N.Y. Real Property Law Section 377
Official examiners of title


The registrar in any county is authorized to appoint one or more official examiners of title who shall be qualified in accordance with the provisions of law and such rules as may be adopted by the court of appeals. The court of appeals shall prescribe such rules as it deems expedient with respect to ascertaining the fitness and qualifications of individuals for appointment as official examiners of title. Such rules may provide that the length of time during which candidates have practiced law and the experience they have had in the examination of titles to real property shall be taken into consideration in determining their qualifications. Every official examiner of title must be an attorney and counselor-at-law of this state. Subject to rules hereafter adopted by the court of appeals, attorneys and counselors-at-law heretofore duly licensed as official examiners of title shall be eligible for appointment as official examiners of title. In case the registrar shall fail to appoint an official examiner of title in any county, the justice of the supreme court to which petition is made to register any land in such county or to which petition is made to withdraw from registration under the provisions of § 404-A (Withdrawal from registration in certain instances)section four hundred and four-a of this chapter, may appoint a competent attorney to act as such official examiner of title upon that petition. Any official examiner of title shall have the power to administer any oath or affidavit, and to hold hearings and investigations necessary to determine questions of fact arising in the course of his examination of any title, may summon and subpoena witnesses and examine them under oath with regard thereto, and may at any time apply to the supreme court for directions, and receive its assistance, in regard to any investigations conducted by him. The appellate division of the supreme court shall have the jurisdiction to control and regulate the conduct and work of official examiners of title and may admonish, discipline, suspend or remove from office or position any official examiner of title, because of any dishonesty, incompetency, neglect of duty or any other improper conduct or omission, either on its own motion, or on the suggestion or recommendation of the justice of the supreme court having general supervision and control of the business coming under this law in the county in which such official examiner of title is appointed; and it shall be the duty of said appellate division to co-operate with such justice in endeavoring to retain the highest possible standard of ability, efficiency and honest service for all official examiners of title acting under and pursuant to this law. No person who is the attorney or counsel or otherwise interested in a proceeding to register title to real property shall act as official examiner of title in such proceeding.

Source: Section 377 — Official examiners of title, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/RPP/377 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Apr. 27, 2024).

370
Petition to register title to real property
371
Petitions and proceedings to be in supreme court
372
County clerks and registers to be registrars of title
373
Registrar’s bond
374
Deputy registrars’ powers and duties
375
Compensation of registrars and deputy registrars, official examiners of title, and registration clerks
376
Disposition of fees received by registrar
377
Official examiners of title
378
What owners may apply
379
Contents of petition for registration
380
Official examiner’s report of title
381
Survey, map or plan to be filed
382
Notice of petition and of pendency of proceeding
385
Proceedings upon the petition
386
Form of notice to parties
388
Guardian ad litem
389
Any person interested may appear and defend
390
Title in lands vested
391
Final orders conclusive
392
Fraud
393
Registration of title
394
Certificate of title
395
Title book
396
Duplicate certificate of title
398
Certificate to include dealings pending registration
399
Certificate of title as evidence
400
Rights of owners of registered property
401
Registered property not affected by prescription or adverse possession
402
Fraud
403
Memorial to be carried forward
404
Registered property to remain registered
404‑A
Withdrawal from registration in certain instances
405
Registered property subject to same rights and burdens as unregistered property
406
Transfers of registered property
407
Certificate as to part of property remaining after transfer
409
Filing, entering and indexing papers pursuant to this act
409‑A
Entries in other indexes
410
Notice of filed papers
411
Addresses of interested parties
412
When a transfer is deemed to be registered
413
New certificates of title
414
Loss of duplicate certificate
415
Mortgages, leases and other liens and charges
416
Proceedings to register mortgage, lease or other lien or charge
417
Judgments, decrees, attachments and other liens to be noted on certificate
418
Assignment of mortgage, lease, or other lien or charge
419
Release, discharge or surrender of charge or incumbrance
420
Enforcement of mortgages, charges, liens and incumbrances
421
Powers of attorney to be filed and registered
422
Reference of doubtful matters to the court
423
Death of owner of registered property
423‑A
Form for transfer of property upon death of owner of registered property
426
Assurance fund
427
Compensation from assurance fund
428
Action against assurance fund
429
Restrictions on claims against assurance fund
430
Penalties for fraudulent acts or false certificates
431
Forgery and fraudulent stamping
432
Fees to be charged
433
Construction of article
434
Form for official examiner’s report of title
435
Form for certificate of title
436
Termination of title registration procedures

Accessed:
Apr. 27, 2024

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 377’s source at nysenate​.gov

Link Style