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Maryland Quitclaim Deed Form (2026): Requirements, Notary, Recording Fee

Updated October 11, 2026. Quick answer: Real Property 4-101(a)(1) makes a deed sufficient if it is executed, acknowledged and, where required, recorded. Before recording, the clerk collects $10 for a release 9 pages or less in length, $20 for an instrument involving solely a principal residence regardless of length, $20 for any other instrument 9 pages or less in length, and $75 for any other instrument 10 pages or more in length (Real Property 3-601).

Maryland quitclaim deed at a glance

ItemWhat the documents say
SigningA Maryland deed is sufficient if it names the grantor and grantee, describes the property and the interest granted, and is executed, acknowledged and, where required, recorded; it passes only when executed and recorded.
WitnessesIf the grantor signs as Title 5 requires, the absence of a seal or attestation does not affect the deed’s validity.
Notary or acknowledgmentReal Property 4-101(a)(1) makes a deed sufficient if it is executed, acknowledged and, where required, recorded.
Statutory quitclaim formNot found in the documents read
Where to record, and the feeClerk of the circuit court for the county. Before recording, the clerk collects $10 for a release 9 pages or less in length, $20 for an instrument involving solely a principal residence regardless of length, $20 for any other instrument 9 pages or less in length, and $75 for any other instrument 10 pages or more in length (Real Property 3-601).
State transfer taxThe Maryland state transfer tax rate is 0.5% of the consideration payable for the instrument of writing. For a sale of improved residential property to a first-time Maryland home buyer who will occupy it as a principal residence, the rate is 0.25% and the seller pays the tax entirely. Who pays in other cases was not read.
Gift from a parent to a childSection 13-207 exempts an instrument from transfer tax to the same extent it is not subject to recordation tax under 12-108(c) (transfer between relatives and domestic partners), which as read covers only debt assumed by the transferee; county-level taxes were not read. Section 13-207 also lists 12-108(d), and under 12-108(d) an instrument that transfers property between spouses or former spouses is not subject to recordation tax, so a deed between spouses is exempt from transfer tax to that extent.
Spouse or homesteadNot found in the documents read
SourceMaryland General Assembly

Signing, witnesses and the notary in Maryland

A Maryland deed is sufficient if it names the grantor and grantee, describes the property and the interest granted, and is executed, acknowledged and, where required, recorded; it passes only when executed and recorded.

Real Property 4-101(a)(1) makes a deed sufficient if it is executed, acknowledged and, where required, recorded.

Witnesses: If the grantor signs as Title 5 requires, the absence of a seal or attestation does not affect the deed’s validity.

The text itself:

  • Md. Code, Real Property 3-101: “unless the deed granting it is executed and recorded”
  • Md. Code, Real Property 4-101: “absence of a seal or attestation does not affect the validity”
  • Md. Code, Real Property 4-101: “is sufficient, if executed, acknowledged, and, where required, recorded”

If you want a ready-made form

Review LawDepot’s quitclaim deed form

LawDepot builds a quit claim deed from guided questions for your state. Compare the form with the signing, notary and recording rules on this page before you sign anything.

A deed moves title and can change a family’s tax and benefit position. If you need advice about your situation, ask a real estate attorney before choosing a document service.

The link goes to LawDepot, a paid legal-document service, not Clear Money Guide and not a law firm. LawDepot pays Clear Money Guide a commission if you buy a document there, at no extra cost to you. You are under no obligation to buy anything. We are not a law firm and this is not legal advice.

Review LawDepot’s quitclaim deed

Opens on LawDepot. Follow the signing, notary and recording rules for your state.

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Recording: where to file and what it costs

Recording office: Clerk of the circuit court for the county. Before recording, the clerk collects $10 for a release 9 pages or less in length, $20 for an instrument involving solely a principal residence regardless of length, $20 for any other instrument 9 pages or less in length, and $75 for any other instrument 10 pages or more in length (Real Property 3-601).

The text itself:

  • Md. Code, Real Property 3-601: “$20 for an instrument, regardless of length, involving solely a principal residence”
  • Md. Code, Real Property 3-104: “The clerk of the circuit court may record an instrument”

Transfer tax and a gift to a family member

The Maryland state transfer tax rate is 0.5% of the consideration payable for the instrument of writing. For a sale of improved residential property to a first-time Maryland home buyer who will occupy it as a principal residence, the rate is 0.25% and the seller pays the tax entirely. Who pays in other cases was not read.

Between family members: Section 13-207 exempts an instrument from transfer tax to the same extent it is not subject to recordation tax under 12-108(c) (transfer between relatives and domestic partners), which as read covers only debt assumed by the transferee; county-level taxes were not read. Section 13-207 also lists 12-108(d), and under 12-108(d) an instrument that transfers property between spouses or former spouses is not subject to recordation tax, so a deed between spouses is exempt from transfer tax to that extent.

The text itself:

  • Md. Code, Tax-Property 13-203: “the rate of the transfer tax is 0.5% of the consideration payable”
  • Md. Code, Tax-Property 13-207: “(Transfer between relatives and domestic partners)”

Other filings the documents mention

An instrument that changes ownership must be accompanied by a complete intake sheet or be endorsed by the county assessment office, and carry the tax collector’s certificate that taxes are paid.

The text itself:

  • Md. Code, Real Property 3-104: “Accompanied by a complete intake sheet”

A worked example: a parent deeds the home to an adult child

An illustration, not a return: a parent bought a home for $100,000, and it is worth $300,000 when the parent deeds it to an adult child by quitclaim deed, with no payment. The child later sells it for $350,000. For a gift, federal law says the child’s basis is “the same as it would be in the hands of the donor”, so the basis stays $100,000 and the gain is $250,000 ($350,000 minus $100,000). Had the child received the same home at the parent’s death, when it was worth $300,000, the statute sets the basis at “fair market value of the property at the date of the decedent’s”, so the gain would be $50,000 ($350,000 minus $300,000). Federal gift tax filing rules are outside this page and outside the documents read.

Read the Maryland transfer-tax rule above for the state side of the same transfer. See CMG’s quitclaim vs warranty deed for a family transfer page for the choice of deed.

What the documents do not say

  • Whether Maryland has a statutory quitclaim form: not found in the documents read.
  • Whether a spouse must join in the deed: not found in the documents read.
  • County or city transfer taxes and local recording surcharges were not read unless named above.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming the Maryland transfer-tax exemption for family gifts also removes the federal basis consequence shown in the example.
  • Assuming the answer for one state applies to another, or that signing a deed ends the paperwork before recording.

Related: quitclaim vs warranty deed for a family transfer, Maryland transfer on death deed, and Maryland probate cost.

Sources

Sources: the primary documents linked above, read on October 11, 2026. General information, not tax advice. Your own facts decide the outcome, and a tax professional or the state agency itself is the right place to confirm anything consequential.