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Free Quit Claim Deed Form — Maryland

Use this free Maryland quit claim deed form to transfer real property between individuals, family members, corporations, or trusts. Deeds are recorded with the Circuit Court Land Records office in the county (or Baltimore City) where the property is located. Maryland imposes both a State Transfer Tax (0.5%) and a County Transfer Tax (rates vary by county). A State Intake Sheet must accompany the deed at recording.

Common Uses for a Quit Claim Deed in Maryland

Maryland quit claim deeds are commonly used to transfer property between spouses in connection with marriage or divorce, to add a family member to an existing title, and to move real estate into revocable living trusts. Maryland residents in the Baltimore and Washington D.C. metro areas frequently use quit claim deeds for estate planning purposes. Parents gift homes to adult children, and real estate investors transfer property into LLCs. Correcting a name error on a previously recorded deed, or resolving a title defect from an old unprobated estate, are also common uses.

Maryland Quit Claim Deed Form

Maryland Quit Claim Deed Form

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Your deed needs to be notarized before recording

All quit claim deeds must be notarized to be legally valid. Notarize online from your phone or computer — no travel required, available 24/7.

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Maryland Quit Claim Deed Requirements

Before recording a quit claim deed in Maryland, make sure the document meets these requirements:

  • Deed must be in writing and signed by the grantor(s)
  • Grantor's signature must be acknowledged before a notary public
  • Property must be identified by its legal description
  • Deed must name the grantor(s) and grantee(s) by full legal name
  • State Intake Sheet must accompany the deed at recording
  • Must be recorded with the Circuit Court Land Records in the county or city of the property
  • State Transfer Tax: 0.5% of consideration; County Transfer Tax varies by county
  • Recording fees are paid at time of filing

After You Record Your Deed in Maryland

After the Circuit Court Land Records office processes your deed, the original is returned to the grantee or designated address. Recording times vary by county and Baltimore City. The land records office notifies the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), which updates property tax ownership records. Maryland property taxes are assessed by SDAT and collected by counties and Baltimore City. The grantee should confirm their mailing address with SDAT and the local tax collector. The grantee is responsible for Maryland property taxes from the date of transfer.

Maryland Quit Claim Deed FAQ

Does a quit claim deed need to be notarized in Maryland?

Yes. Maryland requires the grantor's signature to be acknowledged before a notary public before the deed can be recorded. Online notarization through a service like NotaryLive is accepted in Maryland.

Where do I record a quit claim deed in Maryland?

You file the deed with the Circuit Court Land Records office in the county where the property is located, or in Baltimore City if the property is there. Maryland has 23 counties and Baltimore City, each with its own Land Records office. Recording fees vary by jurisdiction.

Are there transfer taxes in Maryland?

Yes. Maryland imposes a State Transfer Tax of 0.5% of the consideration. Each county and Baltimore City also imposes its own County Transfer Tax, which ranges from 0% to 1.5% depending on the jurisdiction. Transfers between spouses, transfers to a surviving spouse, and certain other family transfers may be exempt from the state and county transfer taxes.

Can I use a quit claim deed to transfer property to a family member in Maryland?

Yes. Transfers between spouses and certain other family transfers in Maryland may qualify for an exemption from both the state and county transfer taxes. Confirm the exemption requirements with the Circuit Court Land Records office or a Maryland real estate attorney, as the rules vary by county.

Are there exemptions to the Maryland Transfer Tax?

Maryland exempts from the State Transfer Tax transfers between spouses, transfers from a parent to a child and back, transfers to a surviving co-owner, deeds in lieu of foreclosure, and certain other transactions. Most Maryland counties also provide similar exemptions from the county transfer tax. The exemption must be noted on the Land Intake Sheet filed at the time of recording.

What is the State Intake Sheet in Maryland?

The State Intake Sheet is a form required by the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) that must accompany every deed at the time of recording. It collects information about the parties to the transfer, the property address, the consideration, and any claimed tax exemptions. Without the Intake Sheet, the Circuit Court Land Records office will not accept the deed for recording.

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