I own a home in Pennsylvania
Homestead exclusion, property taxes, assessments, deeds, and millage rates.
PENNSYLVANIA GUIDE
Life in Pennsylvania comes
with its own rules.
Know what comes next.
From homestead exclusions and property taxes to the Register of Wills, winter storms, and starting a business, CountyOffices gives you clear Pennsylvania-specific guidance for the things that matter.
Reviewed against official Pennsylvania government sources • Updated as laws and requirements change
What brings you here today?
I own a home in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has no state-level property tax - rates are set entirely locally across three separate layers: county, municipality, and school district, each billing you separately, averaging around 1.2-1.3% of home value combined statewide. Under Act 1, an approved Homestead Exclusion reduces the assessed value used for school district taxes specifically (not the county or municipal portions), by a flat dollar amount that varies depending on how much local gaming revenue funds it in your area - apply through your county Assessment office by March 1. Separately, the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program offers a real rebate ($380-$1,000, with a supplemental rebate up to $500 for qualifying households) for homeowners and renters 65+, widows/widowers 50+, or disabled residents 18+, with household income up to $48,110. Many Pennsylvania counties still calculate assessments off decades-old "base-year" values rather than current market prices, so your assessed value may look nothing like what your home would actually sell for - worth understanding before assuming your assessment reflects true market value. Deeds are recorded with the county Recorder of Deeds.
Sources: Pennsylvania Dept. of Revenue, county Assessment and Recorder of Deeds offices
I'm buying or selling property
Closings, title searches, transfer taxes, deeds, and property records.
I'm buying or selling property
Pennsylvania closings typically go through a title company or attorney, with deeds recorded by the county Recorder of Deeds. Pennsylvania charges a Realty Transfer Tax, split by default between buyer and seller, calculated as a percentage of the sale price with both a state and local (municipal/school district) component. A title search through the Recorder's records confirms there are no outstanding liens before closing. Once you buy and move in, apply for the Homestead Exclusion through your county Assessment office by March 1 - it never transfers with the sale. Since many Pennsylvania counties use decades-old "base-year" assessments rather than current market value, don't assume the assessed value you see reflects your actual purchase price; the two can differ substantially, and a significant gap can affect what you'd expect an assessment appeal to accomplish. If you're purchasing rural or hunting land, ask specifically whether it's enrolled in Clean and Green (Act 319) preferential assessment, since removing land from that program can trigger rollback taxes.
Sources: county Recorder of Deeds and Assessment offices, Pennsylvania Dept. of Revenue
I own hunting or rural land
Clean & Green land values, townships, zoning, and land records.
I own hunting or rural land
Pennsylvania's Clean and Green program (Act 319) lets qualifying farm, forest, and agricultural land be assessed at its use value rather than market value - a real benefit for hunting camps and timberland near areas where development pressure has pushed comparable market values well above what the land is worth for its actual use. To qualify, land generally needs at least 10 acres (or produce at least $2,000 in annual farm income on smaller parcels), and enrollment averages roughly a 50% reduction in assessed value. Apply through your county Assessment office. This isn't a no-strings benefit: removing land from Clean and Green - through a sale for development, a change of use, or subdividing below the acreage threshold - triggers rollback taxes covering up to 7 years of the tax difference plus interest, so understand this obligation before assuming enrollment is entirely cost-free if your plans might change. Pennsylvania has no unincorporated land whatsoever - every acre falls within a borough or township, each with its own zoning and building permit requirements, so check with your specific municipality (not just the county) before any construction on rural land.
Sources: Pennsylvania Dept. of Agriculture, county Assessment offices, Pennsylvania Act 319 of 1974
Someone passed away
Register of Wills, estates, inheritance tax, and county filing steps.
Someone passed away
Pennsylvania estates open with the county Register of Wills, who probates the will and issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration - a distinct county-level office rather than a court in the traditional sense. Contested matters, disputes among heirs, or anything requiring judicial resolution escalate to the county's Orphans' Court, a division of the Court of Common Pleas dedicated specifically to estate and fiduciary matters. Pennsylvania genuinely taxes inheritances, and rates depend entirely on the beneficiary's relationship to the deceased: spouses pay 0%, children and other direct/lineal descendants pay 4.5%, siblings pay 12%, and everyone else pays 15% - with no minimum threshold before tax applies. Filing and payment are due within 9 months of death, but paying within 3 months earns a 5% discount, a genuine incentive to move quickly if the estate can manage it. If the deceased's home carried a Homestead Exclusion or was enrolled in Clean and Green, neither transfers automatically - whoever inherits needs to independently qualify and apply. Property records for real estate in the estate are held by the county Recorder of Deeds.
Sources: Pennsylvania Dept. of Revenue, county Register of Wills offices, 20 Pa.C.S. (Probate, Estates and Fiduciaries Code)
I'm getting married or divorced
Marriage licenses, divorce filing, name changes, and official records.
I'm getting married or divorced
Marriage licenses in Pennsylvania are issued by the Clerk of Orphans' Court - a genuinely distinctive office pairing with the county's estate-handling court. Pennsylvania requires a 3-day waiting period between applying and when the license becomes usable, and once valid, the license lasts 60 days and works only within Pennsylvania. Divorce is filed in the Court of Common Pleas, and Pennsylvania requires 6 months of residency for at least one spouse before filing. The most common path is mutual-consent no-fault divorce, which carries a mandatory 90-day waiting period after the complaint is served (counted from service, not filing) before both spouses can sign consent affidavits - if one spouse won't consent, the alternative no-fault path requires a full year of separation instead. Pennsylvania courts divide marital property under an equitable distribution standard based on 11 statutory factors, not automatically 50/50. There's no waiting period to remarry once a Pennsylvania divorce decree is signed - you can remarry the same day.
Sources: Pennsylvania Courts, county Clerk of Orphans' Court offices, 23 Pa.C.S. (Domestic Relations Code)
I'm caring for an aging parent
Senior services, property tax rebates, benefits, and estate planning information.
I'm caring for an aging parent
If your parent is 65+, a widow/widower 50+, or disabled and 18+, help them apply for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program - it offers a real rebate ($380-$1,000, plus up to $500 more for qualifying households) for household income up to $48,110, whether they own or rent. The application deadline is typically December 31 for the prior year's rebate, and it's worth checking each year even if income has changed, since eligibility is reassessed annually. If your parent owns their home, also confirm they've filed for the Homestead Exclusion through the county Assessment office (deadline March 1), which reduces the school-district portion of their property tax specifically. Because many Pennsylvania counties still use decades-old base-year assessments, your parent's assessed value may look quite different from current market value - this isn't necessarily an error, just how the local system works. If your parent needs help managing property or finances, a durable power of attorney can avoid the need for court-supervised guardianship in many situations; guardianship itself, when necessary, goes through Orphans' Court.
Sources: Pennsylvania Dept. of Revenue, county Assessment offices, Pennsylvania Dept. of Aging
I need an official record
Birth, death, marriage, court, property, and business records.
I need an official record
Birth and death certificates come from the Pennsylvania Dept. of Health Division of Vital Records, a state office, though some county Register of Wills offices can assist with older or specific local records. Marriage records are held by whichever county's Clerk of Orphans' Court issued the license. Property records - deeds, mortgages, liens - are recorded and searchable through the county Recorder of Deeds, generally free to search in person with a fee for certified copies. Estate records come from the county Register of Wills, with contested matters and formal court filings going through Orphans' Court. General civil court records, distinctively, come from the county Prothonotary - a title unique to Pennsylvania (and a few neighboring states) for what's essentially the clerk of civil court. Criminal court records come from the Clerk of Courts, yet another separate county office. Business entity records are filed with the Pennsylvania Dept. of State, searchable statewide. Property valuation records go through your county Assessment office.
Sources: Pennsylvania Dept. of Health, county Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills, and Prothonotary offices, Pennsylvania Dept. of State
I'm starting or running a business
Licenses, permits, EIN, sales tax, and local requirements.
I'm starting or running a business
Registering a business in Pennsylvania starts with the Dept. of State, where you file to form an LLC or corporation and register a trade name. Most businesses register with the Dept. of Revenue for a sales tax license if they'll sell taxable goods or services, and get an EIN from the IRS if they're not a sole proprietor with no employees. Because Pennsylvania has no unincorporated land, every business location falls within a specific borough or township, each with its own zoning and permitting requirements - check with your exact municipality, not just the county, before any construction or major changes. Local business licenses and requirements genuinely vary from one small borough to the next in ways that surprise newcomers. Business real estate is assessed by your county Assessment office, and because many Pennsylvania counties still use decades-old base-year values, your assessed value may not track current market prices - worth understanding when budgeting property tax for a new commercial purchase.
Sources: Pennsylvania Dept. of State, Pennsylvania Dept. of Revenue, IRS
How-To Guides for Pennsylvania
Genealogy
Read guide →How do I access court records?
Read guide →How do I appeal my property tax assessment?
Read guide →How do I find an inmate or search a jail roster?
Read guide →How do I find and access senior services?
Read guide →How do I get a business license?
Read guide →How do I get a copy of a birth certificate?
Read guide →How do I get a copy of a death certificate?
Read guide →How do I get a marriage license?
Read guide →How do I pay my property taxes?
Read guide →How do I register to vote or check my registration?
Read guide →Open Records
Read guide →Pennsylvania Statewide Probate Guide
Read guide →Pennsylvania works differently. Here's what to know.
Register of Wills & Orphans' Court
Estates open with the Register of Wills, and estate disputes go to Orphans' Court.
Register of Wills & Orphans' Court
Pennsylvania splits estate matters between two related but distinct offices in a way worth understanding upfront. The Register of Wills, an elected county official, handles the initial, routine work: probating the will, issuing Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration to the executor or administrator, and collecting inheritance tax. This office can handle most straightforward, uncontested estates from start to finish without ever needing judicial involvement. Orphans' Court, a specialized division of the county's Court of Common Pleas, steps in for anything requiring judicial authority - contested wills, disputes among heirs, guardianship matters, and formal court orders related to an estate. This means your very first stop when settling a Pennsylvania estate is almost always the Register of Wills, not a courtroom, and most estates never actually need Orphans' Court involvement at all - it exists specifically as the escalation path for the estates that do need it.
Sources: Pennsylvania Courts, county Register of Wills offices, 20 Pa.C.S. (Probate, Estates and Fiduciaries Code)
Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax
Pennsylvania taxes many inheritances, with rates that depend on your relationship to the deceased.
Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax
Pennsylvania is one of the few remaining states that taxes inheritances directly, and the rate depends entirely on how closely related you are to the person who died - not on the total size of the estate, and with no minimum threshold before tax applies. Spouses pay 0%; children, grandchildren, and other direct/lineal descendants pay 4.5%; siblings pay a notably higher 12%; and everyone else (aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, friends, unrelated beneficiaries) pays 15%. Parents inheriting from a child 21 or younger, and charitable/government entities, are fully exempt. This means two people inheriting the exact same dollar amount from the exact same estate can owe very different tax bills depending purely on their relationship to the deceased - a sibling and a niece splitting an inheritance equally will pay noticeably different tax rates on their identical shares. Filing and payment are due within 9 months of death, but Pennsylvania offers a genuine incentive to move quickly: pay within 3 months and receive a 5% discount on the tax owed.
Sources: Pennsylvania Dept. of Revenue, 72 Pa. Stat. §9111-9116
Base-Year Assessments
Many counties still use decades-old base-year values, so assessments may not match market prices.
Base-Year Assessments
Many Pennsylvania counties assess property values using a "base year" methodology - essentially freezing the assessment ratio and methodology to reflect conditions from a specific historical year (which can be decades in the past for some counties) rather than reassessing to current market value on any regular cycle. This means your official assessed value may bear little resemblance to what your home would actually sell for today, and two nearly identical homes assessed in different base years (say, one county reassessed recently, a neighboring county hasn't reassessed since the 1990s) can show wildly different assessed-to-market-value ratios even for comparable properties. This isn't necessarily an error or something you should assume is wrong - it's simply how many Pennsylvania counties structure their system, and county-wide reassessments happen relatively rarely and are often politically contentious when they do occur, since a reassessment can shift the tax burden significantly between property types and neighborhoods. If you're appealing your assessment, understand your specific county's base year and how your assessed value relates (or doesn't) to current market value before assuming the comparison is straightforward.
Sources: Pennsylvania Dept. of Revenue, county Assessment offices
Every Inch Is a Municipality
Pennsylvania has no unincorporated land; boroughs and townships cover the whole state.
Every Inch Is a Municipality
Pennsylvania has no unincorporated land whatsoever - a genuinely distinctive feature compared to most states, where rural areas often sit outside any city or town government. Every single acre of the Commonwealth falls within either a borough, a township, a city, or (rarely) an incorporated town, meaning there's always a specific municipal government responsible for zoning, permitting, and local ordinances no matter how rural or remote a property is. This means "unincorporated area" simply isn't a category that exists in Pennsylvania the way it does in states like Texas or California, where you might buy land with no municipal government at all overseeing it. In practice, this means even the most rural hunting camp or farmland in Pennsylvania answers to a specific township's zoning and building requirements, so identifying your exact municipality (not just your county) is a genuinely necessary first step before any construction, land use change, or permit application, regardless of how remote the property feels.
Sources: Pennsylvania Dept. of Community and Economic Development, Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors
The Prothonotary
Pennsylvania's civil court clerk goes by a name you won't see in most states: the Prothonotary.
The Prothonotary
Pennsylvania's civil court clerk goes by a name you genuinely won't encounter in most other states: the Prothonotary, an ancient title (Greek in origin, historically used for a chief notary or record-keeper) that Pennsylvania has retained for the elected county official who serves as clerk of civil court. The Prothonotary's office maintains civil case records, handles filings for lawsuits, judgments, and other civil matters within the Court of Common Pleas - functionally equivalent to what a "Clerk of Court" or "Court Clerk" would handle elsewhere, but under a name that can genuinely confuse newcomers searching for the right office. This is separate from the county Clerk of Courts, which in Pennsylvania handles criminal case records specifically, and separate again from the Register of Wills, which handles estates, and the Prothonotary's civil docket. If you're dealing with a civil lawsuit, judgment, or other civil court matter in Pennsylvania, the Prothonotary's office is who you want - worth knowing this term exists before assuming a "Clerk of Court" search will get you to the right place.
Sources: Pennsylvania Courts, county Prothonotary offices
Homestead & Farmstead Exclusion
Approved homesteads may reduce school property taxes under Act 1.
Homestead & Farmstead Exclusion
Under Act 1 of 2006, Pennsylvania homeowners can apply for a Homestead Exclusion that reduces the assessed value used for school district property tax specifically - not the county or municipal portions of your bill, which are billed and calculated separately. A related Farmstead Exclusion applies similarly to qualifying working farm buildings. The exact dollar reduction varies significantly by school district, since it's funded primarily through local gaming revenue distributed under Act 1 - some districts have substantial homestead reductions, others offer little to none, depending on how much gaming revenue flows to that specific area. Apply through your county Assessment office by March 1; approval typically carries forward without needing annual reapplication, though a change in ownership or primary residence status requires updating it. Because this exclusion only touches the school tax portion of your overall bill - Pennsylvania's property tax is split across three separate layers (county, municipal, school district) - even a generous Homestead Exclusion won't reduce your county or municipal tax at all, so don't expect it to meaningfully lower your entire property tax bill the way a comprehensive exemption might elsewhere.
Sources: Pennsylvania Dept. of Education, county Assessment offices, Act 1 of 2006
The questions Pennsylvania residents actually ask
The Pennsylvania county records research approach starts with the specific county's official website. Most large Pennsylvania counties offer online record search through their county websites. Pennsylvania operates a statewide public access search for some court records through the Pennsylvania Public Access Search. Real estate records, marriage records, and some other Pennsylvania county records are accessed through individual county offices. The Pennsylvania State Association of County Commissioners provides links to all 67 county websites.
Pennsylvania inheritance tax is imposed on beneficiaries of estates of Pennsylvania residents (and on Pennsylvania real estate inherited by anyone). Tax rates vary by relationship to the deceased: 0 percent for surviving spouses, 4.5 percent for direct descendants and lineal heirs, 12 percent for siblings, and 15 percent for other beneficiaries. The tax is paid through the county Register of Wills as part of probate. Pennsylvania county records on inheritance tax payments are public records. The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue provides guidance.
Pennsylvania probate operates through the Register of Wills in each county. The Register of Wills admits wills to probate, appoints executors or administrators, and oversees the inheritance tax process. Disputes go to the Orphans' Court division of the Court of Common Pleas. Pennsylvania probate is generally faster and simpler than probate in court-supervised states because the Register of Wills is an administrative officer rather than a judge. The Pennsylvania county records on probate matters are maintained by each county Register of Wills.
Pennsylvania property tax due dates vary by jurisdiction. County and municipal taxes typically come due in spring (often with discounts for early payment). School district taxes typically come due in fall. Each taxing authority sets its own due dates and payment options. Most Pennsylvania counties allow payment in installments. Discount-face-penalty schedules are common (paying early gets a discount, paying on time pays face value, paying late incurs penalty). The Pennsylvania county records system for tax payments is operated by the County Treasurer.
Apply at the Register of Wills office or county Clerk of Courts in any Pennsylvania county. Both applicants must appear together. Required documents include government-issued photo ID and Social Security number. License fees range from approximately $40 to $80 depending on county. Pennsylvania has a 3-day waiting period between application and license issuance. Licenses are valid for 60 days. The Pennsylvania county records on marriage licenses are maintained by the issuing office.
Order through the Pennsylvania Department of Health Division of Vital Records. Pennsylvania does not generally allow county-level ordering of birth certificates that some states allow. Pennsylvania accepts online, mail, and in-person orders. Required information includes the full name on the certificate, date of birth, place of birth, parents' names, and proof of your identity and relationship if you are not the person named. Pennsylvania birth certificate fees are approximately $20 per certified copy.
Pennsylvania divorce filing requires meeting the 6-month Pennsylvania residency requirement, completing the Complaint in Divorce, and filing with the Court of Common Pleas in the county of residence. Filing fees range from approximately $250 to $400 depending on county. Pennsylvania allows no-fault divorce through mutual consent (90-day waiting period after filing) or two-year separation. Pennsylvania also allows fault-based divorce on specified grounds. Pennsylvania county records on divorces are maintained by the Court of Common Pleas Prothonotary.
The Pennsylvania Board of Assessment Appeals is the county-level body that hears property tax appeals. Property owners who believe their assessment exceeds market value can file an appeal with the Board of Assessment Appeals. Filing deadlines vary by county (typically by September 1 for the following tax year). The Board conducts hearings and issues decisions affecting all three layers of Pennsylvania property tax (county, municipal, school). If unsuccessful, owners can appeal to the Court of Common Pleas. The Pennsylvania property tax guide covers the process.
File a Certificate of Organization with the Pennsylvania Department of State. The filing fee is $125. Pennsylvania LLC formation typically processes within 7-10 business days for standard filing or 1 business day with expedited service. After formation, Pennsylvania does not require annual reports for LLCs but does require a Decennial Report every ten years. After state formation, obtain a federal EIN and any county or municipal business licenses required.
Register through the Pennsylvania Department of State or your county Voter Registration office. Pennsylvania allows online voter registration. Registration deadline is 15 days before each election. Pennsylvania allows no-excuse mail-in ballots since Act 77 of 2019. Pennsylvania requires some form of ID for first-time voters at a particular polling place but does not have strict photo ID at every election. Pennsylvania county records on voter registration are maintained by each county Voter Registration office.
The Pennsylvania county records maintained by the Recorder of Deeds include real property records (deeds, mortgages, easements, liens, releases), military discharge papers (DD-214), notary commissions, and other recorded instruments. Each Pennsylvania county has its own Recorder of Deeds. Most offer online search through their county website. The Pennsylvania Recorder of Deeds Association provides additional information.
Pennsylvania allows expungement of certain criminal records under 18 Pa.C.S. section 9122. Eligibility depends on the offense, sentence completion, waiting periods, and other factors. Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Act (Act 56 of 2018, expanded 2023) provides automatic sealing of certain misdemeanor and non-violent felony records after specified waiting periods. Pennsylvania county records on automatically sealed matters become inaccessible to most parties but remain available for law enforcement. The Pennsylvania court records guide covers expungement and Clean Slate procedures.
Not sure where to start?
Describe your situation and we'll point you in the right direction.
Get Help Now → Private. Secure. Always free.IMPORTANT IN PENNSYLVANIA
Important Deadlines in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax carries a firm deadline: the return and payment are due nine months from the date of death, filed with both the Register of Wills in the deceased's county and the state Dept. of Revenue.
Important Deadlines in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax carries a firm deadline: the return and payment are due nine months from the date of death, filed with both the Register of Wills in the deceased's county and the state Dept. of Revenue. A genuinely worthwhile incentive exists for acting early - pay within three months of death and receive a 5% discount on the tax owed. Rates depend on relationship: 0% for a surviving spouse or a parent inheriting from a child 21 or younger, 4.5% for children and other direct descendants or parents, 12% for siblings, and 15% for everyone else. The Homestead and Farmstead Exclusion under Act 1, which can reduce school property taxes on your primary residence, is filed with your county Assessor - check your specific county's deadline since Pennsylvania's 67 counties set this individually rather than following one statewide date. Property tax assessment appeals also run on a county-by-county calendar: every county except Philadelphia uses either an August 1 or September 1 annual filing deadline, so confirm your specific county's date rather than assuming a single statewide cutoff. Property tax due dates and discount periods likewise vary meaningfully by county and school district, so check your local Tax Collector's specific schedule.
Sources: Pennsylvania Dept. of Revenue, county Register of Wills and Assessor offices, 72 P.S. §9111 et seq. (Inheritance Tax) and Act 1 of 2006
Assessment Appeals in Pennsylvania
If you disagree with your property's assessed value, Pennsylvania's appeal process runs entirely at the county level - there's no single statewide deadline.
Assessment Appeals in Pennsylvania
If you disagree with your property's assessed value, Pennsylvania's appeal process runs entirely at the county level - there's no single statewide deadline. Nearly all counties (Philadelphia is the exception, with its own separate calendar) use either an August 1 or September 1 annual filing deadline, so confirm your specific county's exact date rather than assuming one applies uniformly. Because many Pennsylvania counties still use decades-old "base-year" assessments rather than current market values, your appeal genuinely often turns on the Common Level Ratio - a county-specific figure the state calculates annually to translate current market value into the county's base-year assessment terms - so understand your county's specific ratio before evaluating whether your assessment is out of line. Bring genuine supporting evidence: comparable sales, an independent appraisal, income and vacancy data (for commercial property), or documentation of a factual error in your property's characteristics. Your appeal goes to the county Board of Assessment Appeals, a citizen panel distinct from the Assessor's office. If the Board's decision doesn't resolve things in your favor, further appeal to the Court of Common Pleas in your county remains available. Because base-year assessments can genuinely diverge meaningfully from real market value over time, an appeal here isn't just about disputing a valuation error - it's often about ensuring your assessment properly reflects the base-year system your specific county still uses.
Read the full property tax appeal guide →
Sources: Pennsylvania Dept. of Community and Economic Development, county Board of Assessment Appeals offices, 72 P.S. §5453 (General County Assessment Law)
Public Records Access in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law presumes that records held by state and local government agencies are open to public inspection, and like most states' open-records laws, you generally don't need to explain your reason for a request or demonstrate a personal interest in the records.
Public Records Access in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law presumes that records held by state and local government agencies are open to public inspection, and like most states' open-records laws, you generally don't need to explain your reason for a request or demonstrate a personal interest in the records. Agencies must respond within 5 business days, and cite a specific statutory exemption if a request is denied - common exemptions include certain law enforcement investigative records, personnel and medical information, and other categories the legislature has carved out. Real estate records - deeds, mortgages, liens - are recorded and searchable through the county Recorder of Deeds. Estate matters open with the Register of Wills, an elected county official; estate disputes then go to Orphans' Court. Civil court records, distinctively, go through the county Prothonotary - a genuinely unusual title you won't encounter in most other states, functionally serving as the civil court clerk. Business entity records are filed with the Pennsylvania Dept. of State, searchable statewide. Property valuation and appeal records go through your county Assessor, and because Pennsylvania has no unincorporated land - every square inch belongs to a borough or township - local zoning and permit records are held at that municipal level rather than the county. If a Right-to-Know request is denied, disputes can be appealed to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records, and ultimately to court.
Read the full open records guide →
Sources: Pennsylvania Office of Open Records, 65 P.S. §67.101 et seq. (Right-to-Know Law), county Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills, and Prothonotary offices
Storm & Winter Help in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's winter storm season genuinely runs November through April, bringing real risk from nor'easters, heavy snow, and ice storms across the state, with mountain and northern regions facing particularly severe conditions and the Lake Erie shore in the northwest facing genuine lake-effect snow.
Storm & Winter Help in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's winter storm season genuinely runs November through April, bringing real risk from nor'easters, heavy snow, and ice storms across the state, with mountain and northern regions facing particularly severe conditions and the Lake Erie shore in the northwest facing genuine lake-effect snow. Know your municipality's snow emergency and parking-ban rules before winter arrives - many Pennsylvania boroughs and townships restrict overnight street parking during and after significant snowfall, with towing a real, immediate consequence. Ice storms are a genuine, distinctive Pennsylvania hazard - freezing rain can coat power lines and trees with enough ice to cause widespread, extended outages, so having a real plan for extended power loss (backup heat source, food, water) matters more here than simple snow preparedness alone. Heating assistance is a genuinely practical concern given Pennsylvania's cold winters - the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps income-eligible households with heating costs, administered through the state Dept. of Human Services. After a storm causes damage, your county Assessor can adjust your property's valuation, and if a federal disaster is declared, FEMA assistance becomes available for individuals and municipalities. Insurance claims should be filed promptly with documentation (photos, a written inventory). Building permits for storm repairs go through your specific municipality (borough or township), since Pennsylvania has no unincorporated land to fall back on.
Sources: Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, LIHEAP, FEMA, county Assessor and municipal offices
New to Pennsylvania?
As a new Pennsylvania resident, check with PennDOT for the current specific window to transfer your out-of-state driver's license and register your vehicle.
New to Pennsylvania?
As a new Pennsylvania resident, check with PennDOT for the current specific window to transfer your out-of-state driver's license and register your vehicle. If you've purchased a home, apply for the Homestead and Farmstead Exclusion (Act 1) with your county Assessor to potentially reduce your school property taxes - check your specific county's exact filing deadline, since this varies locally. Register to vote through your county Board of Elections. Remember Pennsylvania genuinely has no unincorporated land - every square inch belongs to a borough or township - so your local zoning, permits, and many day-to-day government functions run through that specific municipality rather than the county alone. Property assessments in many counties still use decades-old "base-year" values rather than current market prices, so don't assume your assessed value tracks your home's actual worth without checking your county's Common Level Ratio. If you're settling an estate here or inherit property from a Pennsylvania resident, understand that Pennsylvania genuinely taxes many inheritances (rates from 0% to 15% depending on your relationship to the deceased) with a 9-month filing deadline - a real, distinctive feature not present in most states. Estate matters open with the Register of Wills; property deeds are recorded with the Recorder of Deeds; civil court records run through the Prothonotary.
Sources: PennDOT, Pennsylvania Dept. of Revenue, county Assessor, Register of Wills, and Recorder of Deeds offices
Find the services available in your county
Pennsylvania laws apply statewide, but offices, services, procedures and local requirements can vary by county. Select your county for verified local offices, services and official resources.
All 67 Pennsylvania counties
Browse every county and county seat.
Adams CountyGettysburgAllegheny CountyPittsburghArmstrong CountyKittanningBeaver CountyBeaverBedford CountyBedfordBerks CountyReadingBlair CountyHollidaysburgBradford CountyTowandaBucks CountyDoylestownButler CountyButlerCambria CountyEbensburgCameron CountyEmporiumCarbon CountyJim ThorpeCentre CountyBellefonteChester CountyWest ChesterClarion CountyClarionClearfield CountyClearfieldClinton CountyLock HavenColumbia CountyBloomsburgCrawford CountyMeadvilleCumberland CountyCarlisleDauphin CountyHarrisburgDelaware CountyMediaElk CountyRidgwayErie CountyErieFayette CountyUniontownForest CountyTionestaFranklin CountyChambersburgFulton CountyMcConnellsburgGreene CountyWaynesburgHuntingdon CountyHuntingdonIndiana CountyIndianaJefferson CountyBrookvilleJuniata CountyMifflintownLackawanna CountyScrantonLancaster CountyLancasterLawrence CountyNew CastleLebanon CountyLebanonLehigh CountyAllentownLuzerne CountyWilkes-Barre
Lycoming CountyWilliamsportMcKean CountySmethportMercer CountyMercerMifflin CountyLewistownMonroe CountyStroudsburgMontgomery CountyNorristownMontour CountyDanvilleNorthampton CountyEastonNorthumberland CountySunburyPerry CountyNew BloomfieldPhiladelphia CountyPhiladelphiaPike CountyMilfordPotter CountyCoudersportSchuylkill CountyPottsvilleSnyder CountyMiddleburgSomerset CountySomersetSullivan CountyLaporteSusquehanna CountyMontroseTioga CountyWellsboroUnion CountyLewisburgVenango CountyFranklinWarren CountyWarrenWashington CountyWashingtonWayne CountyHonesdaleWestmoreland CountyGreensburgWyoming CountyTunkhannockYork CountyYork
No matches. Clear the filter to see the full list.
Sources and References
- PA.gov
- Pennsylvania Department of State Bureau of Corporations
- Pennsylvania Department of Health Vital Records
- Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Public Access Search
- Pennsylvania Office of Open Records
- Pennsylvania State Association of County Commissioners
- Pennsylvania Department of Revenue Inheritance Tax
- City of Philadelphia
- Pennsylvania Department of State Voter Services
67COUNTIES COVEREDAcross Pennsylvania
13M+RESIDENTS REPRESENTEDPennsylvania population covered
1,000+TOPICS & GUIDESAnswers for real life
VerifiedSOURCED TO OFFICIAL RESOURCESEvery guide links to primary government sources