What is an addendum to a deed and how do I record it with the county? - Pennsylvania
The Short Answer
In Pennsylvania, there usually is no such thing as “recording an addendum” to change a deed after it has been signed and recorded. If something about a recorded deed needs to be corrected or clarified (such as a legal description, name, or other key term), the safer approach is typically to prepare and record a new instrument (often called a corrective or confirmatory deed) that clearly references the prior deed.
Because deed changes can affect title, taxes, and probate/estate administration, it’s worth speaking with a Pennsylvania attorney before you record anything.
What Pennsylvania Law Says
County recorders of deeds in Pennsylvania maintain official land records and index recorded conveyance documents. When a deed (or other instrument affecting title) is recorded, the recorder must capture and maintain specific information about that recorded conveyance, which is part of why “fixing” a deed is typically done through a new recorded document that ties back to the original.
The Statute
The primary law governing this issue is 53 Pa.C.S. § 8862.
This statute requires the recorder of deeds to document and maintain key details for every recorded deed or conveyance (such as the date, grantor/grantee names, consideration, and property location) and to file that information with the county assessment office.
If your question is coming up in an estate context, Pennsylvania probate law also specifically addresses recording certain court decrees that award real estate from an estate, which can be a separate (and sometimes necessary) path to clearing title after a death. See 20 Pa.C.S. § 3536.
Related reading: How unrecorded or unsigned deeds can affect probate property administration in Pennsylvania.
Why You Should Speak with an Attorney
While the statute provides the general framework for recording and indexing deeds, applying it to your situation is rarely simple. Legal outcomes often depend on:
- Strict acceptance rules at the Recorder’s Office: Counties can reject documents that don’t meet formatting, acknowledgment/notary, or content requirements—especially when the document is trying to “change” an already-recorded deed.
- Burden of proof and title risk: If the “addendum” changes ownership, the legal description, or survivorship language, a poorly drafted document can create a cloud on title that blocks refinancing, sale, or estate distribution.
- Exceptions in probate and transfers: If the property owner has died, the right document may be an estate-related recording (for example, a decree awarding real estate under 20 Pa.C.S. § 3536) rather than a “deed addendum.”
Trying to handle this alone can lead to a rejected recording, unintended tax consequences, or a title defect that costs far more to fix later.
Related reading: Recording a quitclaim deed yourself for an inherited property issue in Pennsylvania.
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Disclaimer: This article provides general information under Pennsylvania law and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change frequently. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a licensed attorney.