Real estate title glossary
What is tract index?
Definition
A tract index organizes recorded documents by the parcel they affect rather than by the parties' names, so every instrument for one parcel is listed together.
Tract indexes are more reliable than name indexes because a misspelled name does not hide a document. New York City's ACRIS is effectively a tract index keyed on borough, block and lot.
How it shows up in a title search
Where a tract index exists, a search uses it first and checks the name index for anything filed only against the owner, such as a judgment.
Guides that go deeper
- How to Read ACRIS: A Practical Guide to NYC Property RecordsACRIS indexes NYC recorded property documents from 1966. Search by BBL, join the Master, Legals and Parties tables, and read a document type code.
- What Is a BBL? NYC Borough-Block-Lot ExplainedA BBL is NYC's 10-digit Borough-Block-Lot tax lot ID: 1 borough digit, 5 block, 4 lot. Borough codes, zero-padding, lot ranges, and how to look one up.
- How to Do a Title Search on a Property, Step by StepHow a title search works, step by step: the parcel, chain of title, every mortgage, lien and lawsuit, and the release checks people miss. Or run one in a minute.
Related terms
GrantorLot and blockMarketable record title actGrantor-grantee indexInstrument numberReferee's deedAll terms
Source: Legal Information Institute, Wex: recording acts. Plain-English summary of general US usage; state law varies, and this is not legal advice.