A register, or book authorized or recognized by law, kept for the recording or registration of facts or documents. In commercial law. The registration of a vessel at the custom-house, for the purpose of entitling her to the full privileges of a British or American built vessel. 3 Kent, Comm. 139; Abb. Shipp. 58-96. Registry of deeds. The system or organised mode of keeping a public record of deeds, mortgages, and other instruments affecting title to real property. See Friedley v. Hamilton, 17 Serg. & R. (Pa.) 71, 17 Am. Dec. 638: Cas-tillero v. U. S., 2 Black, 109, 17 L. Ed. 860.