Richmond County Deed Records

Richmond County deed records are handled by the County Clerk's Office on Staten Island. This is the only borough of New York City where the County Clerk maintains deed records instead of the City Register. The office has digitized records going back to 1945, and they are freely available online. The Richmond County Clerk's Office is one of the oldest government institutions on Staten Island, having been set up in 1683 under the state constitution.

Office of the Richmond County Clerk

The Office of the Richmond County Clerk (ORCC) sits at 130 Stuyvesant Place, 2nd Floor, Staten Island, NY 10301. The phone number is (718) 675-7700. As Chief Recording Officer, the Clerk manages and maintains millions of vital legal documents and public records related to real property, business filings, and court proceedings.

What makes Richmond County unique is that it does not have a City Register office. In the other four NYC boroughs, the City Register handles deed recording. On Staten Island, the County Clerk does it. This distinction matters because the filing process and some of the forms are slightly different from what you would use in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, or the Bronx.

The office was established in 1683. It is a Constitutional Office that provides a wide range of public services beyond just deed recording. The staff can help with court filings, business records, and other government services.

How to Search Richmond County Deed Records Online

Richmond County deed records are digitized and freely available online back to 1945. You can search by property address, party name, document type, or date range. The system lets you view document images on your screen without charge. This is a major advantage for title searchers, attorneys, and homeowners who need to check on their property records.

For records before 1945, you will need to visit the County Clerk's Office in person. Older records are kept in physical books and microfilm at the office. Staff can help you locate specific volumes. Call ahead to make sure the records you need are available and to check current office hours.

Recording Deeds in Richmond County

As of February 2026, the office uses a new transfer tax form called TP-584-NYC. This is different from the standard TP-584 used in upstate counties. If your deed gets rejected, direct questions to ORCCQUESTIONS@NYCOURTS.GOV. Make sure you are using the correct NYC version of the form, since the standard state version will not be accepted.

Every deed must also include Form RP-5217 (the NYC version). This barcoded form captures sale price, assessed value, and property use code. It must be completed in Adobe Acrobat. Handwritten versions are not accepted anywhere in the state, and that rule applies here too.

The deed itself needs the grantor's notarized signature, the names of all parties, a legal description, and the tax map parcel number. New York Real Property Law sets these requirements. Documents must be on white 8.5 by 11 inch paper in clear black ink.

Transfer Taxes and Recording Fees

Richmond County sits in New York City, so both city and state transfer taxes apply. The state real estate transfer tax is $2 per $500 of consideration. On top of that, the NYC real property transfer tax applies. For residential sales under $500,000, the city rate is 1%. For sales of $500,000 or more, it goes up to 1.425%. Commercial properties face higher rates.

The mansion tax adds 1% on residential properties selling for $1 million or more. All these taxes are due at the time of recording. The County Clerk's Office will not accept a deed without full payment of all required taxes and fees.

Mortgage Recording Tax

Richmond County is part of the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District. The mortgage recording tax here is among the highest in the state. For residential mortgages under $500,000, the combined rate is typically 1.8%. Mortgages of $500,000 or more face a 1.925% rate. The first $10,000 of a residential mortgage is exempt from the additional tax portion.

Check Form MT-15 for the exact rates. The total tax must be paid to the County Clerk when you present the mortgage for recording. Cash, check, and in some cases credit cards are accepted. Confirm payment methods with the office before your visit.

Property Assessment Records

The New York City Department of Finance maintains assessment and tax data for all Staten Island properties. You can look up assessed values, tax class, and tax bill history online. While this is not the same as deed records, assessment data helps you pin down a property's location and current status before searching the deed chain.

The state Municipal Data Portal also provides property sales data for Richmond County. Sales data comes from the RP-5217 forms filed with each deed. The Sales Web tool shows 10 years of transfers and lets you search by area, date, or property type.

Legal Framework for Staten Island Deed Records

New York Real Property Law governs deed recording across the state, including Richmond County. A deed must be in writing, signed, and acknowledged before a notary. Recording it gives constructive notice to the public. An unrecorded deed is valid between the parties but risky if a later buyer files first. Closing attorneys on Staten Island typically record deeds the same day. Do not wait to file your deed after closing.

Richmond County in New York City

Richmond County is the borough of Staten Island within New York City. It is the least populated borough but still has close to half a million residents. All property recordings for Staten Island go through the Richmond County Clerk's Office, not the City Register. This is the key difference between Staten Island and the other four boroughs.

Nearby Counties

The nearest county to Richmond is:

• Kings County (Brooklyn)

Richmond County is separated from most other counties by water. Kings County across the Narrows is the closest neighboring county with its own recording office.