Hampden County Public Records

Hampden County public records cover land documents, court filings, vital records, and more across 23 municipalities in western Massachusetts. The Registry of Deeds in Springfield is the main source for property and land records. Courts, town clerks, and state agencies hold other records. This page explains how to find and request public records in Hampden County.

Hampden County Registry of Deeds

The Hampden County Registry of Deeds is the official keeper of land records for all 23 cities and towns in the county. It is located at 50 State Street in Springfield. The Registry records and stores deeds, mortgages, liens, plans, and other documents tied to real property in Hampden County. It is run by Register Donald E. Ashe.

The Registry indexes documents back to 1957 and has images going back to roughly the 1960s. You can search this index for free at MassLandRecords.com/Hampden. That online system lets you look up records by name, document type, book and page, or document number. Name searches cover both grantors and grantees. Once you find a record, you can view or print the image directly from the site.

In-person visits are welcome during business hours. Staff can help with searches and provide certified copies of any document in the index.

Search Hampden County Public Records Online

The statewide MassLandRecords.com portal gives free access to land records from the Hampden County Registry. You can search by grantor or grantee name, document type, or date range. The system covers records indexed from 1957 forward. Document images are available for most records from the 1960s onward. No account is needed to search or view documents.

The screenshot below shows the MassLandRecords search portal used to look up Hampden County property documents.

MassLandRecords is the official online gateway for land-related public records in Hampden County and across the state.

For court records, the MassCourts case access system covers civil, criminal, and probate cases filed in Hampden County courts. You can search by party name or case number. The system shows docket entries, case status, and basic party information for most case types. Some records, such as certain juvenile or sealed cases, are not available online.

The MassCourts portal gives access to Hampden County district, superior, and probate court records in one place.

Court filings from Springfield and the surrounding area are searchable through the MassCourts system at no cost.

Note: Documents recorded before 1957 may not appear in the online index. Contact the Registry directly for older records.

Property Records and Recording Fees

The Hampden County Registry of Deeds records a wide range of property-related public documents. These include deeds, mortgages, discharges, homestead declarations, plans, tax liens, and UCC filings. Each document type carries a set recording fee. These fees apply equally across all municipalities in the county.

Standard recording fees at the Hampden County Registry are as follows: a deed costs $155 to record, a mortgage is $205, a discharge is $105, and a homestead declaration is $35. A Declaration of Trust runs $255. UCC filings are $75. Federal tax lien recordings are $5. Plan sheets are $105 per sheet. A Municipal Lien Certificate is $80. Certified copies cost $1 per page. The excise tax on property transfers is $4.56 per $1,000 of the sale price. These fees are set by state law and are the same at every Registry of Deeds in Massachusetts.

You can submit documents for recording by mail, in person, or through a title company or attorney. The Registry accepts checks, money orders, and major credit cards for fees.

Public Records Requests in Hampden County

Massachusetts public records law is found at MGL Chapter 66, Section 10. This law gives any person the right to request access to records held by public agencies in Hampden County. It covers records from town and city offices, courts, and other government bodies throughout the county.

When you file a public records request in Hampden County, the agency must respond within 10 business days. They can grant access, deny it, or ask for more time. The first four hours of staff time are free at state agencies. For cities and towns with more than 20,000 residents, the first two hours are free. After the free period, the agency can charge up to $25 per hour. Copies cost no more than $0.05 per page. You can send requests by email, mail, or in person at the relevant office.

If a Hampden County agency denies your request or fails to respond, you can appeal to the Supervisor of Records at One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, MA 02108. You can also call (617) 727-2832. The Secretary of the Commonwealth oversees this process and publishes guidance for requesters.

Note: Each municipality in Hampden County -- including Springfield, Chicopee, and Holyoke -- handles its own public records requests through its town or city clerk office.

Vital Records in Hampden County

Birth, death, and marriage records for Hampden County residents are kept at two levels. Local town and city clerks hold records for events that happened in their municipality. The state Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) holds copies of all statewide vital records going back to 1926.

To get a birth or death certificate from Springfield, Chicopee, or any other city or town in Hampden County, contact that municipality's clerk directly. Each clerk sets its own hours and fees. For records at the state level, you can order through the RVRS. State records cost $20 per certified copy. You can order online, by mail, or in person in Boston. Genealogy records older than 50 years for births and 25 years for deaths and marriages may be ordered more freely under state law.

Many town clerks in Hampden County have moved some records online. Check the specific municipality's website to see if they have an online portal for vital records requests.

Cities in Hampden County

Hampden County has six cities and seventeen towns. The two largest cities have dedicated public records pages with local office details.

Other cities and towns in Hampden County include Holyoke, Westfield, West Springfield, Agawam, Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, Ludlow, Palmer, Wilbraham, and several smaller towns. All of these file land records at the Hampden County Registry of Deeds in Springfield.

Nearby Counties

Hampden County is bordered by four other Massachusetts counties. If your records involve property or cases that cross county lines, check the adjacent county's offices.