Dukes County Public Records

Dukes County public records cover land documents, court filings, and vital records for Martha's Vineyard and the Elizabeth Islands. The Registry of Deeds in Edgartown is the primary source for property-related public records on the island. Because Dukes County is only accessible by ferry or small aircraft, this page explains both the online and in-person options for finding and requesting public records.

Dukes County Registry of Deeds

The Dukes County Registry of Deeds is at 81 Main Street in Edgartown on Martha's Vineyard. Register Dianne E. Powers runs the office. The Registry records and stores all land-related public documents for the six towns on Martha's Vineyard and for Gosnold, which covers the Elizabeth Islands. Recorded documents include deeds, mortgages, discharges, liens, plans, and UCC filings.

The index goes back to approximately 1950. Document images are available for most records from the 1960s onward. Dukes County is an island county, so most people who need to search records from off-island use the online system at MassLandRecords rather than visiting in person. The Registry's hours start earlier than most other Massachusetts registries -- opening at 8:00 AM rather than 8:30 AM.

Note: The mailing address for the Dukes County Registry differs from its physical location. Send mail to P.O. Box 3394, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.

Search Dukes County Public Records Online

The MassLandRecords portal at masslandrecords.com/Dukes/ is the main online tool for searching Dukes County property public records. You can search the index by grantor or grantee name, document number, book and page, or document type. No fee or account is required. The index covers documents from approximately 1950 forward. Document images are available for most records from the 1960s onward.

The MassLandRecords portal shown below is the primary online access tool for Dukes County property public records, searchable from the mainland or anywhere with internet access.

Because Dukes County is an island, online search is the most practical first step for most research on Martha's Vineyard properties.

Vital records for Dukes County residents are available both locally and through the state. The Registry of Vital Records and Statistics holds Massachusetts birth, death, and marriage records going back to 1926. You can order from the RVRS online, by mail, or in person in Boston without traveling to Martha's Vineyard.

The state RVRS portal, shown below, lets anyone order certified vital records from Dukes County and across Massachusetts without visiting the island.

State vital records cost $20 per certified copy and can be ordered by mail if you cannot visit Boston in person.

Note: Some records may reflect Dukes County's seasonal population, which swells significantly in summer. Recording volume at the Registry tends to be higher in late spring and early summer due to vacation property sales.

Recording Fees at Dukes County Registry

Dukes County uses the same Massachusetts state fee schedule as all other registries. A deed costs $155 to record. A mortgage is $205. A discharge runs $105. A homestead declaration is $35. A Declaration of Trust is $255. UCC filings are $75. Federal tax lien recordings are $5. Plan sheets cost $105 per sheet. A Municipal Lien Certificate is $80. Certified copies of any recorded document are $1 per page.

The real estate excise tax of $4.56 per $1,000 of the sale price applies to all property transfers in Dukes County. Martha's Vineyard has some of the highest property values in Massachusetts, so excise tax payments on island sales can be substantial. Documents can be submitted by mail to P.O. Box 3394 in Oak Bluffs or in person at 81 Main Street in Edgartown. The Registry accepts checks, money orders, and credit cards. If you are coming from the mainland, plan your trip around the ferry schedule and confirm Registry hours in advance.

Public Records Requests in Dukes County

Massachusetts MGL Chapter 66, Section 10 applies to all government offices in Dukes County. The six towns -- Aquinnah, Chilmark, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, and West Tisbury -- along with Gosnold must comply with the public records law. Any person can request public records from these town offices. No reason is needed.

Agencies must respond within 10 business days. For municipalities with fewer than 20,000 residents -- which covers all Dukes County towns -- the state agency free-period rules apply. Staff time beyond the free period costs up to $25 per hour. Copies are capped at $0.05 per page. If a Dukes County town denies your request or fails to respond, appeal to the Supervisor of Records at One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, MA 02108. You can call (617) 727-2832 or submit an appeal in writing. The Secretary of the Commonwealth oversees the records appeal process for the entire state.

Court Records for Martha's Vineyard

Dukes County courts include the Edgartown District Court and the Dukes County Probate and Family Court. These courts handle civil, criminal, and family law matters for all communities in Dukes County. Court records from these courts can be searched through the MassCourts case lookup system by name or case number at no cost.

The district court covers lower-level criminal cases, civil claims, and small claims matters. The Probate and Family Court handles estates, guardianship, divorce, and custody cases. For in-person access to court records on Martha's Vineyard, both courts are located in Edgartown. Bring a photo ID and case number if you have it. Some case types such as sealed or impounded records are not available through the online system and require direct contact with the clerk's office.

Towns in Dukes County

Dukes County has six towns on Martha's Vineyard and Gosnold on the Elizabeth Islands. No towns in Dukes County currently qualify for a dedicated public records page. All file land records at the Registry of Deeds in Edgartown.

The towns in Dukes County are Aquinnah, Chilmark, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, and West Tisbury on Martha's Vineyard, plus Gosnold on the Elizabeth Islands. Each town has its own clerk for local public records requests.

Nearby Counties

Dukes County is an island county reached by ferry from Cape Cod and other mainland points. Barnstable County and Nantucket County are the closest neighboring counties, both accessible by boat.