Nantucket County Public Records
Nantucket County public records cover land documents, court filings, and vital records for Nantucket Island and its smaller islands. Nantucket is the only county in Massachusetts that consists of a single municipality -- the town and county are the same entity. The Registry of Deeds in Nantucket town is the primary source for property public records. This page explains how to find and access Nantucket County public records both online and in person.
Nantucket County Overview
Nantucket Registry of Deeds
The Nantucket Registry of Deeds is at 16 Broad Street in Nantucket town. Register Jennifer L. Ferreira runs the office. The Registry holds all land-related public records for Nantucket Island and the smaller islands of Tuckernuck and Muskeget. Because the entire county is a single municipality, the town government serves as both the local and county-level records authority for Nantucket.
The index runs from approximately 1950 forward. Document images are available for most records from the 1960s onward. You can search Nantucket land records for free through the MassLandRecords portal at masslandrecords.com/Nantucket/. No account is needed. This is especially useful for off-island researchers who cannot easily visit in person. Like Dukes County, the Registry opens at 8:00 AM rather than the 8:30 AM start time common at other Massachusetts registries.
Note: Nantucket is only accessible by ferry or small aircraft. Plan any in-person visit well in advance, particularly during the busy summer season when ferry schedules can be limited.
| Office | Nantucket Registry of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Address | 16 Broad Street, Nantucket, MA 02554 |
| Mailing | P.O. Box 2846, Nantucket, MA 02584 |
| Phone | (508) 228-7250 |
| Fax | (508) 325-4019 |
| nantucket.registry@sec.state.ma.us | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Online Search | masslandrecords.com/Nantucket |
Searching Nantucket Public Records Online
The MassLandRecords portal at masslandrecords.com/Nantucket/ is the primary online tool for Nantucket County property public records. You can search by grantor or grantee name, document type, date range, book and page, or document number. The system is free and open to the public with no login required. Results link directly to document images for most records from the 1960s onward.
The MassLandRecords portal shown below is the main online access point for Nantucket property public records, used by mainland researchers and local attorneys alike.
The Nantucket index on MassLandRecords covers records from approximately 1950 and is frequently searched for island vacation and investment property chains of title.
The Secretary of the Commonwealth oversees public records policy at the state level and provides guidance on how to request records and appeal denials in Nantucket County and across Massachusetts.
The Secretary of the Commonwealth website shown below covers state public records law and resources that apply to Nantucket County residents and property owners.
The Secretary's public records division processes appeals from requesters who have been denied access by any Massachusetts government body, including those in Nantucket.
Note: Since Nantucket town and county are the same entity, all local public records requests go to the town offices. There is no separate county government to contact.
Recording Fees for Nantucket Documents
The Nantucket Registry of Deeds uses the standard Massachusetts recording fee schedule. A deed costs $155. A mortgage is $205. A discharge is $105. A homestead declaration runs $35. A Declaration of Trust is $255. UCC filings are $75. Federal tax lien recordings are $5. Plan sheets cost $105 per sheet. Municipal Lien Certificates are $80. Certified copies of recorded documents are $1 per page.
The real estate excise tax is $4.56 per $1,000 of the sale price and is collected at the time of recording. Nantucket has some of the highest real property values in the United States, so excise tax amounts on island deed recordings can be among the highest in the state. Documents can be sent by mail to P.O. Box 2846 in Nantucket or delivered in person to 16 Broad Street. The Registry accepts checks, money orders, and credit cards. For documents submitted by mail from off-island, include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you need a receipt or copy returned.
Public Records Law in Nantucket County
Massachusetts MGL Chapter 66, Section 10 applies to the Town of Nantucket and all its public agencies. Because Nantucket operates as both a town and a county, the same municipal government handles all local and county-level public records requests. The select board, town departments, police, schools, and all other public bodies must respond to records requests within 10 business days.
Nantucket's population is under 20,000 year-round, so the full two-hour free period for large municipalities does not automatically apply. The state agency standard governs the free period for staff time. After the free period, agencies can charge up to $25 per hour. Copies cost a maximum of $0.05 per page. If the town denies your request or fails to respond in time, appeal to the Supervisor of Records at One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, MA 02108, or call (617) 727-2832. Appeals are handled by the Secretary of the Commonwealth's office and are typically resolved within a few weeks.
Court Records in Nantucket County
Nantucket County has a District Court and a Probate and Family Court session that serves the island. Both operate from the Nantucket courthouse. Court public records from these courts can be searched through the MassCourts case lookup system by party name or case number at no cost.
The district court handles civil and criminal matters for the island. The probate court manages estates, guardianship, and family law cases. Due to the island's small population and remote location, court sessions may follow a limited schedule. It is worth calling the clerk's office before planning a visit to confirm session days and hours. For records that cannot be accessed online -- such as sealed cases or certain sensitive filings -- contact the clerk directly to ask about the process for requesting access.
Municipality in Nantucket County
Nantucket County has only one municipality -- the Town of Nantucket -- which covers Nantucket Island, Tuckernuck Island, and Muskeget Island. The town does not currently qualify for a separate dedicated public records page. All land records for Nantucket County are filed at the Nantucket Registry of Deeds at 16 Broad Street.
Because the county and town are the same entity, the town government and its elected officials serve all functions that a county government would provide elsewhere in Massachusetts. The town clerk, assessor, and select board offices handle local public records requests.
Nearby Counties
Nantucket County is an island county reached by ferry. Dukes County (Martha's Vineyard) and Barnstable County on Cape Cod are the closest neighboring counties, both accessible by boat.