Deed Changes - Owner of Record

Guidelines

In order to make changes to owner(s) of record, the following guidelines apply:

Deed

In order to change the owner(s) of record name(s), a deed must be recorded at the Hampshire County Registry of Deeds.

Marriage

In order to change the owner(s) of record name(s) from maiden name to married name, a Marriage Certificate must be recorded at the Hampshire County Registry of Deeds. A deed must be recorded to add a spouse as an owner of record.

Death

If the owners on the deed were listed as "Tenants by the Entirety," the surviving spouse automatically becomes the sole owner. A Death Certificate must be recorded at the Hampshire County Registry of Deeds.

If the owners on the deed were listed as "Joint Tenants," the remaining owner(s) become joint owners. If there is only 1 surviving joint owner, he/she becomes the sole owner. A Death Certificate must be recorded at the Hampshire County Registry of Deeds. The heirs of a deceased joint owner have no claim on the property.

If the owners on the deed were listed as "Tenants in Common," upon the death of a tenant , his/her share goes according to a will or to his/her estate, not to the surviving tenant(s). It is necessary to file the will of the deceased owner at the Hampshire Country Probate and Family Court Department or, if applicable, at the Probate and Family Court Department in the Massachusetts county where the deceased owner lived.

In the event that there is no will, the Probate and Family Court department will determine ownership. After the Probate and Family Court Department has determined ownership, or the will clears Probate, a deed will be recorded at the Hampshire County Registry of Deeds.

Change of Name

A current property owner can use any legal name change document to change the owner(s) of record name(s). The legal document from the Probate and Family Court Department reflecting this change will be recorded at the Hampshire County Registry of Deeds.

Change of Owner

If you want to change the owner(s) of record name(s) for any of the above reasons, and have a document that has been filed and recorded at the Hampshire County Registry of Deeds, please forward a copy of said document to the Assessors’ Office. In order for the Assessors’ Office to accept such a copy, the copy must show the Book and Page, or document number, as well as bear the Registry’s official stamp.

If you want to change the owner(s) of record name(s) for any of the above reasons, but have not filed the necessary documentation with the Hampshire County Registry of Deeds, please do so at your earliest convenience. After the document has been properly filed and recorded, the Registry of Deeds will forward a copy of the recorded document to the Assessors’ Office.

More information may be obtained from the Hampshire County Registry of Deeds (external site) or at:

Hampshire County Registry of Deeds

60 Railroad Ave.

Northampton, Ma 01060

Ph: 413-584-3637