Which document is typically paid for by the seller at closing to fund the Registry?

The correct answer is the deed stamp. In Massachusetts, the deed stamp, also known as the excise tax, is a tax imposed on the transfer of real estate and is typically paid by the seller at closing. This payment is required to fund the Registry of Deeds, where property transactions are recorded. The amount of the deed stamp is calculated based on the sale price of the property and is essential for the legal transfer of ownership.

Title insurance may be purchased to protect against potential defects in the title, but the cost is usually negotiated between the buyer and seller and is not specifically designated to fund the Registry. The closing statement is a detailed document outlining the financial transactions during the closing process, but it does not represent a specific tax or fee. The property tax certificate certifies that property taxes have been paid up to the closing date, but it is not the document that funds the Registry. Thus, the deed stamp is the relevant document that aligns with the requirement of funding the Registry during the real estate closing process.