A recorded deed can help identify the parties to a recorded transfer, but it does not by itself confirm who holds current title. New York City’s Department of Finance provides ACRIS to search property records and view document images for Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, and Brooklyn from 1966 to the present.
This guide explains what ACRIS covers and how to start a deed lookup.
What is ACRIS?
ACRIS, the Automated City Register Information System, is New York City’s system for searching recorded property documents. The city says it can help users find a property’s borough-block-lot (BBL) number or address and access deeds and other recorded documents. ACRIS covers Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, and Brooklyn; Staten Island records are handled separately. For current access, fees, or records outside ACRIS’s stated date range, check the official ACRIS page or contact the City Register.
What a NYC deed lookup can show
ACRIS provides access to deeds and other recorded documents. A recorded document shows what was filed and the parties named in it; it is not, by itself, a complete confirmation of current title. Do not assume a particular lien or lawsuit document will appear in an ACRIS search. For legal or title questions, consult a qualified title professional.
How to start a deed lookup in NYC
- Open the official ACRIS page and choose the property-record search.
- Use the address or BBL information you have to locate the property. The city identifies address and BBL as ways to find a property in ACRIS. If you cannot locate it, check the city’s instructions or contact the City Register.
- Review the available recorded documents and their details. Check the document itself and its recording information; do not treat a search result alone as proof of current title.
- For document images, fees, certified copies, or other access requirements, follow the current instructions shown by NYC Finance. The official page confirms document images are available but does not establish that every search or download is free.
A BBL is a property identifier used by the city. Do not assume it is permanent or that every address maps cleanly to one search result. ACRIS also offers tools to find a BBL or address; consult the city’s current instructions for the appropriate search method.
ACRIS limitations to know
- Coverage: ACRIS’s stated online records cover Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, and Brooklyn from 1966 to the present. The city handles Staten Island differently. Ask the City Register where to look for older records or other borough records.
- Recorded documents are not a title opinion: a deed names parties to a recorded transfer, but the search alone does not confirm current legal ownership.
- Co-ops: ACRIS is described by the city as a system for property records and recorded documents. Check with the building’s managing agent or a qualified professional for co-op transfer information; do not assume a deed search gives a complete co-op ownership history.
- Fees and copies: Check NYC Finance’s current instructions for access, copy, and certification fees. Requirements may differ by document and service.
For research beyond recorded documents, consult relevant public records and qualified professionals. No single search should be treated as a complete ownership or title determination.
From a deed lookup to reaching the owner
State business filings may provide information about an LLC, but disclosures vary and may not identify the individual behind it. DealMachine can help search property records and look up available owner contact details; availability varies, and a contact match is not guaranteed. Revealing phone or email details may use person credits. Sign up to explore DealMachine, and see the MCP setup guide if you want to connect an AI assistant.
Frequently asked questions
What is a BBL number?
BBL means borough-block-lot, a city property identifier. Check NYC Finance’s current ACRIS instructions to find or use a BBL; do not assume it never changes or is always the most reliable search method.
How far back do ACRIS records go?
NYC Finance says ACRIS provides records from 1966 to the present for Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, and Brooklyn. For older records, ask the City Register where they are available; the current public guidance does not establish that all older records are stored physically.
Is ACRIS free to use?
Check the current ACRIS interface and NYC Finance fee guidance for any charges or requirements. The city’s overview describes searching and viewing document images, but does not say every search, image, or copy is free or requires no login.
Does a deed search confirm the current owner?
No. A deed shows the parties to that recorded transfer. It does not by itself confirm who holds current title. Consult a qualified title professional for a title determination.