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Montgomery County, Maryland public records

In Montgomery County, deeds are recorded by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Land Records Department; property values come from the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, Montgomery County office; court files are split between the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Montgomery County and the Register of Wills for Montgomery County.

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. Historical records
  11. Good to know about Montgomery County records
  12. Office addresses, phones and hours
  13. Records that are not online: public records requests
  14. Questions people ask
  15. Official copies vs look-alike sites
  16. Sources

Where to get each record

RecordOfficeSearch onlineFee
Deeds and land recordsClerk of the Circuit Court, Land Records Department2Search deeds2Free searchRegular and self-service copies 50 cents per page (cash or check, not credit cards)2
Property values and ownersMaryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, Montgomery County office3Property search4—
Property tax billsDepartment of Finance, Division of Treasury5Tax bill search6—
Court casesClerk of the Circuit Court for Montgomery County7
Register of Wills for Montgomery County8		Circuit Court for Montgomery County9
Orphans' Court3		Copies 50 cents per page; certified copies 50 cents per page plus $5 certification; triple seals $10 plus 50 cents per page; no fee for US Postal Service postage9
Marriage recordsClerk of the Circuit Court for Montgomery County7——
Divorce recordsClerk of the Circuit Court for Montgomery County7——
Birth certificatesMontgomery County DHHS Vital Records Office, Dennis Avenue Health Center11—State fee table, Birth: Fee for Certificate $10.00; Internet $13.00; Expedited Shipping (only for internet orders) $20.0010
Death certificatesMontgomery County DHHS Vital Records Office, Dennis Avenue Health Center11—State fee table, Death: Fee for Certificate $10.00; Internet $13.00; Expedited Shipping (only for internet orders) $20.00; Additional Death (same transaction) $12.0010
Probate and willsRegister of Wills for Montgomery County8——
Business names (DBA)Clerk of the Circuit Court for Montgomery County7——

Deeds and land records

Deeds, mortgages and other land documents for property in Montgomery County are recorded by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Land Records Department (Public Information Room).2

Cost
Free (account/login application required)2
Who runs it
MDLandRec (state system run with the Maryland State Archives); plats on PLATS.NET2
Years online
All recorded instruments are online; records date back to July 17772
Copy fee
Regular and self-service copies 50 cents per page (cash or check, not credit cards)2
Certified copy fee
$5 certification plus 50 cents per page; triple seals $10 plus 50 cents per page2
How to order
In person at the Duplication Department (North Tower Room 2300) or self-service with a prepaid Quick Key; by mail or drop box using the Circuit Court Copy Request Form2
Recording fee
Deeds: "$20 for any deed 9 pages or less in length if it involves solely a principal residence"; "any other deed, 10 pages or more in length, is $75". Releases 9 pages or less $10. $40 surcharge on most documents2
Transfer tax
State transfer tax 0.5% of consideration (0.25% for qualifying first-time Maryland homebuyers); county transfer and recordation taxes collected by the Department of Finance2
Deed transfer step
Deeds affecting ownership are first transferred by the Montgomery County Department of Finance (27 Courthouse Square, Suite 221, 240-777-8860) before recording2

How deeds work in Maryland

Property values, owners and tax bills

The Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Montgomery County office sets property values3; the Department of Finance, Division of Treasury bills and collects the tax5.

Property search
SDAT Real Property Search (sdat.dat.maryland.gov/…), statewide4
Tax bill search
apps.montgomerycountymd.gov/… (pay or view property tax bill)6
Appealing a value
Assessment appeals go to SDAT (240-314-4510): within 45 days of the notice, then PTAAB, then Maryland Tax Court; taxes stay due during an appeal5
Tax due
Annual bill and first semi-annual installment due September 30; second installment December 31; bills mailed in July5
Tax sale
Unpaid taxes go to an annual tax lien sale (Department of Finance)5

How property tax works in Maryland

Court records: which clerk keeps which case

CourtCasesRecords kept byCase search
Circuit Court for Montgomery County (6th Judicial Circuit)Jury trials, serious criminal cases, major civil cases, divorce, custody, child support, juvenileClerk of the Circuit Court for Montgomery Countycasesearch.courts.state.md.us/casesearch Maryland Judiciary Case Search; scanned documents viewable on courthouse kiosks9
District Court of Maryland, District 6 (Rockville and Silver Spring)Landlord-tenant, domestic violence, peace orders, replevin, motor vehicle violations, misdemeanors, certain felonies, smaller civil claimsClerk of the Circuit Court for Montgomery County Maryland Judiciary Case Search4
Orphans' Court (Circuit Court judges sit as the Orphans' Court in Montgomery County)Estates and willsRegister of Wills for Montgomery County (clerk to the Orphans' Court)registers.maryland.gov/main/search.html Register of Wills Estate Search3
Fees
Copies 50 cents per page; certified copies 50 cents per page plus $5 certification; triple seals $10 plus 50 cents per page; no fee for US Postal Service postage9

How Maryland courts keep their files

Marriage records

Kept by the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Montgomery County.7

Marriage license
Clerk of the Circuit Court License Department (North Tower, Room 1300); $55 application/license fee (cash or Visa/Mastercard); obtain at least 48 hours before the ceremony; valid six months; only one person needs to appear12
Copies
Certified copy $5.50; non-certified copy 50 cents; certified copies available from 1993 forward from the Circuit Court; before 1990 from the Maryland State Archives12
Ceremony
Civil ceremonies by appointment, $2512
Phone
License Department 240-777-946012

Divorce records

Circuit Court (family cases including divorce); copies from Central Files13

Birth certificates

Maryland birth certificates issued in person at the county DHHS Vital Records office (Dennis Avenue Health Center), by mail to the state Division of Vital Records, or online through VitalChek11

Fee
State fee table, Birth: Fee for Certificate $10.00; Internet $13.00; Expedited Shipping (only for internet orders) $20.0010

Ordering a Maryland birth certificate

Death certificates

Same office and channels as birth certificates11

Fee
State fee table, Death: Fee for Certificate $10.00; Internet $13.00; Expedited Shipping (only for internet orders) $20.00; Additional Death (same transaction) $12.0010

Ordering a Maryland death certificate

Probate records and wills

Kept by: Register of Wills for Montgomery County8

Copies
The Records Department is closed to the public; request copies online or by telephone8
Orphans court
Judges of the Circuit Court preside over the Orphans' Court in Montgomery County14

Finding a will or probate case in Maryland

Historical records

Kept by the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Montgomery County.7

Equity indexes
Equity Index Books 1777-1981 are housed at the Maryland State Archives (indexes online)2
Old court files
Older court files may be at the Maryland State Archives; staff will tell you where and how to order9

Good to know about Montgomery County records

  • Montgomery County land records date back to July 1777 and are online through MDLandRec, currently free (login application required)2
  • Montgomery County was created on September 6, 1776, when Frederick County was divided into Frederick, Montgomery and Washington counties15
  • Circuit Court judges sit as the Orphans' Court (one of only two Maryland counties, with Harford)14
  • Property assessment is done by the State (SDAT), not the county; the county Department of Finance bills and collects5
  • Before a deed is recorded, the county Department of Finance must transfer it (collecting county taxes)2
  • The Register of Wills records room is closed to the public; copies by online or phone request8

Office addresses, phones and hours

Clerk of the Circuit Court, Land Records Department (Public Information Room)

Address
Circuit Court, North Tower, Second Floor, Room 2120, 50 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 208502
Phone
240-777-9477 (Public Information Room); 240-777-9470 (Recording Department)2
Hours
Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm; recording 8:30am to 4:00pm2

Clerk of the Circuit Court for Montgomery County

Address
50 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 208507
Phone
240-777-9400 (general); 888-287-0593 toll-free in Maryland7
Hours
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday except legal holidays7

Clerk of the Circuit Court for Montgomery County (Criminal Department)

Address
North Tower, First Floor, Room 1260, 50 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 208509
Phone
240-777-9400 (Circuit Court general)7
Hours
8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday9

District Court of Maryland in Montgomery County (Rockville and Silver Spring)

Address
Rockville: 191 East Jefferson Street, Rockville, MD 20850-2630; Silver Spring: 8552 Second Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910-336416
Phone
Rockville 301-563-8800; Silver Spring 301-563-850016
Hours
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday except legal holidays7

Register of Wills for Montgomery County (clerk to the Orphans' Court)

Address
50 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 208508
Phone
240-777-9600 (new estates: 240-777-9620); fax 240-777-96028
Hours
8:30am - 4:30pm Monday to Friday8

Department of Finance, Division of Treasury

Address
27 Courthouse Square, Suite 200, Rockville, MD 208505
Mail
Treasury Division, Montgomery County, 27 Courthouse Square, Suite 200, Rockville, MD 208505
Phone
240-777-0311 (MC311)5
Hours
Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm5

Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Montgomery County office

Address
30 West Gude Drive, Suite 400, Rockville, Maryland 208502
Phone
240-314-4510 (residential); 240-314-4530 (commercial)2

Montgomery County DHHS Vital Records Office, Dennis Avenue Health Center

Address
Dennis Avenue Health Center, 2000 Dennis Avenue, Suite #27, Silver Spring, MD11
Mail
By mail to the state: Division of Vital Records, Baltimore, MD 21215-003611
Phone
240-777-1207 (scheduling help)11
Hours
Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 8:00-11:00 a.m. walk-in; 1:00-3:00 p.m. appointments only11

Records that are not online: public records requests

Request page
montgomerycountymd.gov/mpia (list of departmental MPIA contacts)17
Fees
Hourly fee for preparing and producing records; the first two hours are free17

How to write a public records request

Questions people ask

How do I get a copy of a deed in Montgomery County?

The Clerk of the Circuit Court, Land Records Department (Public Information Room) keeps deed records. To order copies: In person at the Duplication Department (North Tower Room 2300) or self-service with a prepaid Quick Key; by mail or drop box using the Circuit Court Copy Request Form. Plain copies: Regular and self-service copies 50 cents per page (cash or check, not credit cards). Certified copies: $5 certification plus 50 cents per page; triple seals $10 plus 50 cents per page.2

Can I search Montgomery County land records online for free?

Yes. Free (account/login application required). The official search: landrec.msa.maryland.gov/Pages/Search.aspx2

How much is a birth certificate in Montgomery County?

State fee table, Birth: Fee for Certificate $10.00; Internet $13.00; Expedited Shipping (only for internet orders) $20.00.10

Where do I get a divorce decree in Montgomery County?

Circuit Court (family cases including divorce); copies from Central Files.13

How do I look up who owns a property in Montgomery County?

Use the property search of the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Montgomery County office: sdat.dat.maryland.gov/…4

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 Montgomery County 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 City, Baltimore County, Calvert County, Carroll County, Cecil County, Charles County, Frederick County, Harford County, Howard 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. Looking for another Montgomery County? Montgomery County, Ohio; Montgomery County, Pennsylvania; Montgomery County, Tennessee; Montgomery County, Texas.

Sources

Every fact above links to the official page it comes from; all 18 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 - Circuit CourtCircuit Court for Montgomery County, Clerk's Land Records Department
  3. Estate Search FAQMaryland Registers of Wills
  4. Court RecordsMaryland Judiciary
  5. Frequently Asked Questions (County Taxes)Montgomery County Government, Department of Finance (Treasury)
  6. Department of FinanceMontgomery County Government, Department of Finance
  7. Montgomery County | Maryland Courts (court directory)Maryland Judiciary
  8. Register of Wills for Montgomery CountyMaryland Registers of Wills
  9. Viewing Cases and Making Copies - Circuit CourtCircuit Court for Montgomery County
  10. FeesMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  11. Birth and Death Certificates (Vital Records)Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services
  12. How Do I Get a Marriage License? - Circuit CourtCircuit Court for Montgomery County
  13. Circuit CourtCircuit Court for Montgomery County (on montgomerycountymd.gov)
  14. Directory | Maryland CourtsMaryland Judiciary
  15. History of Our Court - Circuit CourtCircuit Court for Montgomery County
  16. District Court in Montgomery County - RockvilleMaryland Judiciary
  17. Montgomery County MPIA ContactsMontgomery County Government
  18. County population totals: Vintage 2025 (July 1, 2025)US Census Bureau