Real estate titles are not like automobile titles in that the automobile title is held by the bank until the loan is paid. After the “Discharge of Mortgage” document (see 8 for an explanation) is filed and recorded, the Registry returns the document to the party who recorded it. Your deed should have been returned to you shortly after you purchased your home*. If it wasn’t, you can check with the attorney who did the closing or you can get a copy of your deed here at the Registry. A certified copy of your deed from the Registry has the same validity as the original document. *Should you have Registered Land/Land Court; (see 16 for an explanation), per MA General Laws, Registered Land/Land Court original documents are not returned.