9 February Deed Fraud Alert February 9, 2026 By Heather Shields Community News, Events, General 0 The Orange County Clerk’s Office is providing a free new tool to help property owners protect one of their most valuable assets. With Fraud Alert, you can sign up to receive alerts whenever a document, such as a deed or a mortgage, is recorded under your name. Documents can then be viewed online or at the Clerk’s Office. “This is an easy way for homeowners to have peace of mind, at no cost to them.” Said County Clerk Kelly Eskew. You can sign up for free at Https://searchiqs.com/fraudalert/?CC=NYORA Please note there may be other property owners in the County that share the same name. Attached Files Deed Fraud Flyer 2025 (1).pdf 2.54 MB Related Articles Fraud Alert to Notify Property Owners of New Transactions The Orange County Clerk’s Office is providing a free new tool to help property owners protect one of their most valuable assets. With Fraud Alert, you can sign up to receive alerts whenever a document, such as a deed or a mortgage, is recorded under your name. Documents can then be viewed online or at the Clerk’s Office. “This is an easy way for homeowners to have peace of mind, at no cost to them.” Said County Clerk Kelly Eskew. You can sign up for free at Https://searchiqs.com/fraudalert/?CC=NYORA Please note there may be other property owners in the County that share the same name. New York State adopted the Transfer on Death Deed A Transfer on Death Deed (TOD) is a legal document that allows a property owner to designate who will inherit their real estate after they die. TODs are a cost-effective way to pass on property because they bypass probate, the process that wills go through. NYS has introduced Section 424 of the New York State Real Property Law. Here are some things to know about TODs: How it works The property owner, also known as the transferor, fills out a TOD form, signs it in front of witnesses, and has a notary public acknowledge the signature. The completed deed is then recorded at the county clerk's office. Who can be a beneficiary A beneficiary can be an individual, an organization, or a charity. If there are multiple beneficiaries, the transferor can indicate how they will take title. What the owner retains The owner retains full control of the property while they're alive. They can sell, mortgage, or revoke the TOD deed at any time. How to record the deed Look up the requirements for recording a deed in Orange County, New York Get the state-specific deed form Decide on a beneficiary Describe the property (schedule A) This can be found on a prior deed Sign the deed - you must have 2 witnesses and sign the deed in front of a Notary Public Record the deed at the Orange County Clerk's Office The Town of Wawayanda cannot answer any legal questions regarding the Transfer of Death Deeds, please contact your Attorney. For deed filing information, please contact the Orange County Clerks Office - Deed Recording 845-294-2690. Wawayanda Connect - Mobile App - SMS & Voice Notifications Texting Alerts SMS & Voice Notifications Comments are closed.