Delaware County, Pennsylvania — Tax Sale & Surplus Procedure

Local operations layer. The legal framework (redemption periods, surplus rights, statutes, case law) lives on the parent page → pennsylvania. This page covers how Delaware County actually runs it. Legal information, not legal advice. Last verified: 2026-06-02.

Delaware County is a fourth-class county operating under the Real Estate Tax Sale Law (RETSL / Act 542), 72 P.S. §§ 5860.101–5860.803. The county Tax Claim Bureau (housed within the Treasurer’s office) administers an annual Upset Price Sale (title subject to undivested liens), followed by a Judicial Sale (free and clear of all liens), a Repository Sale for unsold parcels, and separate Sheriff’s Sales for mortgage foreclosures and municipal claims. There is no post-sale right of redemption in the RETSL system. See pennsylvania for the full statutory framework.

The Delaware County Sheriff conducts monthly in-person mortgage- foreclosure (and MCTLA-adjacent) sales at the Government Center Meeting Room in Media; no online auction platform is used for sheriff’s sales.

C0. Identity

• County seat: Media
• Population: ~576,830 (2020 census)
• Recording unit type: county
• Parent legal framework: pennsylvania (RETSL — 72 P.S. §§ 5860.101–5860.803)
• Classification: Fourth-class county; RETSL governs all delinquent-tax collection and sale via the Tax Claim Bureau. The MCTLA (Philadelphia / Allegheny only) does not apply.

Sources: pennsylvania; https://delcopa.gov/treasurer/backyeartaxes (retrieved 2026-06-02).

C1. Local Tax Sale

• Conducts own sale? Yes — the Delaware County Tax Claim Bureau (Treasurer’s Office) conducts all RETSL upset, judicial, and repository sales. The bureau is housed at the Government Center, Ground Floor, 201 W. Front Street, Media, PA 19063.

• Platform / vendor:

  • All Tax Claim Bureau sales (upset, judicial, repository) are conducted in-person only at the Government Center. Registration is in person only during the designated registration window; no online bidding platform is used for Tax Claim Bureau sales. Source: https://delcopa.gov/treasurer/judicialinstructions (retrieved 2026-06-02); https://delcopa.gov/treasurer/upsetinstructions (retrieved 2026-06-02).
  • Sheriff’s Sales (mortgage foreclosure) are also in-person at the County Council Meeting Room, Government Center Building, Delaware County Court House, Front Street & Veterans Square, Media, PA. No online auction vendor is used. Source: https://delcopa.gov/sheriff/real-estate (retrieved 2026-06-02).
  • needs_verification — whether any future Tax Claim Bureau sales will adopt an online vendor (GovDeals, RealAuction, Bid4Assets, or similar).

• Sale calendar:

  • Upset Price Sale: annually in late September (next: September 24, 2026 at 10:00 AM). Properties with delinquent real estate taxes are eligible. After the main sale, unsold properties may continue to a Continued Upset Sale (typically early December).
  • Judicial Sale: annually in early May (next: May 14, 2026 at 10:00 AM; some May properties may be continued to September or December 2026). Properties sold “free and clear of liens.” A Continued Judicial Sale may occur in September or December.
  • Repository Sale: ongoing; properties that failed to sell at judicial sale are placed on the Repository List and available for purchase at any time (except weeks immediately following an auction sale).
  • Sheriff’s Sales (mortgage foreclosure): monthly, held on the third Friday of each month at 11:00 AM (moved to Thursday if a holiday). 2026 dates confirmed through January 2027. Source: https://delcopa.gov/sheriff/sale-deadlines (retrieved 2026-06-02).
  • Sources: https://delcopa.gov/treasurer/upsetsales (retrieved 2026-06-02); https://delcopa.gov/treasurer/judicialsales (retrieved 2026-06-02); https://delcopa.gov/treasurer/repositorysale (retrieved 2026-06-02).

• Delinquent interest rate: 0.75% per month on outstanding delinquent tax debt. A $64 service fee is added to delinquent accounts. Source: https://delcopa.gov/treasurer/backyeartaxes (retrieved 2026-06-02).

• Registration / deposit (Tax Claim Bureau sales):

  • Upset Price Sale:
    • Registration dates for September 24, 2026 sale: August 24–26, 2026, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, in person at Government Center Ground Floor.
    • Registration is limited to the first 120 bidders.
    • Application fee: $25.00 non-refundable (certified check, money order, cash, or card with 3% convenience fee).
    • Registration deposit: $1,000.00 (certified check or money order payable to bidder, Tax Claim Bureau, or left blank).
    • Payment: Full payment due by noon the day after the sale.
    • Photo ID required at registration.
    • Three forms must be completed and notarized before registration: (1) Bidder Application, (2) Bidder Affidavit (notarized), (3) Conditions of Sale.
    • Eligibility: Bidder may not have delinquent taxes in Delaware County or any Pennsylvania taxing district. Failure to complete purchase results in forfeiture of the $1,000 deposit and debarment from future sales for five years.
    • Property list published in The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Spirit Newspaper, and Delaware County Legal Journal at least 30 days before the sale; list not available until 30 days prior.
    • Sources: https://delcopa.gov/treasurer/upsetinstructions (retrieved 2026-06-02); https://delcopa.gov/treasurer/upsetsales (retrieved 2026-06-02).
  • Judicial Sale:
    • Registration dates for May 14, 2026 sale: April 13–15, 2026, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, in person at Government Center, First Floor.
    • Registration is limited to the first 120 bidders.
    • Application fee: $25.00 (certified check, money order, or cash).
    • Registration deposit: $1,000.00 (certified check or money order).
    • Three forms must be completed and notarized before registration (same forms as upset sale).
    • Eligibility: No delinquent taxes in any Pennsylvania taxing district. May Judicial Sale purchasers must pay school taxes for that year.
    • Property list published in The Spirit Newspaper and Delaware County Legal Journal at least 30 days before sale.
    • Sources: https://delcopa.gov/treasurer/judicialsales (retrieved 2026-06-02); https://delcopa.gov/treasurer/judicialinstructions (retrieved 2026-06-02).
  • Repository Sale:
    • Minimum bid: $1,000.00 per parcel; properties sold “free and clear of all delinquent taxes and liens.”
    • As of January 1, 2026, a $250 fee per parcel applies to buyers (Pennsylvania Act 48 of 2024 / Delaware County Ordinance 2025-07 — Demolition and Rehabilitation Fund).
    • Required documents: Repository Bidder Application/Bid Form; Repository Bidder Affidavit; Chester City properties require additional Chester City Repository Conditions of Sale.
    • Repository List (updated 5/19/2026): PDF on the county website.
    • Source: https://delcopa.gov/treasurer/repositorysale (retrieved 2026-06-02).
  • Sheriff’s Sales (mortgage foreclosure):
    • Hand money (deposit): certified check submitted at time of sale.
    • Balance: due within ten calendar days by certified check; forfeited if not paid and property resold.
    • $250 fee per parcel (Act 48 of 2024 / Ordinance 2025-07), collected from the buyer in addition to the bid price.
    • No pre-registration required; bidders attend in person.
    • Source: https://delcopa.gov/sheriff/real-estate (retrieved 2026-06-02); https://delcopa.gov/sheriff/sale-deadlines (retrieved 2026-06-02).

• Delinquent list location: Published in The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Spirit Newspaper, and Delaware County Legal Journal (minimum 30 days before sale). The county provides a delinquent tax information portal via the Public Access system. Source: https://delcopa.gov/treasurer/upsetinstructions (retrieved 2026-06-02); https://delcopa.gov/publicaccess (retrieved 2026-06-02).

• Rate within statutory range: RETSL does not set a separate county-chosen rate. Delaware County charges 0.75% per month interest on delinquent accounts. Source: https://delcopa.gov/treasurer/backyeartaxes (retrieved 2026-06-02).

C2. Local Redemption → framework: right-of-redemption

• Post-sale redemption: NONE. Delaware County operates under RETSL (fourth-class county). RETSL provides no post-sale right of redemption — the deed is final once delivered. 72 P.S. § 5860.501; pennsylvania Module 2.

• Pre-sale cure (discharge of tax claim): The owner, a lien creditor, or other interested person may pay the full delinquent tax claim, interest, other tax claims/judgments, accrued returned taxes and record costs to have the property removed from the upset-sale list before the statutory deadline (generally before July 1 of the year following the notice of claim). 72 P.S. § 5860.501; pennsylvania Module 2.

• Where to redeem / cure: In person at the Tax Claim Bureau:

  • Government Center, Ground Floor, 201 W. Front Street, Media, PA 19063
  • Phone: 610-891-4282
  • Fax: 610-891-4115
  • Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday–Friday
  • Source: https://delcopa.gov/treasurer/backyeartaxes (retrieved 2026-06-02).

• Payment plans: Cash, certified check, money order, Visa, MasterCard, or Discover (3% credit card convenience fee) accepted. Payment plans available for qualified taxpayers. Source: https://delcopa.gov/treasurer/backyeartaxes (retrieved 2026-06-02).

• RETSL § 603 installment stay-of-sale: needs_verification — Delaware County’s specific application of the 72 P.S. § 5860.603 installment plan (25% down, balance in three installments within one year) not independently confirmed from a retrieved Delaware County–specific page; statewide default applies per pennsylvania Module 2.

• Local fees / deviations from state default: No deviation from RETSL default identified. No post-sale redemption under any circumstance in this county. The 0.75%/month interest rate and $64 service fee are locally confirmed.

C3. Local Surplus / Excess Proceeds → framework: surplus-funds

• Statutory basis: RETSL § 205(d) — after deducting the bureau’s 5% administration commission and costs, sale proceeds are distributed in priority order: (1) Commonwealth tax liens, (2) taxing districts pro rata, (3) municipal authorities, (4) mortgagees/lienholders in priority order, (5) the former owner. The bureau petitions the Court of Common Pleas for confirmation of the distribution schedule (§ 205(e)). — pennsylvania Module 3; 72 P.S. § 5860.205(d).

• 3-year claim deadline: If the owner’s balance is unclaimed for 3 years after the sale, RETSL § 205(f) redistributes it to the taxing districts pro rata. The post-tyler-v-hennepin-county validity of this forfeiture is unresolved. — pennsylvania § 205(f); surplus-3-year-forfeiture.

• Claim filing venue: Surplus from Tax Claim Bureau sales is handled by the Tax Claim Bureau (petition to Court of Common Pleas per § 205(e)):

  • Government Center, Ground Floor, 201 W. Front Street, Media, PA 19063
  • Phone: 610-891-4282
  • Fax: 610-891-4115
  • Source: https://delcopa.gov/treasurer/backyeartaxes (retrieved 2026-06-02).
  • needs_verification — Delaware County’s specific surplus claim form name and URL not located on a directly retrieved page; contact the Tax Claim Bureau at 610-891-4282 for the current claim form.

• Unclaimed-funds list (Controller): The County Controller maintains a separate Unclaimed Funds Listing (Excel spreadsheet, available on the Controller’s website) covering uncashed checks and returned payments generally. Claimants submit a “Request for Unclaimed Monies” form (fillable PDF) with photo ID; claims over $250 require notarized signature; allow 4–6 weeks for processing. Submissions by US Mail only (no email accepted).

  • Controller’s Office, 201 West Front Street, Media, PA 19063
  • Phone: 610-891-5159
  • Source: https://delcopa.gov/controller/unclaimed (retrieved 2026-06-02).
  • Note: This controller-held unclaimed-funds list covers county vendor/warrant checks generally; it is distinct from the RETSL § 205 surplus-distribution process (which goes through the Tax Claim Bureau / Court of Common Pleas).

• Sheriff-sale surplus (mortgage foreclosure): Distributed per Pa.R.C.P. 3136 — sheriff prepares proposed schedule of distribution, files with the Prothonotary (Court of Common Pleas); written exceptions may be filed; surplus after lienholders is paid to the former owner. Filed with: Delaware County Court of Common Pleas (32nd Judicial District), 201 West Front Street, Media, PA 19063.

  • needs_verification — exact Prothonotary contact/phone/URL not confirmed from a directly retrieved Delaware County page; the general court address and courthouse location are confirmed.

• Third-party surplus recovery / finders: Pennsylvania requires all finders to be registered with the PA Department of Treasury; the maximum fee cap is 15% of the total amount claimed (72 P.S. § 1301.11a(a)). Written agreements must include the finder’s registration certificate number. Source: https://www.patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property/finders/ (confirmed from montgomery-pa research; standard statewide rule applies).

• Local deadline notes: 3 years from date of sale (RETSL § 205(f)); bureau’s distribution petition and rule-to-show-cause are typically issued ~90 days after the sale, with first-class mail notice to distributees (including former owner). RETSL § 205(e).

▸ For Investors / Operators — Delaware County operates a three-tier RETSL sale chain — Upset Price Sale (September, title subject to undivested liens), Judicial Sale (May, free and clear), and Repository (ongoing, $1,000 minimum) — all in-person only at the Government Center, registration capped at 120 bidders per sale with a$1,000 deposit and notarized forms required. There is no post-sale right of redemption under RETSL. Sheriff’s Sales (mortgage foreclosure) are held monthly on the third Friday at 11:00 a.m. at the Government Center Meeting Room with balance due within ten calendar days. An additional $250 Demolition and Rehabilitation Fund fee per parcel applies to sheriff’s sale and repository sale buyers effective January 1, 2026 (Act 48 of 2024 / Ordinance 2025-07).

▸ For Former Owners — RETSL § 205(d) distributes sale proceeds to former owners after the bureau deducts its 5% commission and satisfies prior liens; the bureau petitions the Court of Common Pleas (32nd Judicial District, 201 W. Front Street, Media, PA 19063) to confirm the distribution schedule. Contact the Tax Claim Bureau (Government Center, Ground Floor, 201 W. Front Street, Media; 610-891-4282) to inquire about surplus from a Tax Claim Bureau sale. The claim deadline is 3 years from the sale date (RETSL § 205(f)); unclaimed balances are redistributed to taxing districts. Sheriff’s sale surplus is distributed per Pa.R.C.P. 3136 through the Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas.

C4. Offices & Contacts

Sources: https://delcopa.gov/treasurer/backyeartaxes (retrieved 2026-06-02); https://delcopa.gov/sheriff (retrieved 2026-06-02); https://delcopa.gov/recorder-deeds (retrieved 2026-06-02); https://delcopa.gov/courts (retrieved 2026-06-02); https://delcopa.gov/controller/unclaimed (retrieved 2026-06-02).

C5. Local Procedure Notes

• RETSL sale chain (operational order):

  1. Real estate taxes go delinquent; tax collector returns claim to Tax Claim Bureau; claim becomes “absolute” if unpaid. Owner/lienholder may discharge / cure by paying all delinquent taxes, interest, and costs (§ 501).
  2. RETSL § 602 notice: Publication at least 30 days before sale in The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Spirit Newspaper, and Delaware County Legal Journal; certified restricted-delivery mail ≥30 days before; first-class follow-up ≥10 days before if no return receipt; posting on property ≥10 days before. pennsylvania Module 6.
  3. Upset Price Sale (September, in-person at Government Center) — title taken subject to undivested liens. RETSL § 605/609.
  4. Unsold parcels → Continued Upset Sale (December) if applicable.
  5. Still unsold → Judicial Sale (May, in-person at Government Center) — title free and clear of all liens. RETSL §§ 610–612.
  6. Continued or failed judicial parcels → Continued Judicial Sale (September or December).
  7. Properties not sold at either → Repository (ongoing; $1,000 minimum bid; all-taxing-district consent required per RETSL §§ 626–627).
  8. Distribution (§ 205): Bureau petitions Court of Common Pleas to confirm the § 205(e) distribution schedule; 3-year owner claim window (§ 205(f)).

• Sheriff’s Sales chain (mortgage foreclosure):

  1. Lender obtains mortgage-foreclosure judgment (judicial-only in PA; Pa.R.C.P. 1141–1150).
  2. Sheriff advertises per Pa.R.C.P. 3129 (notice to all lienholders/owners).
  3. Monthly sheriff’s sale (third Friday, 11:00 AM, Government Center Meeting Room). Filing deadline: approximately 90 days prior (see deadlines table at https://delcopa.gov/sheriff/sale-deadlines).
  4. Balance due within 10 calendar days by certified check.
  5. Schedule of distribution filed with Prothonotary per Pa.R.C.P. 3136; surplus to junior liens then former owner.

• Notable operational quirks:

  • In-person only for all Tax Claim Bureau registrations; mail and online registration not accepted.
  • Registration capped at 120 bidders per sale (upset and judicial); arrives early — registration closes once the cap is reached.
  • All Tax Claim Bureau sales are “without guarantee or warranty whatsoever”; no property access or inspection before sale.
  • An additional $250 Demolition and Rehabilitation Fund fee per parcel applies to all sheriff’s sale and repository sale buyers effective January 1, 2026 (Act 48 of 2024 / Ordinance 2025-07).
  • Chester City (within Delaware County) properties in the Repository Sale require a separate Chester City Repository Conditions of Sale and additional county approval before deed recording.
  • Payment at Tax Claim Bureau: cash, certified check, money order, or credit card (3% fee); payment plans available for qualified taxpayers.
  • Tax certifications available from the bureau for $25 each (mail with self-addressed stamped envelope).

• Deviations from state default: No material deviation from RETSL framework identified. Delaware County follows the standard RETSL structure per pennsylvania. The monthly interest rate of 0.75% is a locally confirmed operational figure consistent with common RETSL county practice.

C6. Records Access

• Parcel / property / tax records search:

  • Legacy portal: http://delcorealestate.co.delaware.pa.us/pt/forms/htmlframe.aspx?mode=content/home.htm (TLS certificate issue noted on direct fetch 2026-06-02; confirmed as official portal by the county planning page at https://delcopa.gov/planning/dev/findparcelinfo).
  • County parcel information page: https://delcopa.gov/planning/dev/findparcelinfo (retrieved 2026-06-02).
  • Homestead status and real estate tax records also accessible through https://delcopa.gov/treasurer (retrieved 2026-06-02).
  • Delinquent tax information available via Public Access: https://delcopublicaccess.co.delaware.pa.us/ (civil docket search; retrieved 2026-06-02).

• Recorder / deed search:

  • Online portal: https://delcorodonlineservices.co.delaware.us/countyweb/login.jsp?countyname=DelawarePAROD (records from 1799 to present; ECONNREFUSED on direct fetch 2026-06-02; needs_verification for current availability — confirmed as the official portal from county recorder page).
  • Cloud Search (launched 2024): accessible from the Recorder of Deeds page at https://delcopa.gov/recorder-deeds (retrieved 2026-06-02).
  • In-office copies: $1.00/page; online copies:$0.50/page.
  • Property Alert (free email notification when documents are recorded using a property ID) available via the Recorder of Deeds.

• GIS map / parcel mapping:

  • Delaware County ArcGIS Hub: https://delaware-county-pennsylvania-dcpd.hub.arcgis.com/ (retrieved 2026-06-02 via planning page).
  • Municipal Zoning Application: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/db0a964bcb0b4cfdb7bae59385c67114/ (retrieved 2026-06-02 via planning page).

• Tax payment portal (delinquent taxes):

  • Online portal: https://secure.municipay.com/payapp/public/ECInvoiceSearch.html?siteId=wqhev4njuc&urlKey=c3dd7e7c494dbf37286d018a3de23e17 (redirects to https://payments.municipay.com/…; confirmed operational via Treasurer’s Office page, retrieved 2026-06-02). Search by Property ID Number (no dashes or spaces).
  • In-person: Government Center, Ground Floor, 201 W. Front Street, Media PA; 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM Mon–Fri.

• Civil docket / court records:

  • Delaware County Court of Common Pleas civil dockets: https://delcopublicaccess.co.delaware.pa.us/ (retrieved 2026-06-02).
  • PA Courts statewide criminal dockets: https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/CaseSearch (retrieved 2026-06-02).

• Sheriff sale lists:

  • Current month: https://delcopa.gov/sheriff/pdf/list1.pdf
  • Prior months continued: https://delcopa.gov/sheriff/pdf/list2.pdf
  • Sale deadlines / calendar: https://delcopa.gov/sheriff/sale-deadlines (retrieved 2026-06-02).

C7. Meta

sources:

• {type: official, url: https://delcopa.gov/treasurer/backyeartaxes, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Tax Claim Bureau overview; upset/judicial/repository/sheriff sale types; 0.75%/month interest; $64 service fee; contact info (610-891-4282); payment methods; payment plans
• {type: official, url: https://delcopa.gov/treasurer/upsetsales, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Upset Price Sale: September 24, 2026 date; August 24–26 registration dates; 120-bidder cap; coordinator contact 610-891-8294; instructions document link
• {type: official, url: https://delcopa.gov/treasurer/upsetinstructions, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Upset sale instructions: $25 application fee;$1,000 registration deposit; certified check / money order; photo ID; 3-form notarization requirement; noon next-day payment deadline; 5-year debarment; publication in Philadelphia Inquirer / Spirit / Legal Journal
• {type: official, url: https://delcopa.gov/treasurer/judicialsales, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Judicial Sale: May 14, 2026 date; April 13–15 registration; 120-bidder cap; $1,000 deposit; in-person only; school tax obligation; continued to Sep/Dec 2026
• {type: official, url: https://delcopa.gov/treasurer/judicialinstructions, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Judicial sale instructions: $25 app fee;$1,000 deposit; 3 notarized forms; no delinquent taxes; noon next-day payment; school tax for May sale; publication in Spirit Newspaper and Legal Journal; properties sell to highest bidder free of liens
• {type: official, url: https://delcopa.gov/treasurer/repositorysale, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Repository Sale: $1,000 minimum bid; free and clear of liens;$250 Act 48 fee; Bidder Application + Affidavit; Chester City extra docs; Repository List updated 5/19/2026
• {type: official, url: https://delcopa.gov/treasurer/propertysales, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Property sales page: links to upset/judicial/repository/sheriff sale pages confirmed
• {type: official, url: https://delcopa.gov/sheriff/real-estate, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Sheriff sales: third Friday monthly at 11 AM; Government Center Meeting Room; certified check hand money; 10-day balance payment; $250 Act 48 fee; Real Estate Dept phone 610-891-4305; email Schreiberl@co.delaware.pa.us
• {type: official, url: https://delcopa.gov/sheriff/sale-deadlines, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Full 2026 sheriff sale dates and filing deadlines through January 2027; Sheriff Siddiq Kamara; Courthouse Room 101; phone 610-891-4296; note dates subject to change
• {type: official, url: https://delcopa.gov/sheriff, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Sheriff Siddiq Kamara; address Courthouse Room 101, 201 W. Front St.; phone 610-891-4296; fax 610-891-1765
• {type: official, url: https://delcopa.gov/treasurer, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Treasurer James P. Hackett; address Ground Floor, 201 W. Front St.; phone 610-891-4273; fax 610-891-4883; hours 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
• {type: official, url: https://delcopa.gov/recorder-deeds, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Recorder of Deeds: Room 108, 201 W. Front St.; phone 610-891-4152; hours 8:30 AM–4:30 PM / recording 8:30 AM–3:30 PM; records from 1799; Cloud Search 2024; Property Alert; $0.50 online /$1.00 in-office copies
• {type: official, url: https://delcopa.gov/courts, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Court of Common Pleas: 32nd Judicial District; President Judge Linda A. Cartisano; address 201 West Front St., Media, PA 19063; general phone 610-891-4000
• {type: official, url: https://delcopa.gov/controller/unclaimed, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Controller Joanne Phillips; unclaimed funds: Request for Unclaimed Monies form (fillable PDF); Unclaimed Funds Listing (Excel); claims >$250 notarized; US Mail only; 4–6 week processing; phone 610-891-5159; address 201 W. Front St.
• {type: official, url: https://delcopa.gov/publicaccess, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Public Access portals: civil dockets https://delcopublicaccess.co.delaware.pa.us/; criminal dockets ujsportal.pacourts.us; real estate tax records via treasurer; recorder portal https://delcorodonlineservices.co.delaware.us/; tax payment portal
• {type: official, url: https://delcopa.gov/planning/dev/findparcelinfo, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Parcel/site information tool; legacy portal URL; ArcGIS Hub link; Planning Dept 610-891-5200
• {type: official, url: https://delcopa.gov/treasurer/paytaxes, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Treasurer tax payment: MuniCipay portal URL; Guest Checkout by Property ID; account creation option; Treasurer phone 610-891-4273

needs_verification:

• Exact county class for Delaware County (research confirms Tax Claim Bureau / RETSL structure consistent with 4th–8th class; MCTLA inapplicable; class number not confirmed from a retrieved official source).
• Delaware County Prothonotary specific contact (name, direct phone, direct URL) — general courthouse address confirmed at 201 W. Front St. but dedicated Prothonotary page not located on direct fetch.
• Delaware County Tax Claim Bureau surplus claim form name and URL — no dedicated surplus/distribution page found on county website; contact bureau at 610-891-4282 to obtain current form.
• Recorder of Deeds current officeholder name — not extracted from fetched page; “needs_verification” for current officer name.
• Online recorder deed search portal (https://delcorodonlineservices.co.delaware.us/) — ECONNREFUSED on direct fetch; confirmed as official portal from county public-access page but portal availability unconfirmed.
• Legacy parcel/tax records portal (http://delcorealestate.co.delaware.pa.us/) — TLS certificate error on direct fetch; confirmed as official portal from county planning page.
• RETSL § 603 installment plan (25% down) — statewide default per pennsylvania applies; Delaware County–specific application not confirmed from a fetched county page.
• Whether the Tax Claim Bureau plans to adopt any online auction platform for future sales (all 2025–2026 sales confirmed in-person only).

cross_links: pennsylvania, right-of-redemption, surplus-funds, surplus-3-year-forfeiture, third-party-recovery-rules, due-process-notice, treasurer-sale, sheriff-sale, tyler-v-hennepin-county, bankruptcy-automatic-stay, federal-tax-lien-redemption, heirs-property, undivested-liens-upset-sale

changelog:

• 2026-06-02 — Initial population (autoresearch wave 1). Tax Claim Bureau upset/judicial/repository/sheriff sale pages, treasurer, recorder, controller/unclaimed, courts, public access, and GIS portals fetched directly from official delcopa.gov. All sale dates, deposits, registration requirements, and contact numbers sourced from directly retrieved official pages.

▸ For Investors / Operators — Delaware County operates a three-tier RETSL sale chain — Upset Price Sale (September, title subject to undivested liens), Judicial Sale (May, free and clear), and Repository (ongoing, $1,000 minimum) — all in-person only at the Government Center, registration capped at 120 bidders per sale with a$1,000 deposit and notarized forms required. There is no post-sale right of redemption under RETSL. Sheriff’s Sales (mortgage foreclosure) are held monthly on the third Friday at 11:00 a.m. at the Government Center Meeting Room with balance due within ten calendar days. An additional $250 Demolition and Rehabilitation Fund fee per parcel applies to sheriff’s sale and repository sale buyers effective January 1, 2026 (Act 48 of 2024 / Ordinance 2025-07).

▸ For Former Owners — RETSL § 205(d) distributes sale proceeds to former owners after the bureau deducts its 5% commission and satisfies prior liens; the bureau petitions the Court of Common Pleas (32nd Judicial District, 201 W. Front Street, Media, PA 19063) to confirm the distribution schedule. Contact the Tax Claim Bureau (Government Center, Ground Floor, 201 W. Front Street, Media; 610-891-4282) to inquire about surplus from a Tax Claim Bureau sale. The claim deadline is 3 years from the sale date (RETSL § 205(f)); unclaimed balances are redistributed to taxing districts. Sheriff’s sale surplus is distributed per Pa.R.C.P. 3136 through the Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas.

Legal information, not legal advice. This page summarizes Delaware County, Pennsylvania operational procedures for tax and mortgage foreclosure sales as of the last_verified date. Delaware County operates under RETSL (72 P.S. §§ 5860.101–5860.803); there is no post-sale right of redemption. Verify all procedures, dates, and deadlines against the cited primary sources and with the Tax Claim Bureau (610-891-4282) or legal counsel before acting. Last verified: 2026-06-02.