Property records in Massachusetts are maintained at the county level. The Municipal Assessor handles property valuations and assessment data. The Municipal Treasurer/Collector handles tax bills and payments. These are separate offices with separate databases.
What this page covers: Massachusetts property assessment lookups, tax record searches, and parcel/ownership data. What it does not cover: Recorded documents like deeds and mortgages (those are on the Recorded Documents page) or property transfer history.
Where to start: For property values and tax assessments, start with the Municipal Assessor. For tax payment history and bills, go to the Municipal Treasurer/Collector. For ownership verification, you may need both the assessment records and the recorded documents.
Common mistake: Property assessment records (values and taxes) and recorded documents (deeds and liens) are maintained by different offices in Massachusetts. The Municipal Assessor handles assessments; the Register of Deeds handles recordings. Search both if you need the full picture.
Property Records Databases
In Massachusetts, recording is handled by the Register of Deeds.
Property Records
Massachusetts Counties
All 14 Massachusetts counties. Click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free statewide criminal search in Massachusetts?▼
Massachusetts's official criminal-history repository is operated by the state law-enforcement agency. Free public access to a complete criminal history is generally not available; an official background check typically requires fingerprints and a fee. County-level court records can be searched at no cost through individual court websites.
How do I search Massachusetts court cases?▼
Massachusetts's court system is headed by the Supreme Judicial Court. Trial-court business is handled by the Superior Court / Trial Court / Trial Court, District Court, Trial Court divisions. Many Massachusetts courts publish docket searches and case lookups online — see the Court Records tab above for direct links.
Where do I search Massachusetts business entities?▼
The Massachusetts Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) operates the official business-entity search. You can typically search corporations, LLCs, LPs, and other registered entities by name or registration number. See the Licenses or Business tab above.
What is the difference between Assessor and Recorder in Massachusetts?▼
The Assessor determines property values for tax purposes. The Recorder (or Clerk-Recorder) records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents. Some county offices combine these roles, others keep them separate. Check the specific county page for details.
How do I obtain a Massachusetts birth or death certificate?▼
Massachusetts vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates) are issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics and, in many cases, by local county clerks. Fees and ID requirements are set by the issuing agency.
Are Massachusetts property records free to search?▼
Most county-level property and recorded-document searches are free for basic information through the Assessor or Recorder website. Certified copies of deeds typically have a per-page fee. Direct links are in the Property Records tab above.
How do I check a Massachusetts sex offender?▼
The Massachusetts sex offender registry is maintained by the state law-enforcement agency under the Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Act. The registry is searchable by name, ZIP code, or address.
