US County Clerks Directory
Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 42029

Chester County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Chester County, Pennsylvania. Serving a population of 549.784 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: West Chester • Land Area: 750,547 sq mi • State: Pennsylvania (PA)
Call: (717) 693-4499 Get Courthouse Directions County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania ↗
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Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri
Physical Courthouse Address

Chester County Courthouse / Recording Office, West Chester, PA 19380

Seat of government for Chester County in West Chester, PA.

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Courthouse / Directory Line

(717) 693-4499

Regular Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 42029 • Coordinates: 39.9740° N, -75.7498° W
Visit County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania ↗
Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Chester County

  • ✓ Valid Government Photo ID (Driver's License or Passport)
  • ✓ Payment: Credit Card, Cashier's Check, or Exact Cash
  • ✓ Original signed documents with valid notary jurat/seal
  • ✓ Mandatory 3-inch top margin for county recorder barcode
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Land Records & Real Property

Chester County Deed Recording Fees & Requirements

Governed by 42 P.S. § 21051 & 72 P.S. § 8101-C
First Page Base Fee
$60.00
Includes statutory county automation index surcharge
Each Additional Page
$4.00
Per additional standard 8.5" x 11" page
Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps
1.0% state Realty Transfer Tax + 1.0% local municipal/school tax (2.0% standard; 4.278% in Philadelphia)
Calculated at recording based on purchase consideration

Statutory Recording Margin Standards in Pennsylvania:

Top Margin (Page 1): Must leave minimum 3 inches blank at top right for official recorder barcode and indexing stamp.
Other Margins: Minimum 1 inch on side, bottom, and subsequent pages to avoid non-conforming document penalties.
Grantee & Return Address: Must state grantee's legal address and a return mailing address clearly on the first page.
Legibility & Font: Black ink on white 8.5 x 11 paper; minimum 10-point font. Notary stamps must be crisp and dark.
Marriage Bureau

Marriage License in Chester County

License Fee $60 - $80
Waiting Period 72 Hours
  • ✓ Validity Window: Must solemnize within 60 days of issuance.
  • ✓ Personal Appearance: Both applicants must appear together in person at the Chester County courthouse.
  • ✓ Identification: Valid state photo driver's license, passport, or military ID. No blood test required.
State Policy: Mandatory 3-day waiting period. Issued by Register of Wills / Marriage License Bureau.
Vital Statistics

Certified Vital Records

Birth Cert $20.00
Death Cert $20.00
Marriage Cert $15.00
  • • Authorized Requestors: Direct family relation (registrant, child, parent, spouse) or legal guardian only.
  • • Filing Agency: Processed through Pennsylvania Department of Health Division of Vital Records and the local Chester County clerk counter.
Certified copies bear an official raised, embossed seal and are suitable for passports, probate, real estate, and legal identification.
Commercial & Business

DBA & Assumed Name Registration in Chester County

Filing Fee: $70.00
1. Filing Authority

In Chester County, sole proprietorships and general partnerships register assumed names through the Pennsylvania Department of State & County.

2. Statutory Requirement

Required prior to opening a commercial checking account, issuing invoices under a brand name, or executing contracts in Pennsylvania.

3. State Rules & Notice

Fictitious name registration filed with PA Dept of State; advertising required in two newspapers.

Official Business & DBA Filing Assistance

Starting a Business or Filing a DBA in Chester County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Chester County Pennsylvania Department of State & County. Form your official LLC, register your Trade / Assumed Name (DBA), get your federal Tax ID (EIN), and receive your registered agent documents fully online in Pennsylvania.

Name Search Included
Articles of Organization
Pennsylvania Compliant
Register LLC / DBA Online Official partner filing service • Expedited processing
State-Specific Statutory Legal Templates

Download Official Pennsylvania Real Estate Deeds & Legal Forms

Ensure your property transfer is compliant with Pennsylvania county recording statutes. Get attorney-drafted Quitclaim Deeds, Special Warranty Deeds, Powers of Attorney, and Promissory Notes formatted with correct margins and statutory acknowledgments.

✓ 3-inch top recording margin ready ✓ State notary jurat included ✓ Instant PDF & Word download
Get Pennsylvania Legal Forms → Updated for 2026 legal compliance
Regional Civic Network

Nearby County Clerks in Pennsylvania

Need to file or search public records in an adjacent jurisdiction? Explore neighboring Pennsylvania recording offices:

Delaware County Seat: Media
~19 mi →
Montgomery County Seat: Norristown
~25.9 mi →
Lancaster County Seat: Lancaster
~26.9 mi →
Berks County Seat: Reading
~31.8 mi →
Philadelphia County Seat: Philadelphia
~32.7 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Chester County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Chester County Clerk & Recorder office located?
The official Chester County office is located at Chester County Courthouse / Recording Office, West Chester, PA 19380. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (717) 693-4499.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Chester County?
Under Pennsylvania statute (42 P.S. § 21051 & 72 P.S. § 8101-C), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Chester County costs $60.00 for the first page, plus $4.00 for each additional page. Transfer tax details: 1.0% state Realty Transfer Tax + 1.0% local municipal/school tax (2.0% standard; 4.278% in Philadelphia).
How do I obtain a marriage license in Chester County, PA?
Both applicants must appear in person before the Chester County Clerk with government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state ID). The fee is approximately $60 - $80. Pennsylvania requires a waiting period of 72 hours, and the license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.
How do I file a DBA (Doing Business As) or Assumed Name in Chester County?
In Chester County, registering a DBA or Assumed Business Name is handled through the Pennsylvania Department of State & County with a standard statutory filing fee of $70.00. Fictitious name registration filed with PA Dept of State; advertising required in two newspapers.
How can I request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate in Chester County?
Certified vital records (birth certificates starting at $20.00 and death certificates starting at $20.00) can be requested through the Pennsylvania Department of Health Division of Vital Records or directly at the Chester County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.