Code: ACRIS (NYC Property Records Database)
Description: (Automated City Register Information System) is the free NYC online database, managed by the Department of Finance, where anyone can look up property records — including deeds, mortgages, and liens — for properties in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. Staten Island uses a separate system and is not covered by ACRIS.
Practical Meaning: If you need to check who owns a property, whether there is a lien or mortgage recorded against it, or review a past deed transfer, you can search ACRIS for free at nyc.gov without creating an account. Staten Island homeowners must use the Richmond County Clerk's office instead, as their records are not in ACRIS.
Where You May See It: DOB violation letters or court documents referencing property ownership Title reports during a property sale or refinancing Attorney or lender instructions to verify recorded documents Real estate listings and due-diligence checklists HPD notices referencing ownership records Bank or mortgage company requests for property history
Why It Matters: Before buying, selling, or refinancing a property, lenders and title companies will check ACRIS to confirm the chain of ownership, verify that no undisclosed liens or judgments are recorded, and review any transfer taxes paid. An unresolved lien or a recording error found in ACRIS can delay or block a closing, so homeowners should check their own records periodically and report any errors to the City Register.