reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 16 - Appeal From Judgment for Jury Trial

Section 16. At any time before the expiration of thirty days from the entry of a judgment in a case, any party aggrieved by such judgment who files an affidavit in court that he has not received notice of the proceedings by registered mail and that any signature of his appearing on any receipt for registered mail filed with the papers in the case is neither his signature nor signed by one having authority so to do, and that in no other way did he receive actual notice, or have knowledge, of the pendency of the proceedings within the time allowed for filing an appearance and answer, may appeal from said judgment for a jury trial on any question of fact. Within said thirty days after such judgment, issues shall be framed in the land court and the case entered in the superior court for trial as provided in section fifteen.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 17 - Certification From Clerk of Superior Court to Land Court; Further Proceedings Before Land Court

Section 17. The clerk of the superior court, after the determination of issues from the land court, shall certify to the land court such determination, which shall be conclusive upon said court as to such issues; but the land court may hear evidence upon other material questions of fact, and arguments upon the cause, before making its decision.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 21/2 - Deputy Court Administrator

Section 21/2. The administrator as provided under section 1 of chapter 211B as the deputy court administrator for the land court department shall, subject to the superintendence authority of the supreme judicial court as provided in section 3 of chapter 211, have the power, authority and responsibility of a deputy court administrator as set forth in section 10 of chapter 211B.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 22 - Filing of Writs, Complaints, Bills and Pleadings

Section 22. Writs, complaints, bills and pleadings in proceedings in the land court may be filed with the recorder of the land court, or with the register of deeds for the district where the land or any part thereof lies, who shall immediately index the proceedings in the general index by the names of the parties, and transmit the papers to the recorder. The recorder shall cause copies of said papers to be made and transmitted to the said register of deeds, who shall file the same, and, if the original papers were filed with the recorder, index the proceedings as above provided. Whenever such papers contain a reference to any instruments recorded in the registry of deeds where they are filed, the register of deeds shall cause a minute thereof to be made upon the margin of such record.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 23 - Filing and Indexing of Final Judgments and Executions in County Where Land Lies

Section 23. The recorder shall transmit copies of all final judgments and executions in proceedings mentioned in section twenty-two to the register of deeds for the district where the land or any part thereof lies, who shall file and index the same in the manner provided in said section.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 24 - Reference to Examiner; Examination and Report

Section 24. The court may refer any such proceeding to one of the examiners appointed under section twelve, who shall examine and report on whatever matters of title or fact the court shall designate in its order of reference. Such reference, if made immediately upon the filing or entry of the proceeding, shall be subject to section thirty-seven, so far as applicable, but if made after an appearance is entered for a defendant or tenant, it shall be subject to section forty-three.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 25 - Powers of Land Court

Section 25. In all matters within its jurisdiction, the court shall have all the powers which the superior court has including power to grant injunctions and restraining orders in accordance with the Massachusetts Rules of Civil Procedure as justice and equity may require, except that it shall hold no trials by jury.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 25a - Power of Land Court to Enforce Orders, Sentences, Judgments and Decrees; Contempts

Section 25A. The court shall have like power and authority for enforcing orders, sentences, judgments and decrees made or pronounced in the exercise of any jurisdiction vested in it, and for punishing contempts of such orders, sentences, judgments or decrees and other contempts of its authority, as are vested for such or similar purposes in the supreme judicial court in relation to any civil action pending therein. Commitments for such contempts may be made to any jail in the Commonwealth. Orders, precepts and processes issued by the court may be served in Suffolk county by the officer in attendance upon the sessions of said court in said county, or in any county by any deputy sheriff to whom they are directed.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 26 - Complaints for Registration of Title

Section 26. Complaints for registration of title may be made by the following persons:
First, Persons who claim, singly or collectively, to own the legal estate or easements or rights in land held and possessed in fee simple.
Second, Persons who claim, singly or collectively, to have the power of appointing or disposing of the legal estate or easements or rights in land held and possessed in fee simple.
Third, Infants and other persons under disability, by their legally appointed guardians; but the person in whose behalf the complaint is made shall be named as plaintiff.
Fourth, Corporations, by any officer duly authorized by a vote of the directors.
One or more tenants for a term of years, which is regarded as a fee simple in section one of chapter one hundred and eighty-six, shall not bring an action except jointly with those who claim the reversionary interest which makes up the fee simple at common law; nor shall a mortgagor, except as hereinafter provided, bring an action without the written consent of the mortgagee; nor shall one or more tenants bring an action who claim undivided shares less than a fee simple in the whole land described in the complaint for registration. If the holder of a mortgage does not consent to the complaint, it may be entered nevertheless, and the title registered, subject to the mortgage, which may be dealt with or foreclosed as if the land subject to it had not been registered. The judgment of registration in such case shall describe the mortgage, and shall state that it has not been registered and that registration is made subject to it, and shall provide that no subsequent certificate shall be issued and no further papers registered relative to such land after a foreclosure of such mortgage.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 26a - Complaints for Confirmation of Title Without Registration

Section 26A. Complaints for the confirmation of title without registration may be made by the following persons:
First, Persons who claim, singly or collectively, to own a legal estate or easement or right in land held and possessed in fee simple.
Second, Persons who claim, singly or collectively, to have the power of appointing or disposing of a legal estate or easement or right in land held and possessed in fee simple.
Third, Infants and other persons under disability, by their legally appointed guardians; but the person in whose behalf the petition is made shall be named as plaintiff.
Fourth, Corporations, by any officer duly authorized by a vote of the corporation or its governing board.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 27 - Filing of Petition; Memorandum Relating to Petition; Duties of Assistant Recorder

Section 27. The petition may be filed with the recorder, or with the assistant recorder at the registry of deeds for any district where the land, or any part thereof, lies. Upon filing his petition, the petitioner shall forthwith cause to be filed in the registry of deeds for each district where any part of the land lies a memorandum stating that the petition for registration has been filed, the date and place of filing, and a copy of the description in the petition of the land or of so much thereof as is within the district. Such memorandum shall be recorded and indexed by the register with the records of deeds. Each assistant recorder shall also keep an index of all petitions in his district, and in every case where the petition is filed with him shall transmit the petition, the papers and plans filed therewith and such memorandum, when recorded, to the recorder.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 28 - Form and Content of Complaint

Section 28. The complaint shall be in writing, signed and sworn to by each plaintiff or by a person duly authorized in his behalf. It shall contain a description of the land. It shall also state the name in full and the address of the plaintiff, and the names and addresses of the adjoining owners and occupants, if known; and if not known, it shall state what search has been made to find them.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 29 - Land Bounded on Public or Private Way; Content of Complaint

Section 29. If the complaint describes the land as bounded on a public or private way, it shall state whether or not the plaintiff claims any and what land within the limits of the way, and whether the plaintiff desires to have the line of the way determined.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 30 - Complaint or Registration Made Subject to Existing Recorded Mortgage or Lease

Section 30. If a complaint is made subject to an existing recorded mortgage, the holder of which has consented thereto, or subject to a recorded lease for a term exceeding seven years, or if the registration is to be made subject to such a mortgage or lease executed after the time of the complaint and before the date of the transcription of the judgment, the plaintiff, before a judgment of registration is entered, shall, if required by the court, file a certified copy of such mortgage or lease, and shall cause the original, or, in the discretion of the court, a certified copy thereof, to be presented for registration; and no registration fee shall be charged for registering such original mortgage or lease or such certified copy.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 31 - Inclusion of Two or More Parcels; Joinder

Section 31. A complaint may include two or more contiguous parcels of land, or two or more parcels which constitute one holding under one and the same title, within the same registry district. But two or more persons, who claim in the same parcels different interests which collectively make up the legal estate in fee simple in each parcel, shall not join in one complaint for more than one parcel unless their interests are alike in each and every parcel. The court may at any time order a complaint to be amended by striking out one or more of the parcels, or by a severance of the complaint.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 32 - Amendments

Section 32. Amendments to the complaint, including joinder, substitution, or discontinuance as to parties, shall be allowed by the court at any time upon just and reasonable terms; but all amendments shall be in writing, signed and sworn to, like the original.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 33 - Plan of Land and Muniments of Title; Filing; Withdrawal; Further Survey

Section 33. The plaintiff shall file with the complaint a plan of the land, and all original muniments of title within his control. Such original muniments as affect land not included in the complaint may be withdrawn upon filing certified copies thereof. If a complaint is dismissed or discontinued, the plaintiff may, with the consent of the court, withdraw such original muniments of title. The court may, in any case before judgment, require a further survey to be made for the purpose of determining boundaries and may order durable bounds to be set, and referred to in the complaint, by amendment. The expense of survey and bounds shall be taxed in the costs of the case and may be apportioned among the parties as justice may require. If no persons appear to oppose the complaint, such expense shall be borne by the plaintiff.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 35 - Agent for Non-Resident Plaintiff

Section 35. If the plaintiff is not a resident of the commonwealth, he shall file with his complaint a paper appointing an agent residing in the commonwealth, giving his name in full and post office address, and shall therein agree that the service of any legal process in proceedings under or growing out of the complaint shall be of the same legal effect if made on said agent as if made on the plaintiff within the commonwealth. If the agent dies, or removes from the commonwealth, the plaintiff shall forthwith make another appointment; and if he fails so to do, the court may dismiss the complaint.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 36 - Transactions Dealing With Land After Filing of Complaint; Record of Disposition of Case

Section 36. After the filing of a complaint and before registration, the land therein described may be dealt with, and instruments relating thereto shall be recorded in the same manner, as if no such complaint had been filed; but all instruments left for record which relate to such land shall be indexed in the usual manner in the registry indexes and in the index of complaints. As soon as a complaint is disposed of, the recorder shall make a memorandum stating the disposition of the case, and shall send the same to the register of deeds for the proper district or districts, who shall record and index it with the records of deeds and in the index of complaints. If a judgment of registration of title is entered the land included in the judgment shall, when the judgment is transcribed as provided in section forty-eight, become registered land, and thereafter no deeds or other instruments which relate solely to such land shall be recorded with the records of deeds, but shall be registered in the registration book and filed and indexed with the records and documents relating to registered land.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 37 - Reference to Examiner to Search Records and Investigate Facts; Report; Notice of Report to Plaintiff

Section 37. Immediately after the filing of a complaint, the court shall enter an order referring it to one of the examiners of title, who shall search the records and investigate all facts stated in the complaint or otherwise brought to his notice, and shall file in the case a report thereon, concluding with a certificate of his opinion upon the title. The recorder shall give notice to the plaintiff of the filing of such report.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 38 - Publication of Notice of Filing of Complaint

Section 38. Unless the plaintiff withdraws his petition within fourteen days of the notice of the filing of the examiner's report from the recorder, the recorder shall cause notice of the filing of the complaint to be published in a newspaper published in the district where any part of the land lies. The notice shall be issued by order of the court, attested by the recorder, and shall be in form substantially as follows:
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Land Court
To (here insert the names of all persons known to have an adverse interest, and the adjoining owners and occupants so far as known), and to all whom it may concern:
Whereas a complaint has been presented to said court by (name or names and address) to register and confirm his (or their) title in the following described land (insert description).
If you desire to make any objection or defense to said complaint you or your attorney must file a written appearance and an answer under oath, setting forth clearly and specifically your objections or defense to each part of said complaint, in the office of the recorder of said court in Boston, (designation of location) or in the office of the assistant recorder of said court at the registry of deeds at ___ in the county of ___ where a copy of the plan filed with said complaint is deposited, on or before the ___ day of ___ next. Unless an appearance is so filed by or for you, your default will be recorded, the said complaint will be taken as confessed and you will be forever barred from contesting said complaint or any judgment entered thereon.
Witness, , Esquire, judge of said court, this ___ day of ___ in the year nineteen hundred and .
Attest with the seal of said court .
Recorder.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 39 - Return Day of Notice; Mailing of Copies; Posting of Copies

Section 39. The return day of said notice shall be not less than twenty nor more than sixty days after the date of issue. The court shall also, within seven days after publication of said notice in a newspaper, cause a copy thereof to be sent by the recorder by mailing a registered letter to every person named therein whose address is known. The court shall also cause a duly attested copy of the notice to be posted in a conspicuous place on each parcel of land included in the complaint, by a sheriff or deputy sheriff, fourteen days at least before the return day thereof, and his return shall be conclusive proof of such service. If the plaintiff requests to have the line of a public way determined, the court shall order notice to be given by the recorder, by mailing a registered letter to the mayor of the city or to one of the selectmen of the town or towns where the land lies, or, if the way is a highway, to one of the county commissioners of the county or counties where the land lies. If the land borders on a river, navigable stream or shore, or on an arm of the sea where a river or harbor line has been established, or on a great pond, or if it otherwise appears from the complaint or the proceedings that the commonwealth may have a claim adverse to that of the plaintiff, notice shall be given in the same manner to the attorney general. The court may also cause other or further notice of the complaint to be given. The court shall, so far as it considers it possible, require proof of actual notice to all adjoining owners and to all persons who appear to have any interest in or claim to the land included in the complaint. Notice to such persons by mail shall be by registered letter. The certificate of the recorder that he has served the notice as directed by the court, by publishing or mailing, shall be filed in the case before the return day, and shall be conclusive proof of such service.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 40 - Appointment of Guardian Ad Litem; Compensation

Section 40. Upon the return of the notice, and upon proof of service of all orders of notice issued, the court may appoint a disinterested person to act as guardian ad litem for minors, and for persons under disability, and for all persons not in being, unascertained, unknown or out of the commonwealth, who may have an interest. The compensation of the guardian shall be determined by the court and paid as it may direct.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 41 - Answer

Section 41. Any person who claims an interest, whether named in the notice or not, may appear and file an answer on or before the return day, or within such further time as the court may allow. The answer shall state all objections to the complaint, shall set forth the interest claimed by the person who files it, and shall be signed and sworn to by him or by a person in his behalf.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 42 - General Default; Order; Judgment Confirming Title

Section 42. If no person appears and answers within the time allowed, the court may at once upon motion of the plaintiff, no reason to the contrary appearing, order a general default to be recorded and the complaint to be taken for confessed. By the description in the notice, ''to all whom it may concern'', all the world are made parties defendant and shall be concluded by the default and order. After such default and order, the court may enter a judgment confirming the title of the plaintiff and ordering registration thereof. The court shall not be bound by the report of the examiner of title, but may require other or further proof.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 43 - Hearing of Contested Cases; Default of Persons Not Appearing; Reference to Examiner; Report; Compensation of Examiner

Section 43. If, in any case, an appearance is entered and answer filed, the case shall be set down for hearing on the motion of either party, but a default and order shall first be entered against all persons who do not appear and answer, in the manner provided in the preceding section. The court may refer the case or any part thereof to one of the examiners of title, as master, to hear the parties and their evidence, and make report thereof to the court. His report shall have the same effect as that of a master appointed by the superior court in equity, and he shall proceed according to the rules of said court applicable to masters, except as the same may be modified by the rules of the land court. The compensation of a master appointed under this section and of an examiner under section twenty-four shall be awarded by the court and shall be paid by the commonwealth, except that compensation may be awarded by the court in its discretion as a part of the taxable costs of the proceedings, in which case the compensation shall be paid as decreed by said court.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 44 - Dismissal; Withdrawal

Section 44. If the court finds that the plaintiff has not title proper for registration, a judgment shall be entered dismissing the complaint, and such judgment may be ordered to be without prejudice, in whole or in part, but unless so ordered it shall bind the parties, their privies and the land in respect of any issue of fact which has been tried and determined. The plaintiff may withdraw his complaint at any time before final judgment, upon terms fixed by the court. The court may require a plaintiff who moves to withdraw his complaint or to substitute some other person as plaintiff, to stipulate that he shall be bound by the result of any issue of fact which has been tried and determined, and such stipulation shall bind the parties, their privies and the land itself.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 45 - Judgment of Confirmation and Registration; Opening of Judgment; Remedies of Aggrieved Persons

Section 45. If the court, after hearing, finds that the plaintiff has title proper for registration, a judgment of confirmation and registration shall be entered, which shall bind the land and quiet the title thereto, subject only to the exceptions stated in the following section. It shall be conclusive upon and against all persons, including the commonwealth, whether mentioned by name in the complaint, notice or citation, or included in the general description ''to all whom it may concern''. Such judgment shall not be opened by reason of the absence, infancy or other disability of any person affected thereby, nor by any proceeding at law or in equity for reversing judgments or decrees; subject, however, to the right of any person deprived of land, or of any estate or interest therein, by a judgment of registration obtained by fraud to file a complaint for review within one year after the entry of the judgment, provided no innocent purchaser for value has acquired an interest. If there is any such purchaser, the judgment of registration shall not be opened but shall remain in full force and effect forever, subject only to the right of appeal as provided by law from time to time. But any person aggrieved by such judgment in any case may pursue his remedy in tort against the plaintiff or against any other person for fraud in procuring the judgment.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 46 - Encumbrances Affecting Certificates of Title

Section 46. Every plaintiff receiving a certificate of title in pursuance of a judgment of registration, and every subsequent purchaser of registered land taking a certificate of title for value and in good faith, shall hold the same free from all encumbrances except those noted on the certificate, and any of the following encumbrances which may be existing:
First, Liens, claims or rights arising or existing under the laws or constitution of the United States or the statutes of this commonwealth which are not by law required to appear of record in the registry of deeds in order to be valid against subsequent purchasers or encumbrances of record.
Second, Taxes, within three years after they have been committed to the collector.
Third, Any highway, town way, or any private way laid out under section twenty-one of chapter eighty-two, if the certificate of title does not state that the boundary of such way has been determined.
Fourth, Any lease for a term not exceeding seven years.
Fifth, Any liability to assessment for betterments or other statutory liability, except for taxes payable to the commonwealth, which attaches to land in the commonwealth as a lien; but if there are easements or other rights appurtenant to a parcel of registered land which for any reason have failed to be registered, such easements or rights shall remain so appurtenant notwithstanding such failure, and shall be held to pass with the land until cut off or extinguished by the registration of the servient estate, or in any other manner.
Sixth, Liens in favor of the United States for unpaid taxes arising or existing under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 as amended from time to time and any other federal lien which may be filed in the commonwealth.
Seventh, Liens in favor of the commonwealth for unpaid taxes arising or existing under the laws of the commonwealth.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 47 - Contents of Judgment of Registration

Section 47. Every judgment of registration shall bear date of the year, month, day, hour and minute of its entry and shall be signed by the recorder. If the owner is under disability it shall relate the nature thereof, and if a minor, shall state his age. It shall contain a description of the land as finally determined by the court, shall set forth the estate of the owner and also, in such manner as to show their relative priority, all particular estates, mortgages, easements, liens, attachments and other encumbrances, including rights of husband or wife, if any, to which the land or the owner's estate is subject, and may contain any other matter properly to be determined in pursuance of this chapter. The judgment shall be stated in a form convenient for transcription upon the certificates of title hereinafter mentioned.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 48 - Transcription of Judgment in District Where Land Lies; Owner's Duplicate Certificate; Land Lying in More Than One District

Section 48. Immediately upon the entry of the judgement of registration, the recorder shall send a certified copy thereof, under the seal of the court, to the register of deeds for the district or districts where the land lies, and the register, as assistant recorder, shall transcribe the judgement in a book to be called the registration book, in which a leaf or leaves in consecutive order shall be devoted exclusively to each title, and note therein the day, hour and minute when said judgement is transcribed. The entry made by the assistant recorder in this book in each case shall be the original certificate of title, shall be signed by him and sealed with the seal of the court. All certificates of title shall be numbered consecutively, beginning with number one. A certified copy of the judgement of registration shall be filed and numbered by the assistant recorder, with a reference noted on it to the place of record of the original certificate of title. If, however, a complaint includes land lying in more than one district, the court shall cause the part lying in each district to be described separately by metes and bounds in the judgement or judgements of registration, the recorder shall send to the assistant recorder for each registry district a copy of the judgement containing a description of the land within that district, and the assistant recorder shall register the same; and thereafter, for all matters pertaining to registration, the portion in each district shall be treated as a separate parcel of land.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 49 - Original and Transfer Certificates

Section 49. The certificate first registered in pursuance of a judgment of registration in regard to any parcel of land shall, in the registration book, be entitled ''Original certificate of title, entered pursuant to judgment of the land court, dated at'' (stating time and place of entry of judgment and the number of the case). The certificate shall take effect from the date of the transcription of the judgment. Subsequent certificates relating to the same land shall be in like form, but shall be entitled ''Transfer from No. ___'' (the number of the last previous certificate relating to the same land), and also the words ''Originally registered'' (date, volume and page of registration).
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 51 - Subdivision; Application for New Certificates

Section 51. An owner who subdivides a tract of registered land into lots shall file with the recorder a plan thereof, when applying for a new certificate or certificates, and the court, before issuing the same, shall cause the plan to be verified, and require that all boundaries, streets and passageways shall be distinctly and accurately delineated thereon.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 53 - Prescription, Adverse Possession or Right of Way by Necessity

Section 53. No title to registered land, or easement or other right therein, in derogation of the title of the registered owner, shall be acquired by prescription or adverse possession. Nor shall a right of way by necessity be implied under a conveyance of registered land.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 54 - Evidentiary Effect of Original Certificate or Copies Thereof

Section 54. The original certificate in the registration book and any copy thereof duly certified under the signature of the recorder or an assistant recorder and the seal of the court shall be received as evidence in all courts of the commonwealth, and shall be conclusive as to all matters contained therein, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 56 - Recorder's Duties Relating to Indexes and Records

Section 56. The recorder, under the direction of the court, shall make and keep indexes of all complaints and of all judgments of registration, and shall also index and classify all papers and instruments filed in his office relating to complaints and to registered titles. The recorder shall also, under the direction of the court, cause forms of indexes and registration and entry books to be prepared for the use of the assistant recorders. The court shall prepare and adopt convenient forms of certificates of title and shall also adopt general forms of memoranda to be used by the assistant recorders in registering the common forms of conveyance and other instruments to express briefly their effect.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 56a - Complaints for Confirmation of Title; Application of Chapter

Section 56A. Complaints for the confirmation of title without registration and all proceedings thereunder shall be governed by the provisions of this chapter applicable to complaints and proceedings for the confirmation and registration of title except as otherwise provided in this chapter. Upon the recording in the registry of deeds for the district where the land, or any portion thereof, lies, of a copy of the judgment issued pursuant to such complaint for confirmation of title without registration, the owner of such land, as determined by such judgment, shall hold the title thereto free from all encumbrances except those set forth or referred to in said judgment and those specified in section forty-six. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be so construed as to prevent the registration of title to land or easements or rights under the provisions thereof on proceedings commenced either prior or subsequent to a judgment confirming title without registration. Section ninety-nine shall not apply to proceedings for confirmation of title without registration.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 57 - Dealings by Owner; Registration as Act of Conveyance

Section 57. An owner of registered land may convey, mortgage, lease, charge or otherwise deal with it as fully as if it had not been registered. He may use forms of deeds, mortgages, leases or other voluntary instruments, like those now in use, sufficient in law for the purpose intended. But no deed, mortgage or other voluntary instrument, except a will and a lease for a term not exceeding seven years, purporting to convey or affect registered land, shall take effect as a conveyance or bind the land, but shall operate only as a contract between the parties, and as evidence of authority to the recorder or assistant recorder to make registration. The act of registration only shall be the operative act to convey or affect the land, and in all cases the registration shall be made in the office of the assistant recorder for the district or districts where the land lies.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 58 - Notice of Registering, Filing or Entering

Section 58. Every conveyance, lien, attachment, order, decree, instrument or entry affecting registered land, which would under other provisions of law, if recorded, filed or entered in the registry of deeds, affect the land to which it relates, shall, if registered, filed or entered in the office of the assistant recorder of the district where the land to which such instrument relates lies, be notice to all persons from the time of such registering, filing or entering.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 59 - Interests Less Than Estate in Fee Simple; Registration

Section 59. No new certificate shall be entered or issued upon any transfer of registered land which does not divest the title in fee simple from the owner or some one of the registered owners. All interests in registered land less than an estate in fee simple shall be registered by filing with an assistant recorder the instrument which creates or transfers or claims such interest and, except as hereinafter provided, by a brief memorandum thereof made by an assistant recorder upon the certificate of title, signed by him. The cancellation or extinguishment of such interests shall be registered in the same manner.
Registration of a mortgage or trust indenture given by a public utility company which includes among the mortgaged premises one or more easements or other interests in registered land less than an estate in fee simple shall be effective for all purposes including notice to all persons from the time of such registration. Registration of such a mortgage or trust indenture, insofar as the mortgaged premises include estates in fee simple in registered land, shall be effected by the filing and memorandum hereinbefore provided for in this section. Registration of such a mortgage or trust indenture, insofar as the mortgaged premises include one or more easements or other interests in registered land less than an estate in fee simple, shall be effected by filing the instrument with an assistant recorder, who shall make a notation thereof in a special index to be kept for the purpose. Such index shall be arranged alphabetically by name of the public utility company, and such notation shall include the year, month, day, hour and minute of reception of the instrument and the number of the instrument. Any discharge, partial release or other instrument affecting such mortgage or trust indenture shall also be noted on such index.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 60 - Form of Memorandum; Presentation of Doubtful Questions to Court

Section 60. If the assistant recorder is in doubt upon any question, or if any party in interest does not agree as to the proper memorandum to be made in pursuance of any deed, mortgage or other voluntary instrument presented for registration, the question shall be referred to the court for decision, either on the certificate of the assistant recorder stating the question in doubt, or upon the suggestion in writing of any party in interest; and the court, after notice to all parties and a hearing, shall enter an order prescribing the form of memorandum to the assistant recorder, who shall make registration in accordance therewith.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 61 - Information Concerning Grantee and Others Appearing on Instrument; Endorsement of Changes

Section 61. Every deed or other voluntary instrument presented for registration shall contain or have endorsed upon it the full name, residence and post office address of the grantee or other person acquiring or claiming an interest under such instrument. Any change in the residence or post office address of such person shall be endorsed by an assistant recorder on the original instrument, upon receiving a sworn statement of such change. All names and addresses shall also be entered on all certificates. Notices and processes issued in relation to registered land may be served upon any person in interest by mailing them to the address so given, and shall be binding, whether he resides within or without the commonwealth.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 61a - Address of Property Affected

Section 61A. All documents to be recorded in the land court or registry of deeds shall, where applicable, set forth in the margin the street address of the property which is affected by such document; provided, however, that failure to include such address shall not affect the validity of the document or the recording thereof.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 62 - Fraudulent Registration

Section 62. In all cases of registration procured by fraud, the owner may pursue all his legal and equitable remedies against the parties to such fraud, without prejudice however to the rights of any innocent holder for value of a certificate of title. After the transcription of the judgement of registration on the original complaint, any subsequent registration procured by the presentation of a forged deed or other instrument or by the presentation of a deed or other instrument executed on behalf of a corporation by persons falsely purporting to be the president, vice president, treasurer or assistant treasurer of the corporation shall be null and void.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations › Title I - Title to Real Property › Chapter 185 - The Land Court and Registration of Title to Land › Section 63 - Assistant Recorder's Entry Book; Processing of Instruments; Public Inspection of Records; Duplicates and Copies

Section 63. Each assistant recorder shall keep a legible entry book, in book or electronic form, in which the assistant recorder shall enter all deeds and voluntary instruments, in the order they are received, and copies of writs or other processes filed with the assistant recorder relating to registered land. He shall note in such book the year, month, day, hour and minute of reception of all instruments, in the order in which they are received. They shall be regarded as registered from the time so noted, and the memorandum of each instrument, when made on the certificate of title to which it refers, shall bear the same date.
Every deed or other instrument, voluntary or involuntary, filed with the recorder or assistant recorder, shall be numbered and indexed and endorsed with a reference to the proper certificate of title. All records and papers relative to registered land in the office of the recorder shall be open to the public in the same manner as probate records, subject to such reasonable regulations as the recorder, under the direction of the court, may make. All records and papers relative to registered land in the office of an assistant recorder shall be open to the public by having copies or electronic images of such records and papers available for public inspection.
Duplicates of all deeds and voluntary instruments filed and registered may be presented with the originals, shall be attested and sealed by the recorder or an assistant recorder, endorsed with the file number and other memoranda on the originals and may be taken away by the person presenting them.
Certified copies of all instruments filed and registered may also be obtained at any time upon payment of the assistant recorder's fees.