Which probate records can you search free?
The Maryland Register of Wills provides free access to basic estate information and estate dockets. Results can identify the decedent, estate number, date of death, personal representative, attorney, filing jurisdiction and estate status. Check document-copy fees separately before ordering copies.
Choose Baltimore County or Baltimore City
Baltimore County and Baltimore City are separate estate-search jurisdictions. Confirm the decedent’s jurisdiction rather than choosing from the postal city alone. If a case is missing, check the jurisdiction before concluding that no estate record exists.
Build a usable probate research list
Keep the estate number and jurisdiction, decedent’s name, personal representative, research date and any specific property reference together. Record attorneys, representatives and property owners in separate fields so their different roles stay clear.
An estate-search result does not establish that a home is available for sale. Add a supported property address, account identifier or legal description before placing the property on a real estate prospect list.
Match the estate with Maryland property records
Use SDAT to research the property by its address or account identifier in the correct county. Its official help explains address, street, account and map-reference searches. Compare the deed reference and recorded parties through the land records.
Maryland Courts directs land-record researchers to MDLandRec, which uses a free account. Compare the actual property facts and recorded references; a similar name alone does not identify an estate’s property.
Browse published Baltimore County property lists
The Baltimore County directory shows the property-record categories currently published by LienScraper. Use those lists and their dates to choose properties. This guide explains probate research; availability of a downloadable probate lead list is shown separately in the directory.