New York County Property Search
Property records in New York County (also known as Manhattan) are official documents containing details about real property within the county. They typically contain information describing property ownership, property tax assessments, the chain of ownership, mortgage and lien information, and other details that pertain to the legal ownership and use of real property within the county.
The Office of the City Register is the record custodian for property records in New York County, New York. It is also possible to obtain property records from government agencies whose offices have overlapping duties. A New York County property search enables members of the public to access records of real property in the county. The information obtained from this search is also useful to potential buyers or sellers, real estate agents, and other interested parties who want to make informed decisions about a property.
Are New York County Property Records Public?
Property records are public information in New York County and are available for viewing and copying by the public as per the New York State Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). This means that, like other New York County Public Records, any member of the public can gain access to all property records through government agencies or via available third-party aggregate services.
However, property records could be exempt from public disclosure if they are deemed confidential under certain circumstances. Per FOIL, property records are only restricted from public disclosure if they contain:
- Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, such as Social Security numbers and bank account numbers.
- Information that would reveal trade secrets or proprietary commercial or financial information.
- Information protected by the attorney-client privilege.
- Information that could interfere with pending litigation.
- Information related to audit data.
- Property engineering estimates and valuations.
What Do New York County Property Records Contain?
A New York County property record is made up of different documents and, therefore, contains a wealth of information about properties within the county. Typically, some of the documents and the information found in them include:
- Property deeds: A deed is a legal document that transfers ownership of real property from one party to another. It contains the names of the buyer and seller, a description of the property, and the amount the buyer paid. There are different kinds of deeds, such as deeds of trust, quitclaim deeds, warranty deeds, and grant deeds.
- Mortgage record: The mortgage record is the official document that provides details of loans secured for the purchase of real property. It contains the names of the borrower and lender, a description of the property, the loan amount, and the terms of repayment.
- Lien: A lien is a legal claim against a property, often to secure payment of a debt owed.
- Property tax reports: A report of all taxes paid on the real property.
- Surveys and Plats: Surveys and plats are detailed drawings of a property showing the boundaries, buildings, and other physical or landmark features.
- Restrictions and covenants: Restrictions and covenants are legal limitations on the use of a property, often imposed by a homeowner's association or other governing body. Examples include building height restrictions and restrictions on the use of a property for commercial purposes.
Where to Perform a New York County Property Lookup
New York County property records are available to the general public, and interested individuals who wish to perform a lookup of such records may do so online, in person, or by mail to the Office of the City Register (a division of the New York City Department of Finance).
Online property record lookup is enabled by the Automated City Information System (ACRIS), provided by the Office of the City Register. This system allows users to search for information on properties in New York County. ARIS is free, and it’s accessible 24/7. On the ACRIS portal, one can search for records by either document type, parcel name, or party name.
Requesters who prefer to perform an in-person property records lookup are required to schedule an appointment and are allowed up to 1 hour to research, review, and print records. Appointments can be scheduled on the booking page.
Mail applicants are expected to send a written request to the Office of the City Register. The request must contain the owner’s information, the property’s address, information on the type of document being sought, and any other relevant information. The written request must be mailed to:
New York City Department of Finance
Office of the City Register
66 John Street, 13th Floor
New York, NY 10038.
The cost of obtaining property documents varies and depends on the document type, size, and number of pages. Regardless of the method chosen, users will need to provide the property's address and owner’s information to access the records. Additionally, identification will be required for in-person requests. The timeframe for obtaining records may vary. In-person requests are processed on the same day, while mail requests may take up to four weeks to be processed and delivered.
How to Perform a Property Owner Lookup in New York County
Interested individuals can obtain property ownership information in New York County by either performing a property record lookup on the Automated City Register Information System (ACRIS) or by making an in-person visit to the Office of the City Register. However, one must first have other pieces of information regarding the property, like the house number and street name.
A search using the “Parcel identifier” option on ACRIS with the street name and house number of a property can bring up the available ownership records for that house. Alternatively, individuals can book appointments and make in-person visits to the New York County branch of the Office of the City Register and request access to ownership records of real property by furnishing the Registrar’s office with the house number and street name. All in-person requests must be made between Monday and Friday, 9:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. Applicable fees will apply.
How to Find New York County Property Records Online
New York County property records maintained by the Office of the City Register are available online via ACRIS and can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection. ACRIS provides digital access to property documents and allows the public to view property records and document images dating back to 1966.
Alternatively, one can use third-party databases that aggregate property records for the county. To find a reputable database, one can search online using their preferred search engine. Requesters are expected to provide information like the document title, property address, record year, owner’s information, and any other necessary detail to facilitate the record retrieval. Third-party sites charge processing fees, and this varies between databases. Usually, most require non-refundable fees of up to $2.00.
Keep in mind that third-party databases may not always have complete or up-to-date information. It’s always a good idea to verify any information from official sources.
How to Find Property Owner by Address Free
A property owner's information is available on ACRIS. It is free to use and available 24/7. To perform a property owner address search, use the “Parcel Name” option and fill out a BBL (borough, block, lot) search request. The system will pull up relevant property records, which will reveal available information about ownership. Alternatively, inquirers can use the address to look up property ownership information for free at the county branch of the Office of the City Register. Viewing is free, but payment is required when a searcher decides to obtain copies of the property record.
New York County Property Tax Lookup
An individual can obtain property tax information in New York County. The NYC Department of Finance allows any interested member of the public to look up property tax information via its Public Access Web Portal. This tool allows users to search for tax information by property address, block, or lot number. Alternatively, individuals can make written or in-person requests at the Department of Finance's New York County Office address.
A tax lookup may be necessary in a variety of situations. For example, a homeowner may want to know how much property tax they owe to budget for their expenses, or a potential homebuyer may want to estimate the tax burden of a property they are considering purchasing. A tax lookup can also be helpful for businesses, investors, and real estate professionals who need to understand the tax implications of a property transaction or investment.
How to Find New York County Property Appraisers
Individuals can find property appraisers in New York County by checking the database of New York Currently Licensed Real Estate Appraisers. The database contains the names, business addresses, and business counties of the currently licensed property appraisers in New York State. Applying a county filter will provide details of all appraisers operating in New York County. Some of the other information available in the database includes license type, certification date, and license expiration date.
Once individuals have identified a property appraiser, they can contact them directly to request their services. Appraisers can help individuals determine the value of a property for a variety of purposes, including property taxes, estate planning, or to obtain a loan. Some of the services that appraisers offer include:
- Property valuation: Appraisers use their knowledge of the local real estate market to determine the current value of a property.
- Comparative market analysis: Appraisers compare the property to other similar properties in the area to determine its market value.
- Property inspection: Appraisers will typically conduct an inspection of the property to assess its condition, size, and features.
- Report preparation: Appraisers will prepare a detailed report that outlines their findings and provides a comprehensive valuation of the property.
New York County Property Assessor
The New York County Property Assessors, via the NYC Department of Finance, are responsible for assessing the value of all real estate properties within the county. This is important because property taxes are based on the assessed value of a property, and accurate assessments ensure that taxes are fairly distributed among property owners.
The property assessor's office provides a range of services, including:
- Property valuation: The property assessor determines the value of each property in the county, taking into account factors such as location, size, condition, and comparable sales data.
- Appeals process: Property owners who disagree with their property assessment can appeal to the property assessor's office. The office will review the property valuation and may adjust it if necessary.
- Information and resources: The property assessor's office provides information and resources to property owners, including tax assessment schedules, property record cards, and property maps.
Members of the public can get in touch with property assessors in New York County by contacting the NYC Department of Finance office via phone, in-person, mail, or online via the customer self-service portal.
New York County Business Center
66 John Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10038
Phone: (212) NEW-YORK or (212) 639-9675
Mail to:
NYC Department of Finance
Correspondence Unit
One Centre Street, 22nd Floor
New York, NY 10007
