Suffolk County Recorder

The Registry of Deeds is responsible for recording and maintaining real property records in Suffolk County.

Recording fees regardless the number of pages.

Declaration of Homestead $35
Declaration of Trust $255
Deed $155
Mortgage $205
Mortgage Foreclosure Deed & Affidavit $155
Mortgage Discharge, Release or Partial Release $105
Municipal Lien Certificate $80
UCC Documents (up to 2 debtors) $75
Federal Tax Liens (and related documents) $5
Plans (per sheet) $105
All other Documents $105

Non-statutory marginal references are $1.

Certified copies are $1 per page.
Certified Copies (per page) - $1

Excise Tax: The effective tax rate is $4.56 per $1000 or fraction thereof of taxable value, rounded up to the nearest $500. No excise tax is due when the consideration is less than $100.00.

Cash, checks, or money orders are acceptable forms of payment. Checks for recording fees must be in the exact amount when mailing documents to the Registry for recording. If the check amount is incorrect, the documents will not be accepted for recording. (When recording documents at the registry counter, however, it is recommended that the amount of the check be left blank until the documents are accepted for recording.)

Checks should be payable to "Commonwealth of Massachusetts". A name, address, and phone number should be on checks submitted for payment.

The Registry of Deeds in Suffolk County, Massachusetts does not accept out of state checks or starter checks.

A separate check is required for excise tax, Recorded Land and Registered Land, and for the Recording of Plans.

Recorded Land or Registered Land: Most property is Recorded Land and fees are now the same. If the document refers to a "Book and Page" number, it probably is Recorded Land. If it refers to a "Certificate of Title" number, it is probably Registered Land.

Documents must be signed with an original signature and notarized if required; Signors and notaries names must be printed under their signatures. The expiration date for the notary must also be printed.

1. Note proper tenancy (if applicable) and mailing address for grantees.

2. Property address must be noted in the left margin on the front page of Deeds and Mortgages.

3. Total number of pages of document must be noted on the front page of each document.

4. The return address must be noted on the first page of each document (Return codes are no longer applicable).

5. Return to name and address must be noted on the first page of each document.

6. Please staple or paper clip your multi-page documents.

7. If the document refers to attached exhibits, the exhibits must be attached and included at the end of the document. If description is by exhibit, it should attached as the last page.

8. Address and telephone numbers must be noted on all checks.

9. Checks for recording fees must be in the exact amount when mailing doucments to the Registry for recording. If the check amount is incorrect, the documents will not be accepted for recording. (It is recommended that the amount of the check be left blank when recording documents at the registry counter,until the documents are accepted for recording). Checks should be payable to "Commonwealth of Massachusetts".

10. Self-addressed envelopes with the correct postage are required for the return of the original documents.

11. Plans will now be recorded separately in the Plans Department. Plans should recorded before the documents and a separate check is necessary for recording the plan.