Massachusetts General Laws Part I. Administration of the Government (Ch. 1-182) Ch. 36, § 8

During the disability of a register, or if a vacancy occurs in the office, the assistant register, or second assistant register, or if none, the clerk, shall perform the register's duties. If the register is disabled and there is no assistant or clerk, or if they are both unable, by reason of illness or otherwise, to perform their official duties, the county commissioners, or in Suffolk county the superior court, may appoint a temporary register of deeds. Notice of such appointment shall be recorded in the registry.Section three shall apply to temporary registers who shall exercise the same powers and duties as registers of deeds until the register or a qualified assistant is able to assume the same, or until the qualification of a new register.