The Land Court of Massachusetts has statewide jurisdiction over the Registration of Title to real property, Foreclosure and Redemption of Real Estate tax liens. The Court has superintendence authority over the registered land offices in each Registry of Deeds. The Register of Deeds serves as an Assistant Recorder of the Land Court. The registered land section is a separate department from the recorded land section of the Registry of Deeds.
The Hampshire Registry of Deeds currently retains all original documents that are filed in Land Court. When a deed is filed, a Transfer Certificate of Title is issued. Attached to the Certificate of Title is an Encumbrance Sheet which lists all encumbrances associated with that Certificate. Each Certificate of Title created gets a number along with a Book and Page number. Each document recorded in Land Court is identified by a document number.
Hampshire Registered Land records dating back to 1903 for documents and 1899 for Plans can be searched at Masslandrecords.com
Procedure for Registered Land Recording:
- All registered land documents must first be sent via email to HampshireReg@sec.state.ma.us for pre-approval before recording.
- While the Registry staff reviews the documents to ensure they adhere to Land Court Guidelines, Registry Indexing Standards and applicable Massachusetts General Laws, the Hampshire Registry of Deeds serves only as the custodian of the registered documents and cannot provide legal advice.
- It is the obligation of the attorney or submitter to ensure that all documents comply with the guidelines and standards referenced above and are ready to be recorded when presented in person or by mail to this office.
- Because registered land documents must be reviewed by the Registry Staff and may need to be reviewed by Land Court Title Examiners, documents will not be recorded the same day as submission.
- Emailing the documents prior to recording allows the Registry staff to properly allocate resources to provide guidance to submitters for recording. Every effort is made to ensure Registered Land documents are recorded in a timely manner.
All documents pertaining to Registered Land must note the Certificate of Title number, relevant document number and Book and Page number of the Certificate.
We are currently only able to accept Registered Land in person or by mail. If you are coming in to Register we ask that you arrive no later than 3:00PM.
For more information please visit the Land Court Division on the Mass.gov website