A Warning About Solicitation by Private Companies

The Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office is aware of recent solicitation efforts by a private corporation for certified copies of deeds, property assessment profiles, and other services. The corporation offers these services for an inflated fee.

In most cases, you can obtain these same services directly from the Secretary’s office, your local Registry of Deeds, or local city offices—either for a nominal fee or no fee at all.

Certified Copies of Deeds

If you receive any communication from companies offering copies of your deed, please note that you can obtain a non-certified copy directly from the Registry’s website for free. Certified copies are also available at the Registry, at a cost of $1.00 per page.

You can request a copy of your deed in person, by email, at your local Registry of Deeds office, or by mail via a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Property Assessment Profiles

The private corporation also offers a “Property Assessment Profile,” which includes information relative to tax assessed value, tax delinquency, legal description, current owner information, and parcel ID number. Again, this service is offered at an inflated charge.

However, this information is accessible from your city and town assessor’s offices, at no charge. Many assessors also have this information available online on their city/town website. Comparable property sales can also be obtained from a licensed, reputable realtor in your area, usually free of charge.

If you have any questions on obtaining this information, contact the Citizen Information Service for help:
Toll Free: 1-800-392-6090
Telephone: 617-727-7030
Email: CIS@sec.state.ma.us