NYC Deed Search

ACRIS (Automated City Register Information System) is NYC's official online portal for searching recorded property documents. Maintained by the Department of Finance, ACRIS contains deeds, mortgages, liens, satisfaction documents, and other instruments recorded with the City Register since 1966.

ACRIS covers four boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. Staten Island documents are filed separately with the Richmond County Clerk's office.

Each deed records the grantor (seller), grantee (buyer), consideration (sale price), and the date the deed was recorded. Together, these deeds form the chain of title — the complete history of ownership for a property.

To search deeds on ACRIS directly:

1. Go to the ACRIS website and select your borough
2. Search by address, BBL (Borough-Block-Lot), or party name
3. Filter by document type — select "DEED" or "DEED, TS" (tax sale deed)
4. Click on a result to view document details and download the PDF

Common issues with ACRIS: The interface is dated, address matching can be inconsistent, and you only see one document type at a time. There's no way to see violations, permits, or tax data alongside deed records.

RegWatch pulls deed data from ACRIS and combines it with 250+ government sources — so you get the full picture, not just the deed. A single search shows:

• Ownership tab — full chain of title with all deed transfers, sale prices, and recording dates (unlocks with a report or Pro)
• Mortgage records — current and historical mortgages with lender details
• Liens — tax liens, mechanic's liens, UCC filings, and lis pendens
• Tax records — assessed value, market value, and tax exemptions
• Violations — DOB, HPD, and ECB violations tied to the property
• Permits — building permits showing recent and planned work

This is what title companies, attorneys, and investors actually need — not just the deed, but the full property story.

NYC property transfers use several types of deeds, each with different levels of protection for the buyer:

• Bargain and Sale Deed — the most common type in NYC. Transfers ownership without warranties against prior claims.
• Warranty Deed — provides guarantees that the title is clear. Less common in NYC.
• Quitclaim Deed — transfers whatever interest the grantor has, with no guarantees. Often used between family members or to clear title issues.
• Executor's Deed / Administrator's Deed — used when property is transferred from an estate.
• Tax Sale Deed (DEED, TS) — issued after a tax lien sale. May have additional encumbrances.