The tangled title information sheet is a handout from the City of Philadelphia Department of Records that explains how to get the deed to a deceased owner's home put in your name. Philadelphia funeral service providers must give it to the survivor of the deceased, together with a certified copy of the death certificate. The sheet walks through four steps: find the name on the deed, go through probate, record a new deed and protect yourself, and it lists free legal help. On this page you can open the PDF on FillingPDF and download or print it; the sheet has no lines to complete, and the Department of Records publishes the original at the official link.
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What is Tangled title information sheet – Philadelphia, PA?
The tangled title information sheet is a City of Philadelphia Department of Records handout, titled "How to get your home in your name after someone's death," that explains how a survivor can get the deed to a deceased owner's home put in their own name.
A tangled title occurs when someone lives in a house but cannot prove ownership because that person's name does not appear on the deed. The sheet is meant to prevent that by making sure the survivor puts the estate through probate and legally transfers the home. It warns that if the deed is not in your name, you can't get loans, tax assistance grants, homeowner's insurance or access to utilities, and you are at risk of deed theft and foreclosure.
The sheet is organized in four steps:
- 1. Whose name is on the deed? Check the Department of Records or use the QR code on the sheet.
- 2. Go through probate. Probate is handled at the Register of Wills.
- 3. Record a new deed. A professional prepares it and it is recorded at the Department of Records.
- 4. Protect yourself and your loved ones against future problems.
It also explains terms (title, deed, probate, foreclosure, heir) and lists free legal aid and a lawyer referral service. It is an information sheet, not an application: nothing on it is filed with the city.
Who needs to file Tangled title information sheet – Philadelphia, PA?
The main audience is the survivor of a person who owned a house or another piece of property and who thinks the property should now be theirs. The sheet tells that person to get the deed in their name officially, and to take action if the deed shows any name other than theirs and the names of the people they own the property with.
Funeral service providers are the other group. Under Chapter 9-8500 (Tangled Title Disclosure) of the Philadelphia Code, a provider must give the sheet to the survivor of the deceased, along with a certified copy of the death certificate. The requirement comes from City Council Bill No. 210671-A, which went into effect August 1, 2022.
The sheet also addresses people who need advice or cannot pay for the process: it lists legal aid organizations, a lawyer referral service and the Title Clearance Unit at the Register of Wills. Its definition of an heir notes that, without a will, you will usually be the direct heir of your parents. The sheet names no one who is excluded.
When to file Tangled title information sheet – Philadelphia, PA
The triggering event is a death where the deceased owned a home or other property. A funeral service provider must hand over the sheet and a certified copy of the death certificate within five days of receiving the death certificate.
Nothing is filed on the sheet itself, and it prints no deadline for the later steps. It does say the order matters: probate comes first, then recording a new deed. If the deed is in the name of someone who has died, the property does not pass to you automatically, even if that was the person's wish.
Documents you need
- A valid form of government ID, to confirm you are eligible for help from the Title Clearance program at the Register of Wills.
- Two forms of proof of income, to confirm eligibility for that program's help.
- Details about the property and about the relative who owned it, which the program uses to research and identify issues affecting your home's title.
- The deceased person's will or other probate documents, only if an estate was opened; the Register of Wills can advise how to get them if you don't have them.
How to fill out Tangled title information sheet – Philadelphia, PA
Open the sheet and read its purpose
The sheet explains how to get a home's deed in your name after the owner's death. It has no lines to complete, so you read it and follow the steps.
Find the name on the deed
Step 1: check the name on the deed at the Department of Records or with the QR code on the sheet. Take action if the deed shows any name other than yours and the people you own the property with.
Go through probate
Step 2: if the deed is in the name of someone who has died, you must go through probate at the Register of Wills before you can get the property.
Record a new deed
Step 3: after probate, have a professional, such as a title company or a lawyer, create the deed, then record it at the Department of Records.
Protect yourself against future problems
Step 4: use a realtor or lawyer when buying or selling property, make a will, talk to your loved ones about the process and sign up for the free deed fraud guard with the QR code.
Get help and gather documents
If you need advice or can't pay for a lawyer, contact the legal aid organizations on the back. To confirm eligibility for Title Clearance help, prepare government ID, two forms of proof of income, property details and any probate documents.
Download or print the PDF
Download or print the PDF from FillingPDF to keep the checklist and contact details at hand, then follow the steps described under How to submit.
How to submit Tangled title information sheet – Philadelphia, PA
There is nothing to submit: the information sheet is not a filing. The steps it describes go through these offices:
- Department of Records (check the deed name, record a new deed): City Hall, Room 111; (215) 686-1483; [email protected]; Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. It also answers questions about the deed fraud guard.
- Register of Wills (probate): City Hall, Room 180; (215) 686-6255; [email protected]; www.phila.gov/wills; Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Title Clearance Unit (clearing your home's title): (215) 686-6262; [email protected]. You can also visit the Register of Wills, City Hall Room 183, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Free legal aid: Philadelphia VIP, (215) 523-9550 (by appointment only; it also manages the Tangled Title Fund); Community Legal Services, (215) 981-3700 or (215) 227-2400; Philadelphia Legal Assistance, (215) 981-3800, with the Save Your Home Philly Hotline at (215) 334-HOME (4663).
- Lawyer Referral and Information Service: (215) 238-6333. A fee applies for the half-hour consultation; ask the service for the current amount.
FillingPDF lets you open and download the PDF; nothing is filed through FillingPDF, and any step follows the agency channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming the house becomes yours automatically because the deceased owner wanted you to have it; if the deed is in a deceased person's name, you must go through probate first.
- Stopping after probate; you still have to record a deed to make yourself the owner officially.
- Preparing the new deed without a professional; the sheet says to always have a title company or lawyer create the deed.
- Going to the Department of Records for probate; probate is handled at the Register of Wills.
- Not checking whose name is on the deed, when any name other than yours and your co-owners' calls for action.
- Visiting Philadelphia VIP without an appointment; it is by appointment only.
- Arriving to confirm eligibility for Title Clearance help without government ID, two forms of proof of income or property details.
- Treating the sheet as a form to file; it is an information handout and is not returned to the city.
Frequently asked questions
What is the tangled title information sheet?
It is a City of Philadelphia Department of Records handout explaining how to get a deceased owner's home deed put in your name. It covers four steps: find the name on the deed, go through probate, record a new deed and protect yourself, and it lists free legal aid.
Is this a Philadelphia property tax form?
No. It is an information sheet on transferring a home after an owner's death, not a tax return or payment form. It does say that if the deed is not in your name you can't get loans, tax assistance grants, homeowner's insurance or utility access.
Who has to give me the tangled title information sheet?
Philadelphia funeral service providers. They must give the survivor of the deceased the sheet together with a certified copy of the death certificate within five days of receiving the death certificate, under Chapter 9-8500 of the Philadelphia Code.
Do I get the house automatically if the deed is in a deceased person's name?
No. Even if the person wanted you to have the property, you must go through probate first, which you start at the Register of Wills. After probate, you still need to record a new deed at the Department of Records.
Where do I record a new deed in Philadelphia?
At the Department of Records, City Hall, Room 111, open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. The sheet advises having a professional, such as a title company or lawyer, create the deed first. Phone (215) 686-1483 or email [email protected].
Is there free help with a tangled title?
Yes. The sheet lists Philadelphia VIP, Community Legal Services and Philadelphia Legal Assistance, plus the Title Clearance Unit at the Register of Wills at (215) 686-6262. Philadelphia VIP also manages the Tangled Title Fund, which helps pay fees.
What do I need to show to get Title Clearance help?
A valid government ID, two forms of proof of income, details about the property and the relative who owned it, and the deceased person's will or other probate documents if an estate was opened. The Register of Wills can advise on getting those documents.
Can I fill out the tangled title information sheet online?
The sheet is an information handout with no lines to complete. FillingPDF lets you open the PDF and download or print it, but FillingPDF is independent of the city and does not file, record or submit anything for you.
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