Lehigh County Property Records Search: Free Owner, PIN, Deed, Tax Claim & Parcel Map Guide
Lehigh County property records are easiest to search when you begin with the county’s Online Records Access property search, then move only to the office that answers your exact question. Use ORA for owner display, address, PIN/PAR, school district, tax authority, assessed value and sales history; use LANDEX and the Recorder of Deeds for deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, maps and land documents; use the Tax Claim Bureau for delinquent tax search, certified tax searches and tax-sale questions; and use Parcel Viewer/GIS for map context—not legal boundary proof.
Fastest Way to Search Lehigh County Property Records
Lehigh County Records Are Split by Office and Purpose
A property overview, deed image, tax claim balance and parcel map can describe the same property, but each answers a different user question. This table prevents wrong-office searches.
| Your Question | Correct Route | What It Shows | What It Does Not Prove |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who owns this property? | Online Records Access / Assessment | Owner display, owner mailing address, property address, parcel ID, tax authority, school district, class, land use, assessment and sales history. | Complete title chain or current lien payoff. |
| Where is the deed or mortgage? | Recorder of Deeds / LANDEX | Deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, releases, assignments, maps and older indexes. | Delinquent tax balance or tax-sale status. |
| Are delinquent taxes owed? | Lehigh County Tax Claim Bureau | Delinquent tax parcel search, certified tax search, payment options, upset sale, judicial sale and repository sale details. | Assessment fairness or ownership title. |
| Where is the parcel on a map? | Parcel Viewer / Lehigh County GIS | Parcel geometry, location context, municipality context and neighboring parcels. | Survey-grade boundary line or easement rights. |
| How do I appeal value? | Assessment Office / Board of Assessment Appeals | Appeal form, filing address, evidence requirements and hearing process. | That a tax bill will be reduced without a successful appeal. |
How to Use Lehigh County Online Records Access for Property Search
Lehigh County ORA is the fastest starting point for owner display, owner address, property address, tax authority, school district, parcel ID, old parcel ID, acreage, lot square feet, class, land use, Homestead Act 72 indicator, Act 319 indicator, assessment base year, assessed value and sales history.
4 characters minimum
The ORA property search requires at least four characters in the search text.
No special characters
Remove punctuation and symbols before searching if the first attempt fails.
PIN or PIN + PAR
Search a 12-digit PIN alone, or enter PIN and PAR separated by a space.
Try Parcel Viewer
If text search fails, use map search to locate the property visually.
1
Clean your search text firstThis prevents the most common Lehigh ORA search failure.
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Use at least four characters and remove special characters. For streets, use accepted suffix abbreviations such as AVE, BLVD, CIR, CT, DR, LN, PKWY, PL, RD, ST, TER or WAY. Use direction letters such as N, S, E, W, NE, NW, SE or SW when needed.
2
Open the official property searchUse ORA before paid people-search or property-data sites.
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Open the Lehigh County property search, enter your cleaned search text, select the search type, complete the CAPTCHA, and click Search. Official action link: Lehigh County Online Records Access Property Search.
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Save the fields that matterYou will reuse them in Tax Claim, LANDEX and map research.
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Copy owner name, owner address, property address, tax authority, school district, parcel ID, old parcel ID, acreage, class, land use, Homestead Act 72 status, Preferential Land Act/Act 319 status, total assessment, taxable assessment and sales history document ID.
4
Use sales history carefullyA sale row is a clue, not a title report.
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If the property page shows sale date, owner name, document ID and sale price, use those details to search Recorder/LANDEX records. Do not assume the sales history alone proves clear ownership or absence of liens.
How to Search Lehigh County Deeds, Mortgages, Liens, Maps and Land Records
Use the Recorder of Deeds when you need recorded land documents. Lehigh County’s online access points include LANDEX records from 1812 to present, Russell Index Books for older indexing, and Recorder records for deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, releases, assignments, subdivision maps, survey plans, condo plans, powers of attorney and other real estate instruments.
LANDEX Webstore
Best for occasional searchers. Search is free, with fee to view or print documents.
LANDEX Remote
Better for regular users who need deeper search access, indexes and images.
1812-1983 indexes
Use older index-book tools when a modern party-name search misses historical documents.
Not just online
Certified copies must be made by the Recorder of Deeds office at the time of certification.
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Collect parcel and party clues firstRecorder staff cannot conduct your research for you.
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Before opening LANDEX, collect grantor/grantee names, current owner, prior owner, property address, PIN/PAR, document ID from ORA sales history, mortgage lender name, recording year, book/page or subdivision/plan name.
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Open the Recorder / LANDEX search routeChoose basic or regular-search access based on your need.
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Use the county Recorder section or LANDEX to search land records. Search by party names, document number, book/page, instrument type and date range where available. Official action link: Lehigh County Recorder of Deeds and LANDEX Records Search.
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Search forward after mortgages and liensOne old document is not the full chain.
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After finding a mortgage, lien, judgment, assignment or easement, search later dates for satisfaction, release, termination, assignment or correction. This is necessary before assuming a recorded claim is still active.
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Request certified copies only when neededMany personal checks need plain copies; legal use may need certification.
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If a title company, court, lender, estate file or attorney asks for certification, contact the Recorder. Certified copies add a certification fee and must be complete copies of the recorded document.
| Need | Recorder Detail | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Deed or mortgage recording | 2026 fee schedule lists deeds and mortgages at $81.25, with included limits. | Verify page count, name count and PIN count before mailing or recording. |
| Extra pages / names / PINs | Additional page $2, additional name $0.50, additional PIN $10. | Count pages, names and parcels before writing checks. |
| Satisfaction / release-type documents | Satisfaction and release items appear in the Recorder schedule as separate document types. | Search releases after original mortgage/lien filings. |
| Copies | In-person copies and mail/email copies have different per-page fees; certified copies add $1.50 per document copy. | Ask whether a plain copy is enough before paying for certification. |
| Mail-back | Documents need a stamped self-addressed envelope or a mail-back fee. | Include return envelope/postage or budget the Recorder’s mail-back fee. |
How to Check Lehigh County Tax Claim Records, Certified Tax Searches and Tax Sales
Use the Tax Claim Bureau for delinquent property tax research, certified tax searches, tax-sale information and delinquent tax payments. The Tax Claim site allows research into delinquent parcels and accepts payments online, by office visit, by phone or by mail depending on the payment type.
Card / debit / e-check
Tax Claim lists credit card, debit card and electronic check as online payment options.
Check options
Mail payment can be made by money order, personal check or cashier check payable to Elite Revenue Solutions.
$5 / $20 / $30
Certified tax search pricing is listed as $5 walk-in, $20 mail/overnight and $30 fax.
Sept. 9 / Oct. 7
2026 sale notices list Upset Price Sale September 9 and Judicial Sale October 7 at Cedar Crest College.
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Confirm the property from ORA firstUse PIN/map number, owner display and property address.
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Before checking Tax Claim, use ORA to confirm owner display, property address, tax authority, PIN/PAR and old parcel ID. This prevents paying or certifying the wrong parcel.
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Open the Tax Claim property/payment routeUse this for delinquent tax research and payment options.
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Open the Tax Claim site, use Property Search or Make a Payment, match the parcel carefully, and save receipts or confirmation details. Official action link: Lehigh County Tax Claim Bureau.
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Order a certified tax search when requiredClosings, attorneys and lenders may require certification.
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For a certified tax search, include the Map Number in the memo section of the check, prepay the required amount, include fax number or return envelope if needed, and send the request to the Tax Claim Bureau. Official action link: Lehigh County Certified Tax Search.
How to Use Lehigh County Parcel Viewer Without Treating It Like a Survey
Parcel Viewer is helpful for visual research: parcel location, adjacent parcels, municipality context and parcel outlines. Lehigh County GIS data includes parcel layers and parcel annotation, but map layers should be treated as research context rather than a legal survey or title document.
Location check
Verify whether the parcel is in Allentown, Bethlehem, Whitehall, Emmaus, Upper Macungie or another Lehigh County municipality.
Neighbor context
Check surrounding parcels, road access, map shape and parcel adjacency before ordering land records.
Legal boundaries
For boundary, easement, right-of-way or setback disputes, use recorded maps, deeds and a surveyor.
1
Find the property in ORA firstThe property details page can link you into Parcel Viewer.
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Search ORA, open the matching property, then use the Parcel Viewer link from the property details page or open the GIS route from the Assessment/GIS section.
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Compare the map to record fieldsDo not trust the visual map alone.
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Match parcel ID, property address, municipality, acreage/dimensions and neighboring parcels. If the map conflicts with a deed, subdivision plan or survey, investigate recorded documents before relying on the map.
What to Do If a Lehigh County Assessment, Homestead Status or Property Value Looks Wrong
Assessment records explain value and classification; tax bills apply millage rates; land records prove recorded transfers. When the problem is value, classification, exemption or property data, work with the Assessment Office and Board of Assessment Appeals—not the Recorder or Tax Claim Bureau.
| Issue | What Matters | Best Move |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment value seems wrong | Appeal arguments should focus on value, property facts, comparable sales or classification—not just the tax amount. | Use ORA sales history and comparable data; file appeal through the Assessment Office by the required deadline. |
| Interim assessment/change notice | Lehigh County appeal guidance notes interim appeals tied to a Notice of Property Assessment/Change have no filing fee. | Read the notice date, collect evidence and file promptly. |
| Homestead Act 72 status | ORA property details may show whether Homestead Act 72 applies or whether you may apply if it is your permanent primary residence. | Use the Lehigh County homestead/farmstead application process and verify with the Assessment Office. |
| Act 319 / preferential land | Some property pages show Preferential Land Act / Act 319 indicators. | Confirm eligibility and obligations before buying or changing use. |
| Mailing address problem | Assessment Office forms are used for owner mailing-address changes. | Submit the correct owner address-change form instead of asking the Recorder to change the assessment record. |
1
Print or save the property overviewUse the exact fields shown by ORA.
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Save owner display, parcel ID, old parcel ID, property address, land use, class, acreage, assessment base year, land/building values, taxable values and recent sales history.
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Prepare evidence before filing an appealA strong appeal needs facts, not frustration.
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Collect comparable sales, appraisals, photos, building-condition details, acreage corrections, classification evidence or proof that a property feature is wrong. Keep a copy of every form and attachment.
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Use the Assessment Office for appeals or homesteadThis is not a Recorder or Tax Claim request.
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For appeal or homestead questions, contact the Lehigh County Assessment Office. The homestead form lists the Assessment Office at Lehigh County Government Center, 17 South Seventh Street, Room 517, Allentown, PA 18101-2401, phone 610-782-3038.
Lehigh County Property Records Office Map
Assessment and Tax Claim offices are at the Government Center area; Recorder of Deeds is listed at the Lehigh County Courthouse. Confirm the correct office before visiting because copies, assessment appeals, tax certifications and deed recordings are handled separately.
Assessment Office
Lehigh County Government Center, 17 South Seventh Street, Room 517, Allentown, PA 18101-2401. Phone: 610-782-3038.
Recorder of Deeds
Lehigh County Courthouse, 455 W. Hamilton Street, Room 122, Allentown, PA 18101-1614. Phone: 610-782-3162.
Tax Claim Bureau
Lehigh County Government Center, 17 South 7th Street, Room 120, Allentown, PA 18101. Phone: 610-782-3119. Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
If Your Lehigh County Property Search Fails
| Problem | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No ORA result by address | Too few characters, special characters, wrong street suffix or too much address detail. | Use at least four characters, remove symbols, use suffix abbreviations like ST/RD/AVE/DR, or try Parcel Viewer. |
| PIN search fails | Wrong format or missing PAR number. | Try PIN alone first; then try PIN, one space, and PAR number. |
| Cannot find old deed | Older record may require Russell Index Books or book/page clues. | Use LANDEX older index tools or contact the Recorder with party names, year range and document clues. |
| Need certified copy but only see online image | Online image may not be a certified copy. | Contact the Recorder; certified copies must be handled through the Recorder’s copy process. |
| Tax Claim search does not match ORA owner | Timing, old owner, address change, map number issue or delinquent-record indexing. | Use PIN/map number and contact Tax Claim before paying or certifying the wrong parcel. |
| GIS map conflicts with deed | GIS is map context, not legal title or boundary proof. | Use recorded deed, plan, legal description and surveyor/title review for legal questions. |
Lehigh County Property Records Tips That Save Time
Use these before buying, refinancing, checking a lien, ordering a certified tax search, researching a landlord, reviewing a farmland parcel or preparing an assessment appeal in the Lehigh Valley.
Save PIN/PAR before anything else
The PIN/PAR is the cleanest bridge between ORA, Parcel Viewer, Tax Claim and Recorder research.
Use document ID from sales history
ORA sales history may show a document ID. Use that clue in LANDEX instead of guessing by name only.
Check Tax Authority and School District
This matters in Allentown, Bethlehem, Whitehall, Emmaus, Upper Macungie and other local-tax areas.
Certified tax search needs map number
Tax Claim says the map number must be included in the memo section of the certified-search check.
Do not ask Recorder staff to title-search
The Recorder’s guidance says staff cannot conduct searches or provide legal advice. Use title/legal help for title-chain questions.
Watch Act 72 and Act 319 fields
Homestead Act 72 and Preferential Land Act/Act 319 indicators can affect owner-use and tax-related decisions.
Lehigh County Property Records Search FAQs
QHow do I search Lehigh County property records online?▾
Start with Lehigh County Online Records Access Property Search. Enter at least four characters, choose the search type, complete the CAPTCHA and open the matching property record. Save the owner display, PIN/PAR, tax authority, school district, assessment and sales-history details.
QCan I search Lehigh County property records by PIN?▾
Yes. When using the PIN search field, Lehigh County says you may enter the PIN by itself or enter the PIN and PAR number separated by a space.
QWhy does my Lehigh County address search fail?▾
The search may fail because of special characters, too few characters, wrong street suffix or extra address words. Use at least four characters, remove punctuation and try accepted suffix abbreviations such as ST, RD, AVE, DR, CT, LN, PL or WAY.
QWhere do I find Lehigh County deeds and mortgages?▾
Use Lehigh County Recorder of Deeds records through LANDEX. Search by grantor, grantee, owner, lender, document ID, book/page, recording date or instrument type. Use older index tools when modern name search does not locate older records.
QHow far back do Lehigh County Recorder records go?▾
County online-access guidance lists Recorder of Deeds LANDEX records from 1812 to present, with Russell Index Books for older index searching.
QCan I get certified Recorder copies online?▾
Do not assume an online image is certified. Recorder guidance says copies to be certified by the Recorder must be made in the Recorder of Deeds office at the time of certification and must be complete copies of the recorded document.
QWhat are common Lehigh County Recorder fees?▾
The 2026 printable fee schedule lists deeds and mortgages at $81.25, with additional fees such as $2 per additional page, $0.50 per additional name and $10 per additional PIN. Always verify the current schedule before recording.
QWhere do I check delinquent property taxes in Lehigh County?▾
Use the Lehigh County Tax Claim Bureau site for delinquent tax property search, payment options, certified tax searches and tax-sale information. Confirm the PIN/map number before paying or ordering certification.
QHow much is a Lehigh County certified tax search?▾
The Tax Claim Bureau lists certified tax search pricing as $5 for walk-ins, $20 for U.S. mail or pre-paid overnight delivery and $30 for fax. Prepayment is required, and the map number must be included in the check memo.
QCan Lehigh County Parcel Viewer prove my boundary line?▾
No. Parcel Viewer and GIS layers help with location and map context, but legal boundary, easement, setback and title questions require recorded deeds, recorded plans, surveys and professional review.
QWho do I contact for Homestead Act 72 or assessment questions?▾
Contact the Lehigh County Assessment Office at the Government Center, 17 South Seventh Street, Room 517, Allentown, PA 18101-2401, phone 610-782-3038. Homestead/Farmstead questions and assessment appeals are handled through assessment channels.
QIs Property-Recordss.org the official Lehigh County property records website?▾
No. Property-Recordss.org is an independent informational guide. Always verify property records, assessments, deeds, mortgages, certified tax searches, maps, liens, fees, appeal deadlines and ownership status through official Lehigh County and Pennsylvania sources.