Free Philadelphia PA Property Tax Records Search Using Official OPA, Tax and Deed Tools
Search Philadelphia property tax records by address, 9-digit OPA account number, Department of Records registry map number, tax balance, deed document, Atlas map, zoning, permits, violations and public property history. This guide shows which official Philadelphia tool to use first so you can find the right record without relying on paid third-party summaries.
Start Here: Which Philadelphia Property Record Do You Need?
Use Philadelphia Property Search when you need assessed value, property details, building description, sale history, square footage, OPA account number or public property information. Open the official Philadelphia Property Search.
Use the Real Estate Tax balance lookup when you need property tax amount due, payment options, payment voucher, payment agreement options or outstanding balance. Open the official Look up your property tax balance service.
Use Department of Records / PhilaDox when you need deeds, mortgages, sheriff deeds, land titles, recorded documents or copies. Open the official Get a copy of a deed or other recorded document page.
Official Philadelphia Property Record Sources
Philadelphia property records are split across several official systems. The Office of Property Assessment data appears in the Property Search tool. The Department of Revenue and Philadelphia Tax Center handle Real Estate Tax balance and payment workflows. The Department of Records records and provides access to deeds and other land records. Atlas brings address-based property, permits, zoning, map and city-service context into one practical lookup.
| What You Need | Official Source | Best Search Method |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment, sale history, property details or OPA account number | Philadelphia Property Search | Search by address, property account number or Department of Records registry map number. |
| Real Estate Tax balance, amount owed or payment voucher | Look up your property tax balance | Enter the address or 9-digit OPA property number and review the tax balance chart. |
| Pay Philadelphia Real Estate Tax | Philadelphia Tax Center | Use the Property panel and search for a property by address or OPA number. |
| Deeds, mortgages and recorded documents | Department of Records | Use Department of Records / PhilaDox document search for 1974-present property documents. |
| Map, zoning, permits, violations and property history | Atlas | Search by address, OPA account or DOR number for map-based property context. |
Philadelphia PA Property Records Free Lookup: Step-by-Step
The cleanest lookup order is property identity first, tax balance second, recorded documents third, and Atlas map/history checks whenever the address needs more context. This avoids common mistakes like using a tax balance as legal ownership proof or using a permit record as a deed record.
- Open the official Philadelphia Property Search. Go to property.phila.gov and search by address, OPA property account number, DOR registry map number or block search.
- Copy the 9-digit OPA account number. Save the OPA number, address, sale information, assessed value and property details. The OPA number is useful for tax balance and payment lookup.
- Check the Real Estate Tax balance. Use the official tax balance lookup and enter the address or 9-digit OPA property number.
- Search deeds if ownership history matters. Use the official deed and recorded document page to search documents from 1974 to the present.
- Open Atlas for map and property-history context. Use Atlas for address-based permits, zoning, property history, map layers and related City data.
OPA Property Search by Address or Account Number
Philadelphia’s official Property Search is the best first stop for assessment-side property information. It can show public property information such as assessed value, building description, square footage, sale history and OPA account details.
Use Philadelphia Property Search when you know the property address but not the OPA number.
Use the 9-digit OPA account number when available. It is the cleanest match for tax balance and property records.
Use Department of Records registry map number when you are connecting property search with recorded document research.
Real Estate Tax Balance, Payments and Philadelphia Tax Center
Use the Real Estate Tax balance page when your question is about current or past-due property taxes, amount owed, payment agreements, payment voucher or how to pay. The City says users can enter the address or 9-digit OPA property number, review the tax balance chart, and then choose payment or voucher options.
- Open the official balance lookup. Use Look up your property tax balance.
- Search by address or OPA number. Enter the property address or 9-digit OPA number from Property Search.
- Review the balance chart carefully. Confirm the property, tax year, outstanding balance, interest/charges and any available payment or agreement options.
- Use the Philadelphia Tax Center if paying online. Open the Philadelphia Tax Center and use the Property section to search and pay.
- Save proof before leaving the page. Keep confirmation number, payment receipt, voucher, screenshot, bank proof and any official message shown by the Tax Center.
Philadelphia Deeds, Mortgages and Department of Records Documents
The Philadelphia Department of Records records real-estate documents and provides public access to land records. Use it when you need deeds, sheriff deeds, mortgages, land titles, recorded document details or document copies.
The City’s deed-copy service page explains that users can search deeds and other property records from 1974 to the present, view document information and watermarked copies online, and print documents or indexed information where available.
- Open the official deed-copy page. Start at Get a copy of a deed or other recorded document.
- Use PhilaDox / Department of Records search. Follow the City’s official document search path to search 1974-present recorded documents.
- Search using the strongest details. Use address, grantor/grantee names, county record book and page, document date, OPA number or registry map number when available.
- Check older deed needs separately. For documents recorded before 1974, use the City’s historical land records path or visit Department of Records guidance.
- Use a title professional for legal risk. A public document search is useful, but it is not a full title search.
Atlas Maps, Permits, Zoning and Property History
Atlas is Philadelphia’s official map-style property research tool. It is useful when you need more than tax records, such as permits, licenses, inspections, violations, zoning history, property assessments, map layers and address-based City activity.
| Atlas Use | Why It Helps | Official Link |
|---|---|---|
| Address map search | Find property location, map view and connected City data. | Open Atlas |
| Permits and violations | Research L&I history, permits, licenses, violations and zoning-related context. | Search property history |
| DOR and OPA context | Connect an address, OPA account, DOR number and map context in one place. | Atlas property search |
Tax Relief, Homestead, LOOP and Freeze Programs
Philadelphia homeowners may be eligible for tax relief programs, including the Homestead Exemption, LOOP, Senior Citizen Tax Freeze and Low-Income Tax Freeze. A property page may point users to these relief programs and office contacts when the property appears eligible or relevant.
For Homestead, LOOP or Office of Property Assessment questions, use the official OPA support path or call 215-686-9200.
For Real Estate Tax questions, use the Department of Revenue path or call 215-686-6442.
Open tax balance lookup to review payment, voucher and agreement options.
Assessment Value Review and Property Record Checks
If your assessed value, building details, sale history or account information looks wrong, first confirm the record in Philadelphia Property Search. Then compare the OPA record with Atlas, tax-balance data and any recorded document history that may explain a recent transfer.
- Review the official property page. Use Philadelphia Property Search to check assessed value, sale history, building details and OPA account number.
- Compare tax balance separately. Use tax balance lookup to see whether the tax issue is a balance/payment issue rather than an assessment issue.
- Check deed timing. Use Department of Records deed search if a sale, transfer or recorded document may explain the mismatch.
- Gather evidence. Useful proof can include appraisals, comparable sales, photos, building information, tax statements, deed copies and official screenshots.
- Use official inquiry or contact paths. From the property page, use the official inquiry path where available, or contact the correct City department.
Philadelphia Property Records Address, Phone, Map and Contacts
Use these official contacts when you need help with Philadelphia property tax records, OPA account search, Real Estate Tax, Department of Records documents, deeds, or Atlas/property history.
Use for OPA account number, assessed value, sale history, building details and public property information.
Use for Real Estate Tax questions, tax balance and payment issues.
Phone: 215-686-6442
Use for Homestead, LOOP and Office of Property Assessment questions.
Phone: 215-686-9200
City Hall, Room 156
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Email: records.info@phila.gov
Use for deeds and other recorded documents from 1974 to the present.
Use for map, property history, permits, licenses, violations, zoning and address context.
Philadelphia Buyer, Homeowner and Researcher Checklist
Mini Tool: Which Official Philadelphia Search Should You Click?
Helpful Official Video: Paying Philadelphia Real Estate Tax Online
The City’s revenue channel has a short video about paying Philadelphia Real Estate Tax online. Use it only as a visual helper; always follow the current Tax Center screen and official payment instructions.
FAQ: Philadelphia PA Property Tax Records Search
How do I search Philadelphia PA property tax records for free?
Start with Philadelphia Property Search for property details and OPA account number. Then use the City’s tax-balance lookup or Philadelphia Tax Center for Real Estate Tax balance and payment information.
Can I search Philadelphia property records by owner name?
No. Philadelphia Property Search no longer allows owner-name searches due to privacy concerns. Search by address, city block, OPA/BRT account number or Department of Records registry map number instead.
Where do I find the Philadelphia OPA account number?
Use Philadelphia Property Search and search by address. The property page shows the OPA account number, which is useful for tax balance lookup and payment research.
Where can I check my Philadelphia Real Estate Tax balance?
Use the official “Look up your property tax balance” service on phila.gov. Enter the property address or 9-digit OPA property number and review the tax balance chart.
Where do I pay Philadelphia property taxes online?
Use the Philadelphia Tax Center. On the Tax Center homepage, use the Property section to search for a property, review balances and make payments.
Where can I find Philadelphia deeds online?
Use the Department of Records deed and recorded document search path. The City provides access to deeds and other property records from 1974 to the present.
Can I get older Philadelphia deed records before 1974?
For older deed documents, use Philadelphia’s historical land records resources or Department of Records guidance. Some older records may require historical search or in-person research.
What is Atlas Philadelphia used for?
Atlas is a City property and map tool. It helps users research property history, permits, licenses, inspections, zoning, violations, map context and other City data by address.
Are Philadelphia tax records proof of ownership?
No. Tax records help identify tax balance and property information, but recorded deeds and title records are better sources for ownership-transfer history. Use a title professional for legal conclusions.
Who do I call for Philadelphia property assessment questions?
For Homestead, LOOP or Office of Property Assessment questions, call 215-686-9200 or use the official OPA/property information path on phila.gov.
Who do I call for Philadelphia Real Estate Tax questions?
For Real Estate Tax questions, call the Philadelphia Department of Revenue at 215-686-6442 or use the official property tax pages on phila.gov.
What should I check before buying property in Philadelphia?
Check the OPA property record, Real Estate Tax balance, deed history, Atlas property history, permits, violations, zoning context, sale history and title-company findings before closing.