Legal Definitions - Registry of deeds

A Registry of Deeds is an office where legal documents related to real estate ownership are recorded and maintained. These documents include deeds, mortgages, and liens. The purpose of the registry is to provide a public record of property ownership and any encumbrances on the property.

For example, if you buy a house, the deed to the property will be recorded at the Registry of Deeds. This ensures that there is a public record of your ownership of the property and that any future buyers or lenders can easily find information about the property's ownership history.

Another example is if a bank lends money to someone to buy a house, the mortgage will be recorded at the Registry of Deeds. This ensures that the bank has a legal claim on the property if the borrower fails to repay the loan.