Find Deed Records in Amherst

Deed records for Amherst properties are filed with the Erie County Clerk in Buffalo. The Town of Amherst does not record deeds. Amherst is the largest town in Erie County outside of Buffalo, with a mostly suburban layout that includes the hamlets of Eggertsville, Getzville, East Amherst, and Snyder. All property transfers here must go through the County Clerk's Office, which keeps records of deeds, mortgages, liens, and judgments for the whole county.

Where Amherst Deed Records Are Kept

The Erie County Clerk's Office handles all deed records for Amherst. County Clerk Michael P. Kearns oversees this office at 92 Franklin Street in Buffalo. New York law places deed recording at the county level, so no town or city clerk in Erie County records deeds. The Town of Amherst Clerk at 5583 Main Street in Williamsville handles permits, licenses, vital records, and Town Board minutes, but not deeds.

This matters when you are buying or selling property in Amherst. Your attorney will file the deed with the Erie County Clerk, not with the Town. If you need a copy of a deed for a property in Snyder or Eggertsville, those are part of Amherst and filed at the same county office.

Erie County Clerk Office Details

Michael P. Kearns has served as Erie County Clerk since December 2017. His office records deeds, mortgages, assignments, satisfactions, judgments, and liens. The office also handles court records, passport processing, and other services. For deed-related questions, you can call or use the online help desk at clerkhelp.erie.gov.

How to Search Amherst Deed Records

The Erie County Clerk offers several ways to search for deed records online. The public records search portal lets you look up documents by name, date, or document type. Basic and advanced search options are available. However, viewing document images requires a registered user account.

The search system works best in certain browsers. Chrome, Firefox, and Safari users should use the BrowserView Search option. If you use Microsoft Edge, you may need to turn on ClickOnce support for the advanced search features. Search by the property owner's last name first, then narrow your results by document type (select "DEED") and date range.

For in-person searches, visit the Clerk's Office at 92 Franklin Street in Buffalo. Staff can help you find records and pull documents. Bring the property address or owner's name to make the search go faster.

Deed Recording Fees in Erie County

Recording fees follow the New York State schedule. The base fee is $45 plus $5 per page. A cover sheet is generated by the Clerk's Office. Cross-references cost $0.50 each. You also need to file Form RP-5217 and Form TP-584 with the deed.

Transfer tax runs $4 per $1,000 of the sale price. For residential sales over $1 million, an extra mansion tax of 1% kicks in. The mortgage recording tax applies when you record a new mortgage. The basic state rate is 50 cents per $100 of loan amount, plus county and special taxes that vary by location.

Certified copies of deeds are available from the Clerk's Office. Standard copy fees apply. You can request copies in person, by mail, or through the online system if you have a registered account.

Amherst Town Clerk vs. Erie County Clerk

The Amherst Town Clerk at 5583 Main Street in Williamsville does not handle deeds. That office takes care of Town Board records, dog licenses, marriage licenses, vital statistics, and FOIL requests. If you call asking about a deed, they will tell you to contact the Erie County Clerk in Buffalo.

Many people make this mistake, especially when they live in Amherst and assume the local town hall has their property records. It is an understandable confusion. But in New York, deeds are always a county function.

Property Tax Records

The Erie County Real Property Tax Service Agency is at 95 Franklin Street, 9th Floor, in Buffalo. Their phone number is (716) 858-8333. This office has assessment data and tax maps for all properties in Erie County, including Amherst. While not the same as deed records, property tax records can help you find parcel numbers and assessed values that make deed searches easier.

The state's Municipal Data Portal also has Sales Web data showing property transfers across New York. You can look up recent Amherst sales without a trip to the Clerk's Office.

Legal Requirements for Deed Records

Under New York Real Property Law, a deed must be in writing and signed by the person transferring the property. It needs proper notarization. The deed should include a legal description of the property, the names of both parties, and the address where tax bills should be sent. Recording the deed gives public notice of the ownership change.

An unrecorded deed is still valid between buyer and seller. But if someone else buys the same property and records their deed first, they could have a stronger claim. This is why attorneys push to record deeds right after closing. The RP-5217 form is also required at the time of recording and must be done digitally through Adobe Acrobat.

E-Recording for Amherst Properties

Erie County supports e-recording for land documents. This means your attorney or title company can submit a deed for an Amherst property online without going to the office in Buffalo. The system uses approved vendors to send the document, and the clerk processes it the same day in most cases. A stamped copy comes back with the recording number and date.

E-recording is now the standard for most real estate closings in Erie County. It is faster and cuts down on errors from paper handling. If you are selling or buying a home in Amherst, ask your closing attorney if they use e-recording. Most firms in the area do. For people who prefer to file in person, the office at 92 Franklin Street is open on weekdays. Bring all your documents and payment to the counter.

Nearby Cities

• Buffalo
• Cheektowaga
• Tonawanda

Buffalo, Cheektowaga, and Tonawanda are all in Erie County. They use the same County Clerk for deed recording. If you have property in any of these areas, the process and fees are identical to what Amherst residents deal with.