Recorder of Deeds in New York City
Recording real property conveyances and researching land titles in New York City requires understanding the municipal recording division and statutory transfer requirements. In Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens, filings are managed by the Office of the City Register, while Richmond County operates through its County Clerk. Explore our directory below to access ACRIS portals, deed recording offices, and statutory fee guidelines.
Real Property Recording and Title Jurisdiction in New York City
The recordation of real property conveyances, mortgages, and land titles within New York City is managed through a specialized municipal division within the New York State recording system. Unlike traditional counties where a single elected county clerk or recorder oversees land instruments, New York City utilizes a dual administrative structure operating across its five boroughs.
For four of the five boroughs-New York County (Manhattan), Kings County (Brooklyn), Queens County (Queens), and Bronx County (The Bronx)-all land records are processed and archived by the Office of the City Register, an administrative arm of the New York City Department of Finance. The City Register maintains official land records dating back to 1966 through the Automated City Register Information System (ACRIS). In Richmond County (Staten Island), property conveyances are exclusively recorded and preserved by the Richmond County Clerk at 130 Stuyvesant Place.
Recording real property documents requires precise adherence to the New York Real Property Law and local municipal tax rules. Every parcel of real estate in New York City is indexed by its Borough, Block, and Lot (BBL) number. Whether completing a residential closing, registering a commercial mortgage, or recording an easement, submissions must include complete transfer tax documentation and statutorily compliant acknowledgments.
NYC Deed Recording, Mortgage Registration and Statutory Fees
| Service / Matter | Required Documents / Prerequisites | Statutory Fee (USD) | Processing Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bargain and Sale Deed Recording | ACRIS cover page, deed with RPL 309-a acknowledgment, RP-5217NYC, TP-584 | $125 base fee + $5/page + NYC RPTT & NYS RETT | 1 - 3 business days via electronic recording |
| Mortgage Recording & Tax Assessment | Executed mortgage, ACRIS mortgage cover page, Section 253 affidavit if applicable | $125 base fee + statutory mortgage recording tax (2.05% - 2.80%) | 2 - 5 business days following tax calculation review |
| Satisfaction of Mortgage / Discharge | Original lender satisfaction piece, ACRIS cover page, cross-reference to original recording | $125 statutory discharge fee plus per-page fees | 1 - 3 business days online via ACRIS |
| Certified Deed Copy Retrieval | Borough, Block, and Lot (BBL) or document CRFN/reel-page identifier | Free online inspection ($4 per page for certified paper copy) | Instant online access or 5 business days for certified copies |
Critical Legal Deadlines & Statutes in New York
New York is a strict race-notice recording jurisdiction under N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 291. An unrecorded conveyance of real property is void against any subsequent good-faith purchaser for valuable consideration who first records their deed with the City Register or Richmond County Clerk. Failing to record a deed or mortgage immediately following a real estate transaction leaves the title exposed to intervening liens, attachments, or adverse conveyances.
Statutory formalities require exact compliance with New York certificate of acknowledgment rules under N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 309-a. Any deed, mortgage, or property instrument executed within New York State that lacks the specific uniform statutory notary language will be rejected for recording. Furthermore, conveyances of real property must include the real property transfer report pursuant to N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 333.
Tax compliance deadlines are linked directly to property transfers. Under N.Y.C. Admin. Code § 11-2102, the New York City Real Property Transfer Tax (RPTT) return must be filed and the full tax paid within 30 days after the delivery of the deed by the grantor to the grantee. Concurrent payments for the New York State Real Estate Transfer Tax under N.Y. Tax Law § 1402 must be submitted alongside the state Form TP-584 at the time of recording.
Direct Public Search vs. Retaining Real Estate Legal Counsel
The public can freely search land records, trace ownership histories, and review outstanding mortgages on any residential or commercial property in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx using the free ACRIS public portal, or by visiting the public search room at the Richmond County Clerk for Staten Island parcels. Property owners can also print uncertified copies of recorded deeds and view municipal tax maps without legal representation.
However, drafting property deeds, conducting formal title closings, and curing defects in the chain of title demand a licensed New York real estate attorney. Transferring property via quitclaim or bargain and sale deed without an attorney risks triggering unexpected transfer tax audits, clouding title marketability, or terminating existing title insurance coverage. Legal counsel performs exhaustive title searches to verify unrecorded municipal code violations, unpaid emergency repair program (ERP) liens, and ensures all ACRIS tax schedules are accurately declared.
Red Flags & Property Title Protections
- Deed Theft and Fraudulent Conveyances: Scammers target vacant or encumbered properties in NYC using forged deeds; protect your property by enrolling in the NYC Department of Finance free Notice of Recorded Document System to receive immediate email alerts when documents are recorded against your BBL.
- Deed Copy Solicitations: Avoid official-looking mailings offering to supply a certified copy of your deed for $90 to $150. Property records can be reviewed for free on ACRIS, and official certified copies cost only $4 per page from the City Register.
- Defective Notary Acknowledgments: Reject legal templates using out-of-state acknowledgment jurats; instruments recorded in New York must use the precise acknowledgment language specified under N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 309-a.
- Misframing Richmond County Records: Never attempt to file Staten Island deeds via the ACRIS system; land recordings for Staten Island properties submitted on ACRIS will be rejected, creating dangerous gaps in the chain of title.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ACRIS in New York City?
ACRIS (Automated City Register Information System) is the official online property records database operated by the New York City Department of Finance. It allows users to search recorded land documents, prepare electronic cover pages, calculate transfer taxes, and view deeds and mortgages for Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx from 1966 to the present.
Where are Staten Island deeds and mortgages recorded?
Real property instruments for Staten Island (Richmond County) are not recorded on ACRIS. They must be recorded directly with the Richmond County Clerk, located at 130 Stuyvesant Place, Staten Island, NY 10301, which maintains the official land records for the county.
What taxes are due when recording a deed in New York City?
Recording a deed typically requires paying the New York City Real Property Transfer Tax (RPTT), which ranges from 1% to 2.625% depending on consideration and property type, and the New York State Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT) of 0.4% (plus an additional mansion tax for residential transactions over $1,000,000).
What is a Borough, Block, and Lot (BBL) number?
A BBL is a unique parcel identifier used to identify every piece of real estate in New York City. It consists of three numbers: the borough number (1 for Manhattan, 2 for Bronx, 3 for Brooklyn, 4 for Queens, 5 for Staten Island), the block number, and the lot number.
How can a homeowner protect against deed theft in New York City?
Homeowners can register for the free Recorded Document Notification program through the New York City Department of Finance. This service sends an automatic text or email notification whenever a deed, mortgage, or property-related document is recorded against the property BBL.