Welcome to the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds!
In over two hundred years of continuous operation, we have gone from days of scriveners with quill pens to an era of computers and advanced document imaging.
Our objectives in all that time have remained the same: security, accuracy and accessibility for our communities’ land records, and reliable service to the residents of Norfolk County.
As Register, I am committed to carrying forward those traditions and to continue modernizing our facilities and services to meet the changing needs of the public in this new century.
We have upgraded our website, implemented an internet-based document research system, and created an on-site Customer Service Center to better serve the needs of the residents and businesses of Norfolk County. Other modernization initiatives include instituting electronic recording for all land records and transcribing over 450,000 hand written documents recorded between Norfolk County’s founding in 1793 to 1900.
Scanned images back to the founding of Norfolk County in 1793 are accessible to the public through the Registry of Deeds on-line internet land records research system. Please watch the Registry News for more information.
The Registry staff and I hope that our services are helpful to you. As always, I welcome any comments or suggestions you may have.
Sincerely,
William P. O’Donnell
Register of Deeds

| Name of Register | Years of Service |
|---|---|
| Eliphalet Pond of Dedham | 1793-1813 |
| James Foord of Milton | 1813-1821 |
| Enos Foord of Dedham | 1821-1861 |
| James Foord of Dedham | 1861-1874 |
| John H. Burdakin of Dedham | 1874-1916 |
| Edward L. Burdakin of Dedham | 1916-1917 |
| Walter W. Chambers of Dedham | 1917-1947 |
| L. Thomas Shine of Dedham | 1947-1970 |
| Barry T. Hannon of Braintree | 1970-2001 |
| Paul D. Harold of Quincy | 2001-2002 |
| William P. O’Donnell of Norwood | 2002 to Present |
Learn about the Registry of Deeds

Click here to read an article appearing in State House News entitled “Another County Lawsuit: Register Wins Again.” Click this link to see the Judgment of Judge Leighton of the Norfolk Superior Court.