Access Monroe County Property Records
Monroe County property records are maintained by the County Clerk and the Real Property Tax Service in Rochester. As one of the most populous counties in New York outside the five boroughs, Monroe County has a high volume of property transactions each year. The County Clerk records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments affecting real property throughout the county. The Real Property Tax Service handles tax maps, assessment rolls, and equalization data for all towns, villages, and the City of Rochester. Both offices serve the public and provide access to a wide range of property records and search tools.
Monroe County Overview
Monroe County Clerk and Property Records
The Monroe County Clerk's Office is the official recorder of land documents. A one-page deed costs $50 to file, with each additional page costing $5. The TP-584 form carries a $5 fee. The Equalization Form (RP-5217) costs $125 if qualifying residential or farm boxes are checked, and $250 for all other property types. Transfer tax of $4 per $1,000 of consideration applies to conveyances.
Since March 11, 2020, each residential deed recording in Monroe County carries an additional $10 fee. This fee funds a notification program that alerts property owners when documents are recorded against their property. Section 424 of NYS Real Property Law, known as the "Transfer on Death Deed," went into effect July 19, 2024, adding a new type of instrument that can be filed with the Clerk.
Index numbers for civil actions cost $210 each. All instruments must bear original signatures. The Clerk maintains grantor and grantee indexes as required by Real Property Law Section 291. A historical deed search guide is available on the County Clerk's website for researchers looking into older property records.
| Office | Monroe County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Deed Fee | $50 (one page) + $5/additional page |
| Transfer Tax | $4 per $1,000 of consideration |
| RP-5217 | $125 (residential/farm) or $250 (other) |
Search Monroe County Property Records Online
The Monroe County Real Property Tax Service maintains tax maps and assessment rolls for every municipality in the county. Tax maps show parcel boundaries, lot numbers, and dimensions. Assessment rolls list each property with its assessed value, property class, and exemption details. Online property search tools allow you to look up assessment data without visiting the office.
The Clerk's website has a historical deed search guide that walks researchers through the process of tracing property ownership over time. This is helpful for title work, genealogy research, and boundary disputes. The Statewide Parcel Map Program provides GIS data for Monroe County, including property boundaries and identification numbers on an interactive map.
The Office of Real Property Tax Services publishes municipal profiles for Monroe County, covering property values, tax rates, and assessment roll statistics for each town, village, and the City of Rochester. Sales data collected by the county tracks real estate market trends and supports equalization rate calculations at the state level.
Property Records Filing Requirements
Filing a deed in Monroe County requires the TP-584 Combined Real Estate Transfer Tax Return. The state real estate transfer tax is $2 per $500 of consideration for conveyances over $500. The Mansion Tax applies to residential sales of $1 million or more at 1%, paid by the buyer. Documents must be properly acknowledged before a notary under Real Property Law Section 294.
Mortgage recording tax is due when filing a mortgage. The basic state rate is $0.50 per $100 of mortgage debt. Monroe County is not in the MCTD, so no additional commuter tax applies. Form MT-15 accompanies the mortgage to show the tax calculation. Under Real Property Law Section 292, unrecorded conveyances are void against later good faith purchasers who record first.
The County Clerk endorses each instrument with the date and time of receipt, the liber and page number, and references to related documents. eRecording is available through authorized vendors for electronic submission. All original signatures must appear on the instrument. The $10 residential deed notice fee applies in addition to standard recording costs.
Property Records and Assessment in Monroe County
Each town, village, and the City of Rochester has its own assessor. The City of Rochester Assessment Department determines property values within city limits. The tentative assessment roll is published each year. The Board of Assessment Review hears grievances from property owners who believe their assessment is too high. Under Real Property Tax Law Article 5, owners who are not satisfied with the Board's decision can pursue Article 7 proceedings in Supreme Court.
The STAR program provides school tax relief. Basic STAR applies to primary residences. Enhanced STAR gives a larger benefit to qualifying seniors age 65 and older. New homeowners register with the Tax Department to receive credits before school tax bills are due.
Other exemptions under Real Property Tax Law Article 4 include programs for veterans, persons with disabilities, agricultural properties, and religious or charitable organizations. Most exemption applications must be filed with the local assessor by March 1. The county Real Property Tax Service provides support to local assessors and publishes equalization rate data.
Property Records and Legal Resources
Supreme Court in Monroe County handles property cases including foreclosures, partition actions, and quiet title suits. The eCourts system provides online access to case information. Judgment liens filed with the County Clerk affect real property title and show up in searches.
Property records are public under the Freedom of Information Law. FOIL requests must be answered within five business days. Copy fees under FOIL cannot exceed 25 cents per page. The Unified Court System provides details on court records. Surrogate's Court handles probate matters involving real property transfers through wills and estates. The Department of State maintains UCC filings for personal property liens. A UCC search costs $25. The NYS Historic Newspapers archive has deed notices and estate proceedings from Monroe County newspapers. The NYC 311 property page explains state-level recording requirements applicable across all New York counties.
Cities in Monroe County
Major cities and towns in Monroe County with property record information:
Nearby Counties
Counties bordering Monroe County in western New York: