Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 25009

Essex County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Essex County, Massachusetts. Serving a population of 810.089 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Salem • Land Area: 492,513 sq mi • State: Massachusetts (MA)

Call: (617) 453-1979 Get Courthouse Directions Official .Gov Portal ↗

Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri

Physical Courthouse Address

Essex County Courthouse / Recording Office, Salem, MA 01970

Seat of government for Essex County in Salem, MA.

Open in Google Maps

Courthouse / Directory Line

(617) 453-1979

Regular Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 25009 • Coordinates: 42.6427° N, -70.8649° W

Visit Official .Gov Portal ↗

Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Essex County

✓ Valid Government Photo ID (Driver's License or Passport)
✓ Payment: Credit Card, Cashier's Check, or Exact Cash
✓ Original signed documents with valid notary jurat/seal
✓ Mandatory 3-inch top margin for county recorder barcode

Check Records Online Instead →

Land Records & Real Property

Essex County Deed Recording Fees & Requirements

Governed by M.G.L. c. 262 § 38

First Page Base Fee

$155.00

Includes statutory county automation index surcharge

Each Additional Page

$0.00

Per additional standard 8.5" x 11" page

Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps

$4.56 per $1,000 of consideration (Deeds Excise Tax)

Calculated at recording based on purchase consideration

Statutory Recording Margin Standards in Massachusetts:

Top Margin (Page 1): Must leave minimum 3 inches blank at top right for official recorder barcode and indexing stamp.

Other Margins: Minimum 1 inch on side, bottom, and subsequent pages to avoid non-conforming document penalties.

Grantee & Return Address: Must state grantee's legal address and a return mailing address clearly on the first page.

Legibility & Font: Black ink on white 8.5 x 11 paper; minimum 10-point font. Notary stamps must be crisp and dark.

Instant Public Records & Title Verification

Need Official Property Deeds or Title Records in Essex County?

Search land records, deed history, mortgage transfers, tax liens, judgments, and parcel ownership across Essex County, Massachusetts. Instantly access official document copies online without visiting the courthouse records vault.

Warranty & Quitclaim Deeds
Mortgage & Lien Records
Assessor Parcel History

Search Essex County Records Online Encrypted search • Public records database

Marriage Bureau

Marriage License in Essex County

License Fee $25 - $50

Waiting Period 72 Hours

✓ Validity Window: Must solemnize within 60 days of issuance.
✓ Personal Appearance: Both applicants must appear together in person at the Essex County courthouse.
✓ Identification: Valid state photo driver's license, passport, or military ID. No blood test required.

State Policy: Notice of Intention filed with any municipal City/Town Clerk; 3-day waiting period.

Vital Statistics

Certified Vital Records

Birth Cert $20.00

Death Cert $20.00

Marriage Cert $20.00

• Authorized Requestors: Direct family relation (registrant, child, parent, spouse) or legal guardian only.
• Filing Agency: Processed through Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) and the local Essex County clerk counter.

Certified copies bear an official raised, embossed seal and are suitable for passports, probate, real estate, and legal identification.

Commercial & Business

DBA & Assumed Name Registration in Essex County

Filing Fee: $50.00

1. Filing Authority

In Essex County, sole proprietorships and general partnerships register assumed names through the Town/City Clerk.

2. Statutory Requirement

Required prior to opening a commercial checking account, issuing invoices under a brand name, or executing contracts in Massachusetts.

3. State Rules & Notice

Business certificate filed with the City or Town Clerk where business is located.

Official Business & DBA Filing Assistance

Starting a Business or Filing a DBA in Essex County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Essex County Town/City Clerk. Form your official LLC, register your Trade / Assumed Name (DBA), get your federal Tax ID (EIN), and receive your registered agent documents fully online in Massachusetts.

Name Search Included

Articles of Organization

Massachusetts Compliant

State-Specific Statutory Legal Templates

Download Official Massachusetts Real Estate Deeds & Legal Forms

Ensure your property transfer is compliant with Massachusetts county recording statutes. Get attorney-drafted Quitclaim Deeds, Special Warranty Deeds, Powers of Attorney, and Promissory Notes formatted with correct margins and statutory acknowledgments.

✓ 3-inch top recording margin ready ✓ State notary jurat included ✓ Instant PDF & Word download

Get Massachusetts Legal Forms → Updated for 2026 legal compliance

Regional Civic Network

Nearby County Clerks in Massachusetts

Need to file or search public records in an adjacent jurisdiction? Explore neighboring Massachusetts recording offices:

Suffolk County Seat: Boston

~22.4 mi →

Middlesex County Seat: Lowell

~29.2 mi →

Norfolk County Seat: Dedham

~36.3 mi →

Plymouth County Seat: Brockton

~45.7 mi →

Worcester County Seat: Worcester

~59.4 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Essex County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Essex County Clerk & Recorder office located?

The official Essex County office is located at Essex County Courthouse / Recording Office, Salem, MA 01970. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (617) 453-1979.

How much does it cost to record a deed in Essex County?

Under Massachusetts statute (M.G.L. c. 262 § 38), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Essex County costs $155.00 for the first page, plus $0.00 for each additional page. Transfer tax details: $4.56 per $1,000 of consideration (Deeds Excise Tax).

How do I obtain a marriage license in Essex County, MA?

Both applicants must appear in person before the Essex County Clerk with government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state ID). The fee is approximately $25 - $50. Massachusetts requires a waiting period of 72 hours, and the license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.

How do I file a DBA (Doing Business As) or Assumed Name in Essex County?

In Essex County, registering a DBA or Assumed Business Name is handled through the Town/City Clerk with a standard statutory filing fee of $50.00. Business certificate filed with the City or Town Clerk where business is located.

How can I request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate in Essex County?

Certified vital records (birth certificates starting at $20.00 and death certificates starting at $20.00) can be requested through the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) or directly at the Essex County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.