Delco Property Records: Free Delaware County PA Parcel, Deed, Tax & Map Lookup
Use this Delco property records guide to get the right answer without bouncing between county pages. You’ll learn when to use the Real Estate and Tax Records system for parcel and homestead details, when to use Recorder public access for deeds and certified copies, when to contact Tax Claim for back-year taxes, and how to avoid the property-number mistakes that delay buyers, owners, title researchers, and taxpayers.
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Fastest Way to Search Delco Property Records
Which Delaware County Property Record Do You Need?
Delco property research is split between assessment records, recorded land documents, county tax records, delinquent taxes, school/municipal collectors, and map/GIS services.
| Your Question | Use This Source | What You Need | Do Not Confuse It With |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is the parcel or property ID? | Public Access → Real Estate and Tax Records | Address, parcel/property ID, owner clue from bill/deed, municipality. | A recorded deed or title report. |
| Do I have homestead status? | Real Estate and Tax Records | Search by address, then review the Homestead Status section. | School district application approval. |
| Where is the deed? | Recorder Online Records or Cloud Search | Parcel ID, grantor/grantee, document type, recorded date, document number. | Assessment owner summary. |
| Are county taxes paid? | Treasurer Pay County Taxes | Property ID from the tax bill, no dashes or spaces for payment lookup. | Back-year delinquent tax payoff. |
| Are there back taxes? | Tax Claim Bureau | 11-digit number ready before calling. | Current-year county tax only. |
How to Search Delaware County Real Estate and Tax Records
Use this route for property ID, parcel/folio details, assessment data, tax-record clues, building information, map number, municipality, and homestead status. The system includes a disclaimer, and the county notes that name searching and property photos have been removed for privacy and security.
Address
Best when you do not have the property ID. Use the site address, not a mailing address from a bill or owner record.
Property ID / Parcel ID
Use this for tax payments, Recorder searches, tax certifications, payoff calls, and record matching.
Name search/photos
Do not rely on owner-name search in the Real Estate and Tax Records system because the county removed name searching and property photos.
1Start at Delaware County Public AccessChoose Real Estate and Tax Records.▾
Open the county Public Access page, choose Real Estate Tax System / Real Estate and Tax Records, read the disclaimer, and agree only if you understand that online data is informational and not county-certified. Official action link: Delaware County Public Access.
2Search by address when you do not have the IDUse fewer words first.▾
Enter the street number and main street name. Remove apartment wording, punctuation, directional words, and road suffixes if results fail. Once the correct property opens, copy the property ID / parcel ID exactly.
3Save the fields that unlock other officesDo this before leaving the search screen.▾
Save property ID, parcel/folio number, map number, municipality, site address, assessment value, building details, homestead status, and tax-year clues. These fields are needed for Recorder, Treasurer, Tax Claim, school, municipal, and map questions.
How to Search Delco Deeds, Mortgages, Liens and Certified Copies
Use the Recorder of Deeds when you need legal documents such as deeds, mortgages, assignments, satisfactions, releases, liens, recorded maps, document images, and certified copies. Delaware County provides two official online search options: Recorder Online Records and Recorder Cloud Search.
| Need | Use | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| General recorded document search | Recorder of Deeds Online Records | Useful for document lookup by name, document type, date, and parcel/document clues. |
| Electronically certified copy | Recorder Cloud Search | The Recorder says electronically certified copies are only available through Cloud Search. |
| Property Alert | Cloud Search | Free alert emails can be sent when a document is recorded using your Property ID number. |
| Parcel-based Recorder search | Parcel ID | The Recorder states it is best to search using the Parcel ID number. |
1Find the parcel/property ID firstRecorder search works better with the property ID.▾
Use the Real Estate and Tax Records system first. Copy the property ID/parcel ID, address, municipality, and any owner or document clues from the assessment/tax record.
2Open the Recorder public access pagePick normal search or Cloud Search.▾
Open the Recorder public access page, then choose Recorder of Deeds Online Records for general search or Recorder of Deeds Cloud Search when you need an electronically certified copy. Official action link: Recorder Public Access Sites.
3Search with document cluesDo not use only a vague address.▾
Search grantor/grantee names, subdivision, document type, document number, recorded date range, and parcel ID where supported. In Cloud Search, parcel ID is shown in the format with dashes, such as xx-xx-xxxxx-xx.
4Check releases after mortgages or liensOne document rarely tells the full story.▾
After finding a mortgage, assignment, lien, or judgment-related record, search later dates for satisfaction, release, assignment, correction, or termination before assuming the claim is still active.
How to Check or Pay Delco County Property Taxes
Use the Treasurer for current-year county taxes and Tax Claim for back-year delinquent taxes, tax certifications, payment plans, and payoff-related questions. School district and municipal taxes may involve separate collectors, so verify each layer when buying or refinancing.
Treasurer
County tax bills, online county tax payment, receipts, and payment history account option.
Tax Claim Bureau
Delinquent taxes, payoff questions, tax certifications, and payment plans for qualified taxpayers.
No dashes/spaces
For online county tax payment, enter the Property ID number from the tax bill without dashes or spaces.
$25 fee
Tax Certifications are available from Tax Claim for $25 and combine current county and delinquent tax items.
1For current county taxes, use the Treasurer payment routeYou can pay as guest or create an account.▾
Open Pay County Taxes, click the payment icon, enter the Property ID number from the tax bill with no dashes or spaces, select the correct property, and continue to payment. If you want receipt history, create an account using email/password and activate by email. Official action link: Pay County Taxes.
2For back-year taxes, contact Tax ClaimHave the 11-digit number ready before calling.▾
For delinquent taxes, call Tax Claim with the 11-digit number ready. Delaware County gives an example format like 16-15-01234-56. Tax Claim phone: 610-891-4282. Official action link: Tax Claim Bureau.
3Use the right payment method for delinquent taxesRules differ from current-year online county taxes.▾
Delinquent taxes can be paid by mail or at the Tax Claim Bureau. Mail payments must be certified check or money order payable to “Tax Claim Bureau.” In-person Tax Claim payments may also accept cash, Visa, MasterCard, or Discover, with credit card payments subject to a 3% convenience fee.
How to Check Homestead Status in Delaware County
Homestead status can affect school tax relief where available. Delaware County says users can check homestead status by using Search by Address in the Real Estate and Tax Records system and reviewing the category for “Homestead Status – Current and Next School Bill cycle.”
| Question | Practical Answer | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Where do I check status? | Use Search by Address in the Real Estate and Tax Records system. | Review the Homestead Status area for the current and next school bill cycle. |
| Where do I apply? | Property owners must request an application from their school district. | Contact the local school district during the open enrollment period. |
| Is there a fee? | Delaware County states there is no application fee. | Do not pay third-party sites for a basic homestead form request. |
| Deadline? | Open enrollment runs December 15 through March 1; March 1 is the deadline for qualified applicants to receive consideration. | Submit early through the correct school district process. |
| Where is completed form sent? | Board of Assessment, c/o Homestead Coordinator, 201 W. Front St., Media, PA 19063. | Keep proof of mailing or delivery. |
How to Use Delco Parcel Maps and Custom Map Requests
Parcel information is maintained and distributed by the Delaware County Board of Assessments. For online parcel viewing, the county points users to Public Access and Real Estate and Tax Records. For custom maps or parcel data questions, contact the county mapping/GIS staff.
Public Access
Open the Public Access page and choose Real Estate and Tax Records to view parcel information.
Board of Assessments
For parcel data or property maps, county mapping pages list Anita Bostwick at 610-891-4793 or BostwickA@co.delaware.pa.us.
ODMI
Custom map print costs listed by the county range from $5 for 8.5”x11” to $50 for 48”x36”.
Assessment Appeal and Mailing Address Change Rules That Matter
Appeal forms need original signatures
Delaware County Board of Assessment says appeals must contain an original signature. Fax and electronic filings are not acceptable for appeals.
Postmark timing matters
Because USPS postmarks may be delayed, the county recommends hand delivery or getting hand-cancellation, certificate of mailing, registered/certified mail, or counter-purchased postage.
Appeal from board decision
An appeal from a Board decision must be made within 30 days from the Board’s issuance of findings, through the Office of Judicial Support. Filing fees may apply.
Address changes
Use the Board of Assessment online or printable mailing address change forms when tax bill mailing address information is wrong.
Delaware County Government Center Map
Most Delco property-record questions point back to offices at or near the Government Center in Media. Confirm the exact room, service hours, and document requirements before visiting.
Treasurer / Tax Claim / Board of Assessment
Government Center, Ground Floor, 201 W. Front St., Media, PA 19063. General county office hours: 8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday.
Recorder of Deeds
Government Center, Room 108, 201 W. Front Street, Media, PA 19063. Phone: 610-891-4152. Recording hours: 8:30am-3:30pm.
Mapping / ODMI
2 W Baltimore Ave, Suite 202, Media, PA 19063. Phone: 610-871-3899. Email: data_mapping@co.delaware.pa.us.
If Your Delco Property Search Fails
| Problem | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Cannot search by owner name | Name searching was removed from the Real Estate and Tax Records system. | Search by address or property ID. Use Recorder records for grantor/grantee document research. |
| Tax payment search fails | Property ID entered with dashes or spaces. | For Pay County Taxes, enter the Property ID from the tax bill with no dashes or spaces. |
| Recorder search returns too many results | Name-only search is too broad. | Add parcel ID, date range, document type, subdivision, or document number. |
| Need certified copy but cannot find option | Wrong Recorder platform. | Use Recorder Cloud Search, because electronically certified copies are only available there. |
| Back taxes unclear before closing | Current county tax and delinquent tax records are not the same thing. | Call Tax Claim with the 11-digit number and request proper payoff or tax certification guidance. |
Delco Property Records Tips Most Searchers Miss
Use these before buying, refinancing, appealing, ordering a certified copy, checking back taxes, or verifying a property in one of Delaware County’s 49 municipalities.
Copy the property ID exactly
That number connects assessment, tax payment, Tax Claim payoff, Recorder search, and map questions.
Use Cloud Search for certified copies
If an agency needs an electronically certified copy, skip normal search confusion and use Recorder Cloud Search.
Check all tax layers
County, municipal, school, and delinquent taxes may require separate verification before closing or refinancing.
Do not treat assessment as title
Assessment pages identify property and tax data. Recorded deeds and title review answer legal ownership questions.
Use the Property Alert
Recorder Cloud Search offers free Property Alert emails when a document records using your Property ID number.
Appeal by proof, not opinion
For assessment appeals, bring data: comparable sales, incorrect building facts, photos, permits, condition evidence, and correct measurements.
Delco Property Records FAQs
QHow do I search Delco property records online?▾
Start with Delaware County Public Access and choose Real Estate and Tax Records for parcel, assessment, homestead, and tax-record clues. Use Recorder public access for deeds and recorded documents.
QCan I search Delaware County PA property records by owner name?▾
Not in the same way many searchers expect. Delaware County says name searching was removed from the Real Estate and Tax Records system. Use address or property ID for assessment records, and grantor/grantee names for Recorder document searches.
QWhere do I find Delaware County deed records?▾
Use the Delaware County Recorder of Deeds public access page. Choose Online Records for general search or Cloud Search for electronically certified copies and Property Alert.
QWhat is the best number to use for Recorder searches?▾
The Recorder states it is best to search using your Parcel ID number. Find it first through the Real Estate and Tax Records system if you do not have it.
QHow do I pay Delaware County taxes online?▾
Use the Pay County Taxes page. Click the payment icon, enter the Property ID number from the tax bill with no dashes or spaces, select the correct property, and continue to payment.
QHow do I check Delco back-year taxes?▾
Contact the Tax Claim Bureau. Have your 11-digit number ready before calling. Tax Claim handles delinquent taxes, payoff questions, payment plans for qualified taxpayers, and tax certifications.
QHow much is a Delaware County tax certification?▾
Delaware County Tax Claim lists Tax Certifications for a fee of $25. They combine current county tax status with county, school district, and municipal delinquent tax items.
QHow do I check Homestead status?▾
Use Search by Address in the Real Estate and Tax Records system, then review the Homestead Status category for the current and next school bill cycle.
QCan GIS parcel maps prove legal boundaries?▾
No. GIS maps are helpful for research and parcel context, but legal boundary, easement, fence, and survey questions require recorded documents, surveys, or professional review.
QIs Property-Recordss.org the official Delaware County website?▾
No. Property-Recordss.org is an independent informational guide. Always verify official property records, taxes, deeds, certified copies, maps, appeal deadlines, and payoff details directly with Delaware County or Pennsylvania government sources.
Final Takeaway
For Delco property records, use Delaware County Public Access for parcel, folio, assessment, homestead, and tax-record clues. Use the Recorder of Deeds for deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, recorded documents, certified copies, and Property Alert. Use the Treasurer for current-year county tax payments and Tax Claim for back-year taxes, payoff questions, tax certifications, and delinquent balances.
Independent guide notice: Property-Recordss.org is not affiliated with Delaware County Government, the Delaware County Board of Assessment, Treasurer, Tax Claim Bureau, Recorder of Deeds, Office of Data and Mapping Innovation, any Pennsylvania court, school district, municipality, title company, lender, or surveyor. This page is for educational help only. Always verify parcel data, tax balances, deed copies, recording details, certified-copy rules, homestead status, appeal deadlines, legal descriptions, liens, and ownership status directly with official sources before making legal, financial, tax, title, or real estate decisions.