Recording Fees Increasing to Add Money into Community Preservation Act

On December 31, 2019, statewide recording fees at the Registries of Deeds will be going up. The increases were enacted as part of the fiscal year 2020 budget. The increases in these fees will go toward funding the Community Preservation Act (CPA).

The CPA helps communities preserve open space and historic sites, create affordable housing, and develop outdoor recreational facilities. The CPA is funded generally through a local option surcharge on property tax bills and a state match on those surcharges.

Most fees have increased by $30, while a few have remained unchanged and the recording fee for the municipal lien certificate only went up by $15. The chart below details the changes and the new charges as of December 31, 2019.