News & Issues: Issue Summaries

Municipal Deed Registration

Issue Summary Background:

The Pennsylvania “Uniform Municipal Deed Registration Act” was signed into law last year and prohibits municipalities from requiring deed registration at the local level prior to recording of the original deed with the County Recorder of Deeds. Under this law, municipalities can enact an ordinance that would require the deed to be registered with the municipality within two days of registering with the county. The state legislation limits the fee that municipalities can charge for deed registration at $10.

Impact on REALTORS®:

The "Uniform Municipal Deed Registation Act" is intended to prohibit municipalities from requiring the registration of deeds prior to recording in the County Recorder of Deeds office. The law accomplishes this by requiring the owner or the “agent” working on behalf of the owner to register the deed with the municipality within two days of recording the deed with the county. The legislation was drafted in response to some municipalities holding up deed registration to force compliance with their use and occupancy requirements. Many municipalities are passing ordinances to ensure compliance with the law. In keeping with the original language, the municipalities require the owner or agent acting on behalf of the owner to register the deed within the two day limit prescribed by law.

Other Resources:

Uniform Municipal Deed Registration Act

Status:

The Suburban REALTORS® Alliance has sent a survey to all 238 municipalities in the four county area to determine which have adopted Municipal Deed Registation oridnances. Responses will be posted in the municipal information section. Questions about this issue can be directed to the Suburban REALTORS® Alliance staff at 610/981-9000, or sra@suburbanrealtorsalliance.com.