Search Montgomery County Public Records
Montgomery County public records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Rockville, the county government, and multiple state agencies. This guide covers court cases, land records, property data, vital records, police reports, and how to file an MPIA request. Montgomery County is Maryland's most populous county, and most records are accessible online through state and county portals, with in-person access at the courthouse at 50 Maryland Avenue in Rockville.
Montgomery County Public Records Overview
Montgomery County Circuit Court Clerk
Barbara H. Meiklejohn serves as the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Montgomery County. The office is at 50 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The main phone number is (240) 777-9464. Montgomery County is part of Maryland's 6th Judicial Circuit, which serves the county alone given its size and caseload.
The clerk's office maintains civil case files, criminal records, family law matters, and land instruments. Land Records staff are at (240) 777-9466. Staff can help you locate a case by number or party name, tell you which division handles your matter, and explain the process for getting copies of documents. Given the volume of cases in Montgomery County, using the online case search before visiting in person will save you time and help you arrive with the right case information.
Filings can be submitted in person, by mail, or electronically through the MDEC system. Self-represented parties can use MDEC for some case types. Viewing filed documents is possible through the case search tool for MDEC cases. The Montgomery County Circuit Court website has local rules, forms, division contacts, and fee schedules.
Below is the Montgomery County Circuit Court website at montgomerycountymd.gov/cct, which covers clerk contacts, court divisions, local rules, and online filing guidance.
The circuit court site provides direct access to forms, fee information, division contacts, and local rules for the Rockville courthouse.
Montgomery County Court Records Search
Montgomery County court cases are searchable for free through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search tool. This covers both Circuit Court and District Court cases across the county. You can look up civil, criminal, traffic, family, and domestic violence matters. Results show party names, charges or claims, case status, hearing dates, and a full docket of events in each case.
Go to casesearch.courts.state.md.us and select Montgomery County from the county list. Search by party name or case number. For MDEC-filed cases, some documents can be downloaded directly from the search interface. Older records that predate electronic filing must be requested through the clerk's office at (240) 777-9464. District Court locations in Montgomery County include 191 E. Jefferson Street in Rockville and 8552 2nd Avenue in Silver Spring. Each handles traffic, smaller civil, and misdemeanor criminal matters for their respective service areas.
Sealed files, juvenile records, and cases subject to a court restriction will not show up in the public search. If a case is missing and you believe it is accessible, call the clerk's office directly.
Montgomery County Land Records
All land instruments in Montgomery County are recorded with the Circuit Court Clerk's Land Records Department at 50 Maryland Avenue in Rockville. This includes deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, liens, easements, and releases. The land records staff can be reached at (240) 777-9466 during business hours.
Montgomery County maintains a land records information page that covers recording requirements, accepted document types, and how to order copies of recorded instruments. Visit montgomerycountymd.gov/cct/departments/land-records.html for details specific to the county. Maryland's statewide land records portal is the main search tool for deed and mortgage documents. Most instruments recorded in recent years are available with full document images online. Search by grantor name, grantee name, book and page, or instrument type at mdlandrec.net.
Standard recording fees apply statewide: $20 for documents with 9 or fewer pages, $75 for 10 or more pages, a $40 surcharge on all instruments, and $10 for releases. Documents submitted for recording in Montgomery County must meet state formatting requirements including margin size and print quality standards.
Below is the Montgomery County Circuit Court land records department page, which explains recording requirements and how to order copies of recorded instruments in Rockville.
The land records department page for Montgomery County covers what types of instruments are accepted, how to submit them for recording, and how to order certified copies.
Montgomery County Property Tax Records
Montgomery County maintains its own real property tax search portal, separate from the SDAT statewide system. This tool is useful for checking current tax account status, payment history, and outstanding balances. It connects directly to the county's tax billing system and reflects the most current data.
Property ownership and assessment data is also available through SDAT. SDAT records show the current owner of record, assessed values, property descriptions, and sale history for all parcels in the county. Both tools are useful depending on what you need: use SDAT for ownership and assessment data, and use the county portal for tax account and payment information.
Search Montgomery County property tax records at apps.montgomerycountymd.gov/realpropertytax. Below is the county's real property tax search portal, which gives direct access to billing records and tax status for all Montgomery County parcels.
The real property tax search covers all Montgomery County parcels and shows current tax status, assessed values, and payment history.
Below is an example of the county property tax records interface at montgomerycountymd.gov/propertytax, which is the standard tool for checking tax account data tied to any Montgomery County address.
The property tax search connects billing records to parcel data maintained by SDAT and the county finance office.
Montgomery County Register of Wills and Probate
The Register of Wills for Montgomery County handles all probate and estate matters in Rockville. When a person dies with or without a will, the estate is opened in the county where they lived. The Register supervises estate administration and keeps records on file. These records are public.
Probate records include wills, petitions to open estate, asset inventories, accountings filed by the personal representative, and final distributions. Anyone can request copies or search for a filed estate. Visit the Montgomery County Register of Wills page for the office address, phone number, and links to the online search tool. Genealogists, heirs, creditors, and attorneys use this office regularly. The Register also handles minor estate proceedings and inheritance tax filings. Most records are accessible in person without a formal written request during business hours.
Vital Records in Montgomery County
Birth and death certificates for events in Montgomery County are issued by the Maryland Department of Health's Vital Statistics Administration. These are certified copies of official state records. You can request them online, by mail, or in person at the VSA office in Baltimore. Visit health.maryland.gov/vsa to begin a request. Proof of identity and your relationship to the record subject is required.
Marriage licenses in Montgomery County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 50 Maryland Avenue in Rockville. Both parties must appear together with valid photo ID. The fee is $85. A 48-hour waiting period is required before the ceremony. The license stays valid for 6 months from the issue date. Divorce records are court records, not vital records. They are held by the Circuit Court Clerk and are searchable through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search tool or by calling (240) 777-9464.
Montgomery County Police Records
The Montgomery County Police Department handles records requests for incident reports, crash reports, and other law enforcement records. The Records Section is at police headquarters at 100 Edison Park Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20878. Contact the Records Section by phone at (240) 773-5330 or by email at MCPDRecords@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Incident reports can be requested online through the police online portal. Crash reports cost $10 and are not available online. Crash reports must be requested in person or by mail. Incident reports also cost $10. Requests involving ongoing investigations or legally restricted information may be denied in whole or in part.
Montgomery County Police has multiple district stations. The 4th District serves the Germantown area. The 2nd District serves the Bethesda area. Each district can provide limited assistance with records questions, but the main Records Section in Gaithersburg handles all formal record requests.
The MCPD incident report request page covers how to submit requests, what information you need to provide, and how long processing takes. Below is a screenshot of that page.
The MCPD incident report page explains the request process, required information, and how to submit a request to the Records Section in Gaithersburg.
For other MCPD records beyond incident reports, see the MCPD general records request page, which covers additional record types and how to use the online portal. Below is a screenshot of that page.
The records request page covers all MCPD record types, including how to use the online portal for qualifying requests and where to send written requests.
Below is the 4th District Police station page at montgomerycountymd.gov, which serves Germantown and surrounding areas in northern Montgomery County.
The 4th District station page lists the address, contact number, and service area for police serving the Germantown portion of Montgomery County.
Below is the 2nd District Police station page, which serves Bethesda and the southern part of the county.
The 2nd District station covers Bethesda and nearby communities in southern Montgomery County near the DC border.
How to File an MPIA Request in Montgomery County
Maryland's open records law is the Maryland Public Information Act, codified at General Provisions Article, Sections 4-101 and following. The MPIA gives the public the right to request and inspect most government records. Some categories are exempt from disclosure, and agencies may charge fees for locating and copying materials.
For Montgomery County government records, the MPIA contact office is the Office of Public Information. Visit montgomerycountymd.gov/OPI/MPIA.html for department contacts, instructions, and forms. The M-NCPPC, which handles parks and planning matters, has a separate MPIA contact at piarep@mncppc.org or 301-929-7814. For police records, contact the Records Section at (240) 773-5330 or MCPDRecords@montgomerycountymd.gov.
- Describe the records you need as specifically as possible in writing
- Direct court record requests to the clerk at (240) 777-9464
- Direct county agency requests through the OPI MPIA page
- Direct police record requests to MCPDRecords@montgomerycountymd.gov
- Direct parks and planning records to piarep@mncppc.org
- Expect an acknowledgment within 10 working days
Agencies must acknowledge a request within 10 working days and provide a full response within 30 calendar days. If a request is denied in full or in part, the agency must give the legal basis for denial. You can appeal to the circuit court or the Office of the Attorney General. Many court records can also be accessed in person at the Rockville courthouse without a formal MPIA request.
Below is the Montgomery County MPIA page at montgomerycountymd.gov/OPI/MPIA.html, which is the main starting point for submitting open records requests to county agencies.
The county MPIA page lists agency contacts, instructions for submitting requests, and guidance on what to do if your request is denied.
Below is the Montgomery County services page at montgomerycountymd.gov/services, which provides an overview of county departments and how to reach them for records and other assistance.
The county services page is a useful starting point for locating the right department when you need records from a specific Montgomery County agency.
Communities in Montgomery County
Montgomery County includes several large communities with dedicated public records pages. Each page covers local courthouse details, resources, and nearby services.
Nearby Maryland Counties
Montgomery County borders Howard, Frederick, Carroll, Prince George's, and Anne Arundel counties. Each has its own clerk's office and public records system.