MORTGAGE DISCHARGES

When your mortgage is paid off, a mortgage discharge should be recorded with the Registry of Deeds to clear your property’s title.

A discharge is a document (usually one page) issued by the lender, usually with a title such as “Discharge of Mortgage” or “Satisfaction of Mortgage.”

Discharges are often filed directly by banks or settlement attorneys (for example, as part of a sale or refinancing transaction).

In some instances, such as making your final mortgage payment (Congratulations!), the discharge may be sent directly to you and need to be recorded.

Your best option for recording your discharge is to bring the original discharge, a photocopy, and a check for $76.00 payable to the Norfok County Registry of Deeds   (9-4, M-F, closed holidays). Personal checks are accepted.That way your discharge will go on record that day, and the recording information can be copied onto your photocopy. Having the photocopy may be helpful, because return of recorded land document originals may take several weeks, and registered land originals are not returned, but remain in the Land Court records. (For the distinction between recorded and registered land, click here). 

If you choose to mail in your discharge, please sent the original discharge to the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, 649 High Street, Dedham, MA 02026 with the $76.00 recording fee check. We process mail the day it arrives at the Registry.

Discharges may not be filed by fax, because the recorded document has to be the original.