Frequently Asked Questions

Tax titles are created when the city files an Instrument of Taking with the Registry of Deeds to record a lien on a property, as dictated by Mass General Law.  It is placed on a property as a measure to claim that delinquent taxes are owed to the city which could possibly affect the sale or refinancing of a property.  The lien is removed once the tax title is paid in full, and a certificate of redemption is recorded at the Registry of Deeds.  If the tax title is not paid within one year of the placement of the lien, the City may file at Massachusetts Land Court to foreclose and take possession of the property.

1. Submit a Certificate of Redemption request to the City Tax Collector’s Office.
2. Bring Certificate of Redemption to the Registry of Deeds to record release of lien.

It is a document that proves a person has paid the required amount to reclaim a property in tax title. The document is picked up from the Treasurer/Tax Collector’s Office or received via mail. This document is needed to clear the lien caused by the City of Lowell’s Instrument of Taking which was filed against the property at the Registry of Deeds.

For our Office to process a Request for a Certificate of Redemption, the tax title account must be paid off in full. Requests can be made in-person at the Treasurer’s Office or via mail. Please be sure to include a copy of the Instrument of Taking with your request form.

Yes, the fee is $10.00 per certificate. Checks can be made payable to the City of Lowell. Cash payments can be made in-person during business hours. Debit/Credit card payments are not accepted. 

*Please note that processing time when paid with a personal check is longer as there is a waiting period to make sure the payment has cleared before a certificate can be issued. 

You will need to file this document with the Registry of Deeds to clear the lien from the property. It’s strongly recommended to file this document as soon as possible.

Yes, it costs $105.00 to record this document with the Middlesex North Registry of Deeds. The Registry of Deeds accepts exact cash or checks made payable to Middlesex North Registry of Deeds OR Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Personal checks are allowed. Below is their information:  

 Middlesex North Registry of Deeds 
370 Jackson Street, 1^st Floor 
Lowell, MA 01852 
Phone Number: 978-322-9000 

Recording Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM