Overview
For guidance on the requirements for condominium document approvals, consult Guideline No. 57 of the Land Court Registered Land Guidelines. Also, check for updates published in Registered Land Memos by the Chief Title Examiner. These resources are available on the Land Court’s Registered Land Resources webpage.
The Land Court has guidance on the submission of requests for approval of all other types of registered land documents on a separate webpage. For all condominium-related approval requests, follow the guidance here.
To ensure the efficient processing of your condominium approval request, please follow the steps outlined below. Failure to follow these steps may result in delays or rejection of your request.
Step 1: Complete the Condominium/Amendment Approval Cover Sheet and compile supporting documents.
All condominium approval requests require the filer to submit the Condominium/ Amendment Approval Cover Sheet. Use of this cover sheet is mandatory. Find this form on the Land Court forms webpage, under the “Registered land and related forms and instructions” section.
The Cover Sheet collects key details about your condominium project. It lists the documents needed for Land Court to review your approval request. For original master deeds of new condominium projects and for amendments to existing master deeds see separate sections and itemized requirements. You only need to complete the section applicable to your request.
The Cover Sheet’s list of required information and documentation may not be exhaustive. The Land Court might request additional documents or information depending on the specific details of your project.
Step 2: Include all required documents and plans for review.
You must gather and submit all required documents listed in the Condominium/ Amendment Approval Cover Sheet with your approval request to the Land Court. Failure to submit all required documents may result in delays or rejection of your request.
Your submission must include the following (A through C), in addition to the fully executed condominium master deed or its amendment.
Note: Land Court Registered Land Guideline No. 57
All condominium documents and plans must comply with Land Court Registered Land Guideline No. 57, “Condominiums: Approval of Condominium Documents,” available on the Land Court’s Registered Land Resources webpage.
A. Land Court plan and certified copy of current Certificate of Title/Memorandum of Unit Ownership
As per the Condominium/ Amendment Approval Cover Sheet, you must submit a certified copy of the current certificate of title or memorandum of unit ownership from the Registry of Deeds with your condominium document approval request.
You must also include a copy of the Land Court plan, which need not be certified.
If the current certificate of title or memorandum of unit ownership is not yet prepared, provide instead:
- a certified copy of the last issued and prepared certificate of title or memorandum of unit ownership;
- all intervening deeds from the last prepared, up to and including the current deed; and
- a printout of the Memorandum of Encumbrances.
B. Copies of final condominium plans
Submit electronic copies of the final condominium plans. Paper copies should not be submitted, unless expressly requested by the court.
Note: Original mylar plans should not be submitted
Unless specifically requested, all original mylar plans should be retained in your files for submission to the Land Registration District once the court has approved your condominium documents.
C. Additional documents
Consult the Condominium/Amendment Approval Cover Sheet, Registered Land Guideline No. 57, available on the Land Court’s Registered Land Resources webpage. Also, check General Laws chapter 183A, § 8 to identify any additional documents needed to complete your submission.
Step 3: Submit the condominium document approval request to the court.
The court strongly prefers that you submit your condominium document approval request by email. If necessary, you may submit your approval request by paper. There is no filing fee for condominium document approval requests.
Currently, electronic filing (eFiling) is not available for condominium approval requests.
A. Submissions by email
Email your condominium approval request to LandCourt.Title@jud.state.ma.us. Use the condominium name as the subject line. For example, “Re: 123 Main Street Condominium” or “Re: Summer Lake Condominium.” The email should briefly describe your request. For example, “Enclosed is my submission packet for Land Court approval of a condominium Master Deed for the 123 Main Street Condominium for the property shown on Land Court Plan Number 01234.”
Attach the required cover sheet and a signed copy of the condominium master deed, or its amendment, to the email. Also, attach all condominium documents and plans, and any additional required documents (see Steps 1 and 2, above), to the email. Attach all documents in Portable Document Format (“PDF,” “.pdf”).
You are limited to an attachment file size of approximately 19 megabytes (MB). Email attachments over 19 MB must be split into more than one document and sent in multiple emails. Each email must indicate in its subject line how many separate emails with attachments are being sent (like “Email 1 of 2: [Condo Project Name]”).
B. Submissions by paper
If you are unable to submit your condominium approval request by email, you can submit by mail or in person to:
Land Court Recorder’s Office
Three Pemberton Square, Fifth Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Include the required cover sheet, a fully executed copy of the condominium master deed or amendment to master deed to be approved, the certified copy of the current certificate of title/memorandum of unit ownership, all condominium documents and plans, and any additional required documents (see Steps 1 and 2).
C. After submission
Once the court accepts your submission, a Land Court Attorney Title Examiner will be assigned to review your request. You will receive notification of the assignment. The assigned Land Court Attorney Title Examiner may contact you directly if they require any additional information or documents.
Please allow time for the Land Court Attorney Title Examiner to review your request and condominium documents. For urgent inquiries, you may contact the Land Court Recorder's Office at 617-788-7470 for assistance.
Step 4: Register the approved condominium documents and plans.
The Land Court will issue an electronic approval form to both the submitter and the applicable Land Registration District by email upon approval of condominium documents and plans.
Note: The court will email approval forms only
Submitters must provide their condominium documents and plans to the Land Registration District and certify that they are identical to the documents approved by the court (see Step 4(B), below).
The approval form must be registered as the first page preceding the Master Deed or Amendment to Master Deed.
A. Submit the approved condominium documents and plans to the Land Registration District
Once you receive approval, you must present the court’s approval form, along with all original condominium documents and plans to be registered, to the appropriate Land Registration District for registration and pay the required fees.
Land Registration District personnel will verify the approval form submitted for registration by comparing it to the approval form previously emailed from the court.
B. Certify the approved condominium documents and plans to be registered
Once approved, no alterations to the approved condominium documents and plans are permitted. You must provide to the Land Registration District a separate, signed Certification confirming that the documents and plans to be registered are identical to those approved by the Land Court. When submitted by an attorney, the Certification must include the attorney’s BBO number.
This Certification is for Registry of Deeds records only and is not to be registered.
Note: Check with Registry of Deeds personnel on e-filing procedures
If e-filing the approved documents, contact the Land Registration District personnel regarding their procedures for submitting the Certification.