Tax Claim

A button linking to the Wayne County Tax Sale Lists.
A graphic link to the Upset Tax Sale List.
A graphic button linking to the upcoming Judicial Sale in the Tax Claim Office

Please arrive ONE HOUR prior to each tax sale to get your bidder number. Each sale begins promptly at designated start time.

2025 SALE DATES

About Us

Wayne County Tax Claim Bureau conducts Tax Sales under the general provisions of The Pennsylvania Real Estate Tax Sale Law Act 542 of 1947 and its Amendments. This act is codified at 72 PS 5860.101 et seq.

Tax Liens

The Wayne County Tax Claim Bureau does not sell tax liens, maintain a mailing list or accept bids over the Internet. The Tax Claim Bureau will sell property as described on the dockets in the Bureau and makes no warranty or representation as to the description, nor will it make any new survey on property sold. The Bureau also reserves the right to void any sale if the Bureau discovers a defect with regard to said sale.


We do NOT accept postmark after the Pre-Registration deadline date and we do NOT accept Pre-Registrations after 4 p.m.

To Register - All Forms must be hand delivered or Mailed to:

 Wayne County Courthouse

925 Court Street, Honesdale, PA 18431  

  • Certification of Bidder Form (Must be filled out by anyone who is to be put on the deed, Name of Bidder, not LLC, this also needs to be notarized)
  • Bidder Registration Form (for the appropriate sale, Name of Bidder or LLC with Articles of Incorporation)
  • Copy of Driver’s License or Real ID
  • $25 Pre-Registration Non-Refundable Fee ( We accept; Personal Checks, Money Orders, Cashiers Checks or Cash, Checks made payable to: Wayne County Tax Claim)
  • Postmark NOT accepted. Documents must be received by pre-registration deadline.
  • Pre-Registration paperwork is NOT accepted by Email or Fax.
  • If registering as an LLC, copy of the Articles of Incorporation.

Those who do not pre-register by the deadline will not be able to participate in the sale. 


Day of Tax Sale

  • Arrive ONE HOUR early to each Tax Sale 
  • Please limit what you bring into the Tax Sale, it takes longer to get through security.
  • After the Tax Sale if you leave the building, you may or may not be able to be let back in.
  •  Full payment is required the day of Tax Sale; Payments we ACCEPT, Cash (larger bills required), Money Orders, Cashiers Checks, Personal Check (with a letter of Credit. Checks made payable to; Wayne County Tax Claim.

    *We encourage you to pay with a Personal Check , you will need a Letter of Credit (sample of Prospective Bidders Page) to help make the process of paying go smoother when the Tax Sale is over.


Email questions to LBorthwick@WayneCountyPA.gov.

New Guidelines Take Effect for Tax Sales

 Act 33 on June 30, 2021 requires all bidders to pre-register for tax sales, pre-registration deadlines listed above. It also requires businesses and limited liability corporations to list their officers and investors.

Additionally, a Certification Form must be filled out stating the applicant is not delinquent in paying real estate taxes, is not bidding for or acting as an agent for a person who is barred from participating in the sale; and has not engaged in or permitted an uncorrected housing code violation, failed to maintain property in a reasonable manner, or permitted the use of the property in an unsafe, illegal or unsanitary manner.