Bristol County Recorder

Each city and town in Rhode Island has its own recording office for real property documents. Property records are not recorded by county. Documents should be sent to the appropriate town or city relative to the property address.
The Bristol Town Clerk is responsible for recording and maintaining only the land records for properties located in the town.

The fee to record a deed is $84, plus $1 for each additional page. The $1 for each additional page applies to all documents. A $4 Rhode Island Historical Trust fee applies to most documents, except for an execution, writ, or attachment.

A mortgage or lease is $64 to record.

Check with respective town clerk about payment methods.

The Real Estate Conveyance Tax is $4.60 per thousand of consideration (rounded to the nearest five hundred). For a tax table & return form, see supplementals.

Unless noted otherwise, completed tax forms should be sent to: Rhode Island Division of Taxation, One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908.

* An original or certified copy is accepted for recording.

* Documents should be submitted on 8.5 x 11 inch white paper, or 8.5 x 14 inch white paper.

* Deeds must have the sale price contained within the document or language to the effect that the transfer is not a sale.

* Witnesses are not required for documents of conveyance.

* The signatories and notaries public to all deeds must have their names typed or printed beneath or adjacent to their signatures. Failure to comply does not affect the validity of an instrument, but the submitter may face a $2 penalty fee.

* Every deed must have the grantee's complete name and mailing address, which will be recorded with the deed.

* When recording a mortgage, the name and address of the mortgagor and mortgagee must be included.

* Any applicable Rhode Island Realty Conveyance Tax is due at the time of recording. If no consideration is actually paid, or if is exempt, this must be stated on the deed.