Middlesex Registry of Deeds, Cambridge, MA
The Massachusetts Registry of Deeds, such as the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, is an essential state resource responsible for recording, maintaining, and providing access to land records.
Its significance lies in safeguarding property rights and offering transparency in real estate transactions.
Officially documenting property transactions, including deeds, mortgages, and liens
Maintaining historical land records, some dating back to the 17th century
Providing public access to property information for research and verification
Safeguarding ownership rights and establishing legal chain of title
Digitization has revolutionized access to land records, with all Massachusetts counties now offering online databases that make centuries of documents available at your fingertips.
Researchers had to visit registry offices in person, manually searching through bound volumes and microfilm.
Records dating back to the 17th century are now freely accessible online, showcasing Massachusetts' commitment to preserving and sharing its historical legacy.
Counties continue to expand their digital archives, with many working to make even their oldest records available online.
Search decades of records in minutes instead of hours or days
Research from anywhere without traveling to registry offices
Utilize powerful search tools not possible with paper records
Learn more about the benefits of searching Massachusetts land records online.
Follow this step-by-step process to efficiently navigate our comprehensive Massachusetts Registry of Deeds directory and find exactly what you need.
Determine which Massachusetts county contains your property of interest
Use the county links or dropdown menu to navigate directly to that county's section
Use our comparison table to see what years of records are available online
Find phone numbers, addresses, and email contacts for each registry
Click the official website links to search records directly
Our professional document retrieval service can assist with hard-to-find records and complex research needs.
Contact Our Experts for a Research QuoteThis table shows the online record availability across all Massachusetts counties:
| County | Online Records From | Official Website |
|---|---|---|
| Barnstable | 1742 - Present | Official Site |
| Berkshire (North) | 1953 - Present | Official Site |
| Berkshire (Middle) | 1969 - Present | Official Site |
| Berkshire (South) | 1959 - Present | Official Site |
| Bristol (Northern) | 1881 - Present | Official Site |
| Bristol (Southern) | 1970 - Present | Official Site |
| Bristol (Fall River) | 1947 - Present | Official Site |
| Dukes | 1974 - Present | Official Site |
| Essex (South) | 1640 - Present | Official Site |
| Essex (North) | 1869 - Present | Official Site |
| Franklin | 1650 - Present | Official Site |
| Hampden | 1948 - Present | Official Site |
| Hampshire | 1914 - Present | Official Site |
| Middlesex (South) | 1900 - Present | Official Site |
| Middlesex (North) | 1629 - Present | Official Site |
| Nantucket | 1967 - Present | Official Site |
| Norfolk | 1793 - Present | Official Site |
| Plymouth | Subscription Required | Official Site |
| Suffolk | 1973 - Present | Official Site |
| Worcester | 1961 - Present | Official Site |
| Worcester (North) | 1949 - Present | Official Site |
Finding Massachusetts property records is straightforward when you follow these steps:
Property records in Massachusetts are organized by county. Determine which county contains your property of interest.
Example Scenarios:
Each Registry of Deeds maintains its own website with searchable databases of property records.
Most registries allow searching by owner name (grantor/grantee), property address, or document number. Historical records may have different search options.
Pro Tip: Not sure which county your property is in? Use the Massachusetts County Maps section below to identify the correct registry.
Learn about deed terminology, quitclaim deeds, warranty deeds, and conveyances
Comprehensive genealogical resource for historical land records
The person who receives or buys property
The person who transfers or sells property
*Source: Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, accessed 16 Dec. 2023
Property owners file land matters in the county where the property is located.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts offers up-to-date maps to help identify county boundaries, crucial for pinpointing the correct Registry of Deeds.
Did you know? Massachusetts has 14 counties, but several are divided into multiple registry districts. Finding the correct district is essential for accessing property records.
View all Massachusetts cities and towns with their respective boundaries. Useful for identifying the municipality in which a property is located.
Download City MapSee all Massachusetts county boundaries. Essential for determining which Registry of Deeds has jurisdiction over a particular property.
Download County MapOnce you've identified the correct county, refer to our County-by-County Breakdown for specific Registry of Deeds contact information.
Massachusetts registry offices house remarkable historical collections that extend far beyond standard property records. Discover these hidden treasures that provide unique insights into local history.
Essex County Registry preserves invaluable Native American deeds that document early land transfers between indigenous peoples and European settlers.
17th CenturyEssex County maintains digitized city residential directories from 1882-1994 for Lynn, offering a detailed chronicle of the city's residents over more than a century.
1882 - 1994A hidden gem at the Worcester Northern Registry is their digitized index of Worcester County Divorces providing researchers with years and docket numbers.
1922 - 1980Worcester's Northern District Registry provides free access to a complete digitized index of Worcester County Probate Records spanning nearly 250 years of local history.
1731 - 1980These unique resources provide an invaluable window into our region's past for researchers and historians, offering insights beyond standard property records. They can help:
The Registry of Deeds serves as a treasure trove for genealogists, offering vital clues to trace family histories and uncover ancestral homesteads. Its records provide concrete evidence of past generations' lives and movements.
From Barnstable to Worcester, each county's Registry of Deeds varies in its history, geographical coverage, and the extent of its digitized records.
This section provides a thorough overview of each county's Registry of Deeds, ensuring you can directly navigate to the information pertinent to your needs.
Each county's Registry of Deeds provides detailed contact information, including addresses, phone numbers, and email contacts, facilitating direct communication for specific inquiries.
On 2 June 1685, Massachusetts established Barnstable County from Plymouth County.
1-508-362-7733
FAX: (508) 362-5065
Recording Hours: Monday - Friday 8 AM - 4 PM
Barnstable Registry of Deeds includes all cities and towns of Barnstable, Bourne, Brewster, Chatham, Dennis, Eastham, Falmouth, Harwich, Mashpee, Orleans, Provincetown, Sandwich, Truro, and Wellfleet.
ONLINE RECORDS:
On 21 April 1761, Massachusetts established Berkshire County from Hampshire County.
1-413-743-0035
FAX: (413) 743-1003
nbrd@sec.state.ma.us
Recording Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
The Northern District includes the towns of Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Florida, Hancock, Lanesboro, New Ashford, North Adams, Savoy, Williamstown, and Windsor.
ONLINE RECORDS:
Northern Berkshire Land Records from 1953 and up through today's date in 2025.
1-413-743-0035
FAX: (413) 743-1003
Patricia.Harris@sec.state.ma.us
Recording Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
The Middle District includes the towns of Becket, Dalton, Hinsdale, Lee, Lenox, Otis, Peru, Pittsfield, Richmond, Stockbridge, Tyringham, and Washington.
ONLINE RECORDS:
Middle Berkshire Land Records from 1969 and up through today's date in 2025.
1-413-528-0146
FAX: (413) 528-6878
sbrd@sec.state.ma.us
Recording Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
The Southern District includes the towns of Alford, Egremont, Great Barrington, Monterey, Mount Washington, New Marlborough, Sandisfield, Sheffield, and West Stockbridge.
ONLINE RECORDS:
Southern Berkshire Land Records from 1959 and up through today's date in 2025.
On 2 June 1685, Massachusetts established Bristol County from Plymouth County.
Bristol County Registry Spotlight
The Bristol County Registry of Deeds operates through three distinct districts: Northern (Taunton), Southern (New Bedford), and Fall River. This unique three-district system serves the diverse communities of southeastern Massachusetts.
Key Information for Researchers:
Research Tips: When researching Bristol County properties, determining the correct district is essential. Properties in Fall River, Freetown, Somerset, and Swansea belong to the Fall River District, while Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, New Bedford, and Westport are in the Southern District. All other Bristol County municipalities fall under the Northern District.
1-508-822-0502
FAX: (508) 880-4975
registry@tauntondeeds.com
Recording Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
The Northern District includes the towns of Attleboro, Berkley, Dighton, Easton, Mansfield, North Attleboro, Norton, Raynham, Rehoboth, Seekonk, and Taunton.
ONLINE RECORDS:
Northern Bristol County Digitized Land Record Index from 1686 to 1910.
1-508-993-2603
FAX: (508) 997-4250
Recording Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
The Southern District includes the towns of Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, New Bedford, and Westport.
ONLINE RECORDS:
Southern Bristol County Digitized Land Records from 1970 and up through today's date in 2025.
1-508-673-2910
FAX: (508) 673-7633
admin@fallriverdeeds.org
Recording Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
The Fall River District includes the towns of Fall River, Freetown, Somerset, and Swansea.
ONLINE RECORDS:
Fall River District Digitized Land Records and Index from 1947 and up through today's date in 2025.
On 1 November 1683, the State of New York established the original Dukes County. The State of Massachusetts reestablished the county on 22 June 1695.
1-508-627-4025
FAX: (508) 627-7821
registry@dukescounty.org
Recording Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Dukes Registry of Deeds includes the towns of Aquinnah, Edgartown, Chilmark, Gosnold, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, and West Tisbury.
ONLINE RECORDS:
Dukes County Recorded Land Name Search from 1974 and up through today's date in 2025.
On 10 May 1643, Massachusetts established the original Essex County.
Essex County Registry Spotlight
The Essex County Registry of Deeds is one of Massachusetts' most historically significant registries, divided into Southern (Salem) and Northern (Lawrence) districts. The Southern district contains some of the oldest property records in America, dating back to the 17th century.
Key Information for Researchers:
Research Tips: Essex County's Southern District offers exceptional historical research value with nearly four centuries of records. When researching colonial-era properties, check for both Native American deeds and early English settlement records which are uniquely accessible through this registry.
1-978-542-1704
FAX: (978) 744-7679
southernessexcustomerservice@sec.state.ma.us
Recording Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Essex South includes the towns of Amesbury, Beverly, Boxford, Danvers, Essex, Georgetown, Gloucester, Groveland, Hamilton, Haverhill, Ipswich, Lynn, Lynnfield, Manchester, Marblehead, Merrimac, Middleton, Nahant, Newbury, Newburyport, Peabody, Rockport, Rowley, Salem, Salisbury, Saugus, Swampscott, Topsfield, Wenham, and West Newbury.
ONLINE RECORDS:
17th Century Native American Deeds.
Fully Digitized Lynn City Directories from 1882 - 1994 (with some gaps).
1-978-557-1900
FAX: (978) 688-4679
northernessexcustomerservice@sec.state.ma.us
Recording Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Essex North includes the towns of Andover, Lawrence, Methuen, and North Andover.
ONLINE RECORDS:
On 24 June 1811, Massachusetts established Franklin County from Hampshire County.
1-413-772-0239
FAX: (413) 774-7150
Recording Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Franklin Registry of Deeds includes the cities and towns of Ashfield, Bernardston, Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Conway, Deerfield, Erving, Gill, Greenfield, Hawley, Heath, Leverett, Leyden, Monroe, Montague, New Salem, Northfield, Orange, Rowe, Shelburne, Shutesbury, Sunderland, Warwick, Wendell, and Whately.
ONLINE RECORDS:
On 25 February 1812, Massachusetts established Hampden County from Hampshire County.
1-413-755-1722
hcrodsd@sec.state.ma.us
Recording Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Hampden Registry of Deeds includes the cities and towns of Agawam, Blandford, Brimfield, Chester, Chicopee, East Longmeadow, Granville, Hampden, Holland, Holyoke, Longmeadow, Ludlow, Monson, Montgomery, Palmer, Russell, Southwick, Springfield, Tolland, Wales, West Springfield, and Wilbraham.
ONLINE RECORDS:
On 1 May 1662, Massachusetts established Hampshire County from Middlesex County.
1-413-584-3637
FAX: (413) 584-4136
hampshirereg@sec.state.ma.us
Recording Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Hampshire Registry includes the cities and towns of Amherst, Belchertown, Chesterfield, Cummington, Easthampton, Goshen, Granby, Hadley, Hatfield, Huntington, Middlefield, Northampton, Pelham, Plainfield, South Hadley, Southampton, Ware, Westhampton, Williamsburg, and Worthington.
ONLINE RECORDS:
On 10 May 1643, Massachusetts established the original Middlesex County.
Middlesex County Registry Spotlight
The Middlesex Registry of Deeds is Massachusetts' largest county registry system, divided into Southern and Northern districts. Serving Cambridge, Lowell, Newton, Waltham and many other communities, these registries handle a tremendous volume of transactions for the state's most populous county.
Key Information for Researchers:
Research Tips: Middlesex County's division into Northern and Southern districts dates back to 1855, making record searches more complex for properties with pre-1855 histories. Cross-reference both districts when researching older properties near district boundaries.
1-617-679-6300
FAX: (617) 577-1289
middlesexsouth@sec.state.ma.us
Recording Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 3:45 PM
Middlesex South includes the towns of Acton, Arlington, Ashby, Ashland, Ayer, Bedford, Belmont, Boxborough, Burlington, Cambridge, Concord, Everett, Framingham, Groton, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Malden, Marlboro, Maynard, Medford, Melrose, Natick, Newton, North Reading, Pepperell, Reading, Sherborn, Shirley, Somerville, Stoneham, Stow, Sudbury, Townsend, Wakefield, Waltham, Watertown, Wayland, Weston, Winchester, and Woburn.
ONLINE RECORDS:
1-978-322-9000
FAX: (978) 322-9001
lowelldeeds@comcast.net
Recording Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Middlesex North includes the towns of Billerica, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Dracut, Dunstable, Lowell, Tewksbury, Tyngsborough, Westford, and Wilmington.
ONLINE RECORDS:
On 22 June 1695, Massachusetts established Nantucket County from Dukes County.
1-508-228-7250
FAX: (508) 325-5331
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
ONLINE RECORDS:
Recorded Land Name Search (Dates Available: 01/02/1967-Current).
The Commonwealth established the original county of Norfolk on 10 May 1643, but disbanded it on 4 February 1680. The Commonwealth established the current county on 26 March 1793, from Suffolk County.
Norfolk County Registry Spotlight
The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds in Dedham serves one of Massachusetts' most affluent regions, including historic communities and Boston suburbs like Brookline, Milton, Needham, Quincy, and Wellesley.
Key Information for Researchers:
Research Tips: Norfolk County's records system notes that while their database is not SSL encrypted, they offer one of the most complete historical collections. For properties near the Suffolk County border (particularly Brookline, which was once part of Boston), it's advisable to check both Norfolk and Suffolk records for comprehensive research.
1-781-461-6101
registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org
Recording Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Norfolk Registry of Deeds includes the cities and towns of Avon, Bellingham, Braintree, Brookline, Canton, Holbrook, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Milton, Needham, Norfolk, Norwood, Plainville, Quincy, Randolph, Sharon, Stoughton, Walpole, Wellesley, Westwood, Weymouth, and Wrentham.
ONLINE RECORDS:
"Search Registry Records" 1793 and up to the Present. Registry's Database is not SSL Encrypted. Proceed with Caution.
On 2 June 1685, Massachusetts established the original Plymouth County.
1-508-830-9200
FAX: (508) 830-9280
Recording Hours: Monday - Friday 8:15 AM - 4:30 PM
Plymouth Registry of Deeds includes the cities and towns of Abington, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Hingham, Hull, Kingston, Lakeville, Marion, Marshfield, Mattapoisett, Middleboro, Norwell, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rochester, Rockland, Scituate, Wareham, West Bridgewater, and Whitman.
ONLINE RECORDS:
Plymouth County has a Confusing Description of Their Online Records. The Registry's Database is not SSL Encrypted. Moreover, this is old Technology and one Should Proceed with Caution. I'm surprised a County the Size of Plymouth, has such antiquated technology. You can Search Land Records for "Free," but to Print Anything, you need a "$30 a Month Paid Subscription, plus Copy Fees."
The Suffolk Registry of Deeds is one of Massachusetts' busiest and most historically significant registries, serving the heart of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop. Located in the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse at 24 New Chardon Street, this registry processes thousands of transactions monthly for Massachusetts' capital city.
Key Information for Researchers:
Research Tips: For historical Boston properties before 1973, researchers may need to visit the registry in person. The staff is experienced in helping locate complex property chains of title that may span several centuries.
On 10 May 1643, Massachusetts established the original Suffolk County.
1-617-788-8575
1-617-788-6221
Suffolk.Deeds@sec.state.ma.us
Recording Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 4:15 PM
Suffolk Registry of Deeds includes the cities of Boston, Brighton, Charlestown, Chelsea, Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Revere, Roslindale, South Boston, and Winthrop.
ONLINE RECORDS:
Recorded Land Name Search (Dates Available: 01/01/1973-Current).
On 2 April 1731, Massachusetts established Worcester County from Middlesex, Suffolk and Hampshire counties.
Worcester County Registry Spotlight
The Worcester County Registry of Deeds serves Massachusetts' largest county by area, with records divided between the main Worcester District and the Northern District in Fitchburg. This extensive registry contains records for over 60 municipalities.
Key Information for Researchers:
Research Tips: The Northern District Registry in Fitchburg contains unexpected treasures beyond land records, with digitized indexes for both divorce and probate records. These can be valuable research shortcuts, providing docket numbers that can then be used to order complete files from their respective courts.
1-508-368-7000
FAX: (508) 798-7746
Worcester.Deeds@sec.state.ma.us
Recording Hours: Monday - Friday 8:15 AM - 4:30 PM
The Worcester District includes the towns of Athol, Auburn, Barre, Berlin, Blackstone, Bolton, Brookfield, Charlton, Clinton, Douglas, Dudley, East Brookfield, Gardner, Grafton, Hardwick, Harvard, Holden, Hopedale, Hubbardston, Lancaster, Leicester, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, New Braintree, North Brookfield, Northboro, Northbridge, Oakham, Oxford, Paxton, Petersham, Phillipstown, Princeton, Royalston, Rutland, Shrewsbury, Southboro, Southbridge, Spencer, Sterling, Sturbridge, Sutton, Templeton, Upton, Uxbridge, Warren, Webster, Westboro, West Boylston, West Brookfield, Winchedon, and Worcester.
ONLINE RECORDS:
Recorded Land Name Search (Dates Available: 01/01/1961-Current).
Recording Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Worcester North includes the towns of Ashburnham, Fitchburg, Leominster, Lunenburg, and Westminster.
ONLINE RECORDS:
What is the Massachusetts Registry of Deeds responsible for?
The Massachusetts Registry of Deeds is responsible for maintaining and providing access to land records within Massachusetts. These registries record, preserve, and provide public access to deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property-related documents.
How can I find Massachusetts property records?
To find Massachusetts property records, you need to identify the county where the property is located. Visit that county's Registry of Deeds website or office. This directory provides a comprehensive listing of each registry's location, contact information, and online resources. Most counties now offer searchable online databases where you can access property records.
What records can I find at the Massachusetts Registry of Deeds?
At the Massachusetts Registry of Deeds, you can find property deeds, mortgage documents, liens, property plans, land court documents, homestead declarations, foreclosure notices, and other land-related documents. Each county's registry maintains these records for properties within their jurisdiction.
Are Massachusetts Registry of Deeds records available online?
Yes, all Massachusetts Registry of Deeds offices now offer online access to their records, though the historical depth varies by county. For example, Barnstable County offers online records from 1742 to present, while Suffolk County's online records begin from 1973. Many registries offer free public access, while some (like Plymouth) may charge fees for certain documents.
How do I find historical property records in Massachusetts?
To find historical property records in Massachusetts, first identify the county where the property is located. Visit that county's Registry of Deeds website or office. Many counties have digitized historical records—for example, Essex County has land documents from 1640, while Barnstable has records from 1742. For very old records not available online, you may need to visit the registry in person or contact a professional document retrieval service.
What's the difference between Northern and Southern districts in some Massachusetts counties?
Several Massachusetts counties, including Middlesex, Essex, Berkshire, and Bristol, are divided into multiple registry districts (typically Northern and Southern). These divisions were established to better serve large geographic areas. Each district maintains its own registry office and records for specific towns within the county. When researching property records, you must identify the correct district based on the property's location.
Do I need to pay to access Massachusetts Registry of Deeds records?
Most Massachusetts Registries of Deeds offer free online access to search basic record indexes and view documents. However, some counties (notably Plymouth) require a paid subscription for full access. Additionally, if you need certified copies of documents, there is typically a fee. Visiting registry offices in person allows free access to public terminals for searching records, though printing documents usually involves a fee.
What information do I need to search for a property in the Massachusetts Registry of Deeds?
To effectively search for a property in the Massachusetts Registry of Deeds, it helps to have: 1) The county where the property is located, 2) The current or previous owner's name (for a grantor/grantee index search), 3) The property address, and 4) Ideally, the book and page number of a previous deed if available. Some registries offer searches by address, while others primarily use name-based searches.
The Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view and print these forms. If you have not already, download the Adobe Acrobat Reader and the documents.
Our document retrieval experts can help you access:
Professional Service Since 1997
Contact Our Experts for a QuoteThe Massachusetts Registry of Deeds stands as a testament to the state's dedication to preserving its rich historical tapestry and ensuring transparent property transactions.
Whether for legal, genealogical, or historical purposes, this guide serves as a vital tool for navigating the vast resources of the Registry of Deeds, offering a pathway to explore Massachusetts' past and present.
