Big news: We're now accepting credit and debit cards for in-person services, plus PhilaDox gets an upgrade!

Starting September 29, 2025, the Philadelphia Department of Records will accept credit and debit cards for many of our in-person services. We're also upgrading our online database PhilaDox with a new, improved user experience. These changes make it easier and more convenient to handle your document needs.

Why this is such big news

Recording documents like deeds and paying realty transfer taxes can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Until now, when you came to our office in person, you could only pay these large amounts with cash, money orders, business checks, or certified checks. This meant:

• Making extra trips to the bank before coming to City Hall
• Worrying about security when carrying large amounts of cash
• Dealing with the hassle of getting money orders or checks for expensive transactions

Now, for in-person transactions, you can simply use your credit or debit card - just like you do everywhere else. Please note that a 3.5% convenience fee will apply to all credit and debit card transactions. We recognize that not everyone has a credit or debit card, so we'll continue to accept cash, money orders, business checks, and certified checks without additional fees.

Additional services now accept cards too

We're also making it more convenient to pay for other services with credit and debit cards:

• Real estate document copies - Getting copies of deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents in our Document Research Room at City Hall
• City Archives services - Copies of historical documents and records at our City Archives location

The 3.5% convenience fee applies to all credit and debit card transactions.

PhilaDox gets a new look

Along with accepting credit and debit cards for in-person services, we're also upgrading PhilaDox - our online database where you can search public real estate records for Philadelphia properties. PhilaDox will have a fresh, modern user experience while keeping all the same functionality you rely on. Whether you're researching property history, looking up deeds, or checking ownership records, PhilaDox will be easier to use than ever.

PhilaDox subscriptions can be purchased with credit or debit cards, and a 3.5% convenience fee applies to these transactions.

Visit us

We're excited to make your experience at the Department of Records easier and more convenient.

For more information about our services and locations, visit the link below.