Grantor/Grantee
Clearly identify the party transferring title (grantor) and the recipient (grantee) using full legal names and correct entity type (individual, LLC, corporation).
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PA Deed
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What a PA Deed Is and when it’s used
Why a correctly prepared PA Deed matters
A clear, notarized, and recorded PA Deed creates public notice of ownership, preserves title insurance protections, reduces risk of competing claims, and enables transfer of mortgage and tax responsibilities. Accuracy at preparation avoids costly corrections, delays at closing, and potential title defects.
Who commonly prepares and relies on a PA Deed
Typical participants include sellers (grantors), buyers (grantees), closing attorneys, title companies, and county recording offices.
- Homebuyers and sellers: Use the deed to complete a sale and establish marketable title following closing.
- Title companies and attorneys: Prepare or review deeds to ensure correct legal descriptions and recording language.
- Lenders and mortgage servicers: Rely on recorded deeds to confirm collateral and note priority.
Each party has distinct responsibilities: the grantor must sign and notarize; the buyer (or closing agent) must record and retain the original recorded deed.
Core elements every PA Deed should include
Consideration
State the amount of money or other consideration exchanged; use a precise dollar amount or describe non-monetary consideration explicitly.
Legal Description
Provide the full recorded legal description (metes and bounds, lot and block, or recorded plan reference) rather than a postal address.
Habendum Clause
Include the 'to have and to hold' language describing the estate granted (fee simple, life estate, etc.) to clarify the interest conveyed.
Covenants/Warranties
Specify any title covenants (general or special warranty) or state that the deed is a quitclaim with no warranties, depending on the chosen deed type.
Signatures & Notary
Grantor signature(s) must be acknowledged by a notary public on the deed; some counties require witness lines per local practice.
Step-by-step: preparing and recording a PA Deed
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01Draft the deed: Use the correct deed type and insert an accurate legal description.
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02Execute and notarize: Grantor signs before a notary; obtain witness signatures where local practice requires them.
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03Record with county: Submit the original notarized deed to the appropriate county Recorder of Deeds for indexing.
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04Distribute copies: Provide certified or conformed copies to grantee, lender, and title insurer as needed.
How to configure an online PA Deed workflow
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Document template | Select deed type template with locked legal description field |
| Signature method | Enable remote or in-person signing with notary acknowledgement |
| Authentication | Require email plus SMS OTP for grantee and closing agent |
| Recording county | Set routing to the county Recorder of Deeds for submission |
Typical e-submission path for a signed PA Deed
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Upload deed: Upload the finalized deed PDF to the signing platform.
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Place fields: Add signature, date, and notary acknowledgement fields.
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Obtain signatures: Send to grantor and grantee for signing and notarization.
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Record and close: File original with county and distribute recorded copy to stakeholders.
Technical and integration considerations for eSigning and eRecording
Choose a platform that supports PDF, DOCX import, preserves original formatting, and integrates with title and closing systems.
- Integrations: Salesforce, Microsoft 365, NetSuite, Google Workspace
- Accepted formats: PDF, Word DOCX, and PDF/A
- Security standards: TLS 1.2/1.3 and AES-256 encryption
Ensure the chosen workflow supports notarization options used in Pennsylvania (in-person notary or Remote Online Notarization when available), audit trails for proof of execution, and retention of the original notarized PDF for recording.
Timing, taxes, and recording expectations
Record promptly:
Record the deed as soon as possible to protect priority of title.
Transfer tax filing:
File required transfer tax return as instructed by county or state revenue office.
Mortgage payoff timing:
Obtain lender’s release or reconveyance before or immediately after recording.
Tax proration:
Determine proration of property taxes per the purchase contract.
Certified copies:
Order recorded certified copies for lender and grantee retention.
Notarization and witness flow for a recorded PA Deed
01
Prepare ID
Grantor presents government-issued photo ID to the notary.
02
Sign in presence
Grantor signs the deed while the notary observes.
03
Notary acknowledgement
Notary completes the acknowledgement block with date and seal.
04
Witnesses (if required)
Collect witness signatures per local rule when applicable.
05
RON session (optional)
If permitted, conduct remote notarization with identity proofing and recording.
06
Notary journal entry
Notary records the act in their journal per state requirements.
07
Deliver original
Provide the original notarized deed for recording at county office.
08
Obtain stamped copy
Receive the recorded, stamped deed for parties and title insurer.
How common deed types differ in purpose and promise
| Deed Type | Primary Effect | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| General Warranty Deed | conveys full warranties | used in standard sales |
| Special Warranty Deed | warrants only grantor’s tenure | often in commercial sales |
| Quitclaim Deed | no warranties; conveys only interest | used between family or to clear interest |
| Sheriff’s/Foreclosure Deed | transfers post-foreclosure title | limited warranties |
Common mistakes to avoid when preparing a PA Deed
- Using a street address instead of the recorded legal description can cause the county to reject the deed or create title ambiguity.
- Mismatched names between deed and ID or entity records can trigger title exceptions and delay insurance and closing.
- Failing to include correct consideration or transfer tax statements may produce additional filings or penalties.
- Not obtaining a proper notary acknowledgement or required witness signatures leads to recording rejection and risks title defects.
Consequences of errors or omissions on a PA Deed
Title defects:
Clouds on title requiring curative instruments
Recording delay:
Loss of priority against subsequent claims
Transfer tax issues:
Fines or late filing penalties
Invalid signature:
Deed may be void or require re-execution
Incorrect legal description:
Partial conveyance or ambiguity in boundaries
Fraud exposure:
Potential civil and criminal liability
Who can sign and how authority is confirmed
Grantor (Seller)
The grantor is the owner of record or authorized signatory for an entity; for corporate grantors, corporate resolution or officer signature authority should be documented to establish valid execution.
Grantee (Buyer)
The grantee accepts the conveyance and signs only when necessary for acknowledgment; when an agent signs, a power of attorney evidencing authority is required and should be recorded if used.
Supporting documents to include with a PA Deed submission
Prior Deed
Attach or reference the prior recorded deed to establish chain of title and confirm legal description.
Title Search
Include a title search report or abstract to disclose liens, easements, and encumbrances for closing.
Transfer Tax Form
Complete any county or state transfer tax return required at the time of recording.
Power of Attorney
If an agent executes the deed, include a recorded or attachable power of attorney showing authority.
Comparing eSignature vendor pricing and basic capabilities
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Free Trial | 7-day free trial | Yes, trial varies | Yes, trial varies | Yes, limited | Yes, limited |
| Bulk Send | Yes (Business Premium) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes (BAA available) | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Envelope Cap | No envelope cap | 100 envelopes/user/yr limit | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |
FAQs and troubleshooting for PA Deeds
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Can a PA Deed be signed electronically?
Yes in many contexts: ESIGN (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA permit electronic signatures for most transactions. Confirm county recorder acceptance for electronic originals and ensure any consumer-facing requirements are met.
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Is notarization always required for recording?
Yes: deeds recorded in Pennsylvania require a notary acknowledgement to be accepted by the county Recorder of Deeds; take care to follow the notary block format accepted by the recording office.
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Can Remote Online Notarization (RON) be used?
RON availability depends on state law and the notary’s authorization. Verify Pennsylvania’s current RON statutes and the county recorder’s acceptance before proceeding with a remote notarization session.
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What if the recorder rejects the deed?
Common causes are missing acknowledgements, defective legal descriptions, or incorrect fee amounts. Request the recorder’s rejection notice, correct the defect, and re-file as directed by the county.
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How do I correct an error after recording?
Minor errors often use a corrective or reformation deed; substantive defects may require affidavits or quiet-title actions. Consult counsel and follow local recording procedures.
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What proves a valid electronic signing event?
Maintain an audit trail showing signer identity, intent, timestamps, and record retention capability. For higher-assurance needs, use multi-factor authentication or PKI-based signatures.
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