Who Keeps the Original Deed to a House? (And How to Get a Copy)

The homeowner keeps the original deed. After a deed is recorded, the City Register or county clerk keeps an official copy in the public record and returns the original, stamped deed to the new owner. You do not need to store the original in any special vault, because the recorded version is the one that legally counts, and you can always get a certified copy if the paper one is lost. Here is who holds what, and what to do if yours goes missing.

Quick navThe short answer 1. The owner holds the original 2. The county keeps the record 3. What about the lender?4. If your deed is lost 5. Recording and copies

The current owner keeps the original recorded deed. The City Register or county clerk keeps the official record copy in the public record. Because the recorded copy is what legally controls, a lost original is not a disaster, you can get a certified copy from the public record.

1 The owner holds the original

Once your deed is recorded, the office returns the original document to you, the new owner, stamped with its recording information. Most people keep it with their important papers, a home safe, a fireproof box, or a safe deposit box. There is no legal requirement about where you store it; it is simply your proof of the transfer.

2 The county keeps the record

The key point is that recording creates an official government copy. In New York City, ACRIS holds the recorded image for Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens, and the Richmond County Clerk holds Staten Island records. That public copy, not your paper original, is what establishes your ownership in the eyes of the law. It cannot be lost, burned, or stolen from your house.

The recorded copy is the one that matters. Your paper deed is a convenience and a keepsake, not the only proof of ownership.

3 What about the lender?

People sometimes think the bank keeps the deed until the mortgage is paid off. That is a common mix-up. The lender holds a mortgage or lien against the property, not your deed. You own the property and hold the deed the whole time; the lender simply has a recorded security interest that is released when you pay off the loan.

4 If your deed is lost

Losing the paper deed does not cloud your ownership. Because the deed was recorded, you can request a certified copy from the public record. In NYC you can pull the recorded document through ACRIS or the Richmond County Clerk. A certified copy carries the same weight for most purposes, so there is no need to panic if the original goes missing.

5 Recording and copies

If you are transferring property and want the deed recorded correctly so an official copy exists, or you need help pulling a recorded document, we can help. See our NYC document recording service, or call 347-762-0262.

Need a deed recorded in NYC?

We notarize and file through ACRIS so an official, protected copy of your deed exists in the public record.

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Who keeps the original deed to a house?

The owner keeps the original recorded deed. The City Register or county clerk keeps the official record copy in the public record.

Does the bank keep my deed?

No. The lender holds a mortgage or lien against the property, not your deed. You hold the deed the entire time you own the home.

What if I lose my deed?

Your ownership is safe because the deed was recorded. You can request a certified copy from the public record, in NYC through ACRIS or the Richmond County Clerk.

See also: how to get a copy of your deed in NYC, step by step.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Recording and copy procedures can change. Confirm current requirements or consult a professional.