Buying a home in New York City means we have to check many details before sign.
I learned this the hard way while helping a friend from Brooklyn buy his first apartment; we almost missed an old lien on the property that could have cost him thousands of dollars.
As a tech blogger based in NY, I’ve spent years guiding readers through tools and sites that make life simpler.
In this article, I’ll explain clearly and simply how ACRIS can help you find reliable property records, avoid hidden problems, and get ahead when buying or selling real estate in NYC.
Keep reading to learn more.
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What is ACRIS NYC?
Imagine you’re curious about the owner of a brownstone in Brooklyn you pass on your way to work.
ACRIS NYC, short for Automated City Register Information System, gives you easy access to property records online. Run by New York City’s Department of Finance, this free system includes public land records from Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx.
ACRIS lets you view over two million real estate transactions dating back as far as 1966 through its transaction database. You can search deeds and mortgages quickly on their official website (www.nyc.gov/acris).
When I searched for my apartment details, it was easy to figure out who owned the property before me.
With a few clicks, you can also track property histories and ownership online right from home.
Last year, while researching a Brooklyn townhouse, I needed quick details on its past owners.
How to Search Property Records on ACRIS?
Visit the official ACRIS website at www.nyc.gov/acris.
Go straight there and click on “Search Property Records” to access real estate records like deeds, mortgages, or liens.
This government resource is free, user-friendly, provides public records dating back to 1966, and saves you from paying for expensive title searches.
The ACRIS website feels uncomplicated with clear search functionality that doesn’t require special skills or software downloads.
If you Still need help, Call the ACRIS Help Desk at +1 212-487-6300 or email them at [email protected]
Use the Borough, Block, and Lot (BBL) search
A few years ago, my neighbor wanted to buy the empty lot next door. He had trouble confirming who owned it or if there were any tax liens linked to that property. Using the Borough, Block, and Lot (BBL) search on ACRIS helped him quickly find clear parcel information directly from municipal records.
An accurate BBL number allowed him fast access to ownership verification, land use details, and possible outstanding debts tied to that lot.
With a correct Borough-Block-Lot code in hand, you can confidently perform a title search for detailed real estate data through NYC’s online system. Accurate BBL numbers reduce common search errors; incorrect entries cause confusing results or missed documents in your property records check.
After you’ve mastered using this simple yet effective method of property identification via ACRIS’s impressive search functionality, you’ll likely want another helpful approach: searching by address or owner name.
Search by property address or owner name
You can quickly search ACRIS NYC by typing the property address or owner’s name. This tool allows you to find land records, transaction history, and ownership information in seconds.
Types of Property Records on ACRIS
Deeds and Conveyance Records: Deeds and conveyance records show who bought or sold a property and when.
- Sale deeds list the price paid and the sale date.
- Records go back to 1966, letting you trace past owners.
- Agents use them to check titles or settle disputes.
Mortgage and Lien Documents: Mortgage and lien documents reveal loans and debts on a property.
- Mortgage records indicate if the owner took out a home loan.
- Lien documents list claims against the property, such as unpaid taxes or bills.
- Lien releases show which debts are fully paid off.
Property Tax Records: Property tax records list the city’s assessed value of a property each year.
- Checking these values helps you spot errors or fake tax notices.
- You can view current and past values on the NYC Finance website.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using ACRIS
Last summer, I tried buying a small apartment in Brooklyn and used ACRIS NYC to check property records. During the search, mistakes popped up that slowed things down and almost caused issues with my real estate transaction.
- Double-check spelling and address format carefully; incorrect inputs can pull wrong or no results for property records.
- Review liens on the property because unnoticed or unpaid liens can block legal compliance of your purchase deal.
- Pay close attention to document dates since ignoring them creates confusion about recording requirements and title verification.
- Look out for indexing errors on mortgages; simple errors could make a mortgage void under New York Real Property Law 317.
- Submit documents as soon as possible after signing since late document submission hurts transaction validity and slows down your sale or purchase process.
- Confirm instruments show up recorded exactly in the order delivered as Real Property Law 317 requires; recording mistakes put your legal rights at risk.
- All records have total document accuracy since even tiny errors, like misspelled names or numbers transposed, affect the final validity of real estate transactions.
Whether you’re a buyer or real estate agent, using ACRIS makes property research much easier and safer.
Give this free tool a try today to see how it supports smart choices in New York’s busy market.