The Land Records Department acts as a custodian for the recording and maintenance of all public records connected to real estate in Howard County. Our research room is open to the public. Information is obtained by self-research and copies are readily available for a fee. The Clerk's Office is prohibited by law from providing legal assistance or performing title searches. 

Recording Process for Deeds: 

All deeds must pass through a two step process in the following order:

1. Finance Department
   3430 Court House Drive, 2nd. Floor
   George Howard Bldg.
   Ellicott City, Maryland 21043
   410-313-2389
   www.howardcountymd.gov

2. Land Records Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court
   Thomas Dorsey Building
   9250 Bendix Road
   Columbia, Maryland 21045
   410-313-5850 

FEES & TAXES 

Recording Fees:

• $10.00 for a release 9 pages or less 

• $20.00 for any other instrument 9 pages or less 
  or for any instrument over 9 pages if it involves solely a principal residence

• $20.00 for Termination of Financing Statements 

• $75.00 for any other instrument 10 page or more. 

Surcharge: 

• $20.00 for all instruments recorded except Power of Attorney and Plats. 

Recording Taxes: 

• Recordation Tax is $2.50 per each $500.00 or fractional part of the consideration. (Recordation tax applies to both instruments that transfer an interest in real property and instruments that create a security interest on real or personal property, e.g., mortgage, deed of trust, etc.) Recordation tax is collected by the Land Records Office. 

• State Transfer Tax is ½ of 1% of the consideration (Note: State Transfer Tax applies only to instruments that transfer an interest in real property, e.g., deed, lease, easement, contract, etc.) 

• County Transfer Tax is 1% of the consideration (Note: County Transfer Tax applies only to instruments that transfer an interest in real property, e.g. deed, lease, easement, contract, etc.) 

Miscellaneous Recording Fees: 

• $5.00 per page for plats recorded in the plat records (one original and two black line photo-process Mylar copies or paper copies) 

• $50.00 for Homeowners Depository records - initial filing 

• $5.00 per page up to a maximum of $25.00 - amendments 

• $15.00 for Notice of Sale and Notice of Judgment 

Please be advised that the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court is prohibited by law from rendering legal advice and from performing title searches.