Land Records Department

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.

Land Records Department: 410-222-1425

Telephone Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM

No appointments required or accepted.

PARKING: Please refer to the HOME page ABOUT US tab for parking options and directions.

Our Mailing Address:
Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County
ATTN: Land Records Department
8 Church Circle
Annapolis, MD 21401

PARKING: Please refer to the HOME page ABOUT US tab for parking options and directions.

The Land Records Department of the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, is dedicated to ensuring that all persons with legitimate business before the Land Records office will have access to public records.  The Land Records department is accountable for the preservation and integrity of all instruments that pertain to Real Property, such as, Deeds, Mortgages/Deeds of Trust, Releases of Mortgages/Deeds of Trust, Subdivision/Condominium Plats, Homeowners Depository records, etc.

The Clerk’s Office is prohibited by law from providing legal assistance or performing title searches.

Our research room is offered in a library setting where all records are available to the public through a variety of media from hardbound books to digital images. Information is obtained by self-research and copies are readily available for a fee of fifty cents ($.50) per page. Copies may be certified for an additional fee of $5.00 per document

Individual surveys and site plans are not available in the Land Records office.

It is recommended that you check with a Title Company or Real Estate Attorney regarding county or state statutes that may apply prior to recording.

Military Discharge records may also be recorded with the Land Records office.

Fees: Checks are payable to Clerk of the Circuit Court

  • Recording fees are $10.00 for a release 9 pages or less.
  • $20.00 for any other instrument 9 pages or less if it involves solely a principal residence.
  • $75.00 for any other instrument 10 pages or more.
  • $40.00 surcharge is assessed on all instruments except for Powers of Attorney and plats.
  • State Transfer Tax is calculated at the rate of ½ of 1% of the consideration.
  • Homeowners Depository fees are $50.00 for the initial filing and $5.00 per page with a maximum of $25.00 for Homeowners Depository amendments.
  • Plats recorded in the plat records are $25.00 per set which includes one original and two black line photo process copies all measuring 18 x 24 inches.
  • Please be sure to include a mailing address on each instrument presented for recording and allow approximately 4 weeks for the return of your original document.

Electronic Recording Process - Simplifile

The Maryland Judiciary has contracted with Simplifile to provide a seamless e-recording management platform for Clerks of Court and of the individual submitters. Submitters send documents to the Clerk's Office via Simplifile. Once received, documents are reviewed, recorded, and returned to the submitter electronically by the Land Records department. To learn more visit: https://simplifile.com/services/e-recording/e-recording-counties/e-recording-in-maryland/e-recording-in-Anne-Arundel-County-Maryland/ 

When a document is filed through Simplifile, an electronic signature is adequate. When a document is filed in hard copy with an electronic signature, it must come with the affidavit. The affidavit can also be electronically signed; we do not require a live signature on the instrument or the affidavit.

Click the following link for the procedures and affidavit for filing electronically signed instruments.

 

Manual Recording Process for Deeds

All deeds must pass through a three to four step process. If your property is located within the Annapolis City limits, then you must first take the deed to City Hall and complete steps 1 thru 4. If property is in Anne Arundel County, complete steps 2 to 4.

  • Step 1: (City of Annapolis Property Only) City Hall, 160 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, MD Phone: 410-263-7953

    If the property is not located within the Annapolis City limits, complete steps 2 to 4:

    • Step 2: Tax Office, Arundel Center, 44 Calvert Street, 1st Floor, Annapolis, MD Phone 410-222-1144
    • Step 3: Office of Finance, Arundel Center, 44 Calvert Street Room 14, Annapolis, MD Phone 410-222-1368
    • Step 4: Record at the Land Records desk in the Clerk's Office, 8 Church Circle, Annapolis, MD Phone: 410-222-1425

  • Please note that all Deeds presented for recording must be accompanied by a State of Maryland Land Record Intake Sheet, which may be downloaded at https://www.mdcourts.gov.
     
  • To request a copy of a recorded document thru the mail you must provide us with the current book and page number and the total number of pages to be copied. The cost is 50 cents per page. To request a copy in person, the property owners name and/or the property address will be helpful.