New York County Property Records
What Is New York County Property Records
New York County property records are official documents that record ownership, transfers, and encumbrances of real property (land and buildings) within the county boundaries. These records serve as the authoritative documentation of property ownership and interests throughout Manhattan, which is coterminous with New York County. Property records establish legal ownership through a documented chain of title, provide public notice of property interests, protect property rights, and facilitate real estate transactions.
Pursuant to New York Real Property Law § 291, all conveyances of real property must be recorded in the office of the clerk of the county where such real property is situated. This statutory requirement ensures that all property ownership changes are properly documented and accessible to the public. The Automated City Register Information System (ACRIS) serves as the primary repository for New York County property records, allowing users to search property records, view document images, and find property-related information.
Property records in New York County include:
- Deeds and transfers of ownership
- Mortgages and mortgage satisfactions
- Liens and encumbrances
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Tax assessment records
- Property surveys and plats
- Building permits and certificates of occupancy
These records are maintained by various county and city offices, including the New York City Department of Finance and the Office of the City Register, which serves as the recorder for New York County.
Are Property Records Public Information In New York County?
Property records in New York County are public information and accessible to all citizens under New York State law. The New York Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law Article 6, §§ 84-90) establishes the public's right to access government records, including property records. Additionally, New York Real Property Law § 291 specifically mandates that property records be publicly recorded and accessible.
The legal basis for public access to property records rests on several important principles:
- Property ownership is fundamentally a matter of public record
- Recording statutes require public access to ensure transparency in land ownership
- Public access serves the public interest by facilitating property transactions and preventing fraud
- Any member of the public may access property records without demonstrating a specific interest or reason
The New York State Office of Real Property Tax Services oversees the statewide system of real property assessment and taxation, ensuring that property records remain accessible to the public. At present, members of the public may access New York County property records through both in-person visits to relevant government offices and through online portals maintained by the New York City Department of Finance.
How To Search Property Records in New York County in 2026
Members of the public seeking to search property records in New York County may utilize several methods to access this information. The following procedures are currently in effect for conducting property record searches:
Online Search Methods:
- Access the Automated City Register Information System (ACRIS) to search property records by address, block and lot number, or document type
- Use the NYC Property Tax Public Access portal to search for property tax information and assessment records
- Search the Department of Finance Property Assessment database for current property values and tax classification information
In-Person Search Methods:
- Visit the New York County Office of the City Register to conduct manual searches of property records
New York County Office of the City Register
66 John Street, 13th Floor
New York, NY 10038
(212) 487-2710
NYC Department of Finance
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (excluding holidays)
When searching property records, individuals should have the following information ready:
- Property address
- Block and lot number (if known)
- Owner name (current or previous)
- Approximate date of property transaction (if searching for a specific document)
Pursuant to New York City Administrative Code § 7-707, certain fees may apply for copies of property records, though basic searches are available at no cost.
How To Find Property Records in New York County Online?
Finding property records in New York County online is a streamlined process that provides immediate access to most property-related documents. The primary online resources for accessing New York County property records include:
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ACRIS (Automated City Register Information System)
- Navigate to the ACRIS portal
- Select "Search Property Records"
- Choose a search method:
- By address (enter borough, street number, street name)
- By block and lot (enter borough, block number, lot number)
- By document type (for specific document searches)
- Review search results and select documents to view
- Download or print document images as needed
-
NYC Property Tax Public Access Portal
- Visit the NYC Property Tax portal
- Search by address, BBL (Borough-Block-Lot), or property owner name
- Access property tax bills, payment history, and assessment information
- View property details including building class, tax class, and market value
-
Department of City Planning's ZoLa (Zoning and Land Use Application)
- Access ZoLa for zoning and land use information
- Search by address or navigate the interactive map
- View zoning designations, land use regulations, and property boundaries
- Access related planning and development information
-
NYC Department of Finance Property Assessment Database
- Visit the Property Assessment database
- Search by address or BBL
- View current and historical assessment information
- Access the tentative and final assessment rolls
These online resources are maintained by the New York City Department of Finance and the Department of City Planning, providing comprehensive access to property records throughout New York County.
How To Look Up New York County Property Records for Free?
New York County residents and other interested parties may access property records at no cost through several official channels. The following free resources are currently available:
Free Online Resources:
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ACRIS Basic Search - The Automated City Register Information System provides free basic searches of property records. Users can search by address, owner name, or document type without incurring any fees. Document viewing is also free, though printing may incur nominal charges.
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NYC Property Tax Public Access - The NYC Property Tax portal offers free access to property tax information, including assessment values, tax rates, and payment history.
-
ZoLa (Zoning and Land Use Application) - The Department of City Planning's ZoLa tool provides free access to zoning and land use information for all properties in New York County.
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NYS Tax Department Property Information - The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance offers free access to property tax information and assessment data.
Free In-Person Resources:
New York County Office of the City Register
66 John Street, 13th Floor
New York, NY 10038
(212) 487-2710
NYC Department of Finance
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (excluding holidays)
Visitors to the Office of the City Register may use public terminals to search property records at no cost. Staff assistance is available for navigating the search systems. While basic searches and viewing of records are free, fees may apply for certified copies or extensive document reproduction as established under New York Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b)(iii).
What's Included in a New York County Property Record?
New York County property records contain comprehensive information about real property within the county boundaries. Under New York Real Property Law § 316, certain information must be included in property records to ensure their legal validity and usefulness. Property records in New York County distinguish between real property (land and permanently attached structures) and personal property (movable assets not attached to land).
Multiple county offices maintain different aspects of property records:
- The Office of the City Register maintains ownership and encumbrance records
- The Department of Finance maintains tax assessment records
- The Department of Buildings maintains construction and occupancy records
- The Department of City Planning maintains zoning and land use records
A typical New York County property record includes:
Ownership Information:
- Current property owner's name and contact information
- Previous owners (chain of title)
- Date of property acquisition
- Purchase price or consideration paid
- Type of deed (warranty, quitclaim, etc.)
Property Description:
- Legal description of the property
- Block and lot number
- Property address
- Property boundaries and dimensions
- Survey information (when available)
- Lot size and acreage
Financial Information:
- Current assessed value
- Market value
- Property tax classification
- Tax payment history
- Mortgage information
- Liens and encumbrances
Building Information:
- Building class and type
- Year built
- Square footage
- Number of units
- Building permits
- Certificates of occupancy
- Zoning designation
Additional Documents:
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Restrictive covenants
- Condominium or cooperative documents (if applicable)
- Historic designation information (if applicable)
- Environmental notices or restrictions (if applicable)
The New York City Department of Finance maintains these records in accordance with state law and provides public access through various platforms.
How Long Does New York County Keep Property Records?
New York County maintains property records permanently for most essential documents related to real property ownership and transfers. The retention of property records is governed by the New York State Archives Records Retention and Disposition Schedule LGS-1, which establishes minimum retention periods for local government records, including property records.
The following retention periods currently apply to various property records in New York County:
Permanent Retention:
- Deeds and property transfers
- Mortgage and mortgage satisfaction records
- Maps and surveys
- Tax maps and property index systems
- Subdivision plats
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Historic property documentation
Long-Term Retention (20+ years):
- Property tax rolls and assessment records (permanent for final annual rolls)
- Building permits for completed structures (permanent for government buildings, 20+ years for others)
- Certificates of occupancy (permanent)
- Zoning variance records (permanent)
Medium-Term Retention (7-20 years):
- Building inspection reports (7 years after building demolition)
- Code violation records (7 years after resolution)
- Temporary permits (7 years after expiration)
Short-Term Retention (1-6 years):
- Routine correspondence regarding property (minimum 6 years)
- Permit applications that were denied or withdrawn (1 year)
- Temporary property tax exemption applications (6 years)
The New York State Office of Real Property Tax Services oversees compliance with these retention requirements. Property records of historical significance may be transferred to the Municipal Archives for permanent preservation after their active administrative use has ended.
How To Find Liens on Property In New York County?
Locating liens on property in New York County requires searching specific records maintained by various government agencies. Liens represent legal claims against property that must be satisfied when the property is sold. The following methods are available to identify liens on New York County properties:
Online Lien Searches:
-
ACRIS (Automated City Register Information System)
- Visit the ACRIS portal
- Search by property address or block and lot number
- Select "Find Liens" in the document type section
- Review results for various types of liens including:
- Tax liens
- Mechanic's liens
- Judgment liens
- Federal tax liens
- Environmental liens
-
NYC Department of Finance Property Tax System
- Access the NYC Property Tax portal
- Search for the property by address or BBL
- Review the account balance and any outstanding tax liens
In-Person Lien Searches:
New York County Clerk's Office
60 Centre Street, Room 141B
New York, NY 10007
(646) 386-5955
New York State Unified Court System
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (excluding holidays)
New York County Office of the City Register
66 John Street, 13th Floor
New York, NY 10038
(212) 487-2710
NYC Department of Finance
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (excluding holidays)
When conducting a lien search, it is advisable to check multiple sources as different types of liens may be recorded with different agencies. Pursuant to New York Lien Law § 10, liens must be properly filed with the appropriate recording office to be legally valid and enforceable.
What Is Property Owner Rule In New York County?
The Property Owner Rule in New York County refers to a set of regulations and responsibilities that govern property ownership within the county boundaries. These rules are established under various New York State laws and New York City administrative codes, creating a framework for property ownership, taxation, and maintenance.
Key components of the Property Owner Rule include:
Ownership Registration Requirements:
- Property owners must register with the NYC Department of Finance for tax purposes
- Pursuant to NYC Administrative Code § 11-102, all real property is subject to taxation unless specifically exempt
- Owners must maintain current contact information with the Department of Finance
Property Maintenance Obligations:
- Property owners must maintain their properties in accordance with the NYC Housing Maintenance Code
- Owners must comply with building codes, fire safety regulations, and zoning requirements
- Sidewalks adjacent to properties must be maintained by the property owner
Tax Payment Requirements:
- Property taxes must be paid quarterly or semi-annually depending on the property type
- The NYC Department of Finance assesses property values and calculates tax obligations
- Failure to pay property taxes may result in tax liens and potential foreclosure
Disclosure Requirements:
- When selling property, owners must disclose certain conditions as required by New York Real Property Law § 462
- Environmental hazards, structural issues, and other material facts must be disclosed
- Failure to properly disclose can result in legal liability
Special Considerations for New York County:
- Many properties in Manhattan (New York County) are subject to additional regulations due to historic district designations
- Cooperative and condominium properties have specific ownership structures governed by their own bylaws and regulations
- Commercial properties must comply with additional requirements regarding public access and safety
Property owners in New York County should consult with the Department of City Planning regarding zoning regulations and the Department of Finance for tax-related matters to ensure full compliance with all applicable rules.
Lookup Property Records in New York County
Property tax information and payment options
Search property records by address
Access the Automated City Register Information System
View property assessment information
Find local assessment officials
Access the NYC Property Tax Public Access portal
Visit the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance
Learn about the Office of Real Property Tax Services
Explore NYC's Zoning and Land Use Map