Access Bronx County Property Records
Bronx County property records are maintained by the New York City Department of Finance through the Automated City Register Information System, known as ACRIS. Unlike most New York counties where a traditional County Clerk handles land recordings, Bronx property records are part of the citywide system covering four boroughs. The Bronx County Clerk's Office handles court-related property filings such as judgments, liens, and lis pendens separately. Together these offices provide full access to deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded documents for the borough.
Bronx County Property Records Overview
Bronx County Property Records Offices
The Bronx City Register Office, operated by the NYC Department of Finance, handles property document recordings for the borough. The office is located at 3030 3rd Avenue, Room 280, Bronx, NY 10455. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Services available by appointment include submitting documents for recording, researching and printing property records, requesting certified copies, and paying filing fees. Payments are accepted at the Bronx DOF Business Center, not at the City Register Office directly. You can pay by cash, personal or certified check, money order, or credit and debit card. A 2% service fee applies to credit and debit card payments.
The Bronx County Clerk's Office at 851 Grand Concourse, Room 118, Bronx, NY 10451, handles a different set of property-related records. This office maintains Supreme Court cases, business and corporation certificates, judgments, and property liens. The phone number is (718) 618-3377. All search requests must be in writing; the office does not provide verbal search results over the phone. Copying fees are 65 cents per page with a minimum fee of $1.50. For exemplification of documents, the fee is $25.00, and the process takes 48 to 72 hours to complete. All fees are payable by U.S. postal money order, certified check, or NYS attorney's check. Personal checks are not accepted.
For notice of pendency, lis pendens, mechanic liens, building loan agreements, sidewalk violations, or foreclosures, you should contact the Bronx County Clerk's Docket Department. These filings relate to court actions that affect property and are separate from the deed and mortgage recordings handled through the City Register and ACRIS.
How to Search Bronx County Property Records
ACRIS is the primary online database for property records in the Bronx. The system provides access to deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded documents from 1966 to the present. You can search by address, owner name, or document type using the Borough-Block-Lot (BBL) identifier. The Bronx borough code is 2 for BBL searches. No registration is required for basic searches, making ACRIS freely accessible to anyone. Electronic copies of recorded documents can be downloaded at no charge when printed from a personal computer.
ACRIS also provides tools beyond simple searching. You can create cover pages and tax forms needed to record documents, including the TP-584 and RP-5217 forms. The built-in calculator computes property transfer taxes and mortgage recording taxes based on transaction amounts. The NYC 311 service provides additional guidance on property deed and record information, explaining how to search for, get copies of, or update property ownership records. Certified copies ordered through the City Register cost $4 per page. If you order a certified copy through ACRIS, the Department of Finance will mail it within 5 days.
The NYC Property Information Portal adds a map-based approach to property research. This interactive GIS system shows lot lines, block and lot numbers, street names, lot dimensions, and easements. You can search by address, intersection, or common place name. Certified tax map copies cost $10 per map through this portal. The system integrates with ACRIS, providing direct links to recorded documents from the map interface. There is no charge for maps printed from a personal computer.
Property Records Fees in Bronx County
Recording property documents in the Bronx involves New York City-specific fees and taxes on top of the standard state requirements. The base state recording fee is $45 plus $5 per page. The TP-584 form costs $5.00 and the RP-5217 fee is $125 for residential or farm property and $250 for other types. New York State transfer tax is $2 per $500 of consideration. For sales of $1 million or more, the "Mansion Tax" adds an additional 1% of the purchase price, paid by the buyer.
New York City imposes additional transfer taxes on property conveyances. The city rate is 1% for residential properties selling for $500,000 or less, and 1.425% for residential sales above that amount. Commercial property transfers are taxed at 1.425% for amounts up to $500,000 and 2.625% for larger transactions. Mortgage recording tax in the Bronx includes the base state rate of $0.50 per $100 of mortgage debt, plus additional city rates of 1.0% for mortgages under $500,000 on one-to-three family dwellings and individual condo units, and 1.125% for all other properties. The special additional tax for the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District also applies to the Bronx.
All documents must be properly executed and acknowledged before recording. Documents can be submitted in person at the Bronx City Register Office or electronically through ACRIS. Property records can be corrected or updated online or in person for documents from 1966 to the present. Documents before 1966 must be corrected in person at the City Register's office.
Building Records and Property Information
The Bronx offers additional property record resources through the NYC Department of Buildings. The Building Information System (BIS) provides building-level records searchable by Building Identification Number or Block and Lot. Records include complaints, summonses, violations, permit applications, and plumbing work orders. The Bronx DOB Office is located at 1775 Grand Concourse, 5th Floor.
The DOB NOW public portal is the newer system gradually replacing BIS. It contains more recent building records from 2020 forward, including energy efficiency grades, permit status, certificates of occupancy, and violation resolution information. Property Profile Overview pages provide comprehensive building information in a single view. Both systems are useful when researching the history of improvements, permits, and compliance issues for Bronx properties.
The Notice of Recorded Document Program is a free service that helps combat real estate fraud. Property owners can sign up to receive email, text, or mail notifications whenever documents are recorded against their property through ACRIS. This alert system provides an early warning if someone attempts to fraudulently transfer or encumber a property. Registration is free and available through ACRIS or the NYC 311 portal.
Legal Framework for Bronx County Property Records
Property records in the Bronx are governed by the same state laws that apply across New York, with additional city-specific regulations. Real Property Law Section 292 makes unrecorded conveyances void against subsequent good faith purchasers who record first. Section 293 gives constructive notice through recording. The Freedom of Information Law guarantees public access to property records held by government agencies, with response required within five business days of a written request.
Real Property Tax Law Article 18 preserves the class share of taxes in New York City, maintaining the relationship between tax burdens on different property classes. The NYC Department of Finance publishes a tentative property tax assessment roll each year for all five boroughs. Property owners who disagree with their assessments can file challenges through the Tax Commission. The STAR program provides school tax relief to eligible Bronx homeowners, with Basic STAR for primary residences and Enhanced STAR for qualifying senior citizens.
Bronx County and New York City
The Bronx is one of the five boroughs of New York City. As a result, Bronx County property records are fully integrated into the citywide system. The NYC Department of Finance at 3030 Third Avenue, 2nd Floor, Bronx, NY 10455, serves as the borough office for property tax inquiries and related services. The general phone number is (212) 291-2000 with hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Rolling sales data is available showing sales information for all city properties, with annualized lists containing detailed information for the prior 12-month period.