Queen Anne's County Deed Records

Queen Anne's County deed records are held at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in Centreville, Maryland. The county has records going back to 1706, the year before its formal founding in 1707. Before a deed can be recorded, it must be reviewed and stamped by the county Finance Office, which is a separate step from the Clerk's Office. This page covers how to search Queen Anne's County deed records online and in person, what fees apply, what documents you need, and the pre-recording requirements that are unique to this county.

Queen Anne's County Circuit Court Clerk

Katherine Hager serves as the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Queen Anne's County. The office is at 200 N. Commerce Street in Centreville and handles all deed recordings and land record searches for the county. The research room is open during regular hours, and staff can assist with name or book searches. Mail requests are also accepted with proper payment included.

Queen Anne's County was established in 1707 and named for Queen Anne of Great Britain. The land records here go back to 1706, one year before the county's formal creation. That makes this one of the older land record archives on Maryland's Eastern Shore. For deed research tied to colonial land grants or early farm parcels in Queen Anne's County, the records on MDLandRec cover most of this period. The Finance Office at 107 N. Liberty Street must stamp your deed before the Clerk's Office will accept it for recording.

Queen Anne's County Deed Records Online

The statewide system for deed records in Maryland is MDLandRec.net, operated by the Maryland State Archives. Free registration gives you access to Queen Anne's County deed books from 1706 to the present. Search by name, book and page, or document type. This is the easiest way to find a deed record in Queen Anne's County without making the trip to Centreville.

For plats, use Plats.net with login plato and password plato#. Plats show lot boundaries, subdivision layouts, and easements for Queen Anne's County properties. The county services page at qac.org lists what is available over the counter at the courthouse in Centreville, including land record services. Historical genealogy research in Queen Anne's County is also supported through the Maryland State Archives at msa.maryland.gov, which holds original older deed volumes.

The Circuit Court page is the starting point for in-person deed record research in Queen Anne's County.

Register for free at MDLandRec to search Queen Anne's County deed books from home or office.

Check the county services page to confirm what deed record services are available before visiting the courthouse in Centreville.

How to Find Queen Anne's County Deed Records

Start with MDLandRec for online searches. Log in, pick Queen Anne's County, and search by grantor or grantee name. You can also enter a liber and folio reference if you already have it. For most modern property research, the online system has what you need. For research before 1706 or for very early records, contact the Maryland State Archives directly, as some documents may only be held there.

In-person searches take place at the Clerk's Office at 200 N. Commerce Street, Centreville. The research room has public access terminals. Staff can pull records by name or book number. Bring your ID and cash or a check for any copies you request. Mail requests are accepted with payment and a return envelope. The Maryland Courts land records FAQ is a good reference for understanding how to read deed indexes and interpret the information in older Queen Anne's County deed books.

Queen Anne's County Deed Recording Fees

Queen Anne's County has one of the higher recordation tax rates in Maryland at $4.95 per $500 of consideration. This applies to all deeds recorded in the county. The state transfer tax is 0.5%, with a reduced rate of 0.25% for first-time homebuyers. The county transfer tax is also 0.5%, with the same first-time buyer reduction. Budget for all three taxes when estimating recording costs in Queen Anne's County.

Recording fees follow the statewide schedule. Releases of 9 pages or less cost $10. Other instruments under 9 pages cost $20. Principal residence deeds cost $20 regardless of page count. Instruments with 10 or more pages cost $75. Request for Notice of Sale costs $15. A $40 surcharge applies to all instruments except Notice of Sale, Power of Attorney, and Plats. This surcharge has been in effect since July 1, 2011.

Copy fees are $0.50 per page for standard copies and $5.00 extra for certified copies. Plat recording costs $25. Call the Clerk's Office at (410) 758-1773 to confirm the full amount due before arriving.

Recording Requirements in Queen Anne's County

Queen Anne's County has detailed document requirements for deed recording. All deeds must be reviewed and stamped by the Finance Office at 107 N. Liberty Street before you bring them to the Clerk's Office. This is not optional. Go to Finance first. The Finance Office reviews the deed for tax compliance and stamps it for clearance. Then bring the stamped deed to the Clerk's Office to record.

Along with the Finance stamp, you need to bring several items to the Clerk's Office. A completed Maryland Intake Sheet is required. A full copy of the deed must be included for submission to SDAT. A certificate of preparation is needed, signed by a Maryland attorney or by a party to the transaction. You also need a certificate of residency or a non-resident withholding tax affidavit if applicable. Names must be typed or printed above or below each signature. Type must be at least 8-point size and black on white paper. The maximum page size is 8.5 by 14 inches. Pages larger than this will not be accepted for recording in Queen Anne's County.

Under Maryland Real Property Article Section 3-104, deeds that do not meet recording requirements can be rejected at the counter. Reviewing your deed against the checklist before you arrive can save you a return trip to Centreville.

Nearby Counties

Queen Anne's County is on the Eastern Shore and borders four counties. If a property is near a border, confirm the correct county before you search for deed records.