NYC ACRIS Made Simple: Your Quick Start Guide

If you’ve ever needed to check who owns a building in New York, you’ve probably heard of ACRIS. It’s the city’s online system for property deeds, mortgages, and building permits. The good news? Anyone can use it for free, and you don’t need a law degree.

What ACRIS Actually Shows

When you log in, you’ll see three main tabs: Documents, Search, and Help. The Documents tab lists everything the city has filed for a property – deeds that transfer ownership, mortgages that secure loans, and permits for construction or renovation. This is the raw data that real‑estate agents, lawyers, and curious buyers rely on.

Step‑by‑Step: How to Search a Property

First, grab the address or the borough‑block‑lot (BBL) number. If you only have the street name, type it into the Search box and select “Address”. The system will pull up a list of matching parcels. Click the one you need, and you’ll see a summary page with links to every recorded document.

Download a PDF of the deed to see the seller and buyer names, sale price, and date. For a mortgage, look for the “UCC” or “Mortgage” label – it tells you how much was borrowed and who holds the lien. Permits are under the “Building” tab; they reveal any recent work, like a new roof or a interior remodel.

Tip: Use the “Date Range” filter to narrow results. If you only care about the last two years, set the start and end dates. This cuts down on scrolling and saves time.

When you’re done, hit the “Logout” button. Your search history isn’t saved, so you’ll need to remember your BBL or bookmark the page if you plan to return.

Common pitfalls? Not all older records are digitized, so you might hit a “No documents found” message for historic properties. In that case, a visit to the City Register’s office can fill the gaps.

Another snag is the file size. Some PDFs are huge, especially for commercial buildings with many filings. If the download stalls, try a different browser or clear your cache.

Overall, ACRIS is a powerful free tool that lets you verify ownership, check for liens, and see what work’s been done on a property. Use it before you sign a lease, buy a condo, or simply satisfy curiosity about a neighbor’s building.

Remember, the information is public, but it’s only as current as the last filing. Always double‑check with a real‑estate professional if you’re making a big decision.

Now that you know the basics, go ahead and explore a property you’ve been eyeing. You’ll be surprised how much you can learn with just a few clicks.