Register's Update

The Registry of Deeds is currently working on two projects that will allow users to both access records and record documents remotely.

• Work is continuing on the E-Recording Portal. The current target date for rolling out the portal is September 30, 2010.

• Grantor Indices from 1731 – 1960 have been scanned into a database. We are currently waiting for the arrival of four books that have been rescanned in order to improve the quality of the images. We anticipate having these indicies online in a telephone directory style shortly.

As these projects move towards completion, we are continuing to explore these future improvements

• We recently tested an expanded and improved historical index search system with Foveonics Imaging Technologies, Inc. This system allows quicker and greater search capabilities then our proposed system. It also allows us to redact our older indices while preserving the redacted information in a secured database.

• We have studied the installation of E-Recording kiosks being used by Maricopa County (Phoenix) Arizona. These kiosks could be placed in a library, Town Hall or Court House to expedite recordings by the general public with payments using credit or debit cards.

In the last fiscal year, the Registry reduced staff by five positions due to budget cuts, while the volume of our work began to increase, with the total number of documents recorded reaching 153,689. The Registry operated with a budget of $2,345,612.00 and returned $25,970,229.90 of revenue to the Commonwealth.

The Worcester Registry of Deeds always welcomes your opinions and suggestions. Please send them to linda.curran@sec.state.ma.us