Search Chautauqua County Property Records
Chautauqua County property records are maintained by the County Clerk's Office and the Real Property Tax Department in Mayville, the county seat. Located in the westernmost part of New York State along Lake Erie, Chautauqua County holds land records dating back to 1811. The County Clerk records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other real property instruments. The Real Property Tax Department oversees tax maps, assessment rolls, and provides coordination for local assessors and Boards of Assessment Review across the county.
Chautauqua County Property Records Overview
Chautauqua County Clerk Property Records
The Chautauqua County Clerk's Office is located at 3 North Erie Street, Mayville, NY 14757. The office phone number is (716) 753-4331. Hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. The County Clerk is responsible for recording all land documents including deeds, mortgages, and real estate documents filed in Chautauqua County. The office has maintained land records dating back to 1811, covering the county's entire recorded history.
Public access terminals are available for searching records at no cost during business hours. The office also provides free notary services. All fees must be made payable to "Chautauqua County Clerk" with payment accepted by cash, check, money order, cashier check, or credit cards. A 2.5% processing fee applies to credit card charges of $20 or more. Copy fees are $1.00 per page for recordings and filings, with a $4.00 minimum for filings. The Clerk's Office maintains grantor and grantee indexing for all recorded instruments.
eRecording is available through three authorized vendors: Corporation Service Company, eRecording Partners Network, and Simplifile. These services allow electronic submission of documents for recording at any time. For remote online access to land records, the SearchIQS subscription service provides web-based access to recorded documents. You can search by name, property address, or document type and view document images and summaries. Subscription fees apply for full access to this system. Contact the County Clerk at (716) 753-4331 for account information.
How to Search Chautauqua County Property Records
The Chautauqua County Real Property Tax Department at the Gerace Office Building, 3 North Erie Street, Room 121, Mayville, NY 14757, maintains property assessment records and tax maps. The phone number is (716) 753-4221. The department provides a property tax lookup portal for online searches by address, owner name, or tax parcel ID. Through this system, you can access property tax bills, payment history, and delinquent tax information. Property characteristics including building details and land information are also displayed.
For recorded documents like deeds, mortgages, and liens, the County Clerk's Office provides in-person access through public terminals and remote access through SearchIQS. The in-person terminals let you search grantor and grantee indexes at no charge. SearchIQS offers the convenience of online access but requires a subscription. Both systems cover the full range of recorded instruments filed in Chautauqua County.
The Statewide Parcel Map Program includes Chautauqua County as one of 36 counties with publicly available parcel data. This data includes property boundaries, ownership information, and parcel identifiers in a standardized format. It is available as a web service for mapping applications or as downloadable data files. The data is updated annually and is particularly useful for boundary dispute research and zoning analysis. Interactive mapping tools allow you to locate properties and view parcel boundaries alongside aerial imagery.
Property Records Filing Fees
Recording property documents in Chautauqua County requires the standard New York State fees. The base recording fee is $45 plus $5 per page, with additional charges for cross-references and required forms. The TP-584 Combined Real Estate Transfer Tax Return costs $5.00 and is required for all deed conveyances. The RP-5217 Real Property Transfer Report fee is $125 for qualifying residential or farm property and $250 for all other property types.
New York State transfer tax at $4 per $1,000 of consideration is due at the time of filing. Documents must meet New York State formatting and acknowledgment requirements, including proper notarization with notary registration numbers. Under Real Property Law Section 294, all recorded instruments must be duly acknowledged or proved before a notary public. Mortgage recording tax at $0.50 per $100 of mortgage debt also applies. The residential deed notice fee of $10 required by Real Property Law Section 291 funds a notification program for property owners.
Property Records and Tax Assessment
The Chautauqua County Real Property Tax Department is responsible for tax parcel mapping and GIS coordination across the county. Tax maps show property boundaries, parcel numbers, and dimensions for every parcel. Assessment rolls from all municipalities are available for public inspection. The department provides technical assistance to local assessors and coordinates grievance procedures with Boards of Assessment Review.
The City of Jamestown Assessor's Office handles property assessments for the county's largest city. Assessor Heather Young-Deyell can be reached at (716) 483-7510. The office assesses current property values, files annual reports with the NYS Board of Equalization and Assessment, and maintains tax maps for city properties. Assessment changes are made per New York State and federal tax laws. The assessor reviews applications for tax exemptions and administers the STAR program for city residents. A tentative assessment roll is made available for public inspection each year, and the Board of Assessment Review processes assessment complaints.
The City of Dunkirk Assessment Department at City Hall, 342 Central Ave., Dunkirk, NY 14048, handles assessments for Dunkirk properties. The phone number is (716) 366-9836. The department maintains an assessment roll containing every property's assessed value and physical description. Exemption applications for STAR, senior citizens, and veterans must be filed with the assessor. Assessment rolls are available online from 2021 through 2025. Property owners throughout Chautauqua County can also access the STAR program for school tax relief.
Legal Framework for Property Records
Chautauqua County property records are governed by the Real Property Tax Law and the Real Property Law. Recording a document with the County Clerk provides constructive notice under Section 293. Unrecorded conveyances are void against subsequent good faith purchasers who record first under Section 292. The Freedom of Information Law guarantees public access to property records held by government agencies in the county.
The Chautauqua County courts are part of the 8th Judicial District. The courthouse is at 3 North Erie Street, Mayville, NY 14757. Supreme Court handles foreclosure actions, partition proceedings, quiet title actions, and other real property litigation. The County Clerk serves as clerk of the Supreme and County Courts. Court records related to property can also be searched through the eCourts system, which provides case status, upcoming appearances, and case history. This system is available around the clock and is free for basic case information. It is useful for verifying judgment liens and tracking foreclosure proceedings that affect Chautauqua County property.
Communities in Chautauqua County
Chautauqua County has no cities that meet the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site. Jamestown is the largest city, followed by Dunkirk. Mayville serves as the county seat. Other communities include Fredonia, Westfield, and Lakewood. Each municipality has its own assessor who maintains the local assessment roll under coordination from the county Real Property Tax Department. The Chautauqua County Surrogate's Court handles estate and probate matters that may involve property transfers.