Barnstable County, MA Property Records
Property records in Barnstable, Massachusetts document key details about real estate within the town, including ownership, parcel boundaries, assessed values, building characteristics, tax information, transfers, deeds, mortgages, and liens. These records are useful for verifying property ownership, researching sales history, estimating tax obligations, supporting real estate transactions, and conducting due diligence before buying or selling property.
Users can access official Barnstable property information through the Town of Barnstable Assessing Division, which maintains assessment and parcel data for local properties. Recorded land documents, such as deeds and mortgages, are available through the Barnstable County Registry of Deeds. For town assessment data and related resources, visit the Town of Barnstable’s official Barnstable property records page.
Barnstable County, MA Property Records & Statistics
Barnstable County has a median rent of $1,514, slightly above the Massachusetts figure of $1,498.50 and far higher than the national median of $840.25. The median home value is $580,150, which exceeds the state's $521,600 and is more than three times the national figure of $173,750. Renter-occupied housing makes up only 15.77% of the county's occupied homes, well below 22.52% statewide and 21.81% nationally, so Cape Cod is overwhelmingly a market of owners.
Property taxes are one of the more favorable parts of the picture. The county's median property tax rate of 0.72% is well under the state rate of 1.18% and just below the national rate of 0.74%. Owners of high-value homes here therefore carry a lighter tax rate than most Massachusetts homeowners, even though the homes themselves cost more.
The median household income is $90,465, a little under the state's $94,414 but well above the national $65,108. That gap between income and home values helps explain why housing feels expensive for local residents. Employment conditions are strong, with an unemployment rate of 2.42% compared with 3.11% in Massachusetts and 2.87% nationally.
Overall, the figures describe a high-priced, owner-dominated housing market with relatively low tax rates and low unemployment.
Median Rent
Median Property Tax Rate
Median Home Value
Median Income
Unemployment Rate
Renter Occupied Housing
Property Records, Assessments, and Valuations in Barnstable
Barnstable County property records span assessor parcels, recorded deeds and mortgages, valuation data, and foreclosure filings. The county has 182,656 total parcels, including 154,898 residential and 8,283 commercial parcels, with tax records covering 93.75% of the population for the 2025 assessment year. The Registry holds 412,018 deeds and 482,968 mortgages, and valuation data exists for 145,126 properties.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Parcels | 182,656 |
| Residential Parcels | 154,898 |
| Commercial Parcels | 8,283 |
| Tax Record Coverage | 93.75% |
| Assessment Year | 2025 |
| Deed Records | 412,018 |
| Mortgage Records | 482,968 |
| Properties with Valuation Data | 145,126 |
| Latest Valuation Update | August 19, 2025 |
| Notice of Sale Records | 13,364 |
Assignment and Release Records
Assignment and release records track what happens to a mortgage after it is recorded. An assignment shows that a mortgage was passed from one lender or servicer to another, and a release shows that the loan was paid off and the lien cleared from the property.
Barnstable County has 422,892 assignment and release records, made up of 48,231 assignment documents and 374,661 release documents. Both types were recorded from January 3, 2005, through August 15, 2025.
These records help buyers, owners, and title researchers see who holds a mortgage on a property, how a loan moved between lenders, and whether earlier liens were discharged. Checking them before a sale or refinance can reveal open mortgages that still need attention. The Barnstable County Registry of Deeds maintains these documents and offers a Registry of Deeds records search for looking them up.
How to Search Barnstable County, MA Property Records
Property records in Barnstable County are held in two places. The Barnstable County Registry of Deeds records deeds, mortgages, assignments, releases, and liens, while each Cape Cod town's assessor maintains assessed values and parcel details. Together they cover the county's 182,656 parcels, including ownership, valuation, and transaction history.
For recorded documents, use the Barnstable County Registry of Deeds records search. You can search by name, book and page, or recording date, and view deeds, mortgages, and other instruments. The Barnstable County Registry of Deeds website has general information, and its eRecording page explains how to submit documents electronically.
The Registry is at 3195 Main St., Barnstable Village, and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You can also call 508-362-7733 with questions about a record.
Start with the property address, owner name, or a known book and page. Enter the most complete details you have, review the matching results, and open the document that fits. For assessed values and tax bills, contact the assessor in the town where the property sits.
Barnstable Registrar of Deeds
The Barnstable County Probate Office is located at 3195 Main St., Barnstable Village, MA, 02630 and can be reached at 508-362-7733. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Records can be accessed through search.barnstabledeeds.org or the official website barnstabledeeds.org.
Barnstable County Registry of Deeds
Barnstable County Property Records FAQ
How can I search Barnstable County property records by address?
Recorded documents are indexed mainly by name and book and page, so start with the Registry of Deeds records search if you know the owner. For address-based assessor lookups, use the property database of the town where the home is located. Registry staff at 508-362-7733 can also help narrow a search.
How can I find property owners in Barnstable County?
Search the owner's name in the Barnstable County Registry of Deeds records search to find deeds showing who acquired a property. Current owners of record are also listed by each town's assessor, which keeps the local valuation list for properties within its boundaries.
How can I check a property's assessed value in Barnstable County?
Assessed values are set by the assessor in each Cape Cod town, not by the county. The county's tax records reflect the 2025 assessment year. Contact the assessing office in the town where the property is located, or check that town's online property database, to see the current valuation and any recent changes.
Where can I find Barnstable County property tax bills and payment records?
Property tax bills in Massachusetts are issued and collected by the individual town or city, so there is no single county tax office. Contact the collector or treasurer in the town where the property sits to view bills, payment history, or pay online. The Registry of Deeds does not handle tax payments.
How can I find deeds and other recorded documents in Barnstable County?
Deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents are kept by the Barnstable County Registry of Deeds. Use its online records search, visit 3195 Main St., Barnstable Village, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, or call 508-362-7733. Deeds are recorded from January 1, 1989.
Where can I access Barnstable County parcel maps and GIS information?
Parcel maps are generally maintained by each town's assessor or planning department, and many Cape Cod towns publish online parcel viewers. Check the website of the town where the property is located. The county's 182,656 parcels are mapped locally, so searching the town's GIS page is the most direct route.
How can I check permits and zoning information in Barnstable County?
Building permits and zoning are handled locally. Contact the building department or zoning office in the town where the property is located to ask about permits, setbacks, and permitted uses. The Registry of Deeds records documents such as deeds and liens, but it does not issue permits or administer zoning.
How can I create a list of property owners in Barnstable County?
The Registry of Deeds records search is built for individual lookups rather than bulk lists. For a list of owners, request abutter or owner lists from the assessor in the relevant town. For recorded-document questions, call the Registry of Deeds at 508-362-7733.