Search Westchester County Deed Records
Westchester County deed records are among the most extensive in New York State. The County Clerk's Office in White Plains holds deeds going back to 1680 and mortgages from 1950. Clerk Tom Roach leads one of the most technologically advanced clerk offices in the state. Westchester was the first county in New York to electronically record mortgages, deeds, and later court documents. The office uses the PREP system for electronic recording and has satellite offices in Peekskill, Yonkers, and Mount Vernon. With millions of land and legal records on file, this office is a major resource for title searchers, attorneys, homebuyers, and researchers.
Westchester County Quick Facts
Westchester County Clerk's Office
The Westchester County Clerk's Office is at 110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd in White Plains. The Land Records Division can be reached at (914) 995-3094. For general records questions, call (914) 995-3080. You can email the land records team at CC-Land@WestchesterGov.com. Hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Tom Roach took over as County Clerk in January 2025, succeeding Timothy Idoni. The office is home to millions of records. It was the first in the state to offer electronic recording of deeds and mortgages. That kind of innovation makes it easier for attorneys and title companies to file documents without delays. The office continues to expand its digital capabilities.
Three satellite offices give residents more convenient access to services. You can visit the Peekskill office at 24 Mitchell Place, the Yonkers office at 131 Warburton Avenue, or the Mount Vernon office at 100 East First Street. Not all services are available at every satellite location, so call ahead to confirm what you need is offered there.
Online Records Search
Westchester County provides one of the best online record search systems in the state. The Westchester Records Online system lets you search thousands of records from your home or office. You can find records ranging from 18th-century deeds to judgments filed last week. New users need to register to view document images, but basic searching is available right away.
Deeds go back to 1680. Mortgages are available from 1950 forward. That depth of records is rare and makes Westchester County a standout for historical property research. Genealogists, title companies, and historians all use this system regularly. If you are doing a full chain of title search, the online system can take you back over 300 years.
PREP Electronic Recording System
Westchester County uses the PREP (Property Records Electronic Portal) System for recording land documents. This system allows attorneys, title companies, and other filers to submit documents electronically. The County Clerk's Office has posted tutorial videos on their YouTube channel showing how to use PREP.
There are some important rules for PREP submissions. Municipality taxes must be prepaid before you submit documents. Physical street addresses are required for all parties named in the instruments. If you need help with PREP, call (914) 995-3111 or email cc-land@westchestergov.com. The system has made the recording process faster and more efficient for high-volume filers.
Deed and Copy Fees
A copy of your deed costs $5 for up to five pages and $1 per extra page. Non-certified copies run $1.30 for two pages, with $0.65 for each page after that. If you request copies by mail, there is an extra $5 search fee. These fees are standard for the office and apply to both in-person and mail requests.
Recording fees follow the New York State schedule. The base recording fee covers the first page and cover sheet. Additional pages are $5 each. The RP-5217 form costs $125 for residential and farm properties, or $250 for other types. The TP-584 is $5. Transfer tax is $4 per $1,000 of the sale price. The mansion tax adds 1% for residential sales of $1 million or more.
Recording Requirements
All deeds filed in Westchester County must meet New York State recording standards. The document must be in writing, signed by the grantor, and notarized. A legal description of the property is required. The transfer tax and all recording fees must be paid at the time of filing. The RP-5217 must be completed in Adobe Acrobat. Handwritten forms are rejected.
Recording a deed with the county clerk gives constructive notice to the public. This protects your ownership interest. An unrecorded deed is valid between the parties, but it leaves you exposed if someone else records a competing claim. In a county with as much real estate activity as Westchester, prompt recording is critical. Closing attorneys here typically record on the same day as the transaction.
Mortgage Recording Tax
The mortgage recording tax in Westchester County reflects its location within the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District (MCTD). This means the rate is slightly higher than in counties outside the MCTD. The basic state tax is 50 cents per $100, plus additional components. For residential properties, the first $10,000 of the mortgage is exempt from part of the calculation.
Form MT-15 has the exact rates for Westchester County. The tax is paid to the county clerk when the mortgage is recorded. Real estate transactions in Westchester often involve substantial dollar amounts, so the mortgage recording tax can be a significant closing cost. Work with your attorney or title company to make sure the correct amount is calculated and ready at closing.
Cities and Towns in Westchester County
Westchester County has cities, towns, and villages spread across its territory. All deed records for properties in these communities are filed with the Westchester County Clerk. Local city and town clerks handle vital records, licenses, and municipal matters, but they do not record deeds.
Other communities include Rye, Mamaroneck, Ossining, Peekskill, and Scarsdale. Deed records for all of these are at the County Clerk's Office in White Plains or accessible through the online search system.
Nearby Counties
Westchester County borders these counties and New York City: