Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell reminds Norfolk County residents that there is no need to spend time and money driving to the Registry to view land records since they are available online via the Registry’s internet-based document research system at  www.norfolkdeeds.org.

“Providing secure, accurate and accessible land record information, coupled with our on-site customer service center, is central to our work here at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds,” stated Register O’Donnell.

Elaborating on the Registry’s research capabilities, O’Donnell noted, “Users are able to research land record information by multiple options, including the name of the property owner and property address. Members of the public can access our internet-based document research system for many endeavors such as determining property ownership, researching land titles, reviewing land plans (only plans which are recorded at the Registry) and finally to confirm that documents affecting a person’s property, such as mortgage discharges, have been recorded.”

As a result of past Registry of Deeds modernization initiatives there is a massive amount of documents for viewing. The website  www.norfolkdeeds.org allows users to look up and view over 13 million scanned images with some 41 million pages of land documents dating back to the Registry’s beginnings in 1793.  The Registry Customer Service Center personnel work to help anyone in need of internet research help find what they are looking for.

“A few years back, the Registry of Deeds completed a project which transcribed all our hand-written land documents that were recorded from 1793 to 1900. Prior to this effort, these hand-written documents were in many cases difficult to near impossible to read. With the transcription project completed, over 450,000 hand written documents were transcribed.  Both the handwritten and the transcribed text can be viewed from the comfort of your home or business via our website www.norfolkdeeds.org.”

It should be noted that while the transcribers made a best effort to translate these hard to read documents, their accuracy is not guaranteed. “These transcribed documents,” noted O’Donnell, “are not legal documents in and of itself, and are not considered binding on the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds or its employees. It is considered merely a convenient reference for Registry users. For documentation purposes, users should refer to the scanned image of the original document instead of the transcribed image.”

The Registry’s website also provides information on how to obtain certified copies of land documents. The Registry’s certified copy charges are $1.00 per page plus an additional $1.00 per document for postage.

In conclusion, Register O’Donnell stated, “Our core mission here at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds includes providing our users with first-class customer service each and every day. Norfolk County residents and businesses deserve a Registry of Deeds that provides them with access to land record information in an easily accessible and consumer friendly manner. The Registry website www.norfolkdeeds.org does that by bringing the Registry records into your homes and businesses.”

All Registry users should be aware that as of July 1, 2021 the Norfolk County Commissioners, Peter Collins and Joseph Shea, voted to eliminate the on site direct report to the Register of Deeds Information Technology staff that has been so key to modernization initiatives like on line research. If as a user of Registry services you have an IT issue please let the Registry of Deeds know as soon as possible at 1-781-461-6116 in order to insure the quality delivery of Registry services that the Norfolk Registry of Deeds is known for can hopefully be continued. An email notification can be to registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.