What Is a Lien Certificate and Why Do I Need One When Transferring My Baltimore City or County Property Title?

A lien certificate is a document issued by the city or county finance office that identifies municipal charges owed to the city or county. A lien certificate will state any outstanding taxes or utilities owed, as well as any property violations and unpaid citations. Note that neither the city nor the county will record a deed with an outstanding tax or water bill, or any outstanding violations.

If you live in Baltimore City or Baltimore County, you may need a lien certificate before your property deed can be recorded.

In Baltimore City, a lien certificate is required if someone’s name is coming off the title, as well as for estate deeds, life estate without powers deeds, and confirmatory deeds where a deceased owner is being removed and a remainder person is being added.

In Baltimore County, a lien certificate is required in every filing except for adding a spouse to a title or when creating a life estate deed with powers.

For a free, confidential conversation to discuss property title transfers, contact Maryland real estate attorney Stephen J. Reichert at 410-299-4959 or sreichert@reichertlegal.com.

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