Maryland has a rich history, including being a primary component of the Underground Railroad in 1850, thanks to Harriet Tubman, a Maryland native. Maryland is bordered by Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, and West Virginia, along with the Atlantic Ocean, and is split into five geographical regions. The state is made up of plains and marshes, swamps, forested wetlands, mountains, ridges, valleys, and streams. This diverse state has a lot to offer its 6.165 million residents. Millions of people mean millions of property records.

Maryland property records contain information about the land, homes, and people who own them. These records impact homeowners, local and state governments, the courts, real estate agencies, attorneys, and others.

This comprehensive guide will tell you everything you need to know about Maryland property records, including what they are, what they contain, how they are used, the different types, and how to find and amend them.

Property records in Maryland are documents that contain information about real property and its owners within the state. There are many different types, and they serve various purposes. Some are legal documents, and some are informational only.

Sources of Property Records in Maryland

Maryland property records are stored with many different agencies and even private companies. For example, the court's Land Division handles deeds, liens, and other land-related items. If you need to file a new deed in Baltimore, you should contact the Baltimore City Department of Land Records with the circuit court. Each county is responsible for its own property taxes. The Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation oversees each local county finance office.

Many property records are handled through the Maryland courts. They handle filing, storing, and retrieving documents upon request. Any legal document that pertains to land or property, like deeds, mortgages, liens, power of attorney, and some leases, is recorded with the county circuit court land division.

How Property Records are Maintained in Maryland

The county circuit court clerk is responsible for recording documents, filing them according to their own system, retrieving them, and providing them to anyone who needs them. They may also reject certain documents that are not correctly filled out.

Accessing Records at the Circuit Court Land Division in Maryland

Many local county land division offices have websites where you can find and access records. Some of the courts have computer terminals where you can search in person and then print records or ask for copies. They also have an online search portal (MDLANDREC.NET) where you can find many land records and Maryland deeds.

Some examples of land division offices are:

Circuit Court Land Division Locations in Maryland

Each county has its own circuit court land division office. A complete list of them, including address, phone, and email, can be found here.

You may encounter many different types of property records as you sift through the volumes available. Some of the most common types you will see in Maryland are as follows:

The Declaration of Rights requires the assessment of all property tax based on fair market value. Assessors must follow the regulations set by the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation when assessing real property. Local assessors in the municipalities, counties, cities, and towns conduct assessments. So, for example, the assessors in Baltimore City conduct tax assessments for real properties within Baltimore. There is no standard process for conducting property tax assessments. But there are a few standard processes assessors follow:

Easements and Covenants

Easements and covenants also show up in various public property records. Easements are typically shown on the deed and apply to the rights of someone other than the property owner to access the property at will. A good example would be when a town builds a road that crosses into someone's private property. The city can use that road without first asking the owner.

Covenants are rules about how the land can be used. You see these most often with gated communities and condos. They specify how all common areas may be used. Some condo developments allow pets, and others do not. Most have rules about lawn decorations and things you can and cannot put outside of your home.

Plats and Surveys

Plats and surveys are types of maps. They differ slightly in that plats show the boundaries of other properties around yours, and surveys do not. They only show the boundaries of a single property. Plats and surveys often accompany deeds, especially in new construction, before an address is assigned to the land.

Historical Property Records

Property records can quickly grow to unwieldy numbers. Therefore, most states offload their historical property records to an archive area. Maryland has combined its archive records with current records, and you can find them all using the MDLANDREC.NET tool.

There are dozens of reasons why you might need to find property records. Finding out whose name is on the last recorded deed for a piece of real property is just one. Thankfully, you have a few options for searching for property records.

Online Property Record Search

You might first try an online property records search. You can use any search engine, type in the property address, and then review the results. This method may not give you what you need, and the results may be inconsistent.

In-Person Property Record Search

You can visit any of the circuit court land division offices to look for records. Use the list above, which includes each address in every county/town, to find the right one.

Using Property Record Indexes

Some of the county and court websites have search portals where you can find records. You can also use the MDLANDREC.NET tool to find current or historical records. You could also search for records using realty websites, title company search tools, or other private party options.

How to Search Property Records by Address

Using the property address is the most efficient way to search. Type the real property address into the search bar.

How to Search Property Records by Name

You can sometimes also search by owner name. Type in the current or historical owner and see what comes up.

It's a proud moment when you sign the papers, grab the keys, and suddenly own your own home. However, homeownership comes with responsibilities like paying your mortgages, interest, and taxes on time. If you want your home to retain value, you must maintain it well. Your name is stored with your property records, and anyone looking them up will have access to it. In turn, if you need to find the owner of a property, you can easily do so by searching property records.

An important aspect of property records is the legal property description. It details the property's location, map coordinates, boundaries, and landmarks, making it easy for anyone to locate and identify.

Surveys and Land Measurements

Surveyors use specialized tools to measure land and come up with specific boundaries and coordinates. These surveys often come into play during boundary disputes.

How to Find Property Survey Records

Maryland has a search tool called Plats.net, where you can search for plats and surveys within the state. It is administered and maintained by the Maryland State Archives, the Administrative Office of the Courts, and Maryland Circuit Court Clerks.

The information on boundaries may include:

Boundary Disputes and Resolutions

Boundary disputes occur when someone thinks another person is trespassing on their land. These arguments often end up in court, where a judge must decide. The courts often enlist the help of professional surveyors to prove where the boundaries lie.

Liens are encumbrances that negatively affect a property. Mortgage liens are not bad, but other involuntary liens make the property more difficult to sell. There are two main types of liens: voluntary and involuntary.

Voluntary Liens

Voluntary liens are those that you freely agree to, like mortgages, home equity loans, etc.

Involuntary Liens

Involuntary liens are imposed against your will because you owe an overdue debt. These can negatively affect your credit and your ability to sell the property.

The Process of Property Liens in Maryland

Claimants can put liens on properties by following these steps:

Real estate sales are when property records come into focus. They are used before, during, and after the sale. Some are created by the transaction. They are very helpful in filling in any blanks.

Buying Property: Due Diligence

When buying property, you will want to know as much as possible. Perform your due diligence, use property records to inform yourself, and go into the sale confidently.

Selling Property: Providing Disclosure

When selling property, you must disclose any material defects about the property that you know about. If you do not know something, you can use public property records to look it up.

Title Searches and Insurance

When buying a home, your mortgage company will insist that you purchase title insurance. It protects you and the lender against any legal claims on the property after the sale. Your title company will perform a property title search to look for any title defects before closing.

Foreclosure and Property Records in Maryland

When someone fails to pay their mortgage or taxes, the lender or county will foreclose and eventually sell the property at auction. These are called foreclosure properties or "distressed" properties. Although regular buyers may want to steer clear, investors seek out distressed properties to buy cheap and sell for a profit.

Property records and fair market value are intertwined. The assessed and appraised value of a property will appear in many different records. These values can show whether a property has decreased or increased in value over time. Fair market value shows the value of your own property compared to others in the local area.

Assessments and Appraisals

Two types of methods are used when valuing a property. In Maryland, assessments are typically used by the finance office to value the property for taxes and setting tax rates. Each homeowner must pay their fair share to fund things like schools, fire and police, and road maintenance.

Appraisals are typically used during a mortgage process. The lender will require an independent property appraisal to ensure it supports the loan.

Property records are public records, meaning anyone can review them anytime. There are no restrictions when viewing public records. You can also print or order certified copies of some records.

Why are Property Records Public?

Property records are public for the same reason most government documents are so that no one government office or agency has too much power over its citizens. It's about transparency.

How Do I Protect My Personal Information in Property Records?

You cannot keep all of your personal information out of public records. But you can try to minimize it. Contact the agencies that hold your property records and ask that they remove anything beyond your name and address. Some records may include your email address or phone number. You don't want those things out there in the public view.

Life changes may require you to update your property records. You are responsible for this; no one will automatically change them unless you request it.