Find Public Records in Barnstable County

Barnstable County public records include land documents, court filings, and vital records for all 15 towns on Cape Cod. The Barnstable Registry of Deeds maintains land records going back to 1704, one of the oldest deed indexes in Massachusetts. This page explains how to search and obtain public records throughout Barnstable County.

Barnstable County Registry of Deeds

The Barnstable County Registry of Deeds sits at 3195 Main Street in the town of Barnstable. Register John F. Meade runs the office. Unlike most Massachusetts registries, Barnstable has its own standalone website at barnstabledeeds.com rather than using the statewide MassLandRecords platform. This gives Cape Cod searchers a dedicated portal tailored to local records.

The index goes back to 1704, making it one of the most complete county land record archives in the state. Document images are available for records going back to roughly the 1960s. For older records, the Registry can assist with lookups in person or by phone. The office handles documents from all 15 towns in Barnstable County, from Bourne at the canal to Provincetown at the tip of the Cape.

Barnstable County Public Records Online Search

The barnstabledeeds.com website offers several ways to search public records. You can look up records by grantor or grantee name, document number, book and page, plan number, UCC filings, or foreclosure records. Each search type has its own entry point on the site. No fee or account is needed for basic searches.

The Barnstable Registry website, shown below, gives searchers direct access to Cape Cod land records going back to 1704.

The dedicated Barnstable deeds portal is separate from the statewide MassLandRecords system and covers only Cape Cod properties.

The search options at barnstabledeeds.com include:

• Name search (Grantor and Grantee)
• Document number search
• Book and page search
• Plan search
• UCC search
• Foreclosure search

The Barnstable Registry search interface, shown below, lets you select your search method and filter by date range or document type.

Using the name search is the fastest way to pull up a chain of title for any property in the 15 Cape Cod towns.

Note: Barnstable County uses its own site rather than the MassLandRecords portal, so searches must go through barnstabledeeds.com rather than the statewide index.

Recording Fees and Document Types

The Barnstable County Registry follows the state fee schedule for recording. These fees apply to all property documents recorded for the 15 Cape Cod towns. A deed costs $155 to record. A mortgage runs $205. A discharge is $105. A homestead declaration is $35. A Declaration of Trust is $255. UCC filings are $75. Federal tax lien recording is $5. Plan sheets are $105 per sheet. A Municipal Lien Certificate costs $80.

Certified copies of any recorded document are $1 per page. The excise tax on real estate transfers is $4.56 per $1,000 of the sale price. This tax is paid at the time of recording and applies to all deeds conveying title. Barnstable County processes a large volume of seasonal and vacation property transactions, so recording activity at this Registry is often higher than at other offices of similar population.

You can submit documents by mail, in person, or through an attorney or title company. Payment is accepted by check, money order, or credit card.

Public Records Access in Barnstable County

All towns in Barnstable County are subject to the Massachusetts public records law at MGL Chapter 66, Section 10. This law gives anyone the right to request public records from any town or county office. You do not need to explain why you want the records.

Town clerks across Barnstable County hold local records including meeting minutes, permits, licenses, and local vital records. Each town clerk is a separate office. For records from Barnstable, Falmouth, Yarmouth, or any other Cape Cod town, contact that town's clerk directly. The law requires a response within 10 business days. Municipalities with more than 20,000 residents must provide the first two hours of staff time free. After that, agencies can charge up to $25 per hour. Copies are capped at $0.05 per page.

If a town in Barnstable County denies your request or does not respond, you can appeal to the Supervisor of Records at One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, MA 02108, or call (617) 727-2832. The Secretary of the Commonwealth oversees the public records law and provides guidance on how to file an appeal.

Court Records in Barnstable County

Barnstable County has several courts that handle civil, criminal, and family cases. These courts produce public records including case filings, judgments, and court orders. The MassCourts case lookup system covers most of these courts and lets you search by name or case number for free.

The Barnstable Superior Court handles major civil and criminal cases. The Barnstable District Court covers lower-level criminal cases, civil claims under $25,000, and small claims. The Barnstable Probate and Family Court manages estate, guardianship, divorce, and family matters for all 15 towns on Cape Cod. Each court holds its own records. Some case types, such as certain juvenile matters or sealed files, are not available through the online system. For those, you must contact the specific court directly.

Note: Court records at the superior and district courts can also be requested in person at the courthouse. Bring a photo ID and the case number if you have it.

Towns in Barnstable County

Barnstable County has 15 towns and no incorporated cities. None currently qualify for a dedicated public records city page. All 15 towns file land records at the Barnstable County Registry of Deeds in Barnstable.

The towns in Barnstable County are Barnstable, Bourne, Brewster, Chatham, Dennis, Eastham, Falmouth, Harwich, Mashpee, Orleans, Provincetown, Sandwich, Truro, Wellfleet, and Yarmouth. Each town has its own clerk who handles local public records requests.

Nearby Counties

Barnstable County is connected to the mainland by bridges over the Cape Cod Canal. Plymouth County is the closest mainland county. Dukes County (Martha's Vineyard) is accessible by ferry from Cape Cod towns.