Building Historical Documentation

Digitize and preserve your building’s historical records with professional microform and document conversion services. VPS transforms microfilm, microfiche, and legacy drawings into accessible digital formats, helping property owners, architects, and compliance professionals streamline documentation, support filings, and maintain accurate records for long-term building management. 

We offer the following services and can return these to you in a Word Doc or PDF format. Just enter the address for which you are looking for historical documentation. 
Options include:
- BIS Open Jobs
- Property Card
- I-Card
- Sanborn Maps
- EUP
- Images
NOTE: This is NOT a physical item. Once purchased, a document will be sent to the email attached to your order.

What This is For: Building Historical Documentation services are used to convert, organize, and preserve legacy building records—including microfilm, microfiche, old drawings, permits, and archived documents—into modern, searchable digital formats such as PDFs and CAD files.
These records are essential for:
- Understanding existing building conditions
- Supporting renovations and alterations
- Providing documentation for DOB, LPC, or other agency filings
- Maintaining a centralized and accessible building history

Why You May Need This: You may need building historical documentation if:
- Your building records exist only in microfilm, paper archives, or outdated formats
- You are preparing for DOB filings, renovations, or compliance reviews
- You need accurate documentation for Certificates of Occupancy, violations, or legalization work
- Your team requires quick access to legacy drawings or permits
- You want to reduce risk caused by missing, damaged, or inaccessible records
Digitizing these materials improves efficiency, reduces delays, and ensures your building data is usable across all project phases.

Legal Requirement Explained: While building historical documentation itself is not always explicitly required as a standalone service, maintaining accurate and accessible records is often implicitly required under various NYC regulations and processes, including:
- NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) filings and applications, which rely on accurate existing-condition documentation
- Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) submissions for historic properties
- Certificate of Occupancy (CO) verification and amendments
- Violation resolution and compliance reviews, where historical records may be necessary to demonstrate prior conditions or approvals
In many cases, the inability to produce accurate historical documentation can delay approvals, increase costs, or result in failed inspections or rejected filings.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Specific documentation requirements may vary depending on building type, jurisdiction, and agency regulations. Always consult with a licensed professional or the appropriate regulatory authority to confirm applicable requirements for your project.