Recording property-related documents

The Office of the City Register records and maintains New York City real property and certain personal property transfer records, such as mortgage documents for property in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens. (Please contact the Richmond County Clerk for properties in Staten Island.)

Property records are public. People may use these records for background information on purchases, mortgages, asset searches, and other legal and financial transactions. Reviewing these documents is not necessarily the same as a title search.

Online document recording

Property documents are recorded and maintained on the Automated City Register Information System (ACRIS). ACRIS provides online access to property documents and data dating back to 1966. For documents before 1966, please visit the Land Records Research Library, located at the Queens City Register Office at 144-06 94th Avenue, Jamaica, NY 11435. Records can be accessed Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.

Deed fraud alert

A New York State and New York City Mortgage Recording tax is paid on mortgages recorded on property in the five boroughs. Some exceptions may apply. The tax is collected by the Office of the City Register for properties in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens using ACRIS. For properties on Staten Island it is collected in person by the Richmond County Clerk.

The amount of your mortgage determines what your combined New York State and New York City Mortgage Recording Tax rates will be.  Please use ACRIS Online to calculate what you owe for these taxes. Just click the “Calculate Taxes” link followed by the “Mortgage Recording Tax” tab to begin calculating the tax.

You must record all property documents for Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan and the Bronx online using the ACRIS System. You must provide the correct Mortgage Recording Tax information and documents when you record your property documents. This includes any exemption claims.

Title 11, Chapter 26, Administrative Code
Tax Law Section 253-a

Questions? Contact the City Register.