Recorder Office
Contact the recorder's office directly for its records, copies, and recording requirements.
Essex County Register of Deeds, Southern District
About the Southern Essex District Registry of Deeds
Land records in Southern Essex District are recorded by the Registry of Deeds.
This registry records land documents for property in Amesbury Town, Beverly, Boxford, Danvers, Essex, Georgetown, Gloucester, Groveland, Hamilton, Haverhill, Ipswich, Lynn, Lynnfield, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Marblehead, Merrimac, Middleton, Nahant, Newbury, Newburyport, Peabody, Rockport, Rowley, Salem, Salisbury, Saugus, Swampscott, Topsfield, Wenham, West Newbury.
Verified September 2026 against the sources below. Some of them are not official publications, so confirm with the recorder's office. Sources: Massachusetts Deed Indexing Standards, January 1, 2025 · Massachusetts Registries of Deeds – Online Access to Land Records (Massrods.com)
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 (Includes the $50 community preservation surcharge (G.L. c. 44B §8)) |
|---|---|
| Mortgages and deeds of trust | $205.00 flat (per mortgage) |
| Releases and satisfactions | $105.00 flat (Mortgage discharge, release or partial release; includes the $50 community preservation surcharge (G.L. c. 44B §8)) |
| Other standard documents | $105.00 flat (per paper not separately listed) |
Other charges
| Copies, per page | $1.00 |
|---|
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 September 2026 against the sources below. Some of them are not official publications, so confirm with the recorder's office. Sources: G.L. c. 262 §38 · G.L. c. 64D §1 · Massachusetts registries of deeds recording fee schedule
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.
Verified September 2026 against official publications. Sources: Massachusetts Deed Indexing Standards, January 1, 2025
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 Essex 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.
Essex County Register 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.
Contact Deeds.com