N.Y. Real Property Law § 316: Indexes

§ 316. Indexes. Each recording officer must provide, at the expense of

his county, proper books for making general indexes of instruments

recorded in his office, and must form indexes therein, so as to afford

correct and easy reference to the records in his office. There must be

one set of indexes for mortgages or securities in the nature of

mortgages and assignments of rent; and another set for conveyances and

other instruments not intended as such mortgages or securities, and

executory contracts for sale, purchase or exchange of real property, or

memoranda thereof, and instruments canceling or extending such

contracts. Each set must contain two lists in alphabetical order, one

consisting of the names of the grantors or mortgagors and assignors,

followed by the names of their grantees, mortgagees or assignees, and

the other list consisting of the names of the grantees or mortgagees and

assignees, followed by the names of their grantors, mortgagors, or

assignors, with proper blanks in each class of names, for subsequent

entries, which entries must be made as instruments are delivered for

record. This section, so far as relates to the preparation of new

indexes, shall not apply to a county where the recording officer now has

general numerical indexes.

A recording officer who records a conveyance of real property or

assignment of rent, sold by virtue of an execution, or by a sheriff,

referee or other person, pursuant to a judgment, the granting clause

whereof states whose right, title or interest was sold, must insert in

the proper index, under the head, "grantors" or "assignors", the name of

the officer executing the conveyance, and of each person whose right,

title or interest is so stated to have been sold.

Such indexes shall form a part of the record of each instrument

hereafter recorded.

A county clerk may adopt a new indexing system utilizing

electro-mechanical, electronic or any other method he deems suitable for

maintaining the indexes.