A note from Patsy Harris, Register of Deeds – Berkshire Middle District:

Effective December 31, 2019 recording fees will increase. 

Currently, the registry of deeds’ recording fees are subject to a surcharge of $20 per document ($10 for a municipal lien certificate), for the purpose of establishing and maintaining the Massachusetts Community Preservation Act Trust Fund. Due to a recent legislative amendment, the surcharge will be increased from $20 to $50 (from $10 to $25 for a municipal lien certificate), effective December 31, 2019. Consequently, the combined fee with surcharge will increase the recording cost of most documents by $30 with the exception of a municipal lien certificate which will be increase by $15.

As previously the case, no surcharge shall apply to a declaration of homestead under chapter 188; therefore, the fee to record a declaration of homestead shall remain $35.

Any document mailed in and postmarked December 30, 2019 or earlier will be accepted at rates prior to this increase.  View the updated rate schedule here.

If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or any member of my staff.

Regards,

Patricia M. Harris
Register of Deeds
Berkshire Middle District
44 Bank Row
Pittsfield, MA 01201

(413) 443-7438