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Baltimore City, Maryland public records (independent city)

In Baltimore City, deeds are recorded by the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Clerk's Office, Land Records & Licenses Division; property values come from the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation; court files are split between the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Clerk's Office and the Register of Wills for Baltimore City.

Last checked against official sources on .

On this page
  1. Where to get each record
  2. Deeds and land records
  3. Property values, owners and tax bills
  4. Court records: which clerk keeps which case
  5. Marriage records
  6. Divorce records
  7. Birth certificates
  8. Death certificates
  9. Probate records and wills
  10. Business names (DBA)
  11. Voter records
  12. Historical records
  13. Good to know about Baltimore City records
  14. Office addresses, phones and hours
  15. Questions people ask
  16. Official copies vs look-alike sites
  17. Sources

Baltimore City is an independent city: the Census Bureau counts it as a county-equivalent that is not part of any county, governed by the City of Baltimore.1 The offices below serve the city itself; no county office keeps its records.

Where to get each record

RecordOfficeSearch onlineFee
Deeds and land recordsCircuit Court for Baltimore City, Clerk's Office, Land Records & Licenses Division3Search deeds2Free search$0.50 per page3
Property values and ownersMaryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation4Property search5—
Property tax billsDepartment of Finance, Bureau of Revenue Collections6Tax bill search7—
Court casesCircuit Court for Baltimore City, Clerk's Office, Civil Division8
Register of Wills for Baltimore City4		Circuit Court for Baltimore City9
Orphans' Court for Baltimore City10		Copies 50 cents per page; certification $5 each plus 50 cents per page; exemplification/triple seal $10 (statewide clerk schedule)11
Marriage recordsCircuit Court for Baltimore City, Clerk's Office, Land Records & Licenses Division3——
Divorce recordsCircuit Court for Baltimore City, Clerk's Office, Family Division12—Copies 50 cents per page; certification $5 each plus 50 cents per page11
Birth certificatesMaryland Department of Health, Division of Vital Records4—$10.00 per certified copy (MDH)13
Death certificatesMaryland Department of Health, Division of Vital Records4—$10.00 (MDH fee page)13
Probate and willsRegister of Wills for Baltimore City4—Plain copies $0.50 per page; certified $0.50 per page plus $2.00 (statewide Register of Wills fees)14
Business names (DBA)Business licenses issued by the Circuit Court Licenses office (Room 627, (410) 333-3790)3——

Deeds and land records

Deeds, mortgages and other land documents for property in Baltimore City are recorded by the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Clerk's Office, Land Records & Licenses Division.3

Online search
landrec.msa.maryland.gov2Free search
Cost
Free, account required2
Who runs it
MDLandRec (state system run with the Maryland State Archives)2
Copy fee
$0.50 per page3
Certified copy fee
$5.00 per instrument3
Mail copy charge
Mail requests for copies without return postage: additional $2.003
How to order
In person at Room 610, Mitchell Courthouse (copies/reproduction desk), or by mail to the Land Records/Licenses Department; staff do not perform ownership searches3
Recording fees
Basic documents $20.00 (up to 9 pages) or $75.00 (10+ pages) plus $40.00 surcharge; releases $10.00/$75.00 plus $40 surcharge; plats $5.00 per part; power of attorney $20.00/$75.003
Surcharge
$40 surcharge on recordable instruments continues on and after July 1, 2020 (Chapter 538 of 2020)3
Transfer tax
City transfer tax 1.5% and State transfer tax 0.5% of consideration (2% total); deeds need a lien certificate, intake sheet and separate checks payable to the Director of Finance, processed at the Property Transfer Office (Abel Wolman Municipal Building, Room 1B) before recording15
Lien certificate
Lien certificate $55, request online (pay.baltimorecity.gov/lien) or at Room 1, 200 N Holliday Street; allow seven business days; generally valid 45 calendar days16
Electronic recording
Simplifile e-recording offered15

How deeds work in Maryland

Property values, owners and tax bills

The Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) (state agency; Baltimore City assessments) sets property values4; the Department of Finance, Bureau of Revenue Collections bills and collects the tax6.

Property search
SDAT Real Property Search (sdat.dat.maryland.gov/…)5
Tax bill search
Real property tax bill lookup and payment: pay.baltimorecity.gov/realproperty (search by block/lot, property address or owner name)7
Appealing a value
Assessment appeals go to SDAT (410-767-8250); SDAT says appeals must be filed within 45 days of the notice date7
Tax rate
$2.248 per $100 of assessed value; 0.5% discount if paid by July 317
Tax sale
Annual tax sale: the city auctions claims for unpaid taxes and charges online; owners can redeem; a Tax Sale Deferral Program exists17
Liens check
Outstanding liens cannot be checked online; a lien certificate must be requested16

How property tax works in Maryland

Court records: which clerk keeps which case

CourtCasesRecords kept byCase search
Circuit Court for Baltimore City (8th Judicial Circuit)Felonies, major civil, family/divorce, juvenile, jury trialsCircuit Court for Baltimore City, Clerk's Office, Civil Divisioncasesearch.courts.state.md.us/casesearch Maryland Judiciary Case Search9
District Court of Maryland, District 1 (Baltimore City)Landlord-tenant, traffic, misdemeanors, smaller civil claims, peace and protective ordersCircuit Court for Baltimore City, Clerk's Office, Civil Division Maryland Judiciary Case Search5
Orphans' Court for Baltimore CityEstates and willsRegister of Wills for Baltimore City (clerk to the Orphans' Court)registers.maryland.gov/main/search.html Register of Wills Estate Search; 1998 to present for all jurisdictions10
Fees
Copies 50 cents per page; certification $5 each plus 50 cents per page; exemplification/triple seal $10 (statewide clerk schedule)11
Phones
Criminal Clerk (410) 333-3750; Civil Assignment (410) 333-3755; Family Assignment (410) 209-6366; Juvenile (443) 263-6310; Orphans' Court (410) 396-503418
Efiling
Civil e-filing only on the asbestos docket8

Criminal records and background checks

Which court
Criminal case records: Maryland Judiciary Case Search; Criminal Division, Room 200 Mitchell Courthouse, (410) 333-3750 (appeals, post-conviction, expungement, records)19

How Maryland courts keep their files

Marriage records

Kept by the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Clerk's Office, Land Records & Licenses Division.3

Marriage license
Marriage application $85.00 (cash only); Marriage & Business Licenses, Room 627, (410) 333-3790, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.3
Copies
Certified copies $5.50 per copy (Licenses office); MDH issues certified copies for marriages on or after January 1, 20073
Ceremony
Civil ceremony $25.00 (cash only), witness 18 or older required; ceremonies Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.3

Divorce records

Divorce decrees: Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Family Division (Room 113 Courthouse East, (410) 333-3709)20

Fee
Copies 50 cents per page; certification $5 each plus 50 cents per page11

Birth certificates

Maryland Department of Health Division of Vital Records; also some local health departments21

Fee
$10.00 per certified copy (MDH)13
Older records
Maryland State Archives holds Baltimore City births 1875-192522

Ordering a Maryland birth certificate

Death certificates

MDH Division of Vital Records for deaths 2012 or later; earlier deaths at the Maryland State Archives23

Fee
$10.00 (MDH fee page)13

Ordering a Maryland death certificate

Probate records and wills

Register of Wills for Baltimore City, Courthouse East, 3rd floor; appointments by phone; most services by phone, mail and online4

Fee
Plain copies $0.50 per page; certified $0.50 per page plus $2.00 (statewide Register of Wills fees)14
Will deposit
Wills held for safekeeping are released only to the testator, in person with identification4

Finding a will or probate case in Maryland

Business names (DBA)

Business licenses issued by the Circuit Court Licenses office (Room 627, (410) 333-3790); trade names (DBAs) are filed statewide with SDAT3

Voter records

Baltimore City Board of Elections; voter lookup via the State Board of Elections Voter Lookup24

Historical records

Older births (1875-1925 Baltimore City), deaths before 2012, land, court and probate records at the Maryland State Archives; MSA has no online name search25

Good to know about Baltimore City records

  • Baltimore City is an independent city, separate from Baltimore County; it has its own Circuit Court, Register of Wills and land records26
  • Land Records staff do not search ownership or ground rents; customers must search themselves or use a title company3
  • Baltimore City marriage license application fee is $85.00, cash only3
  • Before recording, deeds go through the City's Property Transfer Office (in person Mondays and Wednesdays only, 3 documents per turn)15
  • Lien certificates ordered May 16 - June 30 are void on July 116
  • The Maryland State Archives holds Baltimore City birth records from 1875, earlier than the 1898 start for the counties22

Office addresses, phones and hours

Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Clerk's Office, Land Records & Licenses Division

Address
Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Courthouse, 100 North Calvert Street, Room 610, Baltimore, MD 212023
Mail
Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Land Records/Licenses Department, Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Courthouse, 100 North Calvert Street – Room 610, Baltimore, Maryland 212023
Phone
(410) 333-3760 Land Records (Room 610); fax (410) 333-37673
Hours
Recording/Lien Section and copies: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; Library (researching): Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m.-6:15 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m.; cash registers close at 4:00 PM3

Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Clerk's Office, Civil Division

Address
Courthouse East (Cummings Courthouse), 111 N. Calvert Street, Room 462, Baltimore, MD 212028
Phone
(410) 333-3722; Civil Assignment Office (410) 333-37558
Hours
8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday8

Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Clerk's Office, Criminal Division

Address
Clarence Mitchell Courthouse, 100 North Calvert Street, Room 200, Baltimore, MD 2120219
Hours
8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday19

Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Clerk's Office, Family Division

Address
Courthouse East, 111 North Calvert Street, Room 113, Baltimore, MD 2120212
Phone
(410) 333-3709; Family Division Assignment Office (410) 209-636612
Hours
8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday12

Register of Wills for Baltimore City (clerk to the Orphans' Court)

Address
Courthouse East, 111 North Calvert Street, 3rd Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 212024
Phone
410-752-5131; toll free 888-876-0035; fax 410-752-3494; Orphans' Court (410) 396-50344
Hours
8:30am - 4:30pm Monday to Friday; appointments: call 410-752-51314

Department of Finance, Bureau of Revenue Collections

Address
Abel Wolman Municipal Building, 200 N. Holliday Street, Baltimore, MD 212026
Mail
Tax Sale contact: City Hall - Room 250, 100 N. Holliday St, Baltimore, MD 2120217
Hours
Call center Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm6

Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) (state agency; Baltimore City assessments)

Phone
410-767-8250 (SDAT, per the city's Real Property Taxes page)7

Baltimore City Board of Elections

Address
417 E. Fayette St., Benton Office Building, Room #129, Baltimore, MD24

Maryland Department of Health, Division of Vital Records

Address
Division of Vital Records, P.O. Box 68760, Baltimore, MD 21215-0036 (mail orders)21

Questions people ask

How do I get a copy of a deed in Baltimore City?

The Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Clerk's Office, Land Records & Licenses Division keeps deed records. To order copies: In person at Room 610, Mitchell Courthouse (copies/reproduction desk), or by mail to the Land Records/Licenses Department; staff do not perform ownership searches. Plain copies: $0.50 per page. Certified copies: $5.00 per instrument.3

Can I search Baltimore City land records online for free?

Yes. Free, account required. The official search: landrec.msa.maryland.gov2

How much is a birth certificate in Baltimore City?

$10.00 per certified copy (MDH).13

Where do I get a divorce decree in Baltimore City?

Divorce decrees: Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Family Division (Room 113 Courthouse East, (410) 333-3709).20

How do I look up who owns a property in Baltimore City?

Use the property search of the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) (state agency; Baltimore City assessments): sdat.dat.maryland.gov/…5

Official copies vs look-alike sites

A certified copy comes only from the office that holds the record; reports and "research copies" sold by commercial sites are not issued by any Baltimore City office. How to tell an official record source from a paid look-alike.

Other counties and independent cities in Maryland with a full guide: Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Calvert County, Carroll County, Cecil County, Charles County, Frederick County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Prince George's County, St. Mary's County, Washington County, Wicomico County. Every county and independent city in the state: Maryland county and independent city list.

Sources

Every fact above links to the official page it comes from; all 27 sources were checked on November 4, 2026. Fees and rules change, so check the office's own page before you pay or travel.

  1. Government Units List 2026US Census Bureau
  2. Land Records (Court Help)Maryland Judiciary
  3. Land Records & Licenses DivisionCircuit Court for Baltimore City, Clerk's Office
  4. Register of Wills for Baltimore CityMaryland Register of Wills
  5. Court Records (Case Search)Maryland Judiciary
  6. Bureau of Revenue CollectionsBaltimore City Department of Finance
  7. Real Property TaxesBaltimore City Department of Finance
  8. Civil DivisionCircuit Court for Baltimore City, Clerk's Office
  9. Circuit Court for Baltimore City
  10. Estate Search FAQMaryland Register of Wills
  11. Summary of Charges, Costs, and Fees of the Clerks of the Circuit CourtMaryland Judiciary
  12. Family DivisionCircuit Court for Baltimore City, Clerk's Office
  13. FeesMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  14. FeesMaryland Register of Wills
  15. Property TransferBaltimore City Department of Finance
  16. LiensBaltimore City Department of Finance
  17. Tax Sale InformationCity of Baltimore
  18. If You Have Any Questions About Your Case, Please Call The Following NumbersCircuit Court for Baltimore City
  19. Criminal DivisionCircuit Court for Baltimore City, Clerk's Office
  20. Divorce VerificationMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  21. Birth CertificatesMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  22. Birth Certificate ordersMaryland State Archives
  23. Death CertificatesMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  24. Baltimore City Board of ElectionsCity of Baltimore
  25. Frequently Asked QuestionsMaryland State Archives
  26. Directory | Maryland CourtsMaryland Judiciary
  27. County population totals: Vintage 2025 (July 1, 2025)US Census Bureau