MarylandProperty document margin rules end as clerks date index changes
Starting October 1, 2026, people can record printed property documents without the specified margins, while county clerks must date index changes on the line they change.
What it does
People recording printed deeds and other property documents will no longer need a 3-inch top margin on the first page or 1-inch side margins. Other print and scanning rules remain.
County circuit court clerks must date every change or correction to the general alphabetical index on the same line where they make it.
Argument forPeople preparing property documents could have more freedom to arrange text on the page without meeting the old margin measurements.
Argument againstWithout set margins, some documents could be harder for clerks to scan, though the law keeps other scanning rules.
More detail
Printed deeds and other documents offered for recording no longer need the specified margins. This covers printed deeds and other instruments offered for recording in Maryland. Other print, readability, and scanning rules still apply. The change takes effect October 1, 2026.
Each county circuit court clerk must date every change or correction to the general alphabetical index on the line where it is made. This applies to each county circuit court clerk and the county's general alphabetical index of deeds and other instruments. The requirement takes effect October 1, 2026.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 26Approved by the Governor Wes Moore - Chapter 746Became Law
- Apr 13Returned Passed
- Apr 13Third Reading PassedPassed Senate
- Apr 9Favorable Adopted Second Reading PassedMinor
- Apr 9Favorable Report by Judicial ProceedingsMinor
- Mar 13Referred Judicial ProceedingsMinor
- Mar 12Third Reading PassedPassed House
- Mar 11Favorable Adopted Second Reading PassedMinor
- Mar 10Favorable Report by Economic MattersMinor
- Feb 28
- Vote recorded On Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 9Hearing 2/26 at 1:00 p.m.
- Feb 5First Reading Economic MattersIntroduced
Government & Ethics