White Plains Deed Records Search
White Plains deed records are filed with the Westchester County Clerk. As the county seat, White Plains is home to the main County Clerk's Office at 110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. This gives residents direct access to the full Land Records Division without having to travel to another city. The office maintains deeds dating back to 1680, along with mortgages, liens, and other property documents. The White Plains City Clerk does not handle deed recordings. Online search tools are available for remote access to these records.
White Plains Quick Facts
Westchester County Clerk Handles White Plains Deed Records
All deed records for White Plains go through the Westchester County Clerk. New York State requires deeds to be recorded at the county level, not by city or town clerks. The County Clerk is Tom Roach, who took office in January 2025 after Timothy Idoni.
White Plains has a unique advantage as the county seat. The main County Clerk's Office is right in the city at 110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. You do not need to go anywhere else. The Land Records Division records all documents for real property transactions across all of Westchester County, and the main staff and full services are here.
The White Plains City Clerk maintains council records, issues permits and licenses, and provides public information. But deed recording is not part of that job. Always go to the County Clerk for property documents.
How to Search White Plains Deed Records
Westchester Records Online is the main tool for searching from home. The system has deeds going back to 1680 and mortgages from 1950 forward. Search by party name, address, or document type. You will need to create a free account. Viewing search results costs nothing, but downloading or printing document images may have a fee.
For in-person searches, walk into the Clerk's Office during business hours. The office is open Monday through Friday. Staff can help locate records by liber and page, recording date, or the names of the parties. Having a tax map parcel number makes it faster.
The Municipal Data Portal offers another angle. Its Sales Web tool shows 10 years of property sales data for White Plains based on RP-5217 filings. It updates weekly as counties send data to the state. Keep in mind that new sales may not appear for several weeks after the deed is recorded.
Recording a Deed for White Plains Property
Bring the original deed to the Westchester County Clerk at 110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The document must be typed and signed by the grantor. A notary public must acknowledge the signature. Include a full legal description of the property, the tax map number, and the names and mailing addresses of all parties involved.
You must also submit Form RP-5217 with each deed. This barcoded form captures sale price and property details. Use Adobe Acrobat to fill it out. The clerk rejects handwritten copies. File the TP-584 transfer tax affidavit at the same time as well.
The transfer tax is $2 per $500 of the sale price. Residential properties that sell for more than $1 million also owe a 1% mansion tax. Pay everything at the counter when you submit the deed.
Deed Recording Fees and Costs
Westchester County follows the standard New York State fee schedule for recording. The base fee covers the first page. Each extra page costs $5. Separate charges apply for the clerk's cover page and the RP-5217 filing. All fees must be paid when you file.
The mortgage recording tax in Westchester County includes the MCTD surcharge, since the county is within the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District. The rate is 30 cents per $100 of mortgage debt for the additional component, on top of the basic 50-cent state rate. This makes the total mortgage tax higher here than in counties outside the MCTD.
Certified copies run a set fee for the first page, with a lower charge for each additional page. Order them in person or by mail with the recording details.
Legal Framework for Deed Records
New York Real Property Law requires that deeds be in writing, signed, and notarized. Recording gives constructive notice. Without recording, a deed is still valid between buyer and seller, but a later purchaser who records first could claim priority. The Cornell Legal Information Institute hosts the full text of New York property law.
Track legislative changes at the New York State Senate website. The New York State Archives has historical records that may help trace older land ownership in the White Plains area and across Westchester County.
Getting Copies of Recorded Deeds
You can get a copy of any deed on file with the Westchester County Clerk. Walk into the office at 110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and ask at the counter. Staff will look up the document by liber and page or by the names on the deed. Bring as much detail as you can. A tax map parcel number helps the most.
Mail requests are also an option. Send a written request with the property details and a check for the copy fee. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. The office will mail the copy back to you. Allow a few weeks for processing. Phone requests are not accepted for certified copies, but you can call (914) 995-3094 to ask what you need to include with a mail request.
Certified copies cost more than plain copies. The first page runs a set fee, and each page after that costs less. Most lenders and title companies want certified copies because they carry the clerk's seal and signature. Plain copies work fine for personal research. If you just need to check a name or date, the free online search may be all you need.
Nearby Cities
Other Westchester County cities with deed records pages:
All of these use the same Westchester County Clerk's Office for deed recordings. The satellite offices in Yonkers, Mount Vernon, and Peekskill offer limited services, but White Plains has the full operation.