Montgomery County Deed Records
Montgomery County deed records are kept at the Circuit Court Land Records Division in Rockville, Maryland. The office has records going back to July 1777, making it one of the most complete county land record archives in the state. You can search Montgomery County deed records online through MDLandRec.net or visit the public information room on the second floor of the Judicial Center. This page explains how to search, what the recording process involves, fees, and the specific requirements unique to Montgomery County.
Montgomery County Overview
Montgomery County Land Records Office
The Land Records Division is part of the Montgomery County Circuit Court Clerk's Office at the Judicial Center in Rockville. The public information room is on the North Tower, 2nd Floor, Room 2120. This is where you can access public terminals for self-service research, get help from staff, and request copies of Montgomery County deed records. Three separate phone lines handle different functions: information, recording, and duplication.
Montgomery County is one of the most active land records offices in Maryland. The county processes a high volume of deed recordings each year due to its large population and active real estate market. Recording hours run until 4:00 PM, one half hour earlier than the general office close time of 4:30 PM. Plan to arrive by 3:30 PM to give yourself enough time to complete a recording in Montgomery County. Self-service copies require a Quick Key purchase, which you can get at the office.
Payment rules vary by transaction type. Cash or check only for copy fees. No credit cards for copies. Credit cards are accepted for recording fees. Make sure you bring the right payment form before you visit.
| Land Records Office |
50 Maryland Avenue, Room 212 Rockville, MD 20850 Information: 240-777-9477 Recording: 240-777-9470 Duplication: 240-777-9480 |
|---|---|
| Public Information Room | North Tower, 2nd Floor, Room 2120 |
| Finance Office |
27 Courthouse Square, Suite 221 Rockville, MD 20850 Phone: 240-777-8860 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (Recording until 4:00 PM) |
| Website | montgomerycountymd.gov/cct/departments/land-records.html |
Montgomery County Deed Records Online
The main system for searching Montgomery County deed records online is MDLandRec.net, run by the Maryland State Archives. Registration is free. Your password arrives by email within one hour on business days. Once logged in, you can search deed books from July 1777 to the present. Search by grantor or grantee name, book and page, or document type. Images load quickly for most documents in the system.
For older deed books from 1777 to 1981, the Maryland State Archives Equity Index is also available. These records carry the Series ID number T5190 and are held at the Archives. For plat maps and subdivision records, use Plats.net with username plato and password plato#. Montgomery County Planning has a separate subdivision plat map tool at montgomeryplanning.org that covers recent plats and development plans.
The Montgomery County deed information page at montgomerycountymd.gov/ocp explains deed requirements, the recording process, and what to bring when you record. It is a good read before your first visit to the Land Records Office in Rockville.
Visit the Montgomery County land records page for office details, forms, and access to deed record resources.
The county land records page covers recording requirements, office hours, and links to online search tools.
MDLandRec.net provides free access to Montgomery County deed records from July 1777 to the present.
Free registration on MDLandRec lets you search and view Montgomery County deed records from home.
The Montgomery County deed information page explains what to include in a deed and how to complete the recording process.
Review the deed information page before recording to make sure your document meets all county requirements.
Montgomery County Planning provides subdivision plat maps and development records tied to deed records research.
The planning department plat tool is useful when you need to verify lot lines or find a subdivision plat in Montgomery County.
How to Search Montgomery County Deed Records
Start with MDLandRec if you want to search from home. Log in, select Montgomery County, and search by name or book reference. For genealogy and historical research, the Montgomery County property research guide at Montgomery History is a thorough resource that covers how to trace ownership chains and find older land records in the county.
For in-person searches, go to the public information room at North Tower 2nd Floor, Room 2120. Public terminals are available. You will need to buy a Quick Key to make self-service copies. Staff can assist with more complex searches, but they cannot do the research for you. Bring as much information as you have: names, approximate dates, and a parcel ID number if available. The parcel ID should appear in the upper right corner of your property tax bill, and it must be on any deed you record in Montgomery County.
Note: For agricultural properties in Montgomery County, the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation handles some processing steps. Call 240-314-4510 for residential and 240-314-4530 for commercial agricultural questions.
Montgomery County Recording and Copy Fees
Copy fees at Montgomery County Land Records are $0.50 per page for regular or self-service copies. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the seal plus $0.50 per page. Triple seal certifications cost $10.00 plus $0.50 per page. Remember that copy fees require cash or check only, as no credit cards are accepted for copies in Montgomery County.
Recording fees follow the state schedule. A principal residence deed of 9 pages or less costs $20. Documents with 10 or more pages cost $75. The $40 surcharge applies to most instruments but not to Notice of Sales, Power of Attorney, Assumption Agreements, or Transfer of Development Rights. State transfer tax is 0.5% of the consideration. The county recordation tax also applies. Call 240-777-9470 to confirm the full amount due before you arrive for a recording appointment in Montgomery County.
Recording a Deed in Montgomery County
Montgomery County requires all deeds to pass through the Department of Finance before the Land Records Office will record them. The Finance Office is at 27 Courthouse Square, Suite 221 in Rockville, phone 240-777-8860. This step ensures tax clearance and review of the deed for completeness. You must go here first before presenting your deed at the Land Records counter.
When you bring your deed to record in Montgomery County, you must include several items. A completed Intake Sheet is required. You must bring a copy of the complete deed for submission to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation. The Parcel ID number must appear in the upper right corner of the deed, and you can find this number on your property tax bill. You also need an Affidavit of Residency, or if you are a non-resident, you need Maryland Form MW 506 NRS. All of these requirements are explained in detail at the county deed information page.
Under Maryland Real Property Article Section 3-104, a deed must meet certain requirements to be accepted for recording. Montgomery County applies these rules strictly. If your deed is missing any required element, the Finance Office or Land Records will reject it. Having everything in order before you arrive saves time and avoids a second trip.
Cities in Montgomery County
Montgomery County is the most populous county in Maryland and includes many large cities and communities. All Montgomery County deed records are recorded at the Circuit Court Land Records Office in Rockville, regardless of which city the property is located in.
Other communities in Montgomery County include Chevy Chase, Potomac, Kensington, Laytonsville, and Poolesville. Deed records for all of these areas are filed at the Montgomery County Land Records Office in Rockville.
Nearby Counties
Montgomery County borders several Maryland counties and the District of Columbia. Check with the correct county clerk if your property is near a border and you are unsure where the deed was recorded.