Recorder Office
Contact the recorder's office directly for its records, copies, and recording requirements.
Bristol County Registry of Deeds, Southern District
About the Southern Bristol District Registry of Deeds
Land records in Southern Bristol District are recorded by the Registry of Deeds. The office is held by Sherrilynn M. Mello.
Land records start in 1837, with copies of old Taunton records dating back to 1685. The online encumbrance list for registered land is not official; official copies are requested from the Registry. Ordering copies online requires an account with a credit card attached.
This registry records land documents for property in Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, New Bedford, Westport.
Verified October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Counties – Bristol County Registry of Deeds, Southern District · Contact Us – Bristol County Registry of Deeds, Southern District · Filings & Fees · FAQs
Recording Fees
These government fees are separate from any Deeds.com service fees. Confirm current charges with the recorder's office.
| Deeds and other conveyances | $155.00 flat (Total fee, recorded land) |
|---|---|
| Mortgages and deeds of trust | $205.00 flat (Total fee, recorded land) |
| Releases and satisfactions | $105.00 flat (Mortgage discharge, total fee) |
| Other standard documents | $105.00 flat (All other instruments except UCC) |
Other charges
| Additional references or marginal notations | $105.00 each (Each additional required marginal reference from the same discharge instrument) |
|---|---|
| Copies, per page | $1.00 |
| Certification | $1.00 |
Fee schedule effective December 31, 2019.
Recorded land: Foreclosure Deed, Affidavit, etc. $155.00; Municipal Lien Certificate $80.00; Declaration of Homestead $35.00; Declaration of Trust $255.00; UCC documents $75.00; plans $105.00 per sheet; federal tax lien or release $5.00. Registered land: two deeds with one new certificate issued $310.00; notings on each certificate $105.00; sewer assessments $105.00 plus $5.00 for each additional certificate. Return postage for original documents, per document: 1 to 15 pages $2.00; 16 to 30 pages $3.00; 31 to 45 pages $4.00; over 45 and under 60 pages $5.00; documents over 60 pages are weighed. A postage-prepaid envelope may be provided instead.
Paying the office
| Accepted | Cash, Check |
|---|---|
| Checks payable to | The Registry of Deeds |
Checks exceeding the amount of $20,000.00 must be bank certified.
Transfer tax
Deeds excise. $2.00 for each $500 or fractional part of consideration over $100, plus a 14% surtax ($2.28 per $500). The tax is collected when the document is recorded. (statewide, G.L. c. 64D §1)
StatewideThe deeds excise is levied on deeds conveying realty sold when the consideration, exclusive of liens or encumbrances remaining, exceeds $100. Per G.L. c. 64D §1, the chapter does not apply to instruments given to secure a debt, or to instruments to which the Commonwealth, a city or town, or the United States or their agencies are a party. Stamps are prepared by the Department of Revenue and sold through the registries of deeds (G.L. c. 64D §3).
Verified October 2026 against the sources below. Some of them are not official publications, so confirm with the recorder's office. Sources: G.L. c. 64D §1 · Filings & Fees · FAQs
Document Requirements
Confirm current requirements with the recorder's office before submitting documents.
| Grantee address required | Yes (statewide, Mass. Deed Indexing Standards §3-1) |
|---|
StatewideA deed shall not be accepted for recording unless it contains the address of the property being conveyed, clearly labeled "property address." All printing and writing must be of sufficient size to be legibly reproduced on standard registry scanners. A register of deeds may refuse an instrument that cannot be properly duplicated.
Submitting documents
| In person | Accepted |
|---|---|
| By mail | Accepted |
| Electronic recording | Accepted |
| How recorded documents come back | Original documents are mailed back if a postage-prepaid envelope is provided or return postage is paid at recording; original registered land documents remain at the Registry. |
| Processing time | Documents are mailed back in about 1-2 weeks after recording. |
For a time-stamped copy of a document being recorded, provide an extra first page and a time stamp label is provided. Registered land documents may optionally be emailed for review before closing or recording; all documents remain subject to final review at recording.
Verified September 2026 against official publications. Sources: Massachusetts Deed Indexing Standards, January 1, 2025 · Southern Bristol County Registry of Deeds · Filings & Fees · FAQs · Electronic Recording and Payments
Deeds.com Resources & Services
Using Deeds.com is optional. Contact the recorder's office directly for its services and submission options.
How to Get a Copy of Your Deed
Read Deeds.com's guide to requesting document copies from the recorder's office.
Deeds.com eRecording
Not available through Deeds.com
Deeds.com does not currently offer eRecording in Bristol County. Contact the recorder's office about its submission options.
Recorder Office
Contact the recorder's office directly for its records, copies, and recording requirements.
Bristol County Registry of Deeds, Southern District
Deeds.com Forms
Blank legal forms sold by Deeds.com, not by the recorder's office.
Supplemental Document Resources
Recording-related forms and instructions for reference. Confirm which documents apply with the recorder's office.
Deeds.com Customer Care
For help with Deeds.com products, services, or your account. This does not contact the recorder's office.
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