Montgomery County Court Records

Montgomery County court records are files detailing legal proceedings in the county's circuit, district, and orphans' courts. These records, which may be in paper or electronic formats, typically contain the following information:

• Case filings
• Court dockets and calendars
• Names of involved parties
• Case depositions
• Evidence
• Judgments
• Appeal information

Montgomery County court records allow the public to see the decision-making processes in the county courts. They also ensure that the legal process is fair and just. Archived court records in Montgomery serve as precedents for future legal proceedings. Local and state administrative bodies may use court records to reform policies.

Are Court Records Public in Montgomery County?

Yes. Maryland Rules 16-901 allow public access to court records in Montgomery County. However, requesters may not view or obtain certain court records, including the following:

• Juvenile records
• Mental health evaluations
• Adoption records
• Records involving termination of parental rights
• Personal identifying information such as Social Security Number and financial account numbers
• Sealed records

Montgomery County Court Records Search

Interested persons can search Montgomery County court records by making phone, mail, or email requests to official record custodians. They may also locate and visit relevant record custodian's offices to obtain court documents in the county. In addition, Montgomery court records can be searched online via the following platforms:

• Record custodian's official website
• Montgomery county's public law library
• State's online repository
• State archives
• Third-party online databases

Montgomery County Court Records Search by Name

Montgomery court records name-based searches provide access to specific case information, including filings, judgments, and court dates. To perform a name search, interested persons should have the names of parties to the court records, such as plaintiffs, defenders, or offenders. Afterwards, provide the required names in mail, phone, or email requests to the record custodian. Alternatively, enter the names into the court's online database as the search criterion.

Generally, using Maryland's Case Search to complete name searches and view Montgomery court records online is free of charge. However, obtaining copies of case files at the court clerk's office costs $.50 per page. Third-party websites provide name searches to subscribers only. Requesters may also need to provide valid IDs to access certain Montgomery County court records.

Montgomery County Courts

The Montgomery County court system comprises circuit, district, and orphans courts. The county's general jurisdiction court is the Circuit Court, which presides over all cases outside the authority of lesser courts. The Montgomery County District Court handles minor felonies, misdemeanors, land-tenant disputes, juvenile cases, and general civil claims involving $30,000 or less in financial settlements. All probate matters are resolved at the Orphans Court in Montgomery County.

The following are Montgomery County courts and their contact information:

Montgomery County Circuit Court
50 Maryland Avenue
Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: (240) 777-9400

Montgomery County District Court - Rockville
District Court Building
191 E Jefferson Street
Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: (301) 563-8800

Montgomery County District Court - Silver Spring
L. Leonard Ruben District Court Building
8552 2nd Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: (301) 563-8500

Montgomery County Orphans Court
50 Maryland Avenue, Room 322
Rockville, MD 20850-2397
Phone: (240) 777-9600
Fax: (240) 777-9602

Montgomery County Circuit Court Case Search

The Clerk of Circuit Court maintains court records filed in Montgomery County Circuit Court. The apex trial court typically hears felony-related trials, juvenile delinquencies, family law cases, and civil disputes of more than $30,000. Appeals from the District and Orphans' Courts also occur in the Circuit Court. Individuals interested in checking these records can view limited details online via the state's portal. They can also obtain them by completing the copy request forms and mailing them to the clerk's office at:

50 Maryland Avenue
North Tower, 3rd Floor, Office 3200
Rockford, MD 20850
Phone: (240) 777-9467

Montgomery County District Court Records

The Administrative Clerk creates and stores court documents filed in Montgomery County District Courts. Court records available in the District Courts often contain:

• Landlord-tenant cases
• Misdemeanor criminal proceedings
• Traffic violations
• Replevin actions
• Civil disputes involving not more than $30,000

Record seekers can search district court records online with relevant case numbers or names of parties involved. They can also call the clerk's office at (301) 563-8800 or send an email to inquire about District Court records.

Montgomery County Criminal Records

The Montgomery County Department of Police and County Sheriff’s Office maintains criminal records, which contain the following information:

• Offenders' names
• Arrest reports
• Charges and offenses
• Court information
• Conviction details

Interested persons may call the Sheriff's Office at (240) 777-7000 to obtain criminal records. They can also view Montgomery arrest records online and other crime data maintained by the police department. Records not available online may be obtained by submitting records requests via mail or email to:

MCPD, Records Section
100 Edison Park Drive, 1st Floor
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878
Phone: (240) 773-5330
Email: Records.MCPD@montgomerycountymd.gov

Montgomery County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Interested individuals can look up Montgomery County criminal court records using any of the two methods below:

1. Open the Maryland Judiciary Case Search and perform any of the searches below:

• Select the Case Number Search option
  • Input the criminal case numbers
  • Click Search
• Choose Party Search
  • Select Person under Party Type
  • Input offenders' names
  • Use the Advanced Search feature to narrow the search by selecting the court system, case type, and county (Montgomery County)
  • Click Search

1. Make phone, mail, or in-person requests to the Circuit Clerk's Criminal Department at:

50 Maryland Avenue
North Tower, First Floor, Office 1260
Rockford, MD 20850
Phone: (240) 777-9440

Get Montgomery County Civil Court Records

Montgomery County civil court records typically show legal proceedings involving individuals and business entities. Civil case files contain complaints, summons, pleadings, settlements, judgments, and appeals. Montgomery County's Circuit Court Clerk Civil Department handles all civil disputes above $30,000 in financial settlement. Civil lawsuits may involve contract breaches, personal injuries, torts, or property disputes. Interested persons can view or get copies of these case files using the contact information below:

50 Maryland Avenue
North Tower, First Floor, Office 1200
Rockford, MD 20850
Phone: (240) 777-9401

Generally, the District Court Clerk files landlord-tenant disputes and civil claims involving $30,000 or less. Interested individuals can obtain these civil court records by emailing or calling the clerk's office at (301) 563-8800 An alternative way to view Montgomery County civil court records is through the state's judicial repository. Requesters must provide case numbers or names of defendants/plaintiffs to find desired case files.

Montgomery County Family Court Records

Family Court records in Montgomery County document all legal proceedings under family law. The Circuit Court has a Family Division responsible for handling family law cases, such as adoption, child custody, paternity, divorce, protection orders, and domestic violence. Generally, the Circuit Clerk Family Department maintains family court records to ensure transparency and enforce court orders. However, not all family court records are open to the public in Montgomery County. Case files involving adoption, protection orders, and other confidential family court records are accessible to record owners and confidential intermediaries. To obtain these records, interested individuals can submit completed request forms in person to:

50 Maryland Avenue
South Tower, First Floor, Office 1460
Rockford, MD 20850
Phone: (240) 777-9426
Available hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm; Monday to Friday

Requesters may need to bring valid means of identification when submitting request forms. Limited family court information in Montgomery County may be publicly accessible. Members of the public can call the Circuit Clerk Family Department at (240) 777-9426 to inquire about available family court records.

Montgomery Dissolution of Marriage Records

Montgomery County's dissolution of marriage records are available at the Circuit Clerk's Family Department office. These court documents contain:

• Petitions for dissolution
• Responses from the other party
• Temporary orders (for child support or custody)
• Settlement agreements
• Court motions and rulings
• Divorce decrees

Parties involved can submit request forms to the clerk's family department to obtain Montgomery County dissolution of marriage records. Members of the public can call the family department at (240) 777-9426 to find out how to get public marriage dissolution records.

Montgomery County Marriage and Divorce Records

Marriage records in Montgomery County are public documents showing that couples are married legally. On the other hand, divorce records contain information regarding legal separations. The Circuit Court Clerk maintains Montgomery County marriage and divorce records. Requesters can access limited marriage or divorce records in the county using any of these methods:

1. Use the contact information below to request marriage or divorce records from the Circuit Court Clerk's office:
   50 Maryland Avenue
   North Tower, 3rd Floor, Office 3200
   Rockford, MD 20850
   Phone: (240) 777-9467
2. Complete and send Marriage or Divorce request forms via mail to:
   Division of Vital Records,
   P.O. Box 68760
   Baltimore, Maryland 21215-0036
   Mail applications must include valid IDs, appropriate payments, and self-addressed stamped envelopes. The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) provides only marriage records issued or created on or after January 1, 2007. Also, the Department provides only divorce records created on or after January 1, 1992
3. Visit Maryland State Archives to order marriage certificates or divorce decrees filed in Montgomery County

Montgomery County marriage and divorce records are generally open to the public. However, confidential information within the documents is redacted to avoid identity theft.

Montgomery Birth and Death Records

Birth and death records in Montgomery County document residents' key life events. The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services maintains birth and death records for public health data and demographic research. County residents typically request these records for legal identification to access government benefits or settle estates. Generally, Montgomery County birth certificates are confidential for 100 years after residents' birthdates. The public disclosure of death certificates in the county is also restricted to ten years from death. Before being public, birth and death records in Montgomery are available to only:

• Record owners
• Spouse of record owners
• Named parents or relatives on the death/birth records
• Legal representative/guardian of record owners'
• Funeral directors of record owners

Requesters can use any of the methods below to obtain Montgomery County death and birth certificates:

1. Book an appointment with the county's vital records division to obtain same-day birth/death certificates. Afterward, download and complete the birth or death request forms. On the scheduled date, bring completed forms, valid IDs, appropriate fees, and other entitlement documents to the vital records office at:
   Dennis Avenue Health Center
   2000 Dennis Avenue, Suite #27
   Silver Spring, MD
   Phone: (240) 773-1207
   Available hours to schedule appointments: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm, Monday through Friday
2. Mail completed forms, valid IDs, fees, and self-addressed stamped envelopes to the MDH Vital Records Office at:
   Division of Vital Records
   P.O. Box 68760
   Baltimore, Maryland 21215-0036
3. Place orders for public birth and death certificates from the Maryland State Archives.

Montgomery County Probate Court Records

The Register of Wills Office creates and maintains probate records in Montgomery County. The information available in Montgomery County probate records relates to handling decedents' wills, administration of decedents' estates, guardianships, and conservatorships. These probate cases are within the jurisdiction of the Montgomery Orphans Court. Probate records are part of Montgomery County public records. As such, members of the public can use the Estate Search or Claim Search tools to find probate records. Records not found online may be accessible by calling the Montgomery Register of Wills Office at (240) 777-9680. Records related to guardianships and conservatorships may be available at the Montgomery Trust Clerk's Office located at:

50 Maryland Avenue
North Tower, Second Floor, Office 2400
Rockford, MD 20850
Phone: (240) 777-9175
Text: (240) 328-2214

Montgomery County Property Records

Montgomery County property records are legal documents containing details of land and properties within the county. These public records contain information on liens, deeds, surveys, tax records, and other real estate transactions in Montgomery County. The Circuit Clerk's Land Records Department is the official record custodian for property records in the county. Interested parties can obtain Montgomery property records by visiting or calling the Land Records Department at:

50 Maryland Avenue
North Tower, Second Floor, Office 2120
Rockford, MD 20850
Phone: (240) 777-9477
Available hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Property records are also accessible on the MDLANDREC, an online database. To use the state's database, an interested individual must create a free account with the Maryland State Archives. Liens unavailable through the Land Records Department may be obtained via Maryland's Case Search portal or the Circuit Clerk Civil Department. Information on foreclosures is also obtainable from the Civil Department in Montgomery County.

Montgomery County Court Records Online

Montgomery County court records are available through third-party online resources like Marylandcourtrecords.us. Third-party sites are helpful, convenient, efficient, cost-effective, and time-saving ways of accessing Montgomery County court records. Record seekers can skip visiting record custodians. However, verifying the accuracy of documents found on third-party websites is essential. Some non-governmental databases may not have updated information.