US County Clerks Directory
Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 24019

Dorchester County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Dorchester County, Maryland. Serving a population of 32.879 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Cambridge • Land Area: 540,765 sq mi • State: Maryland (MD)
Call: (410) 423-6889 Get Courthouse Directions Official .Gov Portal ↗
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Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri
Physical Courthouse Address

Dorchester County Courthouse / Recording Office, Cambridge, MD 21613

Seat of government for Dorchester County in Cambridge, MD.

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Courthouse / Directory Line

(410) 423-6889

Regular Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 24019 • Coordinates: 38.4292° N, -76.0474° W
Visit Official .Gov Portal ↗
Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Dorchester County

  • ✓ Valid Government Photo ID (Driver's License or Passport)
  • ✓ Payment: Credit Card, Cashier's Check, or Exact Cash
  • ✓ Original signed documents with valid notary jurat/seal
  • ✓ Mandatory 3-inch top margin for county recorder barcode
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Land Records & Real Property

Dorchester County Deed Recording Fees & Requirements

Governed by Md. Code, Real Prop. § 3-601
First Page Base Fee
$60.00
Includes statutory county automation index surcharge
Each Additional Page
$0.00
Per additional standard 8.5" x 11" page
Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps
0.5% State Transfer Tax (0.25% for first-time Maryland homebuyers) + County transfer tax (0.5% - 1.5%)
Calculated at recording based on purchase consideration

Statutory Recording Margin Standards in Maryland:

Top Margin (Page 1): Must leave minimum 3 inches blank at top right for official recorder barcode and indexing stamp.
Other Margins: Minimum 1 inch on side, bottom, and subsequent pages to avoid non-conforming document penalties.
Grantee & Return Address: Must state grantee's legal address and a return mailing address clearly on the first page.
Legibility & Font: Black ink on white 8.5 x 11 paper; minimum 10-point font. Notary stamps must be crisp and dark.
Marriage Bureau

Marriage License in Dorchester County

License Fee $35 - $85
Waiting Period 48 Hours
  • ✓ Validity Window: Must solemnize within 180 days of issuance.
  • ✓ Personal Appearance: Both applicants must appear together in person at the Dorchester County courthouse.
  • ✓ Identification: Valid state photo driver's license, passport, or military ID. No blood test required.
State Policy: Mandatory 48-hour waiting period. Valid only in the issuing county.
Vital Statistics

Certified Vital Records

Birth Cert $10.00
Death Cert $10.00
Marriage Cert $12.00
  • • Authorized Requestors: Direct family relation (registrant, child, parent, spouse) or legal guardian only.
  • • Filing Agency: Processed through Maryland Department of Health Division of Vital Records and the local Dorchester County clerk counter.
Certified copies bear an official raised, embossed seal and are suitable for passports, probate, real estate, and legal identification.
Commercial & Business

DBA & Assumed Name Registration in Dorchester County

Filing Fee: $25.00
1. Filing Authority

In Dorchester County, sole proprietorships and general partnerships register assumed names through the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT).

2. Statutory Requirement

Required prior to opening a commercial checking account, issuing invoices under a brand name, or executing contracts in Maryland.

3. State Rules & Notice

Trade names are filed at the state level via SDAT.

Official Business & DBA Filing Assistance

Starting a Business or Filing a DBA in Dorchester County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Dorchester County Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). Form your official LLC, register your Trade / Assumed Name (DBA), get your federal Tax ID (EIN), and receive your registered agent documents fully online in Maryland.

Name Search Included
Articles of Organization
Maryland Compliant
Register LLC / DBA Online Official partner filing service • Expedited processing
State-Specific Statutory Legal Templates

Download Official Maryland Real Estate Deeds & Legal Forms

Ensure your property transfer is compliant with Maryland county recording statutes. Get attorney-drafted Quitclaim Deeds, Special Warranty Deeds, Powers of Attorney, and Promissory Notes formatted with correct margins and statutory acknowledgments.

✓ 3-inch top recording margin ready ✓ State notary jurat included ✓ Instant PDF & Word download
Get Maryland Legal Forms → Updated for 2026 legal compliance
Regional Civic Network

Nearby County Clerks in Maryland

Need to file or search public records in an adjacent jurisdiction? Explore neighboring Maryland recording offices:

Wicomico County Seat: Salisbury
~22.9 mi →
Talbot County Seat: Easton
~23.2 mi →
Somerset County Seat: Princess Anne
~26.7 mi →
Calvert County Seat: Prince Frederick
~26.9 mi →
St. Mary's County Seat: Leonardtown
~30 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Dorchester County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Dorchester County Clerk & Recorder office located?
The official Dorchester County office is located at Dorchester County Courthouse / Recording Office, Cambridge, MD 21613. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (410) 423-6889.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Dorchester County?
Under Maryland statute (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 3-601), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Dorchester County costs $60.00 for the first page, plus $0.00 for each additional page. Transfer tax details: 0.5% State Transfer Tax (0.25% for first-time Maryland homebuyers) + County transfer tax (0.5% - 1.5%).
How do I obtain a marriage license in Dorchester County, MD?
Both applicants must appear in person before the Dorchester County Clerk with government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state ID). The fee is approximately $35 - $85. Maryland requires a waiting period of 48 hours, and the license is valid for 180 days from the date of issuance.
How do I file a DBA (Doing Business As) or Assumed Name in Dorchester County?
In Dorchester County, registering a DBA or Assumed Business Name is handled through the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) with a standard statutory filing fee of $25.00. Trade names are filed at the state level via SDAT.
How can I request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate in Dorchester County?
Certified vital records (birth certificates starting at $10.00 and death certificates starting at $10.00) can be requested through the Maryland Department of Health Division of Vital Records or directly at the Dorchester County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.