Maryland Public Records

Thank you for visiting this page. We aim to help you find the Maryland Public Records you need. Our guide will walk you through the types of records available. We list how and where you can access them in Maryland. We will give you links and details.

If you want to start searching for Maryland Public Records right away, you can visit https://marylandofficialrecords.com/ to begin. This site allows you to search various records available to the public. It can be a fast way to check for names or specific data across different databases. Please note this is an external site, but it can assist with your Maryland Public Records needs quickly if you prefer not to go through official state channels initially.

Accessing Maryland Public Records: The Public Information Act (PIA)

Understanding the Maryland PIA

Maryland law gives you the right to see public records. This right is key in a free state. The Maryland Public Information Act, or PIA, lets people access government records. It helps keep government open. The PIA is found in the General Provisions Article, Sections 4-101 through 4-601 of the Maryland Code. It applies to state and local government bodies. This includes all three branches: law makers, courts, and the main state offices. It is much like the U.S. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). FOIA applies to U.S. government agencies. The PIA favors letting people see records. A public record is any item made or received by an agency for public work. This covers many forms like paper, books, photos, films, tapes, and computer files.

Records Exempt from Disclosure

Not all records are open to the public. The PIA protects some government needs. It also protects the privacy of people. Some records must be kept secret by law. This includes adoption files and some personnel records. Certain info from the Motor Vehicle Administration is also kept private. Parts of records might be kept secret too. Your health details or business trade secrets are examples. See GP Sections 4-304 to 4-342 for details. Agencies might also hold back some records. They can do this if showing them harms the public good. Examples are police investigation files or test info for jobs or school. Court rules and rights like lawyer talks also keep some records private.

How to Request Maryland Public Records

You should ask the agency that holds the record. You might need to write down your request. Ask the person in charge of that record. If you do not know who that is, ask the agency's PIA contact or the agency head. Be clear about the records you want. This helps the agency find them fast. Each state, county, and city agency must name a PIA contact person. Their name, phone, mail, and email must be sent to the Attorney General's office each year. You can find a list of these contacts online. A link is often on the Maryland Attorney General's website under the Open Government or PIA section. This list helps you find the right person to send your request to. Some simple requests might be handled with just a phone call. Check the agency website first. Some common records might already be there. For example, property tax info is often online.

Most agencies should answer your request in 30 days. But sometimes they need more time. This can happen if records are hard to find or need review. The agency must tell you if they need more time. They must give you a reason and a date when they expect to finish. Good requests make the process smooth. Be as exact as you can. Give dates, names, places, or case numbers if you know them. This helps the staff find just what you need. It saves time for you and for them. Clear requests are key to getting your Maryland Public Records without long delays or problems.

Fees for Maryland Public Records

Agencies can charge fair fees for Maryland Public Records. Fees cover the cost of searching for and copying records. The law allows charges for the time staff spend finding records. It also covers time spent reviewing them before release. However, the first two hours of search time are free. If a search takes a long time, it could cost a lot. So, make your request very clear. This helps limit search time and cost. Agencies must give you an estimate if the cost will be over $25. You can ask them to waive fees if you cannot pay or if the records serve the public good. There are also copy fees. For example, the courts charge $0.50 per page for copies of deeds from Land Records. Fees must be paid before you get the records. Check with the agency about payment methods. Some may take checks or credit cards.

Denials and Appeals

If an agency denies your request for Maryland Public Records, they must tell you why. They must give you a written note. This note must state the reason for denial. It must cite the law that lets them deny it. It must also tell you how you can appeal. You might have the right to ask for a review inside the agency first. If you still cannot get the records, help is available. The Public Access Ombudsman can help solve disputes. This office tries to mediate between you and the agency. You must try mediation with the Ombudsman before filing some complaints. The PIA Compliance Board is another resource. This state board reviews complaints about PIA issues. They can handle cases where access was denied. They also review cases about fees over $350. They handle cases where an agency did not reply. The Office of the Attorney General gives legal advice to state agencies on the PIA. They also publish the Public Information Act Manual. This guide explains the law well. Find it on the Attorney General's website: https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/Pages/OpenGov/pia.aspx.

Maryland Vital Records

Types of Vital Records

Vital records document major life events. Key vital records in Maryland include birth certificates. They also include death certificates. Marriage records and divorce records are vital records too. The Maryland Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, keeps these official state documents. You often need certified copies for legal tasks. This includes getting a passport or driver's license. School sign up may need one. Social Security benefits might require them. Retirement plans often ask for proof of birth or marriage.

Maryland Division of Vital Records (State Level)

The main state office for vital records is in Baltimore. It is the Maryland Division of Vital Records (DVR). Their address is 6764 B Reisterstown Road, Reisterstown Road Plaza, Baltimore, MD 21215. You can call them at 410-764-3038. Press 1 for help with vital records. You can request records by mail too. Send mail requests to P.O. Box 68760, Baltimore, MD 21215. Note that the state system may have delays. They transitioned to a new system which can cause slow processing times. Wait times might be longer than normal. It is best to check the Maryland Department of Health's Vital Statistics Administration website for current updates: https://health.maryland.gov/vsa/Pages/home.aspx. The basic fee for a certified birth certificate copy from the state is $10.00 per copy. Fees for other records may vary. Check the website or call for current fee information for death, marriage, or divorce records obtained directly from the state DVR.

County Health Departments

Some county health departments also issue vital records. For example, Anne Arundel County Department of Health does. They provide certified copies of birth and death certificates. Their office is at 3 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401. They operate by appointment only for birth certificates. Call 410-222-4462 to schedule. Birth certificate appointments are Mon-Fri, 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 12:45 PM to 3:15 PM. They close for lunch from noon to 12:45 PM. Birth certificates for people born in Maryland after 1942 cost $20. You must apply in person. Bring a valid government photo ID. Only the person named on the certificate, their parent listed on it, or someone with legal custody papers can get a copy. Payment can be cash, Discover, Mastercard, Visa (with a 2.2% fee), or check to "Controller, Anne Arundel County". Death certificates for deaths since 2015 can also be obtained here. Funeral directors can get them 8 AM - 11 AM M-F (fax requests to 410-222-4424). The public can get death certificates by appointment (call 410-222-4462). Hours are 11 AM - 12 PM and 12:45 PM - 3 PM M-F. The cost is $18 for the first copy and $20 for each extra copy.

Home Birth Registration

Maryland has rules for registering home births. If a licensed clinician helps with the birth, follow state guidance. More information is on the VSA website: https://health.maryland.gov/vsa/Pages/homebirth.aspx. If the birth was unplanned at home, or unassisted by a licensed clinician, contact your local county health department. For Anne Arundel County residents, call 410-222-7223 or email HDSQI@aacounty.org. They will give instructions for registering the birth. You can also pre-register an unassisted home birth. This makes the process easier after the baby arrives. Contact the county health department (like the number above for AA County) to pre-register your pregnancy. A public health nurse will help verify the birth later.

Maryland Court Records

Accessing Court Case Information

You can find much Maryland court case info online. Use the Maryland Judiciary Case Search tool. The website is mdcourts.gov/casesearch. This tool lets you look up cases in Maryland courts. You can track case progress too. It covers many civil cases, criminal cases, and traffic citations. However, some records are not in this online search. Land records are kept separately. Estate cases handled by the Register of Wills are not included. Very old cases might not be online. Also, some case types might be sealed or confidential by law. The Case Search tool is a great starting point for most recent Maryland court records research.

Requesting Physical Copies

If you need paper copies of court documents, you must ask the court. Go to the specific courthouse where the case was heard. Court clerks handle these requests. Maryland Rules 16-901 and following cover access to judicial records. You can ask in person at the clerk's office. Go during normal business hours. You can also submit a written request to the records custodian at the court. There are often fees for getting copies. The cost depends on the number of pages. Check with the specific clerk's office for their current copy fees and payment options. They can tell you how to properly request the file or specific documents from a case.

Most court case files are public records. This means anyone can view them and get copies. You might need the case number to help the clerk find the file quickly. You can often find the case number using the Maryland Judiciary Case Search tool first. Then, take that number to the courthouse. Provide the case number and party names to the clerk. They can then locate the physical case file for you to review or get copies from. Remember that clerks cannot give legal advice. They can only help you access the records.

Specific Court Record Types

• Criminal Case Copies: Request these from the clerk at the court where the case occurred. Most criminal case files are open to the public. Find case details using Maryland Judiciary Case Search.

• Divorce Judgments: Your final divorce decree is a court record. Request a certified copy from the Circuit Court clerk where the divorce was granted.

• Estate Cases: These involve wills and estates after someone dies. They are handled by the Register of Wills and the Orphan's Court in each county. Records are kept there, not typically in the main Case Search. Contact the local Register of Wills office.

Court Schedules and Dockets

Many courts post their daily schedules online. This helps lawyers and the public know when cases are heard. For instance, Anne Arundel County provides links to its Circuit Court Daily Dockets. It also links to the District Court Assistant State Attorney Schedule. Check the specific county court website or the main Maryland Courts site for links to dockets and schedules if available for that court location. This information is very useful for tracking upcoming hearings or trials. Find Anne Arundel County links here: https://www.aacounty.org/sao/court-case-information.

Maryland Land and Property Records

Department of Land Records

Every Maryland county and Baltimore City has a Department of Land Records. It is part of the Circuit Court Clerk's Office. These offices keep records about real property. Records include deeds, which show ownership. They also include mortgages, liens, and some leases. Any legal paper that affects rights to land can be recorded here. Clerks accept documents that meet recording rules. They keep the records safe and organized. They also collect fees when documents are submitted. Clerks cannot give legal advice or help fill out forms. They cannot check your documents before you file them. They also cannot do a title search for you. Their main job is to record and maintain these important Maryland Public Records.

Searching Land Records

You can view Maryland land records for free online. Use the website mdlandrec.net. This site is run by the Maryland State Archives. You must create a free account to use it. Many courthouses also have computers you can use. These terminals let you search deeds and other land records in person. Deeds are public information. Anyone can look at them or get copies. If you need a copy, the cost is usually $0.50 per page at the Land Records office. Every recorded deed has a reference number. This number points to the book and page where it is stored. Sometimes Latin words are used: "liber" for book and "folio" for page. You can find the reference number online. Go to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation website. Look up the property address. The reference number is often in the owner info section.

The mdlandrec.net system is very useful. It provides digital images of land record documents. You can search by name, location, or document type. Having the book and page number makes searches very fast. Creating an account is simple. Once logged in, you can browse records from all Maryland counties and Baltimore City. This online access makes searching Maryland property records much easier than before. You do not always need to travel to the courthouse. However, for very old records or complex searches, visiting the Land Records office might still be needed. Staff there can assist with using their indexes and finding older documents that may not be digitized yet.

Real Property Data Search (Dept. of Assessments and Taxation)

The Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) has an online tool. It is called the Real Property Data Search. Find it at http://sdat.dat.maryland.gov/RealProperty/Pages/default.aspx. This tool lets you find info about properties in Maryland. You can search by the property address. You can search by street name. You can search by the account identifier number. You can also search by map reference. You cannot search by the owner's name. The search results show owner name and address. They show the property address and legal description. You can see the account ID number. Assessment values and tax info are there too. Your property account number is on your assessment notice from SDAT. Use this number to search easily. If info seems wrong, contact the local SDAT assessment office. Their contact info is on the SDAT website. SDAT does not have tax bills online. For tax bill questions, contact your local county or city finance office.

Liens and Foreclosures

Liens against property can be recorded in Land Records. Search for these liens online using mdlandrec.net. Some liens come from court judgments. These might not be in Land Records. Check Maryland Case Search for judgments against the owner. Unpaid property taxes can also lead to a lien. Contact your local county or city finance office about tax liens. Foreclosure cases are handled by the Circuit Court Civil Clerk. They are not kept at Land Records. Search for foreclosure cases using the owner's name on Maryland Case Search (mdcourts.gov/casesearch). Finding all liens on a property can be hard. Think about getting help from a lawyer or title company if you are buying property. They know where to look for all types of liens.

Electronic Filing (Simplifile)

Some Maryland counties allow electronic filing of land records. This is done through a service called Simplifile. Deeds and other documents can be filed online this way. This saves a trip to the courthouse. There are specific requirements for electronic filing. You can find a list of Land Records Departments that accept e-filing online. Check the Maryland Courts website or search for Maryland Simplifile information for the current list and rules. The availability varies by county.

Maryland Criminal History Records

Obtaining Your Own Criminal Record

You can get a copy of your own Maryland criminal history record. The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) handles this. Their Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Central Repository manages these checks. To get your record, you usually need to provide fingerprints. Fees apply for background checks. A state-only check costs $18 if mailed in. It costs $38 if fingerprinted in person at an authorized location (fee includes a $20 service fee). A full state and FBI check costs more and is usually only for specific authorized purposes. Fees must be paid by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover) or check. CJIS does not accept cash or money orders. Make checks payable to "CJIS Central Repository".

If you live in Maryland, go to an authorized fingerprinting location. They will submit your prints and request electronically. If you live outside Maryland, you must request a fingerprint card from CJIS. Call them at 410-764-4501 or toll-free 1-888-795-0011. Or write to P.O. Box 32708, Pikesville, Maryland 21282-2708. Mail the completed fingerprint card and fee back to CJIS at the P.O. Box address. Or send it overnight to 6776 Reisterstown Road, Suite 217, Baltimore, Maryland 21215. Expect results in about 10-15 days after they receive your mailed card. If you need your FBI record, you must request it directly from the FBI. Maryland CJIS only provides the state-level check unless authorized for a combined check.

Employer/Licensing Background Checks

If you need a background check for a job or license in Maryland, the employer or licensing agency must request it. They need an Agency Authorization Number from CJIS to do this. They must complete an application to get this number. Once authorized, they can submit requests for potential employees or licensees. As an individual, you cannot typically request a background check for employment purposes yourself through CJIS. The request must come from the authorized employer or agency. They will provide you with instructions and necessary forms, including fingerprinting details.

Accessing Criminal Court Case Files

Your official criminal history record comes from CJIS. But the details of specific court cases are public records. You can get copies of documents from a criminal case file. Request these from the clerk's office at the courthouse where the case was heard. Most criminal case files are open for anyone to see and copy. Use the Maryland Judiciary Case Search (mdcourts.gov/casesearch) first. Find the case number and court location. Then contact the clerk's office at that court. Ask for the specific case file or documents you need. Fees for copies will apply, usually per page.

Maryland Business Records

Maryland Business Express Portal

Maryland provides an online portal to search for business information. It is called Maryland Business Express. The search tool is found at https://egov.maryland.gov/businessexpress/entitysearch. This site connects to the database of businesses registered in Maryland. The data itself is maintained by the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). The Secretary of State's office also plays a role in business filings. This portal is the main public gateway to look up details about Maryland companies. It is a key tool for finding official Maryland Public Records related to businesses.

Searching for Business Entities

The Business Express portal lets you search in different ways. You can search by the business name. Entering the full name gives exact matches. Entering part of the name gives broader results. This is useful if you are unsure of the exact legal name. You can also search by the Department ID number if you know it. This unique number is assigned by SDAT to each registered entity. The search results page shows a table of matching businesses. It lists the entity name, its status (like Active, Forfeited, Dissolved), and its Department ID. Click on a business name in the table to see more details. The detailed page shows the legal name and formation date. It lists the principal office address on file. It also shows the name and address of the registered agent. The registered agent accepts legal papers for the business. You can also see the entity type (LLC, Corporation, etc.) and view a history of filings like annual reports.

Verifying Business Status

Checking the status is important. An "Active" or "Good Standing" status means the business has met its basic state filing requirements. This usually includes filing annual reports and paying necessary fees. A "Forfeited" status means the business did not meet requirements, often failure to file an annual report. A "Dissolved" status means the business has formally closed down. The portal lets you see the filing history. This can show if annual reports were filed on time. Accessing these public filings helps verify if a business is compliant with state rules. This information is part of the Maryland Public Records available through the Business Express portal. It is a free public tool.

Secretary of State Contact Information

While SDAT maintains the core business data, the Secretary of State handles certain business filings and authentications. Their office is located at 16 Francis Street, Annapolis, MD 21401. The phone number is 410-974-5521. General office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Hours for certification services are 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. You can find more information on their website: https://sos.maryland.gov.

Maryland State Archives

Role in Storing Public Records

The Maryland State Archives plays a vital role. It keeps and preserves Maryland's important historical records. This includes many types of government documents. Older court cases, land records, and vital records may be stored here. When current agencies no longer need records for daily work, they often transfer them to the Archives. The Archives makes these historical Maryland Public Records available for research. They hold records from colonial times to the near present. Their collections are vast and cover many aspects of Maryland history and government.

Contact Information

The Maryland State Archives building is in Annapolis. The address is 350 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD 21401. You can reach them by phone at 410-260-6400. There is also a toll-free number: 800-235-4045. Their main email for help is msa.helpdesk@maryland.gov. Visit their website at msa.maryland.gov for more information. The website has details on planning a visit, hours of operation, and research guides. Check the website before visiting, as hours and access rules can change.

Requesting Records from Archives

You can request copies of records held by the Archives. Send requests by mail, email, or fax. Include your full contact info: name, address, phone, and email. Clearly describe the record you need. For court cases, provide the defendant's name, county, court location, year, charge, and case number if possible. Check with the original court clerk for case details if needed. Fees apply for research and copies. A full court case copy might cost $50. Copying specific parts might cost $35. Per-page copy fees also apply. It is best to include credit card info with your request. Or, send a check made payable to Maryland State Archives. Write "not to exceed" and an amount on the check, as page counts may vary.

Online Resources via Archives Website

The Maryland State Archives offers many digital resources. These allow online access to historical Maryland Public Records. Key online resources include:

• Guide to Government Records: Helps find specific record types (birth, death, court, land).

• Archives of Maryland Online: Access historical laws, assembly notes, governor papers, military records.

• Maryland Land Records (mdlandrec.net): Digital images of deeds and land records statewide. Requires a free account.

• Census Indexes: Searchable indexes for various historical censuses (1776, 1870, etc.).

• Legacy of Slavery Database: Information on enslaved and free individuals (1830-1880).

• Government Publications: Reports, newsletters, press releases.

• Special Collections: Finding aids for private papers, photos, maps.

• Plats.net: Access to land survey, subdivision, and condominium plats.

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