Need to find out who owns a property in New York City? You can do it yourself, for free, using the city’s public records. Here is how to find a property owner in NYC and what to do when the owner is an LLC.
The fastest way: search the deed on ACRIS
The owner of record is the person or entity named as the buyer (the “grantee”) on the most recent deed. You can find that deed for free using ACRIS, the city’s property records system:
- Open ACRIS on the NYC Department of Finance site and choose “Search Property Records.”
- Select the borough and enter the property address (or its Borough-Block-Lot number).
- Open the document list and find the most recent DEED. The grantee is the current owner.
This works for Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. For a Staten Island property, search the Richmond County Clerk’s records instead.
Other free tools
You can also cross-check ownership through the Department of Finance’s property tax records and the city’s ZoLa (Zoning and Land Use) map, both of which tie to the same property identifier. For the underlying deed itself, ACRIS is the source.
What if the owner is an LLC?
Many NYC properties are held by LLCs. The deed will show the LLC’s name rather than a person. To find the people behind it, you can search the LLC in the New York Department of State’s business entity database, which lists the registered agent and filing information. It will not always name every member, but it is the usual next step.
Buying, selling, or transferring a property? We notarize and record your deed with ACRIS.
Frequently asked questions
Is property ownership public in New York?
Yes. Deeds are public record, so anyone can look up the owner. See are deeds public record in New York?
How do I get a copy of the deed?
You can view it on ACRIS, or get an official certified copy, see how to get a copy of your deed in NYC.
Does the newest deed always show the current owner?
Almost always. If ownership recently changed and the new deed has not been recorded yet, the records may lag until it is filed.
This article is for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. Confirm current procedures on the official NYC Department of Finance website.
Related: ZoLa NYC: How to Use the Zoning & Land Use Map
Related: HPD Online NYC: How to Check Building Violations & Registration
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