The Transfer and Recordation Section is responsible for reviewing all deeds and other property-related documents prior to a document being finalized and recorded by the Land Records Office of the Circuit Court. The section also ascertains and collects all transfer and recordation taxes due the County.
Baltimore County is updating the Real Property tax system with a new web-based tax system. The Lien Certificate system will be down during this process. We apologize for the inconvenience. For assistance, call Taxpayer Services at 410-887-2416.
Deed Requirements
- All deeds and other property-related documents must be accompanied by a completed Maryland State Intake Sheet.
- A deed which changes or transfers ownership of property must be accompanied by a lien certificate. A deed submitted without a lien certificate will not be processed.
- All deeds with agricultural use and partial transfer deeds must initially be approved by the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation located at:
300 East Joppa Road
Room 602
Towson, Maryland 21204
Directions
Tax Rates
The following tax rates apply:
- Baltimore County Transfer Tax Rate—1.5 percent of consideration
- State Recordation—$2.50 each $500 (or fraction thereof) of the consideration noted or for an instrument of writing securing a debt or the principal amount of the debt secured
Checks are to be made payable to Baltimore County, Maryland. All documents and payment should be mailed to:
Office of Budget and Finance, Transfer and Recordation Section
400 Washington Avenue, Room 154
Towson, Maryland 21204
Legal References
- Article 10, Title 1, Deeds, Baltimore County Code, 2003
- Article 11, Title 3, Recordation and Transfer Taxes, Baltimore County Code, 2003
- Annotated Code of Maryland, Tax-Property Article, Section 12-101-118
For information concerning State Transfer Tax and Recording fees, please call the Circuit Court Land Records Office at 410-887-3088.