Cumberland County Property Records
How To Search Property Records in Cumberland County in 2026
CumberlandCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to property records in Cumberland County. Members of the public may use this resource to locate data associated with ownership history, recorded documents, tax assessments, and related property information. The following record categories are among those that may be available:
- Deeds and title transfers
- Mortgage and lien records
- Property tax assessments and payment history
- Plat maps and legal descriptions
- Building permits and zoning information
Records may be searched through several official channels, including online databases, in-person visits to county offices, mail requests, and through licensed professionals such as title companies or real estate attorneys.
Online Search Methods
The most convenient method for accessing property records is through the official online portals maintained by Cumberland County government agencies. The following resources are available to the public at no charge for basic searches.
1. Property Appraiser Website
The Cumberland County Assessment Office serves as the primary resource for property valuation and ownership information. Members of the public may search at no cost without creating an account.
Search Options:
- By property address
- By owner name
- By parcel ID number
- By subdivision or map location
- By legal description
Information Available:
- Current owner name and mailing address
- Property address and legal description
- Parcel identification number
- Land use and zoning classification
- Property characteristics (square footage, year built, lot size, building type)
- Assessed value of land and improvements
- Taxable value and exemptions applied
- Sales history
- GIS map location
How to Search:
- Navigate to the Cumberland County Assessment Office website
- Select the preferred search type (address, owner name, parcel ID)
- Enter the search criteria in the appropriate field
- Review the results list returned by the system
- Select the specific property to view the full property card
- Review ownership details, valuation data, and sales history
- Print or save the information as needed
2. County Clerk / Recorder Official Records Search
The Cumberland County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts maintains the official index of recorded documents affecting real property. Basic searches are available to the public.
Searchable By:
- Grantor name (seller)
- Grantee name (buyer)
- Document type
- Recording date range
- Book and page number or instrument number
Documents Available:
- Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Satisfactions and releases of mortgage
- Mechanic's liens, judgment liens, and tax liens
- Easements and declarations of restrictions
- Plats and surveys
- Powers of attorney affecting property
- Lis pendens notices
- HOA documents
How to Search:
- Access the Prothonotary's official records portal
- Select the preferred search type
- Enter grantor or grantee name, date range, or document type
- Review the results returned
- Select a document to view the image, if available online
- Note the book and page or instrument number for reference
- Some systems assess a per-document fee for viewing or downloading images
3. Tax Collector Website
The Cumberland County Tax Claim Bureau provides public access to property tax information at no charge.
Search By:
- Property address
- Owner name
- Parcel number
- Tax account number
Information Available:
- Current tax bill amount
- Payment history
- Outstanding balances
- Exemptions applied
- Millage rates
- Tax certificate information for delinquent properties
- Payment options and installment plan status
4. GIS / Mapping System
The Cumberland County GIS Portal provides an interactive mapping interface for visual property searches.
How to Use:
- Navigate the map to the desired location
- Click on a parcel to view property information
- Access linked records from the property panel
- View aerial photography, property boundaries, zoning layers, and flood zones
- Measure distances and toggle between multiple map layers
In-Person Searches
Members of the public who require official certified copies or assistance with complex searches may visit the following offices in person.
Property Appraiser Office
Cumberland County Assessment Office
1 Courthouse Square, Suite 4600
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6350
Cumberland County Assessment Office
Services available include public access computers, staff assistance, property cards, maps and plats, and exemption application processing.
Clerk of Court / Recorder Office
Cumberland County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts
1 Courthouse Square, Suite 1400
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6195
Cumberland County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts
Services available include viewing official records, requesting certified copies, searching grantor and grantee indexes, accessing record books, and receiving staff assistance with document searches.
Tax Collector Office
Cumberland County Tax Claim Bureau
1 Courthouse Square, Suite 5300
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6367
Cumberland County Tax Claim Bureau
Services available include tax payment information, copies of tax bills, delinquency information, and tax certificate searches.
By Mail Requests
Property Appraiser
Written requests for property information may be directed to:
Cumberland County Assessment Office
1 Courthouse Square, Suite 4600
Carlisle, PA 17013
Requests should include the property address or parcel number, a description of the information sought, and a self-addressed return envelope. Copying fees may apply.
Clerk / Recorder
Written requests for copies of recorded documents may be directed to:
Cumberland County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts
1 Courthouse Square, Suite 1400
Carlisle, PA 17013
Requests should specify the document by book and page number, instrument number, or property address with an approximate date range. Payment for copying fees must be included. Certified copies are available upon request.
Through Professionals
Title companies provide comprehensive title searches, abstracts of title, and title insurance commitments that identify all recorded interests affecting a property. Real estate attorneys offer legal title opinions and assistance with complex ownership issues or disputes. Real estate agents may access MLS data for listed properties, pull property histories, and obtain comparable sales data as part of their representation services. Costs for professional services vary.
Search Tips
When searching by address, members of the public should use the complete street address, include unit or apartment numbers where applicable, and attempt searches with and without directional prefixes such as N, S, E, or W. When searching by owner name, it is advisable to try the last name first, check spelling variations, and consider both current and previous owner names as well as business entity names. When searching by legal description, the exact subdivision name, lot and block numbers, and section, township, and range information should be used.
Common Search Challenges
Records may not appear online due to recent recording delays, properties not yet digitized, indexing errors, or name spelling variations. When multiple results are returned for common names or similar addresses, the parcel number or legal description should be used to verify the correct property.
What You Cannot Find Online:
- Unrecorded documents and private agreements not submitted for recording
- Current pending sales prior to closing
- Some pre-digital historical records
- Documents filed under seal
What Is Cumberland County Property Records
Property records are official documents related to real property — encompassing both land and buildings — maintained by county government as the legal record of property ownership and transactions. Under Pennsylvania law, these records include deeds, mortgages, liens, and all other instruments affecting title to real estate. They are essential for establishing clear title and are accessible to any member of the public.
Purpose of Property Records:
- Establish legal ownership and chain of title
- Record encumbrances such as mortgages and liens
- Document property transfers and conveyances
- Support property tax assessment and collection
- Protect property rights and enable title insurance
- Facilitate real estate transactions
Types of Property Records
Ownership Records:
- Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and special warranty deeds
- Title documents and transfer records
- Ownership history and chain of title
- Life estate deeds and trust documents affecting property
Encumbrance Records:
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Tax liens, mechanic's liens, and judgment liens
- Easements, restrictions, and covenants
- Homeowner association documents
- Lis pendens notices
Tax and Assessment Records:
- Property tax assessments and tax bills
- Payment history and exemptions
- Millage rates and special assessments
- Tax delinquency records
Legal Descriptions:
- Plat maps and subdivision plats
- Surveys and metes and bounds descriptions
- Lot and block information
- Condominium declarations
Building and Permit Records:
- Building permits and certificates of occupancy
- Code violations and zoning information
- Land use designations
Who Maintains Property Records
County Clerk of Court / County Recorder:
Cumberland County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts
1 Courthouse Square, Suite 1400
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6195
Cumberland County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts
This office is responsible for recording and indexing official documents including deeds, mortgages, and liens, and for maintaining permanent records of all instruments affecting title to real property in Cumberland County.
Property Appraiser:
Cumberland County Assessment Office
1 Courthouse Square, Suite 4600
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6350
Cumberland County Assessment Office
This office maintains property valuations, assessment records, property characteristics, ownership information, and exemption applications.
Tax Collector:
Cumberland County Tax Claim Bureau
1 Courthouse Square, Suite 5300
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6367
Cumberland County Tax Claim Bureau
This office manages tax bills, payment records, delinquent tax records, and tax certificates.
Building/Planning Department:
Cumberland County Planning Department
310 Allen Road, Suite 101
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-5362
Cumberland County Planning Department
This department maintains permits, inspections, zoning records, and code enforcement information.
Legal Framework
In Pennsylvania, the recording of instruments affecting real property is governed by 42 Pa. C.S. § 21 and the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes relating to real property, which establish the requirements for recording, indexing, and providing public access to property instruments. The recording system operates on the principle of constructive notice — meaning that a properly recorded document provides legal notice to all subsequent parties, regardless of actual knowledge.
Are Property Records Public Information in Cumberland County?
Property records in Cumberland County are public information. Under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, members of the public have the right to access government records, including property records maintained by county offices. No special permission, stated reason, or residency requirement is necessary to access these records.
Legal Basis for Public Access:
- Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.)
- Pennsylvania recording statutes governing real property instruments
- Common law tradition of public land records
- Centuries-old practice in American property law
Why Property Records Are Public
Transparency:
The public has a recognized interest in knowing who owns real property, how property is taxed, and how ownership transfers occur. Transparent property records support accountability in government operations and help prevent fraudulent transfers.
Commercial Purposes:
Public access to property records enables real estate transactions, title searches, title insurance, property appraisals, market analysis, and mortgage lending. The real estate industry depends on the availability of these records to function efficiently.
Legal Protections:
The recording system establishes chain of title, provides constructive notice of recorded interests, protects against fraudulent transfers, and enables enforcement of property rights. As the Pennsylvania Department of State has noted, the recording system is fundamental to the security of real property ownership in the Commonwealth.
Public Interest:
Property records support tax assessment transparency, community planning, historical research, genealogical research, and journalistic investigation into matters of public concern.
What Property Information Is Public:
- Current and historical property ownership
- Legal descriptions and property addresses
- Sale prices and transfer amounts
- Recorded mortgage amounts
- Liens and encumbrances
- Tax assessments and payment history
- Property characteristics including size, age, and building type
- Deeds and all recorded documents
- Plat maps and surveys
Privacy Considerations
Certain personal information is protected even within public property records. Social Security numbers and bank account numbers are redacted from recorded documents under current Pennsylvania law. Certain individuals — including law enforcement officers, judges, domestic violence victims, and stalking victims — may be eligible for address confidentiality protections under applicable state programs. Homestead exemption applications may contain financial information that is not fully subject to public disclosure; the Assessment Office should be contacted for specific policies.
Who Can Access Property Records:
Any member of the public may access property records in Cumberland County. There is no residency requirement, ownership requirement, or business purpose requirement. Common users include prospective buyers, real estate agents and brokers, title companies, appraisers, lenders, attorneys, property owners reviewing their own records, investors, developers, genealogists, historians, and members of the media.
Commercial Use of Property Records
The use of public property records for commercial purposes — including real estate marketing, property valuation services, title insurance, investment analysis, and market research — is permitted under current law. Commercial data aggregators such as CoreLogic and First American compile public records into subscription-based services. Such aggregation is legal, though anti-harassment laws, fair housing laws, and other applicable statutes continue to govern how information may be used.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in Cumberland County?
Members of the public may inspect property records at no charge. Fees apply when copies or certified copies are requested. Under Pennsylvania law, the fee structure for public records is governed by 65 P.S. § 67.1307, which establishes the maximum fees that agencies may charge for duplication of records.
Standard Fee Schedule:
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Black-and-white paper copies (letter/legal) | $0.25 per page |
| Certified copies of recorded documents | $1.50 per page (plus $3.00 certification fee) |
| Electronic copies (where available) | Varies; often no charge for online viewing |
| Recording a new document | $107.25 for the first two pages; $3.00 per additional page |
| Documentary transfer tax (state + local) | 2% of sale price (1% state, 1% local) |
| Online document viewing | Free for basic access |
| Certified property record search | Fee varies by office |
Accepted Payment Methods:
- Cash (in-person)
- Check or money order payable to Cumberland County
- Credit or debit card (where available at the office)
Fee Waivers: Pursuant to 65 P.S. § 67.1307, agencies may waive fees when the requester demonstrates that the information is primarily in the public interest and that disclosure is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of government operations. Fee waivers are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
What Is Available at No Charge:
- Online viewing of property assessment data through the Assessment Office portal
- Online viewing of GIS mapping data
- Basic tax information through the Tax Claim Bureau website
- In-person inspection of records at county offices (no copying fee for inspection only)
What's Included in a Cumberland County Property Record?
A complete Cumberland County property record draws from multiple county databases and may include the following categories of information.
Ownership Information
Current ownership records identify the legal owner or owners as recorded on the most recent deed, including the ownership type (individual, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants by entirety, trust, LLC, corporation, or life estate), ownership percentage where multiple owners are involved, the acquisition date, the deed book and page or instrument number, and the mailing address on file for tax billing purposes. Previous ownership information includes the chain of title, prior owners' names, transfer dates, and historical deed references.
Property Identification
Property identification information includes the site address and mailing address, the legal description (lot and block number, subdivision name, plat book and page reference, section, township, and range where applicable, and metes and bounds description), the parcel ID or folio number, the tax account number, and any alternate or previous parcel numbers.
Physical Characteristics
Land information includes lot size in square feet or acres, lot dimensions, street frontage, corner lot designation, land use designation, and zoning classification. Building information includes total living area in square feet, year built, number of stories, building type, construction type, exterior wall material, roof type, foundation type, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and total room count. Additional features recorded may include garage type and spaces, pool, porch or patio square footage, fireplaces, central air conditioning, heating type, water source, sewer system, and additional structures.
Valuation Information
Assessment values include land value, building value, total assessed value, market value, and just value. Historical values for prior assessment years are typically available for a period of three to ten years, showing value trends and year-over-year percentage changes.
Tax Information
Current year tax information includes the total tax amount due, exemptions applied, taxable value after exemptions, millage rate, and a breakdown by taxing authority (county general fund, school district, municipality, and special districts). Tax history includes prior years' taxes paid, payment dates, and any delinquency history. Exemptions that may appear include homestead, senior, disability, veteran, widow or widower, agricultural, conservation, and historic preservation exemptions.
Sales History
Sales history includes sale dates, sale prices, sale types (warranty deed, quitclaim deed, gift, inheritance, foreclosure, tax deed, divorce transfer, or trust transfer), deed document numbers, grantor and grantee names, qualified or unqualified sale designation, and documentary stamp amounts. Price per square foot may be calculated from recorded sale prices.
Encumbrances and Liens
Mortgage records include current recorded mortgages, original mortgage amounts, lender names, and recording dates. Lien records include tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, HOA liens, code enforcement liens, and child support liens, with recorded dates, amounts, and lienholder names. Other encumbrances include easements, restrictions and covenants, leases, life estates, and lis pendens notices.
Legal and Regulatory Information
Zoning information includes the current zoning classification, description, and permitted uses. Land use information includes the current land use code and future land use designation. Special district information identifies the school district, fire district, water district, and other special taxing districts. Environmental information includes FEMA flood zone designation, wetlands designation, and conservation area designations.
Maps and Images
Visual information available may include property exterior photographs, aerial photographs, GIS maps with property boundaries, plat maps, property sketches or floor plans, and historical aerial images where available.
Building Permit Information
Where integrated with the property record system, building permit information may include permits issued, permit dates and descriptions, contractor information, permit values, certificates of occupancy, and inspection records.
What Is NOT Typically in Public Property Records:
- Current mortgage balances (only original amounts at time of recording)
- Personal financial information beyond what appears in recorded documents
- Interior photographs
- Confidential exemption application details
- Social Security numbers (redacted under current law)
- Private agreements not submitted for recording
- Actual purchase contract terms beyond the recorded sale price
How Long Does Cumberland County Keep Property Records?
Property records in Cumberland County are maintained permanently. The permanent retention of recorded instruments is a legal requirement under Pennsylvania law and is essential for establishing and verifying chain of title. These records are never destroyed.
Legal Basis for Retention
The retention of property records is governed by the Pennsylvania State Records Management Program and applicable provisions of Pennsylvania recording law. Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 21, recorded instruments affecting real property must be preserved as part of the permanent public record. The chain of title depends on the unbroken preservation of every recorded conveyance from the original land grant to the present owner.
Records Kept Permanently:
Deed Records:
All recorded deeds are maintained permanently, including warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, trustee's deeds, and all other conveyance documents. Records in Cumberland County date back to the county's formation in 1750 and include original land grants and early territorial period documents.
Mortgage Records:
All recorded mortgages, satisfactions, releases, modifications, and assignments are maintained permanently, even after the underlying loan has been paid in full.
Lien Records:
All recorded liens — including judgment liens, tax liens, mechanic's liens, and releases of liens — are maintained permanently.
Plats and Surveys:
All recorded plats, subdivision plats, re-plats, condominium declarations, and survey plats are maintained permanently.
Other Recorded Documents:
Easements, restrictions and covenants, declarations, powers of attorney affecting property, and court documents affecting title are all maintained permanently.
Format and Storage
Historical records in Cumberland County exist in multiple formats depending on the era of recording. Very old records are preserved in handwritten ledger books. Mid-twentieth century records may be available on microfilm. More recent records are maintained as digital scans in electronic document management systems with off-site backup and cloud-based redundancy. Original books are stored in climate-controlled facilities within the courthouse.
Access to Historical Records
Online access is available for records digitized by the county, which in many cases extends back several decades. Records not yet available online may be accessed in person at the Prothonotary's office, where staff can retrieve documents from microfilm archives or original record books. Members of the public seeking very old records should contact the office in advance to allow for retrieval time.
Property Appraiser Records
Assessment records, property cards, and assessment rolls are maintained permanently. Exemption applications are retained for a period that varies but is at present a minimum of five to seven years. Recent assessment history is available online through the Assessment Office portal, with historical assessments available at the office.
Tax Records
Tax payment records are retained for a minimum of seven to ten years. Tax certificates are retained until redeemed or until a tax deed is issued. Tax deed records are maintained permanently. Delinquency records are retained for several years following resolution.
Chain of Title
Every transfer of ownership from the original land grant to the present is preserved in the permanent record. Title searches in Pennsylvania review a period of at least sixty years as a standard practice, though a full abstract may extend back to the original grant. Gaps in the chain of title create title defects that must be resolved before a clear title can be conveyed.
Accessing Records by Time Period
| Time Period | Availability | Access Method |
|---|---|---|
| Last 20 years | Fully online in most cases | Immediate, free online access |
| 20–50 years ago | May be online; microfilm available | Online or in-person |
| 50–100 years ago | Microfilm or original books | In-person, staff retrieval |
| 100+ years ago | Archive storage, original books | In-person, advance notice recommended |
Contact for Historical Records
Cumberland County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts
1 Courthouse Square, Suite 1400
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6195
Cumberland County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts
Cumberland County Assessment Office
1 Courthouse Square, Suite 4600
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6350
Cumberland County Assessment Office
How To Find Liens on Property in Cumberland County?
A lien is a legal claim recorded against real property that secures a debt or obligation owed by the property owner. Liens are part of the public record in Cumberland County and may be identified through several official search methods.
Types of Liens That May Appear on Property:
- Mortgage liens (voluntary, recorded at time of financing)
- Federal and state tax liens (IRS, Pennsylvania Department of Revenue)
- Judgment liens (resulting from court judgments against the owner)
- Mechanic's liens (filed by contractors or suppliers for unpaid work)
- HOA liens (filed by homeowner associations for unpaid dues)
- Code enforcement liens (filed by municipalities for unresolved violations)
- Child support liens
Step-by-Step Search Methods
Step 1 — Search the Prothonotary's Official Records Index
The Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts maintains the index of all recorded instruments, including liens. Members of the public may search this index by the property owner's name (as grantor or grantee) or by document type.
Cumberland County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts
1 Courthouse Square, Suite 1400
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6195
Cumberland County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts
Step 2 — Search for Federal Tax Liens
Federal tax liens filed by the Internal Revenue Service are recorded with the county Prothonotary. Members of the public may also search the IRS federal tax lien database for information on federal liens.
Step 3 — Search for Pennsylvania State Tax Liens
State tax liens filed by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue are recorded with the county Prothonotary and may also be verified through the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.
Step 4 — Search Judgment Records
Judgment liens arise from civil court judgments and are indexed in the Prothonotary's judgment index. A search by the property owner's name in the judgment index will identify any recorded judgments that may have attached to real property owned by that individual in Cumberland County.
Step 5 — Search the Tax Claim Bureau for Tax Delinquencies
Delinquent property taxes may result in tax claims and tax liens recorded against the property. The Tax Claim Bureau maintains records of all delinquent tax accounts.
Cumberland County Tax Claim Bureau
1 Courthouse Square, Suite 5300
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6367
Cumberland County Tax Claim Bureau
Step 6 — Review the Full Title Search
A comprehensive lien search requires reviewing the grantor-grantee index, the judgment index, the federal tax lien index, and the state tax lien index for all names associated with the property over the relevant search period. Title companies and real estate attorneys perform this type of full search as part of a title examination.
Important Notes on Lien Searches:
- Liens attach to the property owner by name, not solely to the property address; searching by owner name is essential
- Liens recorded after a title search is completed will not appear in that search
- Mechanic's liens in Pennsylvania are governed by the Pennsylvania Mechanics' Lien Law of 1963, which establishes filing requirements and priority rules
- Releases and satisfactions of liens must also be verified to confirm that a lien has been properly discharged
What Is Property Owner Rule in Cumberland County?
The property owner rule in Cumberland County refers to the body of Pennsylvania law and local regulations that govern who may own real property, how ownership is established and transferred, and what rights and obligations attach to property ownership. Under Pennsylvania law, any individual, business entity, trust, or governmental body may hold title to real property in Cumberland County, subject to applicable legal requirements.
Establishing Ownership
Ownership of real property in Pennsylvania is established by a recorded deed. The deed must be executed by the grantor (seller or transferor), acknowledged before a notary public, and recorded with the Cumberland County Prothonotary to provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers and creditors. Under the Pennsylvania recording acts, an unrecorded deed may be valid between the parties but does not provide constructive notice to third parties.
Forms of Ownership
Pennsylvania law recognizes several forms of concurrent ownership:
- Tenancy in common: Two or more owners each hold an undivided fractional interest; interests may be unequal and are freely transferable and inheritable separately
- Joint tenancy with right of survivorship: Two or more owners hold equal undivided interests; upon the death of one owner, the surviving owner or owners take the deceased owner's interest by operation of law
- Tenancy by the entirety: Available only to legally married spouses; neither spouse may convey or encumber the property without the consent of the other; the property passes automatically to the surviving spouse upon death
- Trust ownership: Property held in trust is titled in the name of the trustee for the benefit of the beneficiaries; the trustee has legal authority to convey the property in accordance with the trust instrument
- Entity ownership: LLCs, corporations, partnerships, and other legal entities may hold title to real property; authority to convey is governed by the entity's organizational documents and Pennsylvania business law
Transfer of Ownership
The transfer of real property in Cumberland County requires a properly executed and acknowledged deed, payment of the Pennsylvania Realty Transfer Tax under 72 P.S. § 8101-C, and recording of the deed with the Prothonotary. The current combined realty transfer tax rate in Pennsylvania is 2% of the sale price or assessed value, whichever is greater, divided between the state (1%) and the local taxing authority (1%).
Property Owner Rights and Obligations
Property owners in Cumberland County hold the following rights and obligations under current Pennsylvania law:
- The right to use, enjoy, and exclude others from the property, subject to zoning and land use regulations
- The obligation to pay real property taxes assessed by the county, school district, and municipality
- The right to apply for applicable exemptions, including the homestead exemption available under the Pennsylvania Homestead Property Exclusion Program
- The obligation to comply with applicable building codes, zoning ordinances, and environmental regulations
- The right to transfer, mortgage, or encumber the property subject to any recorded restrictions or encumbrances
- The obligation to disclose known material defects in residential property transactions under the Pennsylvania Seller Disclosure Law
Adverse Possession
Under Pennsylvania law, a person who openly, continuously, exclusively, and hostilely possesses real property for a period of twenty-one years may acquire legal title through adverse possession. A claim of adverse possession must be established through a court proceeding, and a deed resulting from such a judgment must be recorded to establish title of record.
Eminent Domain
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Cumberland County, and authorized municipalities retain the power of eminent domain — the authority to acquire private property for public use upon payment of