How do i Discover A Lien?

Disclaimer - This page offers some general info 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 calling a Maryland attorney or Maryland title company 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 located in that County's Circuit Notary's Office. These departments keep records about genuine residential or commercial property in the county that are available on a range of media from "well-bound books" to digitally scanned images.

What can be taped at Land Records?
The Department of Land Records can tape any "instrument" (or legal file) that impacts somebody's legal interest in real residential or commercial property. Common documents recorded in land records are deeds, mortgages, liens, powers of lawyer, and specific 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 gives ownership rights to a piece of land. In a deed, someone, called the grantor, provides their ownership rights in land to a 2nd person, called the beneficiary. Deeds include important information 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 accountable for accepting files that meet the requirements for inclusion in land records, turning down documents that do not, and keeping records. Clerks might likewise gather specific payments at the time documents are sent. When you pertain to the Department of Land Records, you need to have your files all set to offer to the clerk. The clerks can address only a couple of minimal concerns. The clerks can not:

- Help you submit files or types
- Review your files prior to being provided for recording
- Tell you if your documents will achieve your objectives
- Perform a title search for you
- Give you legal advice

In many counties, the clerks can decline a file into land records up until the county's finance or treasurer's office backs the file and collects 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 details. This indicates anybody can view and get a copy of a deed. Deeds can be viewed totally free online through mdlandrec.net. You should create an account with the Maryland State Archives to view deeds on mdlandrec.net. Many courthouses likewise have computer terminals you can utilize to search or examine deeds. If you have a deed referral number, or require extra help finding a deed, a clerk in the Department of Land Records can assist find the deed for you. Should you want copies of any file, the expense is $.50 per page.

Where can I find a deed reference number?
Every deed recorded in land records has a reference number that refers to the book and page number where it is saved. (Sometimes deeds use the Latin words "liber" for book and "folio" for page.) Look up referral numbers online through the Maryland Department of Assessments. Select a county and then go into the residential or commercial property address. The recommendation number appears under the owner details section in the leading right corner of the page. The book number is initially, followed by a backslash, then the page number.

How do I discover a lien?
Finding all liens on a residential or commercial property is difficult. There are various kinds of liens. Only some are recorded in land records. If you are intending on moving residential or commercial property, think about seeking help from a lawyer or title business to locate liens.

- Liens versus residential or commercial property can be tape-recorded at the Department of Land Records along with deeds. Search for liens online utilizing Maryland Land Records (mdlandrec.net).
- Some liens come from court judgments. If this occurs, the lien might not be at Land Records. Go to Maryland Case Search to look for court judgments versus the residential or commercial property's owner.
- Unpaid taxes on the residential or commercial property may lead to a lien. Visit your regional county or city's financing office to discover residential or commercial property tax or other local liens.

Can I examine 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 manages foreclosure cases. You can look up a foreclosure case by searching the owner's name on Maryland Case Search.

How do I tape a deed?

You can check out the steps to tape a new deed at individuals's Law Library. Preparing a deed is complicated. Small mistakes can have significant repercussions and be challenging to fix. There may also be tax effects for residential or commercial property transfers. Consider speaking to a legal representative before you prepare any documents

What are the costs related to tape-recording deeds?
Please note that Chapter 538 from the 2020 Session of the Maryland General Assembly provides that the present $40 additional charge on recordable instruments recorded among the land records and funding declaration records will advance and after July 1, 2020. For more information, see page 15 through 16 here.

Deeds and other documents have costs, surcharges, and taxes you need to pay to tape them in land records. Some costs are paid directly to the Land Records Department. Others should be paid to your regional county or city financing office or other local federal government workplaces. Fees charged by the Land Records Department are listed in the Circuit Court fee schedule. Clerks at the Land Records Department can respond to some questions about the fees you need to pay and where you must go to pay them. Below is a list of costs associated with recording and transferring deeds. Seek expert aid from a Maryland legal representative or title company to identify the precise expenses of any specific transaction.

- Recording fees and additional charges
- Recordation tax
- State transfer tax
- County transfer tax
- Non-Resident tax

How do I take somebody's name off a deed? How do I include somebody's name to a deed?
To take somebody's name off a deed, a brand-new deed needs to be prepared to move the residential or commercial property from all of the existing owners to all of the staying owners. Similarly, to include someone to a deed a new deed need to be prepared to transfer the residential or commercial property from all current owners to all brand-new and existing owners. The new deed needs to then be taped in land records.

You can check out the actions to tape-record a brand-new deed at the People's Law Library. Preparing a deed is complicated. Small errors can have significant consequences and be challenging to repair. Consider speaking with a Maryland legal representative before you prepare any documents.

What if an individual noted on a deed has died?
When somebody passes away, changing legal ownership of their residential or commercial property generally does not happen at the Department of Land Records. Instead, there is a legal procedure to disperse 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 procedure can be discovered 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 loan provider that holds the mortgage can foreclose on the residential or commercial property. Foreclosure suggests the lender can go to court and ask to offer 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 straight to the loan provider. The lender must consent to accept a deed in lieu of foreclosure.

If you are dealing with foreclosure and need assistance, call the Maryland HOPE Hotline at 1-877-462-7555. Housing counselors can help you explore your options.

What is a quitclaim deed?
In regular deeds, the grantor warrants normally that there are no problems with the title. If it turns out that there is a problem with the residential or commercial property's title or other ownership rights, the grantor can be called to account.

In a quitclaim deed, the grantor makes no pledges that they have an excellent title to the residential or commercial property. The grantor does not even guarantee that they own the residential or commercial property. Instead, the grantor just transfers whatever interest, if any, they have in the residential or commercial property. By accepting a quitclaim deed, the beneficiary takes responsibility 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 up until they die. When the house owner dies, a person called in the deed immediately ends up being the owner of the residential or commercial property. Life estates have some crucial benefits and downsides over regular residential or commercial property ownership. Consult with a legal representative before you established your life estate.

What is an agreement of sale?
An agreement of sale is a written agreement to transfer ownership of residential or commercial property. The contract does not trigger the legal ownership of the residential or commercial property to change. The deed is the document which has the legal impact of moving the residential or commercial property. The agreement will mention terms of the transfer including who will write a brand-new deed and when the deed should be signed. A contract of sale is subject to taxes. If the agreement fails the tax is not refundable.

Can I file deeds online?
In some counties, deeds and other documents for the Department of Land Records might be filed online at Simplifile. An existing list of Land Records Departments and County Finance Offices that permit electronic filing of deeds can be discovered here. Read about the requirements for electronic filing here. You can utilize an electronic signature if you total and submit an Affidavit of Intent to Use Electronic Signature.

- Return to Top -

Court Help

- Access to Court Records
- Accommodations
- Administrative Appeals
- Appeals to the Appellate Court of Maryland
- Child Abuse and Neglect
- Children & Family
- Cleaning Up Your Record
- Court Forms
- Criminal Cases
- Discovery in the Circuit Court
- Domestic Violence
- Employment
- Expungement
- Filing Fee Waivers
- Finding Legal Help
- Free Legal Webinars
- Housing
- Juvenile Delinquency
- Land Records
- Judiciary Foreign Language Resources
- Life Planning & Power of Attorney
- Mandamus
- Mediation & ADR
- Money Issues
- People's Law Library
- Remote Hearing Toolkit
- Service
- Court Help Centers
- Court Help Videos
- Traffic
- Wills & Estates

- Hire a personal attorney: regional bar association lawyer referral programs can help you discover a legal representative

- The Maryland Volunteer Lawyer Service uses free legal assistance to certifying people with deed and title issues

- Check out the law at a law library

- Check Out Maryland Law online at peoples-law. org.

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 workplaces are in each county's Circuit Court

Important Government Offices

County Land Records Offices - The land records office for each county is in that county's circuit court.
Department of Assessments and Taxation.
Maryland Comptroller.
County Finance Offices

Main navigation

- Courts - Supreme Court of Maryland.
- Appellate Opinions.
- Court Records (Case Search).
- Holidays.
- Appellate Court of Maryland.
- Appointed Attorneys Program.
- Court Reporting.
- Judicial Council.
- Circuit Courts.
- Closings/Delays.
- Data Dashboard.
- Judicial Ethics Committee.
- District Court.
- Commission on Judicial Disabilities.
- Directory of Courts.
- Judicial Selection.
- Orphans' Court.
- Court-Appointed Guardians.
- Equal Justice.
- Jury Service.
- About.
- Court Forms.
- Fee Schedules.
- Mission & Vision.
- Accessibility.
- Court Language Services.
- Governance.
- Problem-Solving Courts.
- Administrative Orders.
- Court Offices.
- Government Relations & Public Affairs.
- Publications

- Access to Court Records.
- Court Help Centers.
- Filing Fee Waivers.
- Money Issues.
- Accommodations.
- Court Help Topics.
- Finding Legal Help.
- People's Law Library.
- App - Maryland Court Help.
- Court Help Videos.
- Housing.
- Personal & Life Planning Resources.
- Appeals - Appellate Court of Maryland.
- Criminal Cases.
- Juvenile Delinquency.
- Remote Hearing Toolkit.
- Appeals - Supreme Court of Maryland.
- Domestic Violence.
- Land Records.
- Thurgood Marshall State Law Library.
- Child Abuse and Neglect.
- Employment.
- Language Services.
- Traffic.
- Children & Family.
- Expungement.
- Mediation & ADR.
- Wills & Estates.
- Court Forms

- Active and Former Judicial Officers IDs.
- Case Search.
- E-Recording for Land Records.
- Pay a Traffic Ticket.
- Appellate Opinions.
- CONNECT (Internal).
- Estate Search.
- People's Law Library.
- Ask a Law Librarian.
- Court Help Centers.
- Grants.
- Procurement & Solicitations.
- Business Licenses - Search.
- Court Forms.
- Guide & File.
- Remote Hearings and Proceedings.
- Business & Technology Opinions.
- Data Dashboard.
- JPortal.
- Request State Law Library Materials.
- Careers.
- Domestic Violence Monthly Reports.
- Juror Qualification Form.
- State Law Library Catalog.
- Case Management Plans.
- E-filing.
- Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC)

- Amicus Curiarum.
- Attorney Information System.
- Change of Address.
- Judicial Vacancies.
- Appointed Attorneys Program.
- Attorney Listing.
- Commission on Judicial Disabilities.
- Legal Resources.
- Attorney Change of Address/Contact.
- Bar Associations.
- Client Protection Fund.
- Pro Bono.
- Attorney Compliance Requirements.
- Board of Law Examiners.
- Disciplinary Actions.
- Proposed Rules Changes/Orders.
- Attorney Grievance Commission.
- Certificate of Good Standing.
- E-filing.
- Statewide Uniform Subpoena Form

- Government Relations & Public Affairs.
- Media Resource Center.
- News Releases.
- Publications.
- Judicial Records

- Bill of Rights Day.
- Courtroom Tours.
- Mock Trial.
- Schools in the Courts.
- Bookmark Art Contest.
- Equal Justice.
- More Sites to Visit.
- Speakers Bureau.
- Constitution Day