Tompkins County Memorandum of Contract for Deed Form

Last validated July 24, 2026 by our Forms Development Team

Tompkins County Memorandum of Contract for Deed Form

Tompkins County Memorandum of Contract for Deed Form

Fill in the blank Memorandum of Contract for Deed form formatted to comply with all New York recording and content requirements.

Document Last Validated 7/8/2026
Tompkins County Memorandum of Contract for Deed Guide

Tompkins County Memorandum of Contract for Deed Guide

Line by line guide explaining every blank on the Memorandum of Contract for Deed form.

Document Last Validated 7/7/2026
Tompkins County Completed Example of the Memorandum of Contract for Deed Document

Tompkins County Completed Example of the Memorandum of Contract for Deed Document

Example of a properly completed New York Memorandum of Contract for Deed document for reference.

Document Last Validated 7/24/2026

All 3 documents above included • One-time purchase • No recurring fees

Immediate Download • Secure Checkout

Important: Your property must be located in Tompkins County to use these forms. Documents should be recorded at the office below.

Where to Record Your Documents

Tompkins County Clerk

Address:
320 N. Tioga St
Ithaca, New York 14850

Hours: Monday-Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Phone: (607) 274-5431

Recording Tips for Tompkins County:
  • Ask if they accept credit cards - many offices are cash/check only
  • White-out or correction fluid may cause rejection
  • Leave recording info boxes blank - the office fills these
  • Bring extra funds - fees can vary by document type and page count

Cities and Jurisdictions in Tompkins County

Properties in any of these areas use Tompkins County forms:

  • Brooktondale
  • Dryden
  • Etna
  • Freeville
  • Groton
  • Ithaca
  • Jacksonville
  • Lansing
  • Mc Lean
  • Newfield
  • Slaterville Springs
  • Trumansburg

View Complete Recorder Office Guide

Hours, fees, requirements, and more for Tompkins County

How do I get my forms?

Forms are available for immediate download after payment. The Tompkins County forms will be in your account ready to download to your computer. An account is created for you during checkout if you don't have one. Forms are NOT emailed.

Are these forms guaranteed to be recordable in Tompkins County?

Yes. Our form blanks are guaranteed to meet or exceed the applicable formatting requirements used for recording in Tompkins County, including margin requirements, font requirements, and other layout standards. This guarantee applies to formatting, not to the legal sufficiency of information entered by the user or the suitability of a form for a particular transaction.

Can I reuse these forms?

Yes. You can reuse the forms for your personal use. For example, if you have multiple properties in Tompkins County you only need to order once.

What do I need to use these forms?

The forms are PDFs that you fill out on your computer. You'll need Adobe Reader (free software that most computers already have). You do NOT enter your property information online - you download the blank forms and complete them privately on your own computer.

Are there any recurring fees?

No. This is a one-time purchase. Nothing to cancel, no memberships, no recurring fees.

How much does it cost to record in Tompkins County?

Recording fees in Tompkins County vary. Contact the recorder's office at (607) 274-5431 for current fees.

Questions answered? Let's get started!

Uses of a Memorandum of Contract for Deed

1. Providing Public Notice:
Recording Interests: The primary purpose of a Memorandum of Contract for Deed is to provide public notice of the buyer’s equitable interest in the property without disclosing the full terms of the contract. Recording this memorandum with the county clerk where the property is located can help protect the buyer’s interest against future claims or encumbrances. A contract for deed, also known as an installment sale agreement, is a real estate transaction where the seller retains legal title to the property until the buyer completes payment of the purchase price.

2. Protecting Buyer’s Interest:
Priority of Claims: By recording the memorandum, the buyer establishes a public record of their interest in the property. This can help prioritize the buyer’s interest over subsequent purchasers or creditors who might try to claim an interest in the property. For instance, if a buyer is making substantial renovations to the property, recording a memorandum ensures that their interest is recognized and protected, even if the seller encounters financial difficulties or other legal issues

3. Simplifying Future Transactions:
Facilitating Title Searches: When a memorandum is recorded, it shows up in title searches, which can simplify future transactions by making it clear that a contract for deed exists. This is particularly important if the buyer plans to sell or refinance the property before the contract for deed is fully executed.

4. Legal and Financial Considerations:
Ensuring Enforceability: Recording a memorandum can enhance the enforceability of the contract by ensuring that there is a documented and publicly accessible record of the buyer’s interest. Lender Requirements: Some lenders may require a memorandum of contract for deed to be recorded as part of their underwriting process. This can be important if either party needs financing based on their interest in the property.

5. Dispute Prevention:
Avoiding Future Disputes: By clearly documenting and recording the existence of the contract for deed, both parties can avoid potential disputes related to the buyer’s interest in the property. This clarity can be crucial in preventing legal conflicts down the line.

Situations When a Memorandum is Specifically Advised:

Long-Term Contracts for Deed: When the contract for deed has a long duration, it is especially important to record a memorandum to protect the buyer’s interest over time.

In cases where the transaction involves multiple parties or complex terms, a memorandum helps clarify the buyer’s interest and can simplify the resolution of any issues that might arise.

File the notarized memorandum with the county clerk’s office where the property is located. Pay any applicable recording fees.

In conclusion, recording a memorandum of contract for deed is a crucial step in protecting the buyer’s interest in the property. It provides public notice, helps prevent disputes, and ensures enforceability. By following the outlined steps, buyers can safeguard their investments and facilitate smoother future transactions.

Important: Your property must be located in Tompkins County to use these forms. Documents should be recorded at the office below.

This Memorandum of Contract for Deed meets all recording requirements specific to Tompkins County.

Our Promise

The documents you receive here are guaranteed to meet or exceed the applicable Tompkins County recording format requirements. If there is a rejection caused by our formatting, we will correct the issue or refund your payment. This guarantee applies to document formatting only and does not extend to information entered by the user, the selection of the form, or the legal effect of the completed document.

Save Time and Money

Get your Tompkins County Memorandum of Contract for Deed form done right the first time with Deeds.com Uniform Conveyancing Blanks. At Deeds.com, we understand that your time and money are valuable resources, and we don't want you to face a penalty fee or rejection imposed by a county recorder for submitting nonstandard documents. We constantly review and update our forms to meet rapidly changing state and county recording requirements for roughly 3,500 counties and local jurisdictions.

4.8 out of 5 - ( 4772 Reviews )

Kathy Ann M.

June 26th, 2020

Got the report. However, Retrieving process was not clear.

Reply from Staff

Thank you for your feedback. We really appreciate it. Have a great day!

Ron D.

June 2nd, 2024

The State form I chose was valid and accurate. However, I found the ability to enter information was inadequate and difficult. Converted the form to a Word document and was then able to enter the information I needed to.

Reply from Staff

Your feedback is valuable to us and helps us improve. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

Jacquelyn W.

February 4th, 2022

Great site with great info. Almost made the job seamless but form would not adjust to my longer than usual legal description -- I ended up having to recreate the form in word processing software (Libre). But could not have done it without the guidelines.

Reply from Staff

Thank you!

Virginia S.

October 24th, 2021

Very quick process and forms were downloaded. I am very pleased with the detailed information for filling out the forms. Would use again.

Reply from Staff

We appreciate your business and value your feedback. Thank you. Have a wonderful day!

Janet R.

October 21st, 2019

The site was easy to navigate...all the information needed to fill in the forms was included, which was very helpful and a pleasant surprise...form completed in short order...made taking care of business quick and easy...Thanks for the thoughtful and excellent help, I will share the link with others and I will use the site again...Thanks

Reply from Staff

We appreciate your business and value your feedback. Thank you. Have a wonderful day!

Paula S.

September 24th, 2019

I highly recommend this website. It was quick and easy with very helpful guides and examples! I am so very thankful that I stumbled across the Deed website! Definitely worth every penny spent!

Reply from Staff

We appreciate your business and value your feedback. Thank you. Have a wonderful day!

Kathy C.

March 7th, 2022

It's worth the cost to download the fill in the blank forms. So quick and easy. The lady I spoke to on the phone was super nice and very helpful. She deserves a medal for being so patient with me.

Reply from Staff

Thank you!

Alisha B.

March 17th, 2023

I think you all are great keep it going

Reply from Staff

Thank you!

Carol F.

May 22nd, 2019

Instructions were easy to follow and it was reasonable

Reply from Staff

Thank you for your feedback. We really appreciate it. Have a great day!

Nancy J.

February 14th, 2019

Forms were not to hard to fill out, Will go to Douglas County Oregon Recorders office in a few weeks and hope I filled them out correctly.

Reply from Staff

Thank you for your feedback. We really appreciate it. Have a great day!

Norma J H.

April 27th, 2022

Your forms have been very helpful. I thank you very much for making them easy to use.

Reply from Staff

Thank you for your feedback. We really appreciate it. Have a great day!

Julia C.

May 18th, 2025

Deeds.com was such a blessing in order for me to get something done that my lawyers could not get done. Transferring a mineral right from my deceased parents to me and my husband. The mineral company person I worked with went above and beyond helping me fill the paperwork out perfectly so that it had “right of survivorship” (and other things phrased properly) so that either my husband or I won’t have the issue I have had. Had it not been for deeds.com I don’t think I would have been able to complete this process. I hope anyone that ever needs something such as this learns about I deeds.com.

Reply from Staff

Thank you, Julia, for your kind and thoughtful review. We're truly honored to have played a role in helping you and your husband secure your mineral rights — especially after such a frustrating experience elsewhere. It’s great to hear that our team and resources were able to guide you through the process with clarity and care. Your words mean a lot to us, and we hope others in similar situations find the support they need through Deeds.com, just like you did. Wishing you continued peace of mind and security with your property.

John K.

June 21st, 2023

Very pleased. Responsive staff and fast recordation.

Reply from Staff

Thank you for the kind words John. Our staff appreciates you and your feedback. Have an amazing day!

Kathrine v.

October 14th, 2025

i like this service! so convenient! 10 out of the 10

Reply from Staff

We appreciate your business and value your feedback. Thank you. Have a wonderful day!

Gail W.

September 19th, 2019

Deeds.com had the forms I needed, along with completed examples. Fast download. Easy to use site. Thanks!

Reply from Staff

Thank you!