How to Find Owners of Properties
in New York

When it comes to finding the owner of a property in New York, there are several reliable ways you can get the information you need. You can visit public record offices, perform a filtered search on designated websites, or even seek the assistance of property search specialists.

Whether buying or leasing, here are some good ways you can go about a property owner search in New York:

Search the Automated City Register Information System (ACRIS)

The Automated City Register Information System (ACRIS), managed by the New York City Department of Finance, serves as the city's primary property records database. It contains records of deeds, mortgages, debt statements, legal agreements, and zoning descriptions. ACRIS lets you find the owner of a property for free.

To search ACRIS, you'll need a key identifier known as the Borough, Block, and Lot (BBL). Every property in New York City is assigned a unique BBL for tax purposes. If you don't know the BBL for a particular property, ACRIS enables you to find a property owner by address using a search tool that generates the correct BBL, which you can then use to access records dating back to 1966.

For most users, deeds and mortgages are the most relevant records, as they reveal information about property ownership, purchase prices, and loan amounts. ACRIS allows you to view either a summary of a property's records or a scanned image of the original document.

Visit Your Recorder's Office

You can perform a property owner search in New York by going to a county records office or the register of deeds, where changes in ownership and possession are officially recorded. Each city or county in New York has an office or agency that you can visit to obtain information about residential and commercial properties.

Ask Your County Assessor

Assessors are local government officials responsible for estimating the value of real property within the boundaries of a county, city, town, or village. County assessors maintain records on all residential and commercial properties within their jurisdiction.

The county tax collector's office typically manages these property tax records and ensures that all tax obligations are paid in full each year. County assessors review properties to confirm the accuracy of the taxes levied, and these records are available to the public. In New York, real estate tax documents often provide details such as the property owner's full name, address, and tax history.

Check the NYC 311 Portal

You can conduct a New York house owner lookup, obtain copies of, or update property ownership records, including deeds and mortgages, on the 311 portal. Copies of tax maps are also available. Various methods, online, in person, or by phone, allow you to access property ownership records and related information.

For properties located in all New York City boroughs except Staten Island, property owners, and the public can search records through ACRIS. For Staten Island properties, the Richmond County Clerk's website maintains separate records, and property owners and the public must conduct searches there.

If you prefer to search records in person, you can visit the Borough City Register Office serving your area. For Staten Island properties, the place to visit is the Richmond County Clerk's office.

For additional support or inquiries, you can call, and a 311 representative will assist you in locating or retrieving the necessary property records.

Consult Your County Clerk

Maintaining accurate and accessible real property records is crucial for facilitating property transfers or changes in ownership. The county clerk serves as the custodian of records for both land transactions and court proceedings. Many of these records are accessible online and, unless restricted by court order or statute, can also be reviewed in person at the county clerk's office.

County clerk officers handle the recording of deeds, easements, leases, mortgages, survey and subdivision maps, assignments, satisfactions, as well as liens and judgments. Most of these records are available to the public.

Engage a Title Search Agency

If you are purchasing real estate in New York and need a lender, you will require the services of a title company, as the lender will not approve the mortgage without it. If you are paying cash, a title search may not be mandatory, but skipping it is risky, and your attorney will likely advise against it. Without a proper title search, you might discover unresolved title issues, leading to significant legal troubles or making the property difficult to sell.

When a property changes ownership, errors can occur, such as mistakes in the deed or discrepancies in parcel size. A title company thoroughly investigates the title to verify its status and checks for any liens that could complicate the sale. Even if an online land search appears accurate, it may not reveal older easements, rights-of-way, or restrictions that could affect the property. A title company uncovers this critical information, which could alter the terms of the sale or prevent it from proceeding.

When two or more individuals purchase property together, whether a marital home or as an investment, it can be an exciting venture filled with plans and possibilities. However, it is essential to carefully consider how the property will be titled and held.

In New York, there are three primary ways to hold title: tenancy in common, joint tenancy, and tenancy by entirety. Each form of ownership offers distinct benefits, drawbacks, and legal requirements.

Choosing the right type of ownership depends on factors such as how the property will be used and whether it is intended to be retained long-term or sold in the future. Understanding these considerations is crucial in determining which form of ownership will best suit the needs and goals of the buyers.

Types of Property Ownership in New York Compared

Real estate deeds are legal documents used to transfer ownership of real property. Common terms employed in these deeds to facilitate the transfer include "grant", "assign", "convey", and "warrant". While the wording may differ, all these terms serve the same purpose: they transfer the ownership interest from the seller to the buyer.

In New York, the instrument used to convey title, known as the deed, can come in several different forms. Below are descriptions of the most common types of deeds used in the state:

Common ways to transfer property ownership include sale or purchase, inheritance, gifting, court order, and business or investment purposes. While legal requirements can differ, they typically involve a validly executed deed or title, consideration or payment, adherence to local laws or regulations, proper identification or authorization of the parties involved, a clear title, and the payment of any applicable taxes or fees.

The first step in changing a deed is to create a new one, as each type of deed carries a different legal status. In New York City, you will need a deed that is signed and notarized by the grantor. Additionally, this deed must be filed and recorded with the Office of the City Register. Any transfer documents indicating whether taxes are owed must also be submitted to the City Register. These transfer documents can be accessed on the NYC ACRIS website.

Once the documents are prepared and contain the necessary notarized signatures from both the grantors and grantees, they can be filed either in person or online. It's important to ensure that all applicable taxes and fees are paid before recording the documents.

When purchasing a new home in New York, three state taxes and fees are typically collected at closing:

• A filing fee for Form RP-5217-PDF (Real Property Transfer Report) or, if in New York City, Form RP-5217-NYC
• The real estate transfer tax, applicable to property sales over $500
• The mortgage recording tax, which applies to the registration of real estate mortgages