Seasons Greetings from the Registry of Deeds

We wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanza, and a Healthy, Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Holiday Hours

The Registry of Deeds will be closed in observance of Christmas on Monday, December 26, 2011. The Registry will also be closed on Monday, January 2, 2012 in observance of New Years.

Happy Holidays!

First and Last Day Stats: November into December

The first and last days of each month have historically been busy days in terms of the number of documents recorded at the Registry of Deeds. To see stats from earlier in the year, click on the First/Last tag below the post.

November 30, 2011 - 773 Documents Recorded (Down 15% from 2010)

December 1, 2011 - 484 Documents Recorded (Down 10% from 2010)

Thanksgiving Holiday Hours

The Registry of Deeds will be closed on this Thursday, November 24th for Thanksgiving. However, the Registry will be open during our normal hours on Friday November 25th.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving from the Registry of Deeds!

New MassLandRecords Homepage

In response to user feedback, the MLR homepage has recently been updated. The goal of the redesign was to more prominently display the YouTube tutorials and the full functionality of the site.

We'd like to offer special thanks to all of our users who joined us for the information session and have been giving us helpful feedback!

First and Last Day Stats: October into November

The first and last days of each month have historically been busy days in terms of the number of documents recorded at the Registry of Deeds. To see stats from earlier in the year, click on the First/Last tag below the post.

October 31, 2011 - 879 Documents Recorded (Down 19% from 2010)

November 1, 2011 577 Documents Recorded (Down 30% from 2010)

It seems that much of the reduction during these two days this year is related to the snowy climate, rather than the economic climate.

Trick or Treating Postponed in Worcester

Worcester City Manager Michael O'Brien has postponed Halloween Trick-or-Treating until Thursday November 3rd because of safety issues involving unlit streets and downed power lines because of the recent storm.

We wish you all a happy and safe Halloween from the Registry of Deeds!

New MLR Training Session

The Worcester Registry of Deeds and Secretary of State Galvin would like to invite you to attend a training session for the new MassLandRecords at the Worcester Registry of Deeds on Thursday November 10, 2011 from 10 to 11am.

The training session will include an introduction to searching, printing, and downloading documents and intends to familiarize all of our users with the new functionalities of the site.

For dates and times for training sessions at other Registries, click here.

MassLandRecords.com Tutorial Videos

Please view these tutorial videos to assist your use of the new Mass Land Records system

Quick Start Tutorial



Printing Tutorial



Download Tutorial

Changes to MassLandRecords.com

The Worcester Registry of Deeds has received numerous comments and inquiries concerning the new Mass Land Records system. Change always requires learning and adaptability. At the Worcester Registry we are aware of our users concerns and are working to address them.

The Registers of Deeds in cooperation with the Secretary of State’s office is planning six regional training sessions for users of the new Mass Land Records system. The place and times will be announced shortly. It is anticipated these sessions will take place in November 2011.

Until then, you may contact Linda Curran with your questions

Thank you for your patience and comments

Columbus Day Hours

Just a reminder that the Registry of Deeds and Fitchburg Satellite Office will be closed Monday, October 10, 2011 in honor of Columbus Day.

Enjoy your Holiday,

Registry Staff

First and Last Day Stats: September into October

The first and last days of each month have historically been busy days in terms of the number of documents recorded at the Registry of Deeds. To see stats from earlier in the year, click on the First/Last tag below the post.

September 30, 2011 - 1097 Documents Recorded (Up 29% from 2010)

October 3, 2011 - 658 Documents Recorded (Down 27% from 2010)

New MassLandRecords.com

The new version of MassLandRecords.com will become the default version of the site beginning on October 1st. You will, however, still be able to access the former version until January 1, 2012. We highly recommend that anybody currently using the old version of the site begin to familiarize themselves with the new version of the site.

The new version of MassLandRecords.com offers many advanced features not available on the old site but that are available on the Public Access terminals in the Registry. To view the full functionality of the new site, be sure to click on the "Advanced" button.

If you have any questions about the new search, please feel free to ask Registry staff or send us an email.

First and Last Day Stats: August into September

The first and last days of each month have historically been busy days in terms of the number of documents recorded at the Registry of Deeds. To see stats from earlier in the year, click on the First/Last tag below the post.

August 31, 2011 - 638 Documents Recorded (Down 16% from 2010)

September 1, 2011 - 561 Documents Recorded (Down 13% from 2010)

Labor Day Holiday

The Registry of Deeds will be closed on Monday, September 5, 2011 in observance of Labor Day. We thank all American workers for their contributions which have built and strengthened our nation.

First and Last Stats: July into August

The first and last days of each month have historically been busy days in terms of the number of documents recorded at the Registry of Deeds. To see stats from earlier in the year, click on the First/Last tag below the post.

July 29, 2011 - 743 Documents Recorded (Down 13% from 2010)

August 1, 2011 - 671 Documents Recorded (Up 2% from 2010)

First and Last Stats: June into July

The first and last days of each month have historically been busy days in terms of the number of documents recorded at the Registry of Deeds. To see stats from earlier in the year, click on the First/Last tag below the post.

June 3o, 2011 - 868 Documents Recorded (Down 13% from 2010)

July 1, 2011 - 584 Documents Recorded (Up 2% from 2010)

Fourth of July Hours

The Registry of Deeds and the Satellite Office will be closed on Monday, July 4, 2011 in observance of the Fourth of July holiday.

We wish you all a safe and happy Fourth of July!

First and Last Day Stats: May into June

The first and last days of each month have historically been busy days in terms of the number of documents recorded at the Registry of Deeds. To see stats from earlier in the year, click on the First/Last tag below the post.

May 31, 2011 - 752 Documents Recorded (Down 31% from 2010)

June 1, 2011 - 509 Documents Recorded (Down 25% from 2010)

Memorial Day Hours

The Registry of Deeds and Fitchburg Satellite Office will be closed on Monday, May 30th in observation of Memorial Day.

Click Here for more information about Memorial Day observations around Worcester County.

First and Last Stats: April into May

The first and last days of each month have historically been busy days in terms of the number of documents recorded at the Registry of Deeds. To see stats from earlier in the year, click on the First/Last tag below the post.

April 30, 2011 - 890 Documents Recorded (Down 24% from 2010)

May 2, 2011 - 577 Documents Recorded (Down 24% from 2010)

Where to Find New Homestead Forms

The Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth has issued a pamphlet and forms for declaring a homestead under the new homestead law that became effective on Wednesday, March 16th.

The pamphlet and forms are accessible on the Secretary's website.

Patriot's Day Hours

The Registry of Deeds and Fitchburg Satellite Office will be closed Monday, April 18th in honor of Patriot's Day.

Patriot's Day commemorates the battles of Lexington and Concord during the Revolutionary War. The Boston Marathon, the oldest annual marathon, also is held on Patriot's Day.

First and Last Day Stats: March 31st and April 1st

The first and last days of each month have historically been busy days in terms of the number of documents recorded at the Registry of Deeds. To see stats from earlier in the year, click on the First/Last tag below the post.

March 31, 2011 - 560 Documents Recorded (Down 26% from 2010)

April 1, 2011 - 519 Documents Recorded (Up 6% from 2010)

Fitchburg Satellite Office closed Friday

The Registry's Fitchburg Satellite Office will be closed on Friday April 1, 2011 due to the forecast of inclement weather.

The Registry office at 90 Front Street in Worcester will remain open between 8:15 AM and 4:30 PM.

New Homestead Pamphlet and Forms

The Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth has issued a pamphlet and forms for declaring a homestead under the new homestead law that goes into effect on Wednesday, March 16th. The pamphlet and forms are accessible on the Secretary's website.

New Homestead Law Takes Effect March 16th

Revisions to the Massachusetts Homestead Law will go into effect on March 16, 2011. Chapter 395 of the Acts of 2010, AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE ESTATE OF HOMESTEAD, revises and replaces the provisions of the Massachusetts Homestead Act, G.L. c. 188. The amendment provides additional definition and clarifies a number of uncertainties in the existing statute. More information is available at the General Court’s webpage.

The Registry of Deeds is working with the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth to provide new homestead forms and information materials. The new information will be posted here on the Worcester Registry of Deeds blog.

Highlights of the New Law:

• Automatically protects up to $125,000 in home equity without filing
• Protects up to $500,000 for those who file for homestead protection
• Allows spouses to both file-- currently only one may file
• No need to re-file after refinancing
• Provides coverage for homes kept in trusts
• Homesteads currently in effect will remain in full force notwithstanding their failure to comply with provisions of the new statute

First and Last Day Stats

The first and last days of each month have historically been busy days in terms of the number of documents recorded at the Registry of Deeds. We will be tracking them here and comparing volume to 2010 here at the Registry of Deeds Blog

Jan 3, 2011 - 633 Documents Recorded (Up 8% from 2010)
Jan 31, 2011 - 1006 Documents Recorded (Up 32% from 2010)

Feb 1, 2011 - 427 Documents Recorded (Down 28% from 2010)
Feb 28, 2011 - 744 Documents Recorded (Down 12% from 2010)

March 1, 2011 - 572 Documents Recorded (Down 19% from 2010)

Presidents Day Hours

The Registry of Deeds and Fitchburg Satellite Office will be closed on Monday, February 21, 2011 in observance of the Presidents Day Holiday.

Fitchburg Satellite Office Closed Today

The Registry's Fitchburg Satellite Office will be closed today, Wednesday, February 2, 2011 due to inclement weather.

New Registry Inclement Weather Policy

Effective February 1, 2011, the Worcester Registry of Deeds and Satellite Office will not be open for business if the Worcester Trial Court is closed for the entire day. The Worcester Registry of Deeds will be open regular business hours if the Worcester Trial Court has a delayed opening.

Fitchburg Satellite Office Closed Today

The Registry's Fitchburg Satellite Office will be closed today, Thursday, January 27, 2011 due to inclement weather.

Fitchburg Satellite Office Delayed Opening

The Registry's Fitchburg Satellite Office will open at noon today, Friday, January 21, 2011 due to inclement weather.

MLK Day Hours

The Registry of Deeds will be closed on Monday, January 17, 2011 in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Fitchburg Satellite Office closed on Wednesday

The Registry's Fitchburg Satellite Office will be closed on Wednesday January 12, 2010 due to the forecast of inclement weather.

The Registry office at 90 Front Street in Worcester will remain open between 8:15 AM and 4:30 PM.

Homestead Notice

Chapter 395 of the Acts of 2010, AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE ESTATE OF HOMESTEAD, revises and replaces the provisions of the Massachusetts Homestead Act, G.L. c. 188. The amendment provides additional definition and clarifies a number of uncertainties in the existing statute. More information is available at the General Court’s webpage.