Land Records Department

NOTICE: Please note that Chapter 538 from the 2020 Session of the Maryland General Assembly provides that the current $40 surcharge on recordable instruments recorded among the land records and financing statement records will continue on and after July 1, 2020. For more information, see page 15 through 16 here.

Procedures for Implementing HB 1093 | Affidavit of Intent to use Electronic Signature

Telephone Number: 410-228-0480

The Land Records Department acts as a custodian for the recording and maintenance of all public records connected to real estate in Dorchester County. Our research room is open to the public. Information is obtained by self-research and copies are readily available for a fee. Records date back to 1665 and many are available online. The Clerk's Office is prohibited by law from providing legal assistance or performing title searches. 

Recording Process for Deeds: 

You may need to contact the Dorchester County Finance Office, Cambridge City Hall or other Municipalities located within Dorchester County before recording the deed at the Clerk's Office.

  1. Dorchester County Finance
    501 Court Lane
    Cambridge, MD 21613
    410-228-4343
  2. Brookview
    5649 Indiantown Road
    Rhodesdale, MD 21659
    410-943-3155
  3. Cambridge
    P.O. Box 255
    410 Academy Street
    Cambridge, MD 21613
    410-228-4020
  4. Church Creek
    P.O. Box 52
    Church Creek, MD 21622
    410-228-7030
  5. East New Market
    P.O. Box 24
    10 Academy Street
    East New Market, MD 21631
    410-943-8112
  6. Eldorado
    P.O. Box 24
    5808 Eldorado Road
    Rhodesdale, MD 21659
    410-943-4187
  7. Galestown
    P.O. Box 190, Sharptown, MD 21861
    5461 Galestown Newhart Mill Road
    Seaford, DE 19973
    410-883-3156
  8. Hurlock
    P.O. Box 327
    311 Charles Street
    Hurlock, MD 21643
    410-943-4181
  9. Secretary
    122 Main Street
    Secretary, MD 21664
    410-943-3113
  10. Vienna
    P.O. Box 86
    214 Market Street
    Vienna, MD 21869
    410-376-3442
  11. Land Records Office
    Dorchester County Circuit Court
    P.O. Box 150
    206 High Street
    Cambridge, MD 21613
    410-228-0480

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 pages or more. 

  • $5.00 per set for subdivision plats and $5.00 per set for survey plats recorded in the plat records. (See MD Real Property 3-108)
  • $15.00 for Notice of Sale and Notice of Judgment
Surcharge: 
  • $40.00 for all instruments recorded except Power of Attorney and Notice of Sale. 
Recording Taxes: 

  • Recordation Tax is $5.00 per each $500. (Round up to the nearest $500, example: consideration amount: $101,850, calculations would be based on $102,000.) (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.)

  • State Transfer Tax is .50% (.25% if a 1st Time MD Homebuyer Affidavit is submitted at the time of recording) 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 .75% of the consideration. (The first $30,000 of the consideration is exempt if the buyer is an owner occupant and the document is submitted with an affidavit of owner occupancy)
Miscellaneous Fees: 

  •   Copy fees: $.25 per page (if copies are made by the Clerk's Office: $.50 per page)

  • Certified Copy: $5.00 each plus copy fees

  • Authentication of a Notary Public: $1.00

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.