Erie County Deed Records

Erie County deed records are managed by County Clerk Michael P. Kearns at the clerk's office in Buffalo. The clerk serves as the official registrar of deeds, mortgages, assignments, satisfactions, judgments, and liens for all properties in the county. Erie County is the most populous county in Western New York, and its deed records cover Buffalo along with dozens of surrounding towns and villages. The office provides both in-person and online access to land records, making it one of the more accessible county systems in the state.

Erie County Clerk's Office

The Erie County Clerk's Office handles all deed recording for the county. Under New York law, the clerk must receive and record deeds, mortgages, assignments, satisfactions, judgments, and liens. The office indexes every recorded document in an organized system for easy retrieval. All records are preserved to ensure their authenticity and integrity. Certified copies are available to the public on request.

The office sits at 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, New York 14202. Call (716) 858-8785 for questions. The clerk's help desk is available online at clerkhelp.erie.gov, where you can submit questions through a ticket system. The office offers a wide range of services beyond land records. These include auto bureau reservations, e-filing for court matters, and escrow account management. For land records specifically, the land records page has detailed guidance on recording procedures, fees, and requirements. The page covers deed recording, mortgage recording, mortgage discharges, e-recording, UCC filings, and fee schedules.

How to Search Erie County Deed Records

Erie County runs a public records search portal that gives online access to recorded documents. The system offers several search options. Basic Search lets you search by name and shows tabs for extra search fields. Advanced Search adds more criteria to narrow results. Registered User Search works like the Advanced option but also lets you view, save, and print document images. BrowserView Search is a browser-based tool that works with most browsers without needing Windows-specific software.

Only registered users can view document images through the online portal. Registration is free through the clerk's website. The system does carry a disclaimer that the county makes no warranty about the accuracy of online data. Users should search all possible spelling variations to get the best results. For the broadest search, try both the basic and browser view options. Chrome, Firefox, and Safari users should use the BrowserView Search since the other options may need Internet Explorer or Edge with ClickOnce support turned on.

The State Municipal Data Portal tracks 10 years of sales data for Erie County properties. The Erie County Real Property Tax Service Agency at 95 Franklin Street, 9th Floor, handles assessment data and tax maps separately from the clerk's deed records. Call them at (716) 858-8333 for property tax questions.

Deed Records Fees in Erie County

Erie County charges standard New York State recording fees. The base fee is $40 to $45 per document. Each page costs $5, and the clerk creates the cover page. Extra names past two add $0.50 each. Cross-references cost $0.50 per entry. The RP-5217 form fee is $125 for residential and farm filings, $250 for commercial and vacant land. Form TP-584 costs $5. A $10 residential deed notice fee applies as well.

State transfer tax runs $4 per $1,000 of sale price. The mansion tax adds 1% for properties selling at $1 million or more. Mortgage recording tax starts at 50 cents per $100 of debt. Local rates apply on top of the state rate. For one or two-family homes, the first $10,000 in mortgage debt is exempt from the additional tax. Copy fees are $0.50 to $0.65 per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost about $1.25 per page with a $5 minimum.

Recording a Deed in Erie County

Erie County accepts deed recordings in person at 92 Franklin Street and through electronic recording. The office supports e-recording for land records, which lets you submit documents electronically through approved platforms. This saves a trip to the office and can speed up processing.

Every deed needs original signatures with proper notarization. Include a full legal description, all party names and addresses, and print in black ink on white paper. Two state forms are required. Form RP-5217 must be computer-generated with Adobe Acrobat. Handwritten versions are rejected. Use only the official form from the Tax Department website because unofficial versions may produce bad barcodes. Form TP-584 handles the transfer tax. Both must come with the deed for recording. The clerk checks documents for proper form but does not rule on legal validity under New York Real Property Law.

Getting Copies of Erie County Deed Records

Request copies in person, by mail, or through the online portal if you have a registered user account. The clerk's office provides both plain and certified copies. Certified copies carry the official seal and work for legal proceedings. Walk-in requests are handled during regular hours. For mail requests, include as much detail as possible and a check payable to the Erie County Clerk.

The online system lets registered users view and print document images. This is often the fastest way to get what you need without leaving your desk. For historical records that predate the online system, an in-person visit is the best option. The New York State Archives and the State Library Digital Collections also have historical property materials.

E-Recording in Erie County

Erie County supports e-recording for land documents. This means attorneys and title companies can submit deeds and mortgages through approved platforms without a trip to 92 Franklin Street. The system checks your forms, takes the fees, and records the document the same way a paper filing would be handled. It saves time and cuts down on in-person wait times at the office.

Cities in Erie County

All cities and towns in Erie County record their deeds through the Erie County Clerk. These are the major communities in the county.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Erie County. Each has its own County Clerk who handles deed records.