Losing your husband or wife is one of the hardest things anyone can go through. While you’re dealing with grief, you also have to handle practical matters like property ownership. We want to help make at least one part of this process easier.

What is the Deed Deceased Program?

The Deed Deceased program helps widowed spouses transfer property ownership into their name at a much lower cost. This program specifically applies when both spouses appear on the deed but one of them has passed away. The program makes the process simpler and cheaper during an already difficult time.

How does it help you?

When you’re grieving, dealing with legal paperwork and extra costs can feel overwhelming. Our program offers a simple, affordable way for you to legally secure ownership of your property. This way, you can focus more on healing and less on paperwork.

How much money will you save?

The current fee for recording a deed in Philadelphia is $274.75. But with the Deed Deceased program, you’ll only pay $42.75. That’s a savings of $232! Please note that all fees are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, check our fee schedule.

What you need to do:

To use this program and create a new “confirmatory” deed, you need to provide:

  • A death certificate
  • A marriage certificate
  • A completed and notarized affidavit

Important: We strongly recommend consulting with an attorney to prepare your deed. Creating legal documents on your own can lead to mistakes that might cause problems later. An attorney can ensure your deed is properly prepared according to Pennsylvania law.

Need more help?

If you or someone you know needs help with this process, please visit our website. There you’ll find all the forms and information you need.

We’re here to support Philadelphia residents during difficult times. Please reach out if you have any questions.

 

Philadelphia Department of Records website.