What are the signing requirements for a New York transfer on death deed?

New York requires the owner's signature, 2 witnesses, and notary acknowledgment (N.Y. Real Prop. Law 424). All signatures must be completed before recording.

Free New York Transfer on Death Deed

Free New York transfer on death deed form. Transfer property at death without probate. notary acknowledgment. Record before death. PDF.

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Owner Information

Enter your information as the property owner (transferor). If the property is jointly owned, you’ll add the second owner below.

How is the property owned?*

Choose “Jointly owned” if two people are on the title (e.g. spouses as joint tenants or tenants by the entirety). Both owners must sign.

I am the sole ownerJointly owned with one other person

First Name*

Middle Name

Last Name*

Street Address*

City*

State*

ZIP Code*

State Where Property Is Located*

County Where Property Is Located*

City, Town, or Village Where the Property Is Located*

New York will not record a deed unless the property description names the municipality the property sits in. Give every one that applies — most properties are in a town, some are also in a village, and a city property is in neither.

Email Address*

Phone Number*

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Frequently Asked Questions About New York Transfer on Death Deeds

A transfer on death deed in New York transfers real property directly to a named beneficiary upon the owner's death, without probate. The deed is revocable during your lifetime. Use the TOD deed checker to see if this is the right fit.

New York requires the owner's signature, 2 witnesses, and notary acknowledgment. All signatures must be completed before recording. See all New York signing requirements.

Yes. A New York transfer on death deed must be recorded with the County Clerk or City Register (NYC) before death to be effective. An unrecorded deed has no legal effect. Must be recorded before the transferor's death in the county clerk's office of the county where the property is located. N.Y. Real Prop. Law 424(7)(e). In NYC, the Office of the City Register records deeds for the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens; Staten Island deeds are recorded with the Richmond County Clerk (nyc.gov, NYC Dept. of Finance recording guidance).

Yes. New York allows multiple beneficiaries on a transfer on death deed. Unless specified otherwise, they take title as tenants in common.

Yes. A transfer on death deed in New York is revocable during the owner's lifetime (N.Y. Real Prop. Law 424(9)). New York recognizes: Recording a subsequent TOD deed that revokes expressly or by inconsistency; Recording an instrument of revocation; Recording an inter vivos deed that expressly revokes the TOD deed.

No. A transfer on death deed only transfers the specific real property named in it. Bank accounts, investments, and other property pass through whatever else you have in place — a will (probate) or a trust. A revocable living trust covers everything in one document, including the property this deed transfers. Set up a trust if you want a single instrument for the whole estate.

New York Transfer on Death Deed

New York allows transfer on death deeds (Yes), which transfer real property directly to a named beneficiary at death without probate. The deed is revocable during the owner's lifetime and does not affect the ability to sell, mortgage, or otherwise use the property.

Probate in New York takes at least 7 months for simple estates. A TOD deed eliminates probate for the property it covers, regardless of value. For estates under $50,000, simplified procedures exist, but they still involve court paperwork. Compare the costs with the New York probate calculator.

A TOD deed covers only real property and requires a separate deed for each parcel. A revocable trust covers all asset types in a single document and avoids probate for everything it holds. For families with multiple assets beyond real estate, the trust vs. will comparison shows the trade-offs.

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated July 15, 2026

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Data sourced from New York statutes and official state code. How we research.

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Frequently Asked Questions About New York Transfer on Death Deeds

New York requires the owner's signature, 2 witnesses, and notary acknowledgment. All signatures must be completed before recording. See all New York signing requirements.

Yes. New York allows multiple beneficiaries on a transfer on death deed. Unless specified otherwise, they take title as tenants in common.

New York Transfer on Death Deed

Free New York Transfer on Death Deed

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Frequently Asked Questions About New York Transfer on Death Deeds

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