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How to get a Municipal Lien Certificate

Last updated:

You can get a municipal lien certificate to find out how much tax you owe on a property. Here's how to get one.

Step
1

Get your request and fee ready

You need to include a few things in your request:

  • We need the ward, parcel, or sub-parcel number for the property. If you don't know it, you can call the Assessing Department at 617-635-4287 for help.
  • Please include a self-addressed and stamped envelope so we can mail you the certificate.
  • You need to pay a fee to get your certificate. You can pay with a certified check or an attorney's check made payable to the City of Boston. The fees are:
Property Class Description Fee
Property ClassA
DescriptionApartment
Fee$100
Property ClassAH
DescriptionAgricultural land
Fee$50
Property ClassC
DescriptionCommercial property
Fee$150
Property ClassCC
DescriptionCommercial condo
Fee$150
Property ClassCD
DescriptionResidential condo
Fee$25
Property ClassCL
DescriptionCommercial land
Fee$50
Property ClassCF
DescriptionCondo parking
Fee$25
Property ClassCM
DescriptionCondo master
Fee$100
Property ClassE
DescriptionExempt property
Fee$50
Property ClassEA
DescriptionExempt 121A corporation
Fee$50
Property ClassI
DescriptionIndustrial property
Fee$150
Property ClassR1
DescriptionSingle-family house
Fee$25
Property ClassR2
DescriptionTwo-family house
Fee$25
Property ClassR3
DescriptionThree-family house
Fee$25
Property ClassR4
DescriptionFour-to-six-family House
Fee$100
Property ClassRC
DescriptionResidential-commercial property
Fee$150
Property ClassRL
DescriptionResidential land
Fee$25

 

Step
2

Mail us your request

You can mail your request and payment to:

Collector of Taxes, City of Boston
Attn: MLC - Window M32
P.O. Box 9711
Boston, MA 02114

Please give us 10 business days to process your request. If you have any questions, you can call us at 617-635-4127.

Step
1

Get your request and fee ready for your visit

You need to include a few things in your request:

  • We need the ward, parcel, or sub-parcel number for the property. If you don't know it, you can call the Assessing Department at 617-635-4287 for help.
  • The City needs to research and verify your request, so you can't get a certificate on the same day you make your request. You can either come back to City Hall after 10 business days to pick up your certificate, or bring a self-addressed stamped envelope and we will mail the certificate to you.
  • You need to pay a fee to get your certificate. You can pay with a certified check or an attorney's check made payable to the City of Boston. The fees are:
Property Class Description Fee
Property ClassA
DescriptionApartment
Fee$100
Property ClassAH
DescriptionAgricultural land
Fee$50
Property ClassC
DescriptionCommercial property
Fee$150
Property ClassCC
DescriptionCommercial condo
Fee$150
Property ClassCD
DescriptionResidential condo
Fee$25
Property ClassCL
DescriptionCommercial land
Fee$50
Property ClassCF
DescriptionCondo parking
Fee$25
Property ClassCM
DescriptionCondo master
Fee$100
Property ClassE
DescriptionExempt property
Fee$50
Property ClassEA
DescriptionExempt 121A corporation
Fee$50
Property ClassI
DescriptionIndustrial property
Fee$150
Property ClassR1
DescriptionSingle-family house
Fee$25
Property ClassR2
DescriptionTwo-family house
Fee$25
Property ClassR3
DescriptionThree-family house
Fee$25
Property ClassR4
DescriptionFour-to-six-family House
Fee$100
Property ClassRC
DescriptionResidential-commercial property
Fee$150
Property ClassRL
DescriptionResidential land
Fee$25
Step
2

Give us your request

Please bring your request and payment to:

Collections Department
1 City Hall Square, Window M32
Boston, MA 02201
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Please give us 10 business days to process your request. If you have any questions, you can call us at 617-635-4127.

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