MASSACHUSETTS REGISTRIES

The Registries of Deeds in each county in Massachusetts are where deeds, mortgages and other records of conveyances of interests in real property are recorded.  A directory of Massachusetts Registries of Deeds, including the street address and telephone number for each location, is available at the  Massachusetts Secretary of State web site.  Also, the following Registries also have their own sites containing more detailed information, including fee schedules and some helpful forms:

•      Hampden
•      Norfolk

Some Registries of Deeds have on-line databases that can be searched for the name of the grantor and grantee, and a description of the filing involved (including the book and page number of the filing).  These Registries have on-line databases you can search for free:

•      Barnstable
•      Bristol South
•      Essex North
•      Essex South
•      Suffolk
•      Worcester South

The indexes and Images for Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Fall River, Franklin, Hampshire, Middlesex and Nantucket Counties are available at www.masslandrecords.com; and the Registries for some of those counties also have their own websites:

•      Berkshire North
•      Berkshire Middle
•      Berkshire South
•      Bristol North
•      Fall River
•      Middlesex North
•      Nantucket

These Registries also have on-line databases, but they charge for using the databases (the rest of the sites are still free):

•      Plymouth
•      Worcester North

A variety of Massachusetts real estate forms can be obtained from the Greater Boston Real Estate Board, but that agency also charges a fee for each form.  Also, the Land Court's Guidelines for Registered Land are available as a "pdf" file you view with Adobe Reader.