Title insurance protects the owner of a property from any losses or damages that may result from disputes over ownership of the property. When you purchase a property, a title search is typically conducted to ensure that the seller is the rightful owner of the property and that there are no outstanding liens or claims. If any issues are discovered during the title search, they must be resolved before the sale can proceed.
Title insurance protects the owner from financial loss due to any defects in the title that are not discovered during the title search. For example, if it is later discovered that the seller did not have the right to sell the property, or if there are outstanding liens on the property that were not revealed during the title search, the title insurance policy will cover any legal fees or financial losses incurred as a result.
Title insurance is typically purchased by the buyer of a property, although it can also be purchased by the seller. In Elk County, as in other places, title insurance is usually offered by a title insurance company, which is a business that specializes in underwriting and issuing title insurance policies.
ELK COUNTY TITLE INSURANCE
The County possesses a great heritage that runs rampant through the soul and fiber of the area. This heritage belongs to all its citizens who believe 
vehemently in its destiny. From its stately Courthouse to its beauteous hills and valleys, our County looks forward with justification to a future sustained by the love and ardor of its people- all ages and persuasions.
Elk County’s first inhabitants were presumed to be the Seneca or Cornplanter Indians. Ruins of Indians forts have been found near Russell City in Highland Township. Another Indian earthwork possibly could be situated in Jones Township. The old Kittanning Indian Trial, the most direct route from Olean, New York to Kittanning, passes through western Elk County.
CITY: St. Marys
BOROUGHS: Johnsonburg, Ridgway
TOWNSHIPS: Benezette Township, Fox Township, Highland Township, Horton Township, Jay Township, Jones Township, Millstone Township, Ridgway Township, Spring Creek Township
TAX COLLECTORS
Benezette Twp:
Virginia McClellan: 814-787-8891
143 Trout Run RD, P.O. Box 25, Benezette, PA 15821
Fox Twp:
Vondalee Swanson: 814-885-6541
114 Ridge Road, Kersey, PA 15846
Highland Twp:
Samuel P. Moran: 814-837-7109
Box 1, James City, PA 16734
Horton Twp:
Emma Woodward: 814-776-1781
114 Beech Grove Road, Ridgway, PA 15853
Jay Twp:
James P. Allegretto: 814-787-4306
113 Pine Avenue, Box 126, Force, PA 15841
Jones Twp:
Joseph W. Haight: 814-965-5529
515 Market Street, Johnsonburg, PA 15845
Millstone Twp:
Gale M. Clark: 814-776-6714
164 Ridgway Drive,
Ridgway, PA 15853
Ridgway Twp:
Gale M. Clark: 814-772-6506
Township Municipal Building
164 Ridgway Drive, Ridgway, PA 15853
Spring Creek Twp:
Curtis A. Olson: 814-772-6810
27821 Lake City Rd., Ridgway, PA 15853
Johnsonburg Boro:
Trina L. DeStephano: 814-965-5436
520B Market St., Johnsonburg, PA 15845
Ridgway Boro:
Keith A. Mader, Jr.: 814-772-7399
331 Main St., Room #1, P.O. Box 56
Ridgway, PA 15853
City Of St. Marys:
Charles “Bud” Bloam: 814-781-8454
11 LaFayette St., P.O. Box 349,
St. Marys, PA 15857
Recorder of Deeds
Elk County Recorder of Deeds
240 Main Street
Courthouse
Ridgway, PA 15853
ELK COUNTY – RECORDER OF DEEDS
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 8th, 2009
ALL PRICES INCLUDE (4) NAMES & (4) PAGES & UPI FEES
EXTRA PAGES: 2.00 EACH – EXTRA NAMES: .50 EACH
EXTRA PARCELS: .50 AFTER THE FIRST ( ON DEEDS ONLY )
ABANDONMENT 40.50 ADDENDUM 40.50
ADVERSE POSSESSION 62.00 AFFIDAVIT 40.50
AFFIDAVIT OF MERGER 20.50 AGREEMENT 38.50
AMENDED COURT ORDER 64.00 AMENDED DECLARATION / TRUST 40.50
AMENDED DECREE 64.00 AMENDED EASEMENT 64.00
AMENDED LEASE 40.50 AMENDED MORTGAGE 64.00
AMENDMENT 40.50 ARTICLE OF AGREEMENT 38.50
ARTICLE OF DISSOLUTION 18.50 ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT 20.50
ARTICLES OF MERGER 18.50 ASSIGNMENT 64.00
ASSIGNMENT OF LEASE-RENT 40.50 ASSIGNMENT OF MORTGAGE 64.00
ASSIGNMENT OF OIL & GAS 40.50 CLEAN GREEN ACT 38.50
CONDEMNATION 62.00 CONSENT OF LANDOWNER 38.50
CORRECTION ASSIGNMENT 64.00 CORR CONSENT OF LANDOWNER 40.50
CORRECTION DEED 64.00 CORRECTION DESIGN-UNIT 40.50
CORRECTION MARSHALS DEED 74.00 CORRECTION MORTGAGE 74.00
CORRECTION RIGHT OF WAY 64.00 CORRECTION TAX DEED 59.00
DEC AWARD REAL ESTATE 62.00 DEC FINANCIAL ASSETS 5.00
DECLARATION OF CONDO 38.50 DECLARATION OF POOLING 48.50
DEC OF POOLING SURRENDER 40.50 DECLARATION OF TAKING 62.00
DECLARATION OF TRUST 38.50 DECLARATION RELINQUISHMENT 64.00
DEED 75.00 DEED – DNP 75.00
DEED OF DEDICATION 62.00 DESIGNATION – UNIT 40.50
EASEMENT 62.00 EXTENSION OF MORTGAGE 40.50
EXTENSION OF O & G LEASE 40.50 GAS PRODUCTION UNIT 40.50
HIGHWAY OCCUPANCY PERMIT 40.50 INSTALLMENT LAND CONTRACT 62.00
LEASE 38.50 LIFE ESTATE AGREEMENT 38.50
LIMITED PARTERSHIP AGREEMENT 18.50 MARITAL WAIVER 38.50
MARSHAL DEED 62.00 MEMORANDUM OF LEASE 38.50
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT 38.50 MEMORANDUM OF RELEASE 38.50
MEMORANDUM O & G LEASE 38.50 MEMORANDUM OPTION AGRMT 38.50
MEMORANDUM OF COURT ORDER 62.00 MEMORANDUM OF TRUST 38.50
MINERAL RIGHTS DEED 72.00 MINERAL RIGHTS DEED – DNP 72.00
MISCELLANEOUS 38.50 MODIFICATION OF AGREEMENT 40.50
MODIFICATION OF MORTGAGE 40.50 MORTGAGE 75.00
MORTGAGE ASSUMPTION 64.00 MORTGAGE BOND 75.00
MORTGAGE STIPULATION 40.50 NOTARY ADDRESS CHANGE 8.50
NOTARY BOND COMMISSION 35.50 NOTARY NAME CHANGE 8.50
NOTICE OF BANKRUPTCY 18.50 NOTICE OF TAKING 38.50
OIL & GAS DEED 72.00 OIL & GAS LEASE 38.50
OPTION AGREEMENT 38.50 ORDER OF COURT 62.00
PARTIAL RELEASE 64.00 PARTIAL SURRENDER 64.00
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT 38.50 PARTNERSHIP RESOLUTION 18.50
POSTPONEMENT LIEN 40.50 POSTPONEMENT OF MORTGAGE 40.50
POWER OF ATTORNEY 18.50 PROTECTIVE COVENANT 38.50
QUIET TITLE 62.00 QUIT CLAIM – DNP 62.00
QUIT CLAIM DEED 62.00 RATIFICATION OF AGREEMENT 40.50
RE-DETERMINATION 40.50 RECREACTIONAL CABIN AFFIDAVIT 40.50
RELEASE 64.00 RELEASE OF CONTRACT & COV 40.50
RELEASE OF MORTGAGE 64.00 RELEASE OF O & G LEASE 40.50
RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS 38.50 REVOCATION 20.50
RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL 40.50 RIGHT OF WAY 62.00
RTT TAX NOTICE FREE SATISFACTION LEASE / RENTS 50.50
SATISFACTION OF MORTGAGE 64.00 SEWAGE PERMIT 38.50
SHERIFF’S DEED 64.00 SPOUSAL JOINDER 38.50
STATEMENT OF ASSETS 5.00 STORAGE GRANT 38.50
SUBDIVISION APPROVAL 40.50 SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT 40.50
SUBORD/ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT 40.50 SUBORDINATION OF MORTGAGE 40.50
SUPPLIMENTAL INDENTURE 64.00 SUPPLIMENTAL MORTGAGE 64.00
SURFACE RELEASE 64.00 SURRENDER LEASE 40.50
SURRENDER OF RIGHT OF WAY 64.00 SURRENDER O & G LEASE 40.50
SURRENDER ROYALTY INTEREST 40.50 TAX CLAIM DEED 62.00
TERMINATION 40.50 TIMBER DEED 72.00
TIMBER DEED – DNP 72.00 UCC – AMMENDMENT 100.00
UCC – ASSIGNMENT 100.00 UCC – CONTINUATION 100.00
UCC – TERMINATION 100.00 UCC 100.00
VARIANCE 38.50 WATER PERMIT 38.50
WATER RIGHTS 62.00 WATER SUPPLY WAIVER 38.50
MAPS
* HIGHWAY PLANS 5.00 – FIRST PAGE 2.00 – EACH PAGE AFTER
* MAP UNDER 18 X 24 – 50.00 OVER 18 X 24 – 62.50
* SUBDIVISION UNDER 18 X 24 – 50.00 OVER 18 X 24 – 62.50
SECTION 2, ALL FEES SHALL BE EXCLUSIVE OF THE STATE WRIT TAX AND ALL FEES ON SAID TAX SHALL BE
PAYABLE IN ADVANCE.
SECTION 3, ALL DEEDS SHALL SET FORTH THE TRUE CONSIDERATION. IF AN EXCEPTION FROM TAXATION IS
CLAIMED, EITHER FULL OR PARTIAL, THE DEED MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ORIGINAL AND A COPY OF AN
AFFIDAVIT OF VALUE, UNLESS NOTED IN THE DEED. THE AFFIDAVIT OF VALUE MUST BE FULLY COMPLETED.
WHERE THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED IN TWO OR MORE TAXING AUTHORITIES, THE PERON RECORDING THE DEED
SHALL INDICATE THEREON THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY IN EACH TAXING AUTHORITY FOR LOCAL REALITY
TRANSFER TAX PURPOSES.
SECTION 4, ANY INSTRUMENT THAT HAS ANY EFFECT ON LAND IS REQUIRED TO HAVE AN UPI
NUMBER (TAX PARCEL IDENTIFIER) STATED IN THE INSTRUMENT.
***IF A DEED HAS LOCAL AND STATE TRANSFER TAXES, WE REQUIRE 2 CHECKS. BOTH MADE OUT TO THE
RECORDER OF DEEDS. As a PA Title Insurance Company we make sure all recordable documents are recorded in the recorder of deeds office with in days if not hours after the closing.
