Please Find Below Answers to some Commonly Asked Questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Registry of Deeds is the place where all transactions of a Real Property nature are recorded so that the public is made aware of their existence. Deeds, mortgages, tax liens, water liens, declaration of homestead and many other kinds of documents regarding the title and ownership of real estate are noted permanently in official records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All cities and towns in the County of Worcester are contained in the Worcester District Registry of Deeds with the exception of Ashburnham, Fitchburg, Leominster, Lunenburg and Westminster. These are included in the Worcester North District Registry of Deeds<\/strong>.<\/a> For a full list click here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Registry of Deeds is a division of the Massachusetts Secretary of State. A person called the Register of Deeds administers the Registry along with assistants and recording clerks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Register is an elected official whose term is for six (6) years and who makes certain that documents are recorded properly. She also serves as the Assistant Recorder of the Land Court. She is responsible for maintaining all the land records in an accurate and correct form. The present Register is\u00a0\u00a0Kathryn A. Toomey<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Worcester South District Registry of Deeds is located at 90 Front Street, Worcester MA 01608 located on the Upper Level. The Registry is open from 8:15 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday, Except on State and National holidays. Recording hours are from 9:00 AM through 4:00 PM. The telephone number for the Registry is 508-368-7000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A Deed is a written document by which the buyer obtains record title to real property. There are several types of deeds. The most common types in this area are Quitclaim or Warranty Deeds. In a Quitclaim Deed, the owner states that he\/she has not encumbered any debts or liens against the title but is unwilling to state that his\/her predecessors did not do the same. In a Warranty Deed, the owner warrants that he\/she has not encumbered any debts or liens against the title and guarantees that his\/her predecessors did not encumber the title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The primary evidence of ownership is the deed itself, but the recording of the deed at the Registry of Deeds is notice to the world as to ownership. Unrecorded deeds are legally binding on the persons who have knowledge of the deed but recorded deeds are absolute proof of ownership. Once recorded, the original deed is returned to the new owner who usually deposits it in a place of safekeeping with his or her important papers. However, if misplaced or lost, a copy may be obtained from the Registry of Deeds or on our website, masslandrecords.com<\/strong><\/a>. You may obtain a certified copy at the Registry of Deeds. The certified copy from the Registry has the same legal value as the original deed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The clerks at the Document Receiving Counter in the Registry of Deeds will help in answering any questions you may have. The clerks, however, are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice. They are willing, however, to give ministerial advice and assist you with your non-legal, registry related problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, you may, but deeds are legally binding documents that affect the rights of the parties to the deed and also their heirs, successors and assignees. Knowledge of legal principles is very important in the preparation of a deed. The Registry is a recording agency and therefore, cannot make out deeds or answer those questions that pertain to legal matters. We advise you to consult a lawyer.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When any document is brought in to be recorded, there are many steps that are taken before it is returned to the concerned party. The information on the document is first abstracted into grantor and grantee indices. The document is then scanned immediately, and the scanned images are compared with the original document for accuracy. The original document is returned to the party that presented the document for recording. Within minutes it is available on our website, masslandrecords.com<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Commonwealth of Massachusetts derives revenue from the sale of real estate through the sale of state tax stamps. The amount of the excise tax stamp differs from time to time depending on the action of the State General Court. In Worcester County, the seller, by custom, is obligated to pay for this stamp just as the buyer is accountable for paying the recording fee for the deed and\/or mortgage. The money paid for the tax stamps is income to the Registry and is forwarded to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Revenue. Click Here<\/strong><\/a> to calculate the amount of an excise stamp for a given value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The recording of a deed and other documents in the Registry does not guaranty that the real estate is free from all liens, encumbrances and other legal problems that would cloud the ownership of the property. A Title Search is a review of all records (Deeds, Probate Court, Bankruptcy, Tax Liens, etc.) and a written report of the Title Searcher\u2019s opinion as to the state of the record title issued. Some people do not have a Title Search, but that is a very dangerous practice and no bank will ever advance money for the realty without a Title Search.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you can\u2019t remember the date the house was purchased you can contact the Assessor in the city or town where the property is situated. They will relay the year and then you can proceed to find the deed as previously indicated. Also, our computer indices are online from 1961 to present date at masslandrecords.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Registry records date back to 1731 and all the records are available for public inspection and use at the Registry. Some very old record books have been \u201cretired\u201d but those records are available on microfilm and online from 1731 to date. Click un-indexed property search for record books.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWHO RUNS THE REGISTRY?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
WHO IS THE REGISTER?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
WHERE IS THE REGISTRY OF DEEDS?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
WHAT IS A DEED?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
WHAT IF I LOSE MY DEED?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
WHOM DO I TALK TO IN THE REGISTRY OF DEEDS ABOUT MATTERS OF THIS SORT?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
MAY I MAKE OUT MY OWN DEED?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
WHAT HAPPENS TO MY DEED WHEN IT ARRIVES AT THE REGISTRY?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
WHAT IS THE STAMP ATTACHED TO A DEED?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
WHAT IS A TITLE SEARCH?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
WHAT IF I DON\u2019T RECALL WHEN MY HOUSE WAS PURCHASED? HOW DO I FIND THE DEED?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
HOW FAR BACK DO THE REGISTRY RECORDS GO?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
HOW CURRENT ARE THE RECORDS IN THE REGISTRY OF DEEDS?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n