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Cambridge Registry of Deeds – Middlesex South Registry of Deeds
Cambridge Registry of Deeds
The Middlesex South Registry of Deeds – what we often call the Cambridge Registry of Deeds - is located in East Cambridge on Cambridge Street between Second and Third Streets. It’s hard to miss with its enormous red brick columns.
The plaque out front describes the Registry as “One of the finest Neo-Classical buildings in Massachusetts, especially noted for its colossal brick columns.” The building was designed in 1898 by Boston architect Olin B. Cutter.
In remarks at the dedication on November 13, 1900, Samuel K. Hamilton described the building:
“Viewed from any point of the compass, it presents a building imposing in size, symmetrical in proportion, and beautiful in architecture.”
The interior is beautiful as well but sorry – no photos. Nowadays you have to empty your pockets, go through a metal detector, and leave your camera in the car in order to enter the building. The building also houses the Middlesex Probate Court so gets quite busy.
If you’re visiting the Cambridge Registry of Deeds for your real estate closing you’ll want to take the elevator or one of the two grand staircases to the second floor. Real estate closings take place under the rotunda in the open area that looks quite a bit like a food court. Recently a room adjacent to the area where documents are recorded was refurbished to provide additional space for closings. It’s called the Closing Room or the Settlement Room and – happily – it’s air conditioned – something we all appreciate in July or August.
Documents recorded at the Registry since the mid-1980s are available online. If you’re interested in researching the early history of your house you’ll want to visit the Registry in person. The Registry’s holdings include deeds and mortgage documents dating back to the mid-1600s.
The Middlesex South District Registry of Deeds serves Acton, Arlington, Ashby, Ashland, Ayer, Bedford, Belmont, Boxborough, Burlington, Cambridge, Concord, Everett, Framingham, Groton, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Malden, Marlboro, Maynard, Medford, Melrose, Natick, Newton, North Reading, Pepperell, Reading, Sherborn, Shirley, Somerville, Stoneham, Stow, Sudbury, Townsend, Wakefield, Waltham, Watertown, Wayland, Weston, Winchester and Woburn.
The Cambridge Registry of Deeds is located at 208 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02141 just one block from the Lechmere T station. Open Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Office hours for recording – 8:00 a.m. to 3:45 pm.
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