New York Consolidated Laws, Real Property Law - RPP § 10. Capacity to hold real property

1. A citizen of the United States is capable of holding real property within this state, and of taking the same by descent, devise or purchase.

2. Noncitizens are empowered to take, hold, transmit, and dispose of real property within this state in the same manner as native-born citizens and their heirs and devisees take in the same manner as citizens.

3. For the purpose of maintaining offices and places of residence for its ambassadors and consular officers and for its representatives at the United Nations, a foreign government is empowered to hold, transmit and dispose of real property within this state.  Title to such property may be taken either in the name of the foreign government or in the name of its ambassador or consul or in the name of its minister to the United Nations.  If a conveyance of real property is made to an ambassador or consul or minister of a foreign government as such, or contains appropriate words showing the intention to vest the title in the holder of the office rather than in the named individual, the title to the real property shall pass from time to time without any further conveyance to the respective successors in such office, who shall have full power to dispose of such property.