Suffolk County, MA Property Records
Property records in Suffolk, Massachusetts document ownership and legal interests in real estate throughout the county, including Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop. These records commonly include deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, plans, and other recorded instruments, along with details such as grantor and grantee names, recording dates, book and page numbers, and property descriptions.
They are useful for verifying ownership, researching property history, preparing real estate transactions, checking for encumbrances, and supporting legal or title-related work. Homebuyers, attorneys, lenders, researchers, and property owners often rely on them to confirm recorded information.
Users can access official records through the Suffolk County Registry of Deeds, with guidance available from the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth’s page for official Suffolk property records. Additional local property tax and assessment information may be available through the relevant city or town assessor’s office.
Suffolk County, MA Property Records & Statistics
Suffolk County, which includes Boston, is a high-cost and renter-heavy market. Median rent is $1,944.50, compared with $1,498.50 statewide and $840.25 nationally. The median home value of $692,800 is well above the state figure of $521,600 and the national figure of $173,750.
The county's median property tax rate of 0.65% is lower than both the state rate of 1.18% and the national rate of 0.74%. High home values mean tax bills can still be significant, but the rate itself is among the lighter ones for the state.
Median household income is $85,813, below the state's $94,414 but above the national $65,108, so housing costs weigh heavily relative to local earnings. The unemployment rate of 3.58% is above both the state's 3.11% and the national 2.87%.
The most distinctive figure is renter-occupied housing, at 68.39% of homes compared with 22.52% in Massachusetts and 21.81% nationally. Overall, the data shows a dense, urban county where most households rent, housing costs are high, and tax rates are low.
Median Rent
Median Property Tax Rate
Median Home Value
Median Income
Unemployment Rate
Renter Occupied Housing
Property Records, Assessments, and Valuations in Suffolk
Suffolk County has 211,136 total parcels, including 162,171 residential and 20,401 commercial parcels, with tax records covering 90.73% of the population for the 2025 assessment year. Recorded documents include 486,718 deeds and 657,371 mortgages, and valuation data is available for 140,505 properties.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Parcels | 211,136 |
| Residential Parcels | 162,171 |
| Commercial Parcels | 20,401 |
| Tax Record Coverage | 90.73% |
| Assessment Year | 2025 |
| Deed Records | 486,718 |
| Mortgage Records | 657,371 |
| Properties with Valuation Data | 140,505 |
| Latest Valuation Update | August 19, 2025 |
| Notice of Sale Records | 15,207 |
Assignment and Release Records
Assignment and release records show how a mortgage changed after it was recorded. An assignment transfers the loan from one lender or holder to another, and a release confirms that the debt was satisfied and the lien removed.
Suffolk County has 615,493 assignment and release records, including 83,033 assignment documents and 532,460 release documents. Assignments were recorded from January 3, 2005, through August 15, 2025, and releases from April 14, 2003, through August 15, 2025.
These records help buyers, owners, and title researchers verify that earlier mortgages were paid off and follow a loan between lenders. Reviewing them before a purchase or refinance can reveal unresolved liens on a property.
How to Search Suffolk County, MA Property Records
Suffolk County property records are maintained by the Suffolk County Registry of Deeds in Boston. The registry records deeds, mortgages, assignments, releases, and foreclosure filings for the county's 211,136 parcels, with deeds recorded from January 1, 1989, and mortgages from January 3, 1989, through August 22, 2025.
The Suffolk County Registry of Deeds website offers office information, forms, and services. To search recorded documents, use the Suffolk County official records search, where you can look up records by name, address, or document details and view the instruments online.
Before you search, gather the owner's name, property address, or a prior book and page reference. Enter the most complete details, review the matching results, and open the document that fits your property. Check the parties and recording dates to confirm it is the right transaction.
The registry is at 24 New Chardon St, Boston, and is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Call 617-788-6221 for assistance.
Suffolk Registrar of Deeds
The Suffolk County Probate Office is located at 24 New Chardon St, Boston, MA, 02114 and can be reached at 617-788-6221. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM. Records can be accessed through masslandrecords.com or the official website massrods.com.
Suffolk County Registry of Deeds
Suffolk County Property Records FAQ
How can I search Suffolk County property records by address?
Use the Suffolk County official records search to find recorded documents by address or owner name. Enter the street name and number, then narrow by date or document type. If no match appears, try a shorter address or call the Registry of Deeds at 617-788-6221.
How can I find property owners in Suffolk County?
The most recent recorded deed names the owner. Search by address or a prior owner's name in the Suffolk County official records search and open the latest deed. The registry at 24 New Chardon St, Boston, can also help with record requests during business hours.
How can I check a property's assessed value in Suffolk County?
The county's tax records cover the 2025 assessment year and were last updated March 26, 2025. Assessments are set locally, so for Boston properties see the City of Boston Assessing Department. For other Suffolk communities, contact that city's assessor's office.
Where can I find Suffolk County property tax bills and payment records?
Property tax bills are issued by the city or town where the property is located, not the registry. For Boston, the City of Boston Assessing Department is the place to start for tax and assessment information. For other communities, contact the municipal tax collector.
How can I find deeds and other recorded documents in Suffolk County?
Search deeds, mortgages, assignments, and releases through the Suffolk County official records search. Deed records go back to January 1, 1989. The Registry of Deeds website has more details, and the office is open weekdays, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Where can I access Suffolk County parcel maps and GIS information?
Parcel maps for the county's 211,136 parcels are maintained by municipalities rather than the registry. Check the city's assessing or GIS pages for an online map. Recorded plans showing lot lines can be searched through the Suffolk County records search.
How can I check permits and zoning information in Suffolk County?
Permits and zoning are handled by each city's inspection and planning departments. For Boston, see the City of Boston Inspectional Services Department. For other communities, contact the local building department. Recorded easements and restrictions are available from the Suffolk County Registry of Deeds.
How can I create a list of property owners in Suffolk County?
The registry's search is built for individual lookups. To compile owners, search by street or recording date in the Suffolk County official records search and note names on recent deeds. For bulk requests, call the Registry of Deeds at 617-788-6221.