Estate Planning for Richmond County (Staten Island), New York Property Owners
For most Richmond County (Staten Island) homeowners, the house is what drags an estate into probate. A transfer-on-death deed or a living trust keeps it out—here is how to set up either one and record it locally.
For a Richmond County (Staten Island) property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Surrogate's Court. The two tools that keep a Richmond County (Staten Island) home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the County Clerk, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.
Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Richmond County (Staten Island)
A transfer on death deed lets an owner name a beneficiary who receives Richmond County (Staten Island) property automatically at death, without probate. It is recorded with the County Clerkduring the owner’s lifetime and can be revoked any time.
Where to Record Property Documents
Deeds and other real property documents for Richmond County (Staten Island) are recorded with the County Clerk (County Clerk) at 130 Stuyvesant Place, 2nd Floor, Staten Island, NY 10301. Phone: (718) 675-7700. Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
Recording costs $45 base recording fee; $5 per additional page; required form fees may include TP-584 Combined Real Estate Transfer Tax Return ($5), RP-5217 Real Property Transfer Report (Residential/Agricultural) ($125), RP-5217 Real Property Transfer Report (Commercial/Other) ($250); TOD deeds are generally transfer-tax exempt. Page count, cover sheets, and any local transfer-tax add-ons under New York law can change the final amount, so confirm the total with the County Clerk before submitting.
Richmond County (Staten Island) doesn't offer e-recording. Plan to record by mail or in person.
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Richmond County (Staten Island) · County Clerk · Hon. Stephen J. Fiala
Address
130 Stuyvesant Place, 2nd FloorStaten Island, NY 10301
Phone
Hours
Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
E-recording
Not available
Recording fees
| Base recording fee | $45 |
| Per additional page | $5 |
| TP-584 Combined Real Estate Transfer Tax ReturnRequiredall_deedsRequired for all conveyances. For TOD deeds, check with county clerk — form may still be required with $0 consideration noted. | $5 |
| RP-5217 Real Property Transfer Report (Residential/Agricultural)Requiredresidential_conveyancesRequired for residential property conveyances. May not apply to TOD deeds recorded during lifetime (no conveyance at recording). | $125 |
| RP-5217 Real Property Transfer Report (Commercial/Other)Requiredcommercial_conveyancesRequired for commercial property conveyances. | $250 |
Base fee includes county-generated cover page. Total for 1-page deed: $50 ($45 base + $5 per page). Cross-reference indexing: $0.50 per reference (CPLR § 8021(a)(7)).
CPLR § 8021(a)(4); NY Real Property Law § 316-a
Transfer tax
$2 per $500 of consideration (NY Tax Law § 1402). Transfer-on-death deeds are generally exempt (No consideration exchanged at recording. TOD deed is revocable and no property interest transfers until grantor death.). NY real estate transfer tax applies only when consideration is paid. TOD deeds involve $0 consideration at recording.
Richmond County (Staten Island) records through the County Clerk, NOT the NYC City Register. This is the only NYC borough that does not use ACRIS for deed recording.
Verified March 22, 2026 · Source
A Living Trust Covers More Than One Deed
A transfer-on-death deed moves a single property. A revocable living trust holds the home, bank and investment accounts, and other assets together, so the whole estate skips the Surrogate's Court — not just the house. For a Richmond County (Staten Island) family with more than one major asset, the trust is usually the cleaner plan.
Create a Revocable Trust in 15 minutes
Legal Sources
- CPLR § 8021(a)(4); NY Real Property Law § 316-a
Data sourced from New York statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Deeds and other real property documents for Richmond County (Staten Island) are recorded with the County Clerk at 130 Stuyvesant Place, 2nd Floor, Staten Island, NY 10301. Call (718) 675-7700 to confirm current recording procedures.
Recording a deed in Richmond County (Staten Island) costs $45 base recording fee; $5 per additional page; required form fees may include TP-584 Combined Real Estate Transfer Tax Return ($5), RP-5217 Real Property Transfer Report (Residential/Agricultural) ($125), RP-5217 Real Property Transfer Report (Commercial/Other) ($250); TOD deeds are generally transfer-tax exempt. Page count, required cover sheets, and any local transfer tax can change the final total.
Richmond County (Staten Island) does not offer e-recording. Plan to record by mail or in person at the County Clerk.
The County Clerk is open Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Reach the office at (718) 675-7700. Confirm whether walk-in or mail-in recording is preferred before you go.
Yes. Deeds recorded in New York must be signed in front of a notary and 2 witnesses before the County Clerk will accept them. A transfer-on-death deed follows the same execution rules — see the Richmond County (Staten Island) signing requirements.
A transfer-on-death (TOD) deed names a beneficiary who receives the property automatically when the owner dies, without probate. The deed is recorded with the County Clerkduring the owner’s lifetime. Start one with the New York TOD deed form.
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