Recording Property-Related Documents
The Division of Land Records, files, and maintains for public inspection an official record of real and personal property transfers and interest in the Bronx, Queens, New York (Manhattan) and Kings (Brooklyn) counties. On Staten Island, the Richmond County Clerk handles this function.
Real property records are used to provide land title ownership (by a "title search") and, based on proven clear title, to provide title insurance. Without such insurance, banks will not grant mortgages. The personal property records are used to establish credit worthiness.
The real estate, banking industry, and public-access users can view images of recorded documents online using Automated City Register Information System (ACRIS). ACRIS is a digital storage and retrieval system for personal and real property-related documents in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. ACRIS provides online access to recorded documents and associated index data, the ability to search for property record indexes and view document images back to 1966. Documents prior to 1966 must still be viewed on microfilm and microfiche at the City Register's offices in each of the four boroughs (except Staten Island).
Learn more about ACRIS
Requirements
Anyone wishing to record any document must create a cover page using ACRIS. ACRIS automatically creates all the necessary forms and affidavits for the document being recorded and pre-populates many of the required fields.
Public-access computers and assistance using ACRIS are available in all City Register offices.
Fees
The Division of Land Records fees are listed below for informational purposes.
| Tax Map Fees |
| Block and Lot Certification on Tax Map |
$10.00 |
| Finalizing a Lot (including Tentative Tax Lot Number) |
$73.00 |
| Tax Map Copies |
No charge |
|
Real Property Recording
Fees |
| Recording Real Estate Documents |
$32.00 + $5.00 per page. $42.00 minimum for 2 pages. One 2-sided page counts as 2 pages. |
- Where the point size is less than 8 points (ordinary newsprint)
|
$49.00 + $10.00 per page. Minimum for 2 pages = $69.00 |
|
|
$2.00 for each block in excess of one |
|
|
$3.00 for each lot in excess of one |
| Assignments of Mortgage |
An additional $3.00 is charged for every mortgage recited in an assignment in excess of one. |
| Satisfactions of Mortgage |
If the satisfaction involves a consolidated mortgage, the total recording charge minus the $5.00 per page must be multiplied by the number of mortgages in the consolidated mortgage; add the $5.00 per page to this total. (A spreader agreement is treated as a separate mortgage).
E.g. If you are recording a 2-page satisfaction, the recording fee minus the $5.00 per page is $32.00. If it represents a consolidation of 2 mortgages, the charge would be $64.00 + $10.00 for the 2 pages = $74.00. |
| Mortgage Tax Affidavit |
$8.00 |
ACRIS Recording Fees: As part of the ACRIS process, the recording fees are calculated, and a total fee page generated at the end of the cover page session.
| City Register Service Fees |
| Issuing a certified copy |
$4.00 per page |
| Issuing uncertified copies of real property documents |
$1.00 per page |
NOTE: If you use ACRIS on your own computer, you can print copies free of charge.
| Miscellaneous Fees |
| Filing a Federal Lien or a Release |
$40.00 |
| Issuing a Certificate of Federal Tax Lien Search |
$25.00 |
| Filing a map |
Standard Maps
- $20.00 + $5.00 for cover page and $5.00 per
page
Non Standard Maps
- $24.00 + $5.00 for cover page and $10.00 per
page
|
| Returned Check |
$20.00 |
Additional Information
Recording a Deed, Mortgage or Mortgage Satisfaction
Contact Information
Email City Register
City Register Office Locations
