A Maryland (MD) Quitclaim Deed provides a tool that a property’s owner can use to transfer real interest in a property to another party.
With a quitclaim deed, the property’s owner (grantor) does not guarantee the buyer (grantee) that they have good title or own the property.
If a buyer and seller want the property to have a warranty on the title, they need to use a warranty deed.
A Maryland quitclaim deed works best in cases where the two parties know each other well, such as when transferring property between family members or into a trust for estate planning needs.
“Quit claims deed,” “quick claim deed,” and “quit claim deed” are all incorrect terms for a quitclaim deed.
Important Laws & Requirements
The following are important laws and requirements regarding Maryland quitclaim deeds.
Laws
Maryland Code, Real Property §§ 3-101-104
Signing
Per Maryland Code, Real Property § 4-101, the grantor must sign a Maryland quitclaim deed before a notary public.
Documents
To submit the quitclaim deed to the Clerk of the Circuit Court, you must complete a Land Instrument Intake Sheet to determine transfer and recordation tax, if any.
Transfer and Recordation Taxes
Deeds transferring property require state and county transfer taxes (Maryland Code, Tax Property § 13-101) and state recordation tax (Maryland Code, Tax Property § 12-205).
However, some transfers are exempt from certain taxes, such as gifts of property to parents, children, or spouses (Maryland Code, Tax Property § 12-208).
Recording
Per Maryland Real Property Code 3-104, you must file Maryland quitclaim deeds with the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the property’s county. Each county has recording fees, and some require a municipal lien release fee.
How to Write & File a Quitclaim Deed in Maryland
Take the following steps to write and file a quitclaim deed in Maryland.
Step 1 – Obtain Maryland Quitclaim Deed Form
Download the appropriate quitclaim deed form.
Step 2 – Enter Preparer’s Details
Under “Prepared by,” enter the name of the person who fills out the form. Then, enter their address.
Step 3 – Write ‘Return To’ Name
Under “After recording return to,” enter the name of the person where the paperwork goes after the Circuit Court Clerk finishes recording. This is usually the grantee, but it can be anyone you choose.
Step 4 – Fill in Consideration
After “in consideration of the sum of,” add the amount paid, if any, for the property. First, write out the words, then add the numeric value in the parenthesis after the words.
Step 5 – Enter Grantor’s Details
Enter the grantor’s information. This includes the full name, address, city, and state.
Step 6 – Write Grantee’s Information
Enter the grantee’s information, including the full name, address, city, and state.
Step 7 – Note Property Legal Description
Provide the property’s county. Then, write the property’s legal description, including its address, plot number, and complete property description. Find the description on the property deed and add a second document as an attachment.
Step 9 – Preparer Signs Form
In the “Preparer’s Certification” section, the person who prepared the document must enter their status and signature.
If the party is not an attorney, they will declare their status as grantor or grantee. After signing, the preparer must also print their name.
Step 10 – Grantor Signs Before a Notary Public
The grantor must sign the document in the presence of a notary public.
Step 11 – Prepare Land Instrument Intake Sheet
Prepare the Land Instrument Intake Sheet to accompany the Maryland quitclaim deed.
Step 12 – File Documents with Circuit Court Clerk
Submit the completed, signed documents with the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the property’s county, along with any appropriate fees.
Maryland Quitclaim Deed Sample
Below, you can find what a Maryland quitclaim deed typically looks like: