Out of state Commissioners of Deeds appointment files

Alphabetical by commissioner's last name.

Chapter 290 of the Laws of 1840 authorized the governor to appoint commissioners outside of New York State to acknowledge deeds and other instruments under seal. The law required these commissioners to take and subscribe to oaths or affirmations before justices of the peace in the cities or counties in which the commissioners resided. These oaths were then filed in the Secretary of State's office. In 1850, Chapter 270 amended the 1840 statute and required that an impression of the commissioner's official seal also be filed.

This series consists of applications, oaths of office, correspondence (both incoming and outgoing), letters of endorsement and impressions of commissioners' official seals. The records pertain to the appointment of commissioners of deeds residing in other states, territories, or counties.

The correspondence in the files usually relates to the application process and the submission and receipt of the commissioners' seal impressions. The applications provide the name, city, county, or other political subdivision applying for; occupation; business address; county or political subdivision; city or village; street and number; signature of the applicant; and endorser's signature.

Series B0006, Registers of appointment of Commissioners of Deeds for other states, territories, and foreign countries

Series B0007, Abstracts of appointments of Commissioners of Deeds for other states, territories, and foreign countries

and Series B0008, Oaths of Commissioners of Deeds for other states, territories, and foreign countries, contain related records.

Container list.

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