
Disclaimer - This page supplies some basic information about Maryland land records. Residential or commercial property transfers can be made complex. There may likewise be tax effects for residential or commercial property transfers. Consider contacting a Maryland legal representative or Maryland title business to help you with a residential or commercial property transfer.

What are Land Records?
Every Maryland County and Baltimore City has a Department of Land Records situated because County's Circuit Notary's Office. These departments maintain records about real residential or commercial property in the county that are accessible on a variety of media from "well-bound books" to digitally scanned images.
What can be recorded at Land Records?
The Department of Land Records can record any "instrument" (or legal file) that impacts someone's legal interest in real residential or commercial property. Common documents tape-recorded in land records are deeds, mortgages, liens, powers of lawyer, and certain leases.
Read the law: Maryland Code, Real Residential Or Commercial Property § § 3-101, 3-102, and Commercial Law § 9-501( a)( 1 )
What is a deed?
A deed is a composed file that provides ownership rights to a piece of land. In a deed, a single person, called the grantor, gives their ownership rights in land to a 2nd person, called the grantee. Deeds contain crucial info about the residential or commercial property and the regards to the residential or commercial property transfer.
What can the clerks at the Department of Land Records do?
Clerks at the Department of Land Records are responsible for accepting documents that satisfy the requirements for inclusion in land records, turning down files that do not, and keeping records. Clerks might also gather certain payments at the time documents are submitted. When you pertain to the Department of Land Records, you need to have your documents all set to offer to the clerk. The clerks can address just a couple of minimal concerns. The clerks can not:
- Help you complete files or types
- Review your documents prior to being provided for recording
- Tell you if your documents will achieve your goals
- Perform a title look for you
- Give you legal advice
In numerous counties, the clerks can not accept a file into land records up until the county's finance or treasurer's workplace backs the document and gathers taxes.
Read the law: Maryland Code, Real Residential Or Commercial Property § 3-104
How can I get Information from Land Records?
How do I search for a deed?
Deeds are public info. This means anybody can view and get a copy of a deed. Deeds can be seen free of charge online through mdlandrec.net. You must create an account with the Maryland State Archives to view deeds on mdlandrec.net. Many court houses also have computer system terminals you can use to browse or evaluate deeds. If you have a deed recommendation number, or need extra assistance discovering a deed, a clerk in the Department of Land Records can assist discover the deed for you. Should you want copies of any file, the cost is $.50 per page.
Where can I discover a deed recommendation number?
Every deed taped in land records has a referral number that describes the book and page number where it is saved. (Sometimes deeds utilize the Latin words "liber" for book and "folio" for page.) Look up reference numbers online through the Maryland Department of Assessments. Select a county and after that enter the residential or commercial property address. The recommendation number appears under the owner information area in the leading right corner of the page. The book number is first, followed by a backslash, then the page number.
How do I find a lien?
Finding all liens on a residential or commercial property is difficult. There are various sort of liens. Only some are tape-recorded in land records. If you are intending on moving residential or commercial property, think about seeking help from a lawyer or title company to locate liens.
- Liens versus residential or commercial property can be recorded at the Department of Land Records alongside deeds. Search for liens online utilizing Maryland Land Records (mdlandrec.net).
- Some liens originate from court judgments. If this happens, the lien may not be at Land Records. Go to Maryland Case Search to search for court judgments versus the residential or commercial property's owner.
- Unpaid taxes on the residential or commercial property might lead to a lien. Visit your regional county or city's finance workplace to discover residential or commercial property tax or other municipal liens.
Can I inspect if a home is in foreclosure at Land Records?
Foreclosure cases are not kept at the Department of Land Records. The Civil Clerk at the Circuit Court handles foreclosure cases. You can look up a foreclosure case by browsing the owner's name on Maryland Case Search.
How do I record a deed?
You can check out the steps to tape a new deed at individuals's Law Library. Preparing a deed is made complex. Small errors can have significant effects and be challenging to fix. There might likewise be tax consequences for residential or commercial property transfers. Consider speaking with an attorney before you prepare any files
What are the costs related to tape-recording deeds?
Please keep in mind that Chapter 538 from the 2020 Session of the Maryland General Assembly supplies that the present $40 surcharge on recordable instruments tape-recorded amongst the land records and funding statement records will advance and after July 1, 2020. For more information, see page 15 through 16 here.
Deeds and other files have fees, additional charges, and taxes you need to pay to record them in land records. Some costs are paid directly to the Land Records Department. Others need to be paid to your local county or city finance workplace or other city government workplaces. Fees charged by the Land Records Department are noted in the Circuit Court fee schedule. Clerks at the Land Records Department can respond to some concerns about the charges you need to pay and where you must go to pay them. Below is a list of expenses associated with recording and moving deeds. Seek professional assistance from a Maryland attorney or title business to figure out the exact expenses of any particular transaction.
- Recording costs and additional charges
- Recordation tax
- State transfer tax
- County transfer tax
- Non-Resident tax
How do I take someone's name off a deed? How do I include somebody's name to a deed?
To take someone's name off a deed, a new deed must be prepared to move the residential or commercial property from all of the present owners to all of the remaining owners. Similarly, to include somebody to a deed a brand-new deed must be prepared to move the residential or commercial property from all present owners to all brand-new and present owners. The brand-new deed must then be recorded in land records.
You can read about the steps to record a brand-new deed at individuals's Law Library. Preparing a deed is complicated. Small mistakes can have major repercussions and be tough to fix. Consider speaking to a Maryland lawyer before you prepare any files.
What if a person noted on a deed has passed away?
When someone dies, changing legal ownership of their residential or commercial property normally does not occur at the Department of Land Records. Instead, there is a legal process to distribute their residential or commercial property called estate administration. An estate can be opened at the Register of Wills in the county where the departed individual lived at their time of death. More information on the estate administration process can be found at the People's Law Library.
What is a deed in lieu of foreclosure?
If a residential or commercial property owner falls behind on the mortgage, the lending institution that holds the mortgage can foreclose on the residential or commercial property. Foreclosure indicates the lender can go to court and ask to sell the residential or commercial property by auction. A deed in lieu can be done instead of auctioning the residential or commercial property. This indicates that the residential or commercial property owner will move ownership of the home directly to the lending institution. The loan provider should agree to accept a deed in lieu of foreclosure.

If you are facing foreclosure and need help, call the Maryland HOPE Hotline at 1-877-462-7555. Housing therapists can help you explore your choices.
What is a quitclaim deed?
In routine deeds, the grantor warrants usually that there are no problems with the title. If it turns out that there is an issue with the residential or commercial property's title or other ownership rights, the grantor can be held responsible.
In a quitclaim deed, the grantor makes no promises that they have a great title to the residential or commercial property. The grantor does not even assure that they own the residential or commercial property. Instead, the grantor only transfers whatever interest, if any, they have in the residential or commercial property. By accepting a quitclaim deed, the beneficiary takes obligation for any issues with the ownership rights to the residential or commercial property.
What is a life estate?
A residential or commercial property owner with a life estate has ownership rights of their residential or commercial property till they die. When the house owner passes away, an individual named in the deed instantly ends up being the owner of the residential or commercial property. Life estates have some important advantages and disadvantages over regular residential or commercial property ownership. Consult with a lawyer before you set up your life estate.
What is a contract of sale?
An agreement of sale is a written agreement to transfer ownership of residential or commercial property. The agreement does not cause the legal ownership of the residential or commercial property to alter. The deed is the file which has the legal impact of moving the residential or commercial property. The contract will state regards to the transfer including who will compose a new deed and when the deed must be signed. An agreement of sale goes through taxes. If the agreement falls through the tax is not refundable.
Can I file deeds online?
In some counties, deeds and other files for the Department of Land Records may be filed online at Simplifile. A present list of Land Records Departments and County Finance Offices that allow electronic filing of deeds can be discovered here. Read about the requirements for electronic filing here. You can use an electronic signature if you complete and send an Affidavit of Intent to Use Electronic Signature.
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Which Forms?
Maryland Land Instrument Intake Sheet Instructions.
Maryland Land Instrument Intake Sheet.
Addendum State of Maryland Land Instrument Intake Sheet.
Procedures for Implementing the Maryland Real Residential Or Commercial Property Electronic Recording Act.
Affidavit of Intent to Use Electronic Signatures (Paper Documents).
Notice of Lis Pendens (Md.
Rule 12-102 (b)). Notice of Termination of Lis Pendens (Md. Rule 12-102( d))
Which Court?
- Land Records offices are in each county's Circuit Court
Important Government Offices
County Land Records Offices - The land records workplace for each county remains in that county's circuit court.
Department of Assessments and Taxation.
Maryland Comptroller.
County Finance Offices
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