Land Records & Licenses Division

 

NOTICE: Please note that Chapter 538 from the 2020 Session of the Maryland General Assembly provides that the current $40 surcharge on recordable instruments recorded among the land records and financing statement records will continue on and after July 1, 2020. For more information, see page 15 through 16 here. (PDF)

MAILING ADDRESS:

Circuit Court for Baltimore City
Land Records/Licenses Department
Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Courthouse
100 North Calvert Street – Room 610
Baltimore, Maryland 21202

TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
(410) 333-3760 Land Records (Room 610)
(410) 333-3790 Marriage & Business Licenses (Room 627)

FAX NUMBER: (410) 333-3767

Hours of Operation

Recording/Lien Section & Reproduction (Copies)
Marriage & Business Licenses
Monday thru Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  

Library (Researching)
Monday thru Thursday: 8:30 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m.- 4:45 p.m.

Marriage Ceremonies
Monday thru Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Cash Registers will close at 4:00 PM for all Licensing and Land Records transactions.

Oaths

Notary Fees:
$11.00 (new commissions)
$8.00 (change of name/address)

Authentication of Notary: $1.00 per document

Special Police Fees: No Charge

Government Appointments: No Charge

Police Officers/Cadets: No Charge

Recording, Reproduction & Liens

Copy Fees

Copies: $0.50 per page
Certified Copies: $5.00 per instrument
Mail Requests for copies without return postage is additional: $2.00 charge

Basic Recording Fees

Basic Documents: $20.00 (9 pages), $75.00 (10 pages)
$40.00 surcharge

Homeowners Association: $50.00 (original filing with all attachments) 
No surcharge               

Homeowners Assn. (Amendments): $5 per page up to 5 pages, over 5 pages $25 per doc

Notice of Ejectment or Sale: $15.00 (9 pages)
No surcharge

Plats:$5.00 (for each part. Ex. 1 of 3= $15.00)
No surcharge

Power of Attorney: $20.00 (9 pages), $75.00 (10 pages)
No surcharge

Release: $10.00 (9 pages), $75.00 (10 pages)
$40.00 surcharge

Land Records Recording Taxes

State Transfer Tax: ½% of Consideration or Assessed Value
First Time Homeowners Transfer Tax: 1/4% (must have affidavit attached)
Non-Resident Taxes: (collected for Comptroller’s office 7 % Ind. 8.25% Corp.)
Must provide a separate check for Non-resident Taxes  

RECORDING TAXES ARE ALSO CALCULATED ACCORDING TO THE EXEMPTIONS APPLIED AT THE TIME OF RECORDING. (Must provide exemption code or reason on document to qualify.)

Searches: Land Records Employees are not required to perform searches for land ownership or ground rents. Customers must perform their own search or obtain services from a Title Company. 

Marriage & Business Licenses

Marriage Application: $85.00 (cash only)
Marriage Ceremony: $25.00 (cash only) Must bring a witness 18 years or older    

Certified Copies: $5.50 per copy  

Business Licenses: Fees vary according to type of Licenses, Inventory Amount & Months

Forms of payment accepted for Land Records & Licenses Department

Money Orders, Certified Bank Checks, Corporate Checks or Cash  

Personal Checks (Business Licenses only) must be associated with the owner (no third party checks accepted).  

Foot & Motor Peddlers (Cash Only).  

Checks made payable to: Circuit Court for Baltimore City