Research worksheet · Reviewed 25 October 2026
Before interpreting a building record, establish that it belongs to the property you mean. Similar street names, alternate entrances and separate units can make a quick search misleading. This guide provides a reproducible research workflow, not a property certification, inspection or title opinion.
Write the question first
“Is there a filing for the planned alteration?” is a narrower question than “Is this a good building?” A record search can help with the first; it cannot settle the second. State the date and scope of your question so your notes show what the research was intended to establish.
Create a property identity card
| Field | What to save |
|---|---|
| Search address | Exactly what you entered, including borough and unit if relevant |
| Returned address | The address displayed by the official system |
| Identifiers | Displayed building and tax-lot identifiers; keep their labels |
| Match evidence | Why you believe the returned property is the intended one |
| Source and date | Official system, link and date retrieved |
| Uncertainty | Alternate address, lot boundary or other unresolved mismatch |
Use the right system for the record
NYC Buildings directs readers to BIS and DOB NOW for different building records. BIS includes older permit and application history; DOB NOW contains filings made in that system. Start at the city’s Find Building Data page so you can follow its current links. A blank result in one system should not be reported as proof that no record exists anywhere.
Keep a separate search note for each system. Copy the record reference and the status exactly before writing your interpretation. When two results appear inconsistent, check whether they concern different jobs, dates, units or stages. Do not resolve the difference by choosing whichever result supports your first assumption.
Example of a cautious finding
A fictional research note might say: “At the retrieval date, one matching application was found in the system searched. The search covered this address and identifier; a second address associated with the property has not yet been checked.” This is more useful than “The building is approved,” which goes beyond the evidence.
Know when the search has reached its limit
Ask the relevant agency or a qualified professional when identifiers do not match, documents appear missing or a decision depends on the legal meaning of a record. A desk search cannot assess concealed conditions or prove that physical work matches a filing. Preserve the unanswered question instead of turning it into a confident conclusion.
Save an evidence index with one row per source, then put your summary in a separate document. Another reader should be able to repeat the search and understand the boundaries of your conclusion.
Primary reference: NYC Buildings: Find Building Data. The identity card and fictional example are original UpdateRepublic research aids.