Maryland public records
Maryland SDAT provides both real-property assessments and business-entity services. The judiciary maintains Case Search and land-record access, while Vital Records and CJIS handle certificates and criminal-history checks. A Case Search summary or SDAT entry is not a certified underlying document.
By DeepSearch · Updated
Agency records law
Public Information Act
Md. Code Ann., Gen. Prov. §§ 4-101 to 4-601
Official record sources
Choose the document you need before searching. A case index, parcel assessment, recorded deed and certified certificate are different records. The links below lead to the responsible government service or its official directory.
| Record / custodian | How to access | Costs and coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Court recordsMaryland Judiciary | Use Case Search for case information and the court's record-access procedure for documents. | Case Search access and clerk copy orders are separate. A docket summary is not the official complete case file; protected records are excluded. |
| Property and land recordsMaryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation | Search SDAT real-property data by county and property identifier. | Assessment lookup and certified recorded documents are separate services. For deeds, use the land-record system identified by the judiciary; assessment data does not establish clear title. |
| Business recordsMaryland SDAT | Use Maryland Business Express and SDAT business-record services. | Search, certificates and document orders have different charges. Maryland entity records are maintained by SDAT, rather than a conventional Secretary of State corporation database. |
| Birth, death, marriage and divorceMaryland Division of Vital Records | Choose eligible birth, death, marriage or divorce-verification services. | Search and certificate or verification fees apply. A divorce verification is not a certified decree; complete divorce records come from the circuit court. |
| Criminal-history checksMaryland DPSCS CJIS | Follow the fingerprint-based background-check procedure for the permitted purpose. | State/federal processing and fingerprint-provider charges may apply. Authorized criminal-history reports differ from public Judiciary Case Search results. |
A criminal charge is not a conviction. A name match does not establish identity. Use the official case disposition and the appropriate authorized record-check process when those distinctions matter.
Requesting agency records in Maryland
Use this process for existing government agency records. Court case copies, vital certificates and criminal-history reports use the separate procedures in the table.
- Who can request
- Any person may seek Maryland agency records. Some records are available only to a person in interest; general public access does not override those restrictions.
- How to submit
- Identify the Maryland agency, municipality or county that maintains the record, then use its published records-custodian contact or accepted request channel. Describe existing documents, identifiers and dates. Keep the submitted request and acknowledgement; court copies and vital certificates use the separate services above.
- Response and delivery
- The custodian must act promptly, ordinarily within 30 days. If more than 10 working days are needed, it must give notice and explain the delay.
- Fees and estimates
- The first two hours of search and preparation are generally free. Reasonable additional costs may be charged; request an estimate or applicable waiver.
- If access is denied
- The Public Access Ombudsman offers mediation. The PIA Compliance Board has defined review powers, and judicial review remains available.
Maryland records-request example
Replace the brackets, narrow the dates and send this to the agency that holds the records. Use its required form or portal when applicable. This example requests agency documents; it is not a certificate application or court filing.
To: [the agency's designated records custodian] Subject: Maryland public-records request — [record or project identifier] Under the Public Information Act (Md. Code Ann., Gen. Prov. §§ 4-101 to 4-601), I request electronic copies of the agency's final procurement award and executed contract for [solicitation number]. Please use existing records in their available electronic format. If any material is withheld, identify the legal basis and provide the non-exempt portions. Before incurring charges above [your limit], please send an itemized estimate. Please confirm receipt and the expected response date. [Name and contact details required by the receiving agency] [Requester eligibility or residency information, where required]
Before sending, check requester eligibility above. Keep the submission confirmation, cost estimate, response and any exemption cited so a follow-up or appeal can refer to the same request.
Maryland public records FAQ
Where can I find Maryland court records?
Use Case Search for case information and the court's record-access procedure for documents. A docket summary is not the official complete case file; protected records are excluded.
Sources: Maryland JudiciaryAre Maryland public records free?
The first two hours of search and preparation are generally free. Reasonable additional costs may be charged; request an estimate or applicable waiver. Certificate and court-document services follow the separate charges listed above.
Sources: Maryland official public-records guidance; Maryland Judiciary; Maryland Division of Vital RecordsHow do I get birth, death, marriage or divorce records in Maryland?
Choose eligible birth, death, marriage or divorce-verification services. A divorce verification is not a certified decree; complete divorce records come from the circuit court.
Sources: Maryland Division of Vital Records; Maryland JudiciaryIs a Maryland court search a complete criminal-history check?
No. Authorized criminal-history reports differ from public Judiciary Case Search results. Follow the fingerprint-based background-check procedure for the permitted purpose.
Sources: Maryland DPSCS CJIS; Maryland JudiciarySources and review
Each link identifies the official custodian or its published directory. Portal coverage and fees can change; confirm the current order details before paying. The date below records the source review, not the date a government record was created.
- Maryland official public-records guidance — checked
- Maryland Judiciary — checked
- Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation — checked
- Maryland SDAT — checked
- Maryland Division of Vital Records — checked
- Maryland DPSCS CJIS — checked
Browse other jurisdictions
Public-records access rules vary by jurisdiction. Continue through the directory or return to the full list to choose the agency location you need.
All public-records jurisdictions