadelphia Property Search can show assessed value, building description, square footage and sales history. Search by address, city block or OPA/BRT account number. The OPA account number is the same 9-digit number some older records call the BRT account number.
Address
Best when you do not know the OPA/BRT number. Use the property address, not a mailing address.
City block
Useful for comparing nearby rowhomes, commercial corridors and parcels on the same block.
OPA/BRT account
Best for tax bills, deed copy requests, appeals, Homestead checks and duplicate-address problems.
1Open official Property SearchStart here for value, property facts and OPA account number.▾
Open Philadelphia Property Search and search by address, city block or OPA/BRT account number. Official action link: Philadelphia Property Search.
2Confirm the right propertyPhiladelphia has many duplicate street names, unit numbers and rowhome addresses.▾
Match OPA account number, address, building description, square footage, sales history and any available map/address clues. Do not rely on owner name alone for legal conclusions.
3Save the OPA/BRT account numberThis number unlocks other city tasks.▾
Copy the 9-digit OPA/BRT account number, property address, assessed value, taxable value, Homestead status, sales history and any building facts. Use them for tax payment, appeals, deed research, copy requests and Atlas search.
How to Use Philadelphia Atlas for Property Records
Atlas is the city’s front-door map dashboard. You can search by address, intersection, property assessment account number or Department of Records Map Registry number. It is useful when you want one place to see the parcel on a map and jump into related property, assessment, deed, permit and city-service context.
Address or intersection
Best when checking a location, rowhome, vacant lot, storefront, rental property or construction site.
OPA account
Best when you already pulled the property from Property Search and want to map it.
DOR map registry number
Useful when your deed, map or Department of Records document uses a map registry reference.
1Open Atlas and search the addressUse Atlas when you want map context plus linked city records.▾
Open Atlas, type the property address, OPA account, intersection or DOR number into the search box, then select the correct property. Official action link: Philadelphia Atlas.
2Use tabs to cross-check recordsAtlas is a dashboard, not a full title report.▾
Check assessment, deeds, permits, violations, zoning and map layers where available. Use the information to identify official record numbers, then verify deeds through Department of Records and taxes through the Philadelphia Tax Center.
How to Search Philadelphia Deeds, Mortgages, Liens and Recorded Legal Documents
The Philadelphia Department of Records acts as the city’s Recorder of Deeds. Use it for deeds, mortgages, assignments, satisfactions, transfer documents and recorded legal documents. Philadox lets you search deeds and other property records from 1974 to present, view document information and watermarked copies online, and print documents/index information with a paid subscription.
| Need | Use This | Practical Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Current deed | Department of Records / Philadox | Search by address, OPA/BRT number, owner names, date range and document type. Compare against OPA sales history. |
| Mortgage or satisfaction | Recorded document search | After finding a mortgage, search later dates for release, satisfaction, assignment or modification. |
| Older document before 1974 | Mail or in-person Department of Records request | Philadox online search is strongest from 1974 forward; older recorded documents may require City Hall request. |
| Certified copy | Copy request through Department of Records | Use certified copy only when a lender, court, agency, title company or legal process requires it. |
| Deed/mortgage fraud concern | Department of Records fraud report and Fraud Guard | Fraud Guard sends email notifications when a document is recorded with your name on it, but it does not stop fraud by itself. |
1Open the deed copy and records routeUse the official city page before paying third-party sites.▾
Start with the City’s official deed-copy instructions, then use Philadox for online search if your document is from 1974 to present. Official action link: Get a copy of a deed or other recorded document.
2Understand Philadox costs before viewingSearching is different from printing/viewing full records.▾
The city lists Philadox subscription fees as one day $15, one week $60, one month $125 and one year $750. Online debit/credit card payments have a 3.5% convenience fee.
3Request by mail or in person when neededUseful for older documents or exact copy requests.▾
For mail or in-person copy requests, use City Hall, Room 154, 1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19107. Hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a note with the property address. Questions: 215-686-2292 or deedcopy.info@phila.gov.
4Do not confuse a deed copy with title insuranceA copy answers “what was recorded,” not “is title clear.”▾
A deed copy may show a transfer, but a closing-grade title search also checks mortgages, satisfactions, liens, judgments, water/sewer liens, estate issues, forged documents and other recorded or municipal claims.
$2/page
Copies of recorded legal documents are listed at $2 per page.
$2/document
Certification of copies of recorded legal documents is listed at $2 per document.
$278.75
The Department of Records fee schedule lists deed recording at $278.75.
$248.75
The Department of Records fee schedule lists mortgage recording at $248.75.
What to Know Before Recording a Philadelphia Deed or Mortgage
Recording requirements matter because rejected documents can delay ownership changes, closings, refinances and estate transfers.
| Requirement | Philadelphia Detail | Practical Step |
|---|---|---|
| Grantee / mortgagee address | Deeds, mortgages and assignments must have a signed certified grantee/mortgagee address. | Confirm full legal name and mailing address before signing. |
| Consideration | Consideration must be total and complete; numerical amounts must match written amounts on deeds and mortgages. | Check numbers and words before recording. |
| Transfer tax documents | Deeds must include applicable transfer taxes, Philadelphia Real Estate Transfer Tax Certificate and PA Statement of Value when required. | Prepare city and state forms before going to City Hall or mailing. |
| Payment checks | Fees and taxes must be paid with separate checks; personal checks are not accepted. | Make State tax check payable to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; City tax/recording fees payable to City of Philadelphia. |
| Card fee | Debit/credit card payments have a 3.5% convenience fee. | Budget for the fee or use another accepted method. |
How to Check Philadelphia Real Estate Tax Records
Use the Department of Revenue and Philadelphia Tax Center when the question is tax bill, payment, refund, delinquent balance, payment agreement, Homestead, LOOP, senior freeze or tax foreclosure risk. The City lists the Real Estate Tax due date as March 31 each year and the tax rate as 1.3998% of assessed property value.
March 31
Philadelphia Real Estate Tax is due March 31 each year.
1.3998%
Real Estate Tax is calculated from assessed property value.
Free
The City notes eCheck is free of processing charges; debit/credit card fees apply.
1.5%/month
Charges accrue at 1.5% per month beginning April 1 until January 1 of the following year.
1Find your OPA account number firstIt is the cleanest way to match the tax account.▾
Use Property Search or Atlas to find the 9-digit OPA/BRT account number. Then open Philadelphia Tax Center or the official Real Estate Tax page. Official action link: Philadelphia Real Estate Tax.
2Pay online, by phone, by mail or in personUse the correct account and tax year.▾
Use the Philadelphia Tax Center for online payment. For phone payment, call 833-913-0795. For mail, make payment payable to City of Philadelphia and include the OPA Account Number.
3If taxes are late, act before foreclosure risk growsPast-due taxes can lead to liens, added costs and foreclosure.▾
If a 2026 Real Estate Tax bill is not paid in full or placed into a payment agreement by December 31, 2026, the City says it can start foreclosure process. Older year debt can also face collection action. Official warning page: Warning of risk of tax foreclosure.
Philadelphia Homestead Exemption, Tax Freeze, LOOP and Payment Help
Philadelphia offers several relief programs for owner-occupied households. The Property Search calculator can help compare Homestead, LOOP, Low-Income Tax Freeze and Senior Tax Freeze estimates, but eligibility still depends on the official program rules.
| Program | What It Does | Key Action |
|---|---|---|
| Homestead Exemption | The current Homestead application page says it reduces the taxable portion of your property assessment by $100,000 if you own and use the home as your primary residence. | Apply online or by mail; once accepted, you generally do not reapply unless your deed changes. |
| LOOP | Helps longtime owner-occupants with substantial assessment increases, if income and other rules are met. | Check estimated savings in Property Search and confirm eligibility with Revenue. |
| Senior Tax Freeze | Income-based program for qualifying seniors that freezes Real Estate Taxes so they do not increase in the future. | Apply if age, income and ownership requirements match. |
| Low-Income Tax Freeze | Income-based program with no age requirement that freezes Real Estate Taxes. | Use if income qualifies and senior age requirement is not met. |
| OOPA / payment agreement | Owner-Occupied Payment Agreement can allow affordable monthly payments for past-due taxes based on income and ability to pay. | Apply before foreclosure risk escalates if you cannot pay in full. |
1Check relief status on Property SearchThe calculator can estimate potential savings.▾
Search the property at property.phila.gov and use the calculator to compare relief programs. Confirm whether Homestead already appears for the account before applying again.
2Apply for Homestead if eligibleYou must own the home and use it as your primary residence.▾
Use the official Homestead application page and online Tax Center application route. Official action link: Homestead Exemption application.
How to Challenge a Philadelphia Property Assessment
Assessment challenges have two main routes: OPA First Level Review and formal appeal to the Board of Revision of Taxes. The Board of Revision of Taxes hears property assessment appeals, while OPA handles First Level Review.
| Path | Use When | Important 2026 Detail |
|---|---|---|
| First Level Review | You received a Notice of Proposed Valuation and believe market value, characteristics, uniformity, exemption or abatement is wrong. | OPA says FLR requests must be submitted by September 1, 2026. |
| BRT formal appeal | You want a formal market value appeal or want to file in addition to/skipping FLR. | BRT says the deadline to file a 2027 market value appeal is October 5, 2026. |
| Late or special notices | Notice is dated after the first Monday of October of the preceding year. | BRT rules may allow 30 calendar days from notice date for certain late notices. |
| Penalty or bill dispute | The dispute is about tax interest, penalties or other city assessments, not real estate value. | Tax Review Board may apply; BRT is for property assessment value appeals. |
1Identify the exact appeal issueValue, characteristics, uniformity, exemption or abatement.▾
OPA First Level Review requires proof of incorrect market value/property characteristics, non-uniformity, or incorrect/missing exemption or abatement. Gather photos, recent appraisals, comparable sales and property-data proof.
2File FLR or BRT appeal by the deadlineDo not wait until the tax bill is due.▾
Use OPA First Level Review for informal review and Board of Revision of Taxes for formal appeal. Official appeal guide: Appeal a property assessment.
Philadelphia Deed Fraud, Mortgage Fraud and Tangled Title Help
Philadelphia’s Department of Records explains that tangled title can affect mortgages, property tax/utility issues, repair assistance, homeowners insurance, selling and transferring property. Deed or mortgage fraud is a serious form of tangled title, and the city provides reporting and Fraud Guard tools.
Name not on deed
You may live in and maintain the home, but legal ownership can still be unresolved if your name is not on the recorded deed.
Unexpected Records letter
The Department of Records sends current owners a letter when a deed or mortgage is recorded, partly to alert owners to possible fraud.
Fraud Guard
Fraud Guard sends an email notice when a document is recorded with your name on it and lets you view an unofficial copy from the alert.
1Review the recorded documentDo not ignore unexpected mail from Department of Records.▾
Use the notice, Philadox, Atlas deed tab or Department of Records help to identify the document type, recording date and parties. Check whether it reflects a purchase, refinance, inheritance, deed correction or unauthorized transaction.
2Report suspected fraud onlineYou do not have to go to City Hall to make a fraud report.▾
If you own a property and experience suspected deed or mortgage fraud, file a report with the Department of Records. Official information: Department of Records FAQ.
Philadelphia Property Records Office Contacts
| Office | Address / Contact | Use For |
|---|---|---|
| Office of Property Assessment | Property valuations, First Level Review, parcel consolidations/subdivisions. Main valuation help: 215-686-4334; FLR replacement form help: 215-686-9200. | Assessed values, OPA/BRT account, property characteristics, sales history, assessment notices, FLR. |
| Department of Records — Copies | City Hall, Room 154, 1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19107. Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Phone: 215-686-2292. Email: deedcopy.info@phila.gov. | Deed copies, recorded document copies, certified copies, older documents. |
| Department of Records — Recording | City Hall, Room 111, 1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19107. Hours: Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Questions: 215-686-2290 or recording.info@phila.gov. | Recording deeds, mortgages, assignments and other legal documents. |
| Board of Revision of Taxes | 601 Walnut Street, Suite 325 East, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Office open Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Formal property assessment appeals and market value appeals. |
| Department of Revenue | Real Estate Tax / property tax email: LawRealEstateTax@phila.gov. Tax Center for online payments and account actions. | Real Estate Tax payments, refunds, Homestead, OOPA, LOOP, tax freeze, delinquent taxes. |
If Your Philadelphia Property Records Search Fails
| Problem | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No OPA search result | Address formatting, unit issue, incorrect street suffix, or not using OPA/BRT number. | Search by fewer address words, city block, or 9-digit OPA/BRT account number. |
| Atlas shows property but deed history is unclear | Atlas is a dashboard, not full document-copy access. | Use the deed/document clues from Atlas in Philadox or Department of Records copy request. |
| Need pre-1974 recorded document | Philadox online search focuses on 1974-present records. | Request by mail or in person through Department of Records with property address and available names/dates. |
| Tax bill not received | Mailing address issue, recent sale, escrow issue or misplaced bill. | Search Philadelphia Tax Center by OPA account. Failure to receive a bill does not remove responsibility to pay. |
| Assessment seems too high | OPA reassessment, incorrect characteristics, missing exemption or non-uniform value. | Request First Level Review by the deadline or file BRT appeal with evidence. |
| Name is not on deed after inheritance | Tangled title or estate transfer not recorded correctly. | Use Department of Records records and legal help; tax/OPA pages alone cannot fix ownership. |
Philadelphia Property Records Tips That Save Time
Use these before buying, refinancing, applying for Homestead, checking a lien, investigating a rowhouse title, or filing an assessment appeal.
Copy the OPA/BRT number first
That 9-digit account number helps connect OPA, Atlas, Revenue, appeals and deed-copy research.
Use Atlas as the dashboard
Atlas helps you jump between map, assessment, deed, permit and violation clues, but verify official documents separately.
Search later recordings
After a mortgage, lien or assignment, search later dates for satisfaction, release, correction or cancellation.
Do not miss appeal dates
For 2027 values, OPA FLR and BRT deadlines fall in 2026. Waiting for the tax bill can be too late.
Check Homestead after deed changes
A new deed, inheritance, marriage/divorce, trust or title correction can affect relief status.
Watch city liens beyond taxes
Water/sewer, L&I abatement, nuisance and demolition charges can affect property risk, not just Real Estate Tax.
Philadelphia Property Records FAQs
QHow do I search Philadelphia property records online?▾
Use Philadelphia Property Search for assessed value, building description, square footage and sales history. Use Atlas for map/dashboard context. Use Department of Records and Philadox for deeds, mortgages and recorded legal documents.
QWhat is an OPA or BRT account number?▾
It is a unique 9-digit number that identifies a Philadelphia property. The Board of Revision of Taxes FAQ explains that OPA account number is the same as the old BRT account number.
QWhere do I find Philadelphia deed records?▾
Use the Philadelphia Department of Records. Philadox can search deeds and other property records from 1974 to present. Recorded documents from before 1974 can be requested by mail or in person.
QHow much does Philadox cost?▾
The City lists Philadox subscription fees as $15 for one day, $60 for one week, $125 for one month and $750 for one year. Online debit/credit card payments have a 3.5% convenience fee.
QHow much are Philadelphia recorded document copies?▾
The Department of Records fee schedule lists copies of recorded legal documents at $2 per page and certification at $2 per document.
QWhen is Philadelphia Real Estate Tax due?▾
Philadelphia Real Estate Tax is due March 31 each year. The City lists the tax rate as 1.3998% of assessed property value.
QWhat is the Philadelphia Homestead Exemption?▾
The current Homestead application page says it reduces the taxable portion of your property assessment by $100,000 if you own a home in Philadelphia and use it as your primary residence.
QHow do I appeal a Philadelphia property assessment?▾
You can request a First Level Review through OPA or file a formal appeal with the Board of Revision of Taxes. For 2027 market values, the BRT deadline shown by the City is October 5, 2026; OPA lists the 2026 FLR deadline as September 1, 2026.
QWhat should I do if I suspect deed or mortgage fraud?▾
Review the recorded document, file a report online with the Department of Records if you own the property, and consider legal help. Fraud Guard can email you when a document is recorded with your name on it.
QIs Property-Recordss.org the official Philadelphia website?▾
No. Property-Recordss.org is an independent informational guide. Always verify OPA records, deeds, liens, tax bills, Homestead status, copy fees, appeal deadlines and title issues directly with official Philadelphia or Pennsylvania sources.
Final Takeaway
For Philadelphia property records, start with Property Search for OPA/BRT account, assessed value, building details and sales history. Use Philadelphia Atlas for map-style record context. Use the Department of Records deed-copy route for deeds, mortgages and recorded documents. Use the Real Estate Tax page and Philadelphia Tax Center for tax bills, payment, Homestead and relief programs.
Independent guide notice: Property-Recordss.org is not affiliated with the City of Philadelphia, Office of Property Assessment, Department of Records, Department of Revenue, Board of Revision of Taxes, Philadelphia Tax Center, any Pennsylvania court, title company, lender, escrow company, attorney or surveyor. This page is for educational help only. Always verify property records, assessed values, deeds, liens, mortgages, copy fees, recording fees, tax balances, due dates, Homestead status, appeals, permits, violations, legal descriptions and ownership status directly with official sources before making legal, financial, tax, title or real estate decisions.