ACRIS – Automated City Register Information System
ACRIS is the City’s free online system where you can look up your property deed, mortgages, liens, and some certificates (like Certificate of Occupancy) for most NYC properties. It allows you to search property records and view document images for Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, and Brooklyn. Staten Island uses a separate system, so do not worry if you do not see your Staten Island property in ACRIS.
Why ACRIS matters for small homeowners:
It is useful because you can:
- Check who is on the deed and confirm your ownership is recorded correctly.
- Download copies of recorded documents instead of paying a title company for basic info
- Create cover pages and transfer tax forms if you ever need to record a deed or other document (gift, transfer to a relative, estate, etc.).
- Turn on e‑mail alerts so you get notified if someone records a document against your property (this is a simple anti‑fraud protection tool for homeowners)
How to use ACRIS (mini steps)
Go to nyc.gov and search for “ACRIS” (or type “NYC ACRIS” in Google). Click “Search property records.” Choose how you want to search:
- By Address
- By Borough, Block and Lot (BBL)
- By Owner Name.
When you see the list of documents, pay attention to:
- Document type (deed, mortgage, lien, satisfaction, etc.).
- Recording date (when the document was officially recorded).
- Parties (who is grantor/grantee or borrower/lender).
Click the document image to open it as a PDF. You can then save or print it.
Typical homeowner use cases
Examples – when to check ACRIS:
- Before buying a house or multi‑family, to see the deed and mortgages and check for any recorded liens or judgments.
- Before closing on a refinance, to confirm old mortgages were satisfied and no surprise liens appear.
- After a deed transfer (inheritance, adding a spouse, transfer to LLC) to confirm the deed was actually recorded.
- When your bank, lawyer, or DOB-related professional asks for a copy of your deed or CO, you can often pull it yourself from ACRIS.
How ACRIS connects with other NYC systems
In real life, ACRIS is often used together with other NYC tools such as the Department of Buildings systems (BIS and DOB NOW) and property tax search. By checking ACRIS for ownership and recorded documents and then checking DOB for permits or violations, a buyer or owner can build a more complete picture of the property before closing or starting work.
revised 3/26/2026
