MarylandMaryland drops deed margins and requires clerks to date index changes
Starting October 1, 2026, Maryland removes specified margin rules for property papers submitted for recording and requires county clerks to date changes to the deed index.
What it does
People recording printed property documents no longer need to leave the specified top and side margins. The documents must still meet other readability rules.
County circuit court clerks must date each change or correction they make to the general alphabetical index of deeds and other instruments.
Argument forRemoving the specified margin rules could make it easier to prepare property documents for recording, while other readability rules still apply.
Argument againstDating every index correction could add work for county clerks and may slow updates to property records.
More detail
The law removes the required top and side margins for printed property documents submitted for recording. This applies to printed deeds and other instruments offered for recording in Maryland. The document must still meet the other printing and readability rules. This change takes effect October 1, 2026.
Each county circuit court clerk must date every change or correction made to the general alphabetical index. The index lists deeds and other instruments by the names of people involved in property transactions. This requirement takes effect October 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 26Approved by the Governor Wes Moore - Chapter 745Became Law
- Apr 13Returned Passed
- Apr 13Third Reading PassedPassed House
- Apr 8Favorable Adopted Second Reading PassedMinor
- Apr 8Favorable Report by Economic MattersMinor
- Mar 31
- Vote recorded On Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 20Referred Economic MattersMinor
- Mar 19Third Reading PassedPassed Senate
- Mar 18Second Reading Passed
- Mar 18Favorable AdoptedMinor
- Mar 16Favorable Report by Judicial ProceedingsMinor
- Mar 3
- Vote recorded On Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 12Hearing 3/05 at 1:00 p.m.
- Feb 6First Reading Judicial ProceedingsIntroduced
Government & Ethics