Onondaga County

Phone: (315) 435-8250

What is a mortgage?
In general terms, a mortgage is an instrument in writing that imposes a lien on or affects the title to real property with such property being used as security for the payment of money or the performance of an obligation. A mortgage includes certain deeds of trust and executory contracts for the sale of real property.

Who is the Mortgagor?
The mortgagor is the borrower under a mortgage loan.

Who is the Mortgagee?
A mortgagee is a lender under a mortgage loan. Mortgage instruments must include all mortgagors and mortgagees, their addresses, principal mortgage amount, legal description of the property (lot #, block #, tract, city or town) and 1-2 family dwelling clause if applicable. All documents must be complete, legible & properly notarized.

To record a mortgage:

• The base fee to record a mortgage is $45.50 plus $5.00 for cover page. Additional pages are $5.00 each.
• The cover page is generated by the county clerk.
• Mortgage tax is 1% (less $25.00 if improved by a 1-2 family dwelling and over $10,000.)
• Documents that effect a mortgage (for example: discharges or assignments), there is an additional $ .50 fee for the cross reference.

How far back are the County’s records dated?
Onondaga County records date back to 1794. As long as an owner of land is known ownership may be traced.

What is a deed?  DEED RECORDING INFORMATION CLICK HERE
A deed is a legal document that transfers ownership of real property from a grantor (seller) to a grantee (buyer), also known as real estate or parcels of land.

Deeds will not tell you specifically what is on the land. For example, it cannot tell you if the land has been improved by a family home, apartment complex, church, business, or bank. Whenever something occurs that affects the land in any way, it is recorded through the County Clerk’s deed department. An easement or right of way gives permission to use the land but does not transfer ownership.

To Record a Deed:
The base fee to record a deed is $45.50
Each page is $5.00
The cover page is generated
Transfer tax is $4.00 per thousand
Note: Documents that effect a deed have an additional $ .50 fee for the cross reference. (ex. Corrective deed).

What else is kept in the Mortgage & Deed Department?
Transfer tax stamps on deeds are used to show purchase price of parcel. The old 1794 records are very interesting to read, although very difficult to read as well. All of the post Revolutionary documents were recorded by hand.