Search Queens County Property Records

Property records in Queens County are maintained through the New York City Department of Finance and the Queens County Clerk's Office. Queens is one of the five boroughs of New York City, and its property records can be searched online through the Automated City Register Information System. The County Clerk's office also holds Supreme Court civil records and judgment liens that may affect real property in the borough. Residents and title professionals can access deeds, mortgages, and other recorded instruments using the Borough-Block-Lot identification system that covers all five boroughs.

ACRIS Property Records for Queens

The Automated City Register Information System is the main tool for searching Queens property records online. ACRIS covers property transactions from 1966 to the present. No registration is needed for basic searches. You can look up records by address, owner name, block and lot number, or document type. The Queens borough code for BBL searches is 4.

Electronic copies of recorded documents are free to download and print from your own computer. Certified copies cost $4 per page and must be ordered in person at the City Register office or by mail. The system also lets you create cover pages, file TP-584 and RP-5217 forms, and calculate transfer taxes and mortgage recording taxes before filing. ACRIS handles UCC financing statements for cooperative apartments in Queens as well.

The NYC Property Information Portal adds a map layer to property research. It shows lot lines, block and lot numbers, street names, lot dimensions, and easements on an interactive GIS map. You can search by address or intersection to find property details. Certified tax map copies are $10. Uncertified copies cost $1 per page at the Tax Map Office at 66 John Street in Manhattan. Digital copies printed from a personal computer are free.

Queens County Clerk Property Records

The Queens County Clerk serves as clerk of the Supreme and County Courts for the 11th Judicial District. The office is at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435. Phone is (718) 298-0600. All search requests must be in writing. Copying fees are 65 cents per page. Exemplification fees are $25, and you should allow 48 to 72 hours for exemplification requests.

The County Clerk handles Supreme Court civil records, including foreclosure actions filed under Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law Article 13. Judgment liens that attach to real property in Queens are also filed through this office. Fees must be paid by money order or certified check. The Docket Department handles foreclosure information requests. While ACRIS covers most recorded land documents, the County Clerk's office remains the place to go for court-related property records and certain types of searches that ACRIS does not cover.

Recording Property Documents in Queens

Property documents in Queens can be recorded in person or online through ACRIS. Each conveyance requires a TP-584 Combined Real Estate Transfer Tax Return and an RP-5217 Real Property Transfer Report at the time of recording. The RP-5217 filing fee is $125 for residential or farm property and $250 for all other property types. These forms are required under the Real Property Tax Law and provide data used for assessment equalization across the state.

New York State imposes a real estate transfer tax on conveyances where consideration exceeds $500. The state rate is $2 per $500. New York City adds its own transfer tax, which ranges from 1% to 2.625% depending on the property type and sale price. For residential sales of $1 million or more, the buyer also pays a 1% "Mansion Tax." Mortgage recording tax applies when filing a mortgage. The base state rate is $0.50 per $100 of debt. New York City adds 1% for mortgages under $500,000 on one-to-three family homes and condo units, and 1.125% for all other properties. Queens falls within the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District, so an additional MCTD surcharge applies to mortgage recordings.

All recorded documents must be properly acknowledged before a notary public or other authorized officer under Real Property Law Section 294. The recording office endorses each instrument with the date and time received, along with the liber and page where it is filed. Under Real Property Law Section 292, unrecorded conveyances are void against later good faith purchasers who record first. This race-notice statute makes prompt recording important for protecting property interests in Queens.

Property Tax and Assessment in Queens

Property assessment in Queens is handled by the New York City Department of Finance. The city uses a classified assessment system under Real Property Tax Law Article 18, which maintains the relationship between tax burdens on different property classes. Class 1 covers one-to-three family homes. Class 2 covers apartment buildings, co-ops, and condos. Class 3 covers utility property. Class 4 covers commercial and industrial property.

Assessed values can be challenged through the Tax Commission, which holds hearings each year. Property owners who disagree with their assessment may file an application for correction. If the Tax Commission does not grant relief, owners can pursue Article 7 proceedings in Supreme Court under the Real Property Tax Law. The STAR program provides school tax relief for primary residences. Basic STAR is available regardless of age if combined income is $500,000 or less. Enhanced STAR serves homeowners age 65 and older.

The Notice of Recorded Document Program is a free service that alerts property owners by email, text, or mail when a document is recorded against their property. This helps guard against deed fraud. Property owners can sign up through ACRIS or through the City Register's office. The program covers all five boroughs.

Accessing Property Records Under FOIL

Property records in Queens are public. The Freedom of Information Law, found in Article 6 of the Public Officers Law, gives the public a right to access government records. This includes assessment records, tax maps, and recorded documents. Agencies must respond to FOIL requests within five business days. Copy fees under FOIL cannot exceed 25 cents per photocopy page. ACRIS provides free access to most recorded documents without needing to file a FOIL request.

The eCourts system provides online access to court records related to property, including foreclosure proceedings and judgment liens. Supreme Court handles most real property litigation in Queens. The system is available around the clock. Surrogate's Court maintains probate records that may contain property transfers through estates and wills.

Cities in Queens County

Queens County is one of the five boroughs of New York City. All property records for the borough are handled through the NYC Department of Finance and the Queens County Clerk.

Nearby Counties

Property records in neighboring counties are maintained by their own County Clerks. Select a county below to find local recording offices and search tools.