Registry of Deeds

The Registry of Deeds receives, records, and maintains an alphabetically indexed library of land records. The hardcopy land record indices begin in 1838 and the indices of plans, plats and surveys begin in the 1800’s. Surveys are referenced by the names of the owners, the surveyor, and the town in which the land is located. The Register of Deeds is an elected position in Piscataquis County government and the term of office is four years. Registry office hours are 8:30am to 4:00pm, Monday — Friday.

The digital indices and images may be viewed at no cost on:  www.maineregistryofdeeds.com. Click on Maine Registry of Deeds Association (statewide portal) and select Piscataquis County on the map. Please note: Not all document images are available on our website. Index Books back to pre-Piscataquis are available to search alphabetically.

The registry staff will prepare photocopies of records to be mailed, emailed or picked up at the registry. Providing a book and page number enables our staff to more efficiently serve you. We need the land owner’s name and the approximate year of purchase (not tax map and lot number), if the book and page are unknown.

Copy Fees

On our website: each calendar year the first 500 pages per person* are free to download and print, then $.50 per page thereafter. You must open a basic account to download and print.

*Person is defined as a person, corporation, partnership, or any other entity.

Once the 500 copies limit is reached, you will be asked for your credit card information and will be charged $.50 per page downloaded and/or printed.

At the Registry: Copies printed of the Registry are $1.00 per page. Plans are $5.00 per page.

Recording Fees:

• $22.00 for the first page (which includes a $3.00 surcharge per document ) (towns and state are exempt from surcharge).
•  $2.00 for each additional page of the document.
•  $1.00 per name beyond the first four.
•  $2.00 if a page must be added for space to meet registry marginal requirements.
•  $13.00 per reference to recorded instrument, beyond the first reference (towns are exempt).
•  $5.00 per plan copy.
•  $1.00 per page for land record photocopies whether emailed or picked up at the registry.
•  $24.00 per plan (which includes a $3.00 surcharge per plan).
•  $5.00 per certified document plus $1.00 per page.
•  $1.00 per conformed copy of a document.

We request that a self-addressed stamped envelope be included when documents are mailed, to facilitate the return of the document following recordation.

We accept cash, check, and most major credit cards for payments.

Maine Revenue Services requires that Maine Real Estate Transfer Tax Declaration forms be filed with deeds. Deeds of distribution and corrective deeds do not require these forms. These forms are available at no charge online from Maine Revenue Services. RETT forms require a tax map and lot number which may be obtained by calling the town office where the land is located. Unorganized territory information is available at Maine Revenue Services at 207 624-5600.

Plans

For recordation, the law requires an original; signed and sealed by an architect, a professional surveyor or professional engineer. The plan must be on 20 lb. paper; rolled, not folded. Plans produced on mylar are not accepted after Jan.l, 2020, unless they are dated prior to that date. The registry has a wide format copier and is able to reproduce plans (36″ wide maximum).

By State Law:

Registry staff cannot perform title searches, assist with document preparation, give legal advice, or provide document forms.