Maryland Public Records
Maryland public records are open to any person under the Maryland Public Information Act. You can search court cases, look up property ownership, find land documents, check criminal background history, and get vital records across all 23 Maryland counties. Some records are free to search online. Others require a written request or in-person visit to a county office. This guide covers the main types of Maryland public records, where they are kept, and how to access them.
Maryland Public Records Overview
Maryland Public Information Act
The Maryland Public Information Act, known as the MPIA, gives every person the right to inspect or copy public records held by state and local government agencies. The law is found in the General Provisions Article, Sections 4-101 through 4-601 of the Maryland Code. You do not need to be a Maryland resident to request records. You do not have to give a reason for your request. Most government records in Maryland are presumptively open under the MPIA unless a specific exemption applies.
The Maryland.gov official portal provides a starting point for finding the right agency to contact. Each state and county office has its own MPIA coordinator who handles record requests for that office.
The official Maryland state portal lists all major agencies and their contact information for public record requests.
To request Maryland public records under the MPIA, submit your request in writing. State the specific records you want and that you are making the request under the Maryland Public Information Act. Include your name and mailing address. Most agencies accept requests by email, mail, or through an online form. You do not have to use a special form unless the agency requires one. Some offices have walk-in hours for in-person requests too.
Agencies must acknowledge your MPIA request within 10 working days and must provide the records within 30 days. If more time is needed, they must notify you in writing with an estimate. Copying fees may apply. Search and preparation time can also be charged. Fee waivers are available under Section 4-206(e) for people who cannot afford to pay or when disclosure serves the public interest. If your request is denied, you can appeal to the Maryland Public Information Act Compliance Board or to the Circuit Court.
Maryland Court Records Search
Court records in Maryland are kept by the Circuit Court clerk in each county, as well as by the District Court. You can search most Maryland court records online at no cost through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system. The search tool covers civil and criminal cases filed in Circuit Courts and District Courts across all 23 counties plus Baltimore City.
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search lets you search by name, case number, or citation number. You can find case status, hearing dates, judgments, and basic case details. Note that some criminal case records are no longer available online. Cases ending in acquittal, dismissal, or nolle prosequi, as well as stet cases older than three years, are removed from the online system. Cannabis possession cases disposed before July 1, 2023 are also not shown. For those, you must visit the courthouse in person.
The courts directory at courts.state.md.us lists addresses and phone numbers for every Circuit Court and District Court in Maryland. Use it to find the right courthouse for your county.
The Maryland courts directory helps you find courthouse addresses, phone numbers, and hours for every county in the state.
Maryland launched the Maryland Electronic Courts system, known as MDEC, to allow electronic filing of court documents. You can view public case filings through the MDEC public access portal at mdcourts.gov. The system is available for counties that have been added to MDEC, with more counties joining over time. Baltimore City activated MDEC in May 2024.
The MDEC portal provides public access to electronic court filings in Maryland counties that have joined the statewide system.
The Maryland Electronic Courts system has expanded to courts statewide, making it easier to view court records without visiting a courthouse.
Property and Land Records in Maryland
Maryland offers two main online tools for property and land records. The State Department of Assessments and Taxation, known as SDAT, runs the Real Property Data Search tool. The Maryland Land Records system provides access to recorded documents like deeds and mortgages. Both tools are free and open to anyone.
Visit the Department of Assessments and Taxation to search property ownership, assessment values, sales history, and property characteristics for any parcel in Maryland. The SDAT Real Property Search lets you search by street address, account number, or map reference across all 24 jurisdictions. Results show current owner names, deed references, assessed values, and recent sales. The search is free with no registration required.
The Department of Assessments and Taxation maintains ownership and valuation data for all properties in Maryland.
The SDAT Real Property Search is the quickest way to look up any Maryland property owner and assessment details at no cost.
For recorded land documents, use Maryland Land Records at mdlandrec.net. Free registration is required to view document images. The system holds deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, judgments, plat maps, military discharges, and financing statements recorded in each county's Circuit Court. You can search by name, document type, date range, or instrument number. The land records system covers all Maryland counties and goes back to documents recorded in recent decades, with older records on microfilm at courthouses.
Maryland Land Records provides digital images of recorded documents filed with the Circuit Court clerk in each county.
The MDLandRec system is maintained by the Maryland State Archives and gives free access to land instrument images after free registration.
Recording fees for land instruments in Maryland Circuit Courts are set by state law. Standard fees are $20 for instruments of nine pages or fewer and $75 for instruments of ten or more pages. A $40 surcharge applies to all instruments. Releases cost $10 plus the surcharge. Under House Bill 347 effective October 1, 2025, all recorded documents must have a three-inch top margin on the first page. Documents that do not meet this standard are subject to triple the normal recording fee at the clerk's discretion.
Subdivision plat maps for Maryland are available through the Maryland State Archives Plats system at plats.msa.maryland.gov. The system covers condo plats and subdivision plats filed with county Circuit Courts statewide.
The Maryland plats system at the State Archives provides access to recorded subdivision and condominium plats from counties across the state.
MDLandRec gives users the ability to search and view document images from Circuit Court land records departments across Maryland.
Note: Some older land records require an in-person visit to the county courthouse because they have not yet been digitized and are only on microfilm.
Criminal Records in Maryland
The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, known as DPSCS, oversees criminal records and background checks in Maryland. The Criminal Justice Information System, or CJIS, unit within DPSCS handles fingerprint-based criminal history record checks for individuals requesting their own records or authorized agencies. These are the official criminal background checks used in Maryland.
The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services website links to background check services, the sex offender registry, and inmate locator tools. Individual criminal history checks require fingerprinting at an approved site.
DPSCS manages the statewide criminal justice information system and provides access to sex offender registry data and background check services.
To get a Maryland criminal background check through CJIS, visit dpscs.state.md.us/publicservs/bgchecks.shtml. The standard fee is $38 per request. Processing typically takes 7 to 10 business days. You must provide fingerprints at an authorized site. The check covers arrests and convictions recorded in Maryland's criminal justice database. You can request your own record for review or correction. Third parties can only access records through an authorized channel with a signed consent form.
The CJIS background check system at DPSCS processes fingerprint-based criminal history records for Maryland residents and authorized agencies.
Maryland's sex offender registry uses a three-tier system. Tier I offenders must register for 15 years. Tier II offenders register for 25 years. Tier III offenders register for life. The registry is updated daily and is open to the public on the DPSCS website. You can search by name, ZIP code, or county to find registered offenders in any area of Maryland.
Vital Records in Maryland
The Maryland Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, is the state agency that holds birth, death, fetal death, and marriage and divorce indexes for Maryland. The Vital Statistics Administration, known as the VSA, issues certified copies of these records to eligible applicants. The office is located at 6764-B Reisterstown Road, Baltimore, MD 21215, and can be reached at (410) 764-3038. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
The Maryland Vital Statistics Administration at the Department of Health issues certified birth, death, and marriage records to eligible applicants.
You can request certified vital records by mail, in person, or online through the VSA at health.maryland.gov/vsa. Eligible requesters include the subject of the record, parents, legal guardians, and certain others with documented need. Fees apply for each copy. Marriage licenses in Maryland are issued by the Circuit Court clerk in each county. The license fee is $85 in most counties and is valid for six months from the date of issue. Both parties must appear in person with valid photo ID. There is a 48-hour waiting period before the license takes effect.
The VSA website provides ordering instructions and eligibility requirements for certified copies of Maryland vital records including birth and death certificates.
Maryland State Archives
The Maryland State Archives is the official repository for historical government records in Maryland. The archives hold records going back to the colonial era, including land patents, court records, legislative records, and genealogical materials. Researchers can access finding aids and some digitized records online at msa.maryland.gov. The archives also maintains the guide to government records at guide.msa.maryland.gov, which helps you find which agency holds the records you need.
The Maryland State Archives preserves historical government records and makes many available online through its digital archive and finding aid system.
The archives provide free online access to finding aids, digitized records, and research guides covering Maryland government records from the 1600s to present.
Note: In-person research at the State Archives in Annapolis requires an appointment for some collections. Call ahead before visiting to confirm access and hours.
Wills and Probate Records in Maryland
Each Maryland county has a Register of Wills office that handles probate matters and estate records. The Register of Wills files wills, inventories, accounts, and other estate documents when a person dies. These records are open to the public. You can search estate records at the statewide Register of Wills portal at registers.maryland.gov. The site has links to each county's Register of Wills office for contact information and local filing fees.
Probate records in Maryland document the administration of a deceased person's estate. They may include wills, lists of assets, creditor claims, and distributions to heirs. These records can be useful for genealogical research and legal matters. Most counties have records dating back many generations, with the oldest kept at the Maryland State Archives.
Business Records and Election Data
Maryland business entity records are maintained by the Department of Assessments and Taxation. You can search business filings, registered agents, annual reports, and entity status at dat.maryland.gov. The search is free and covers corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and trade names registered in Maryland. Results show filing dates, resident agents, and the current standing of each entity. Uniform Commercial Code filings and federal liens are also searchable through the SDAT system.
Maryland voter registration and election records are public through the State Board of Elections at elections.maryland.gov. You can look up your own voter registration, find polling places, and access campaign finance data for candidates and political committees. Campaign finance reports show contributions and expenditures filed by candidates running for state and local offices in Maryland.
The Maryland State Board of Elections provides public access to voter registration data, campaign finance reports, and election-related public records.
Other Maryland Public Records
The Maryland Workers' Compensation Commission at wcc.state.md.us holds records of workers' compensation claims filed in Maryland. Case records are available to parties and their representatives. The commission has an online case lookup for authorized users. Environmental permits, professional license records, and inspection reports from state regulatory agencies are also available as public records through the relevant agency websites.
Maryland Circuit Courts maintain records of civil lawsuits, family law cases, foreclosures, and criminal felony cases. District Courts handle misdemeanors, small claims, and traffic cases. Both court systems are searchable through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search. For land records, court records, and Register of Wills files, you can also go in person to the county courthouse during regular business hours.
Note: Workers' compensation records for active cases may have restricted access depending on the stage of the proceeding and who is making the request.
Browse Maryland Public Records by County
Each Maryland county maintains its own public records through the Circuit Court clerk, Register of Wills, and local agencies. Select a county to find specific contacts, court addresses, local land records access, and MPIA request procedures.
Public Records in Maryland Cities
Major Maryland cities and communities each have local resources for public records access. Select a city to find police report procedures, courthouse locations, and how to submit record requests in that area.