Are Maryland Records Public?

According to the Maryland Public Information Act (PIA), records maintained by governmental agencies in the state are available for public inspection and copying. The PIA grants members of the public the right to review such records and obtain copies. A public record in Maryland means the original or copy of any documentary material in any form, including written materials, books, photographs, photocopies, firms, microfilms, records, tapes, computerized records, maps, drawings, and other materials, created or received by a public agency in the state.

The PIA grants members of the public the right to review Maryland public records and obtain copies. The Act applies to all three branches of Maryland state government and local government entities. Interested persons can request public records from the designated agency in custody of the record. 

Who Can Access Maryland Public Records?

Under the PIA, anyone can access Maryland public records. If a request is made to access public records, the public agency must respond to the request within 10 days and, in most cases, produce the record within 30 days. If the public agency will require more time to produce the record, they must inform the requester within 10 days of receiving the application:

• The reason for the delay.
• An estimated cost for the production of the record(s).
• The estimated time within which the record will be produced.

When the request is vague, the agency should also inform the requester, and when the requester provides clarification, the record custodian is to produce the document within 30 days of the initial application.

The law allows public agencies to charge search fees after two hours of search and copy fees to cover the cost of making copies of the record.

A requester may be required to provide a valid ID that includes their address as a prerequisite to accessing the requested record.

Do I Need to State My Purpose and Use When Requesting Public Records in Maryland?

In Maryland, you are not required to state the purpose or use when obtaining records. If the record is accessible to the general public and not exempted by law, you can request to access such record. Although you do not need to state your purpose, you should provide sufficient information about the records you are requesting to enable the government agency to locate and process your request.

What Records are Public in Maryland?

A wide range of records and documents held by government agencies in Maryland are considered public. This encompasses records and information, such as Maryland court records, inmate records, bankruptcy records, marriage records, sex offender information, and property records. Public records may exist in physical form or electronic mediums.

Maryland Public Court Records

Maryland public court records are documents and information that are associated with the legal proceedings of a matter handled by the court. They include documents like case files, judgments, orders, motions, pleadings, transcripts, and court dockets. The Maryland Judiciary is the central body that provides administrative service to the courts. Court records are kept by the court clerk of the court that handled the case. You can request public court records by providing the clerk with the case number or names of the parties of the record you are interested in obtaining. There is a directory of court locations and phone numbers in Maryland. You can call regarding the availability of the record.

Maryland public court records are also accessible online through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search. The case search portal provides a summary of the official case file.

Note: Court records that are expunged or sealed by court order or otherwise restricted from public access by law are not available to the public.

Maryland Public Criminal Records

Maryland public criminal records contains information about a person’s criminal history, including arrests, charges, convictions, and sentencing. The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) is responsible for maintaining public criminal records at the state level.

To obtain criminal records in Maryland, the applicant must first obtain the subject’s written consent, along with their Social Security Number, full name, and birth date. Next, the applicant must accompany the subject to an authorized fingerprinting service for live scanning. Once the fingerprints are taken, the applicant must submit it in person, by mail, or by fax ($18.00 for mail requests and $38.00 for in-person requests) the fingerprint card, completed request form (private entity or government agency), and payment for services to:

In person:

Criminal Justice Information - Central Repository
6776 Reisterstown Road, Suite 217
Baltimore, MD 21215

Mail:

Criminal Justice Information System - Central Repository
P.O. Box 32708
Pikesville, MD 21282-2708
Fax: (410) 653-6320

However, this fingerprint-based search method may not be widely accessible to the general public. Alternatively, applicants may request criminal court records from the clerk of courts in the jurisdiction where the trial occurred. This is a more accessible avenue for obtaining criminal records, as it does not rely on fingerprinting and may be available to the public upon request.

Maryland Public Arrest Records

In Maryland, arrest records are available to interested members of the public records. Arrest records contain information about a person’s arrest history. An arrest record includes personal information, information about the arrest (date, time, and place), reason for arrest, and the arresting officer. Maryland arrest records are maintained by Sheriff’s Office or police department in Maryland. Individuals can access arrest records by contacting the Sheriff’s Office or police department where the arrest occurred. Additionally, some law enforcement agencies may impose time restrictions on accessing recent arrest records to allow for ongoing investigations or legal processes.

Maryland Public Bankruptcy Records

Bankruptcy records in Maryland document the legal process by which individuals or businesses declare insolvency and seek relief from debts. Public bankruptcy records in Maryland are considered public records and they include details such as the debtor’s name, address, assets, liabilities, creditors, bankruptcy filing type, and court proceedings related to the case.

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland hears bankruptcy matters and keeps bankruptcy records from such matters in the state. There are three bankruptcy court locations in the state:

U.S. Bankruptcy Court - District of Maryland Baltimore Division
Garmatz Federal Courthouse
101 West Lombard Street
Suite 8530
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 962-2688

U.S. Bankruptcy Court - District of Maryland Greenbelt Division
Federal Courthouse
6500 Cherrywood Lane
Suite 300
Greenbelt, MD 20770
(301) 344-8018

U.S. Bankruptcy Court - District of Maryland (Salisbury)
Salisbury Courthouse
U.S. Post Office Building
129 East Main Street
Room 104
Salisbury, MD 21801

You can access bankruptcy records in Maryland is through various means. Public online is available through Public Access to Court Records (PACER), a public access court electronic records tool that provides access to information about federal court cases. It costs $0.10 per page.

Also, you can inspect and request copies of bankruptcy records through the public computer terminals in the courthouse at $0.10 per page. If you cannot visit the courthouse physically, you can make a mail request.

Maryland Public Birth Records

Public birth records in Maryland contain essential information about individuals’ births, including their full name, date and place of birth, parents’ names, and sometimes additional details such as birth weight and attending physician. The Maryland Department of Health maintains birth records for the state. Access to Maryland birth records is restricted to:

• The subject of the certificate;
• Any of their parents;
• Their court-appointed guardian, with proof of guardianship;
• Their spouse;
• A representative of any of the above persons. The representative must provide a letter signed by the person they represent and certified by a notary public. The letter should state that the representative has been given person to obtain a copy of the certificate.

To obtain a birth record in Maryland, individuals can submit a completed Application for Birth Record form (Espanol) by mail with payment, a self-addressed envelope, and a copy of a valid ID:

Division of Vital Records
P.O. Box 68760
Baltimore, MD 21215-0036
(410) 764-3038

The application may also be submitted at any local health department nearest to you in Maryland.

Maryland Public Death Records

Public death records in Maryland contain vital information about a decedent’s death, including their full name, date and place of death, cause of death, and information like the decedent’s age and occupation. The Maryland Department of Health is responsible for maintaining death records for the state. Copies of Maryland death  records are available to:

• The surviving relative or authorized representative of the decedent.
• The funeral director in charge of the final disposition of the decedent’s body.

Mail a filled out Death Certificate Application (Espanol) with a copy of a valid ID, entitlement documentation, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

Division of Vital Records
P.O. Box 68760
Baltimore, MD 21215-0036

Or submit the application to any local health department close to you in Maryland.

Maryland Public Marriage Records 

Public marriage records in Maryland provides information about marriages that happened in the state, including the full names of the spouses, the date and location of the marriage ceremony, and the names of witnesses. The Maryland Department of Health maintains marriage records for the state. Maryland marriage records are available to:

• Either of the married couple on the record;
• Their representative, with proof of authorization by the spouse and certified by a notary public;
• Their lawyer, with proof that they represent the spouse.

To obtain public Maryland marriage records, mail a filled out Marriage Certificate Application (Espanol) with payment, a copy of a valid ID, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

Division of Vital Records
P.O. Box 68760
Baltimore, MD 21215-0036

You can also submit the application to the nearest local health department in Maryland.

Maryland Public Divorce Records

Public divorce records in Maryland provides information about the dissolution of marriages in Maryland. It includes the names of the spouses, the date and location of the divorce decree, and details of the terms of dissolution.

Maryland divorce records are maintained by the court clerk of the court where the dissolution decree was delivered. You can request divorce records by providing the clerk with the case number or names of the parties of the record. There is a directory of court locations and phone numbers in Maryland. You can call the clerk to confirm the availability of the record.

Maryland Public Inmate Records

Inmate records in Maryland are accessible to the public. It included information about individuals that have been incarcerated in the state, including inmate’s full name, date of birth, race, and sex. Inmate records in Maryland are maintained by the state or municipal correctional department where the inmate is incarcerated. The DPSCS maintains a central repository of records of inmates in state correctional facilities. To look up public Maryland inmate records, DPSCS Inmate Locator and provide the first and last name of the inmate.  For persons incarcerated in county or city jails, contact the correctional department.

Maryland Public Sex Offender Information

In Maryland, sex offender information is available to the general public to promote community safety and awareness. The DPSCS works with Sheriff’s Offices and local police departments to provide a central online registry that provides details about convicted sex offenders in the state. The registry provides various search options, including name and location search.

Note that accessing sex offender information comes with the responsibility of using it ethically and responsibly. It is important to recognize that while public access to sex offender information can help communities stay informed and take precautions, individuals should refrain from using this information to harass, discriminate against, or endanger sex offenders. Responsible dissemination of sex offender information involves using it for legitimate safety purposes while respecting the privacy and rights of all individuals involved.

Maryland Public Property Records

Property records in Maryland include various types of information related to real estate and land ownership. This information may include property ownership details, such as the names of property owners, property addresses, parcel numbers, and legal descriptions of the property. Also, property records may contain information about property transactions, including sales history, property tax assessments, liens, mortgages, and easements.

To access property records in Maryland, individuals have to first determine the type of property record they seek. Property records relating to ownership are kept by the Land Records Department in the Circuit Court of each county. These records are available to the public and can be obtained online or by making an in-person request at the court. Property records relating to property tax, sale, and value information are maintained by the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation and is available through the SDAT website.

It is important to note that while property information is considered public record, certain details may be restricted or redacted to protect individual privacy or financial information or to comply with the law.

What is Exempted Under the Maryland Public Records Act?

The PIA provides for the right of citizens and members of the public to inspect and copy public records in Maryland. However, to balance the public’s right to access government records with other policies, the PIA also creates exemptions to public access to records. Generally, records declared confidential or exempt from public access by state or federal law, under court rules, or by common law cannot be inspected or copied by members of the public. Examples of such records include:

• Sealed or expunged court records
• Confidential information.
• Criminal History Record.
• Pre-sentence Investigation Report.
• Medical Records/Psychological Information.
• Request or Order for Medical Testing.
• Records concerning child abuse or neglect.
• Commercial information and trade secrets.
• Investigatory records.
• Information related to academic, licensing, and employment examinations.
• Adoption records

How Do I Find Public Records in Maryland?

There is no central or public agency that handles public record requests in Maryland. Public records are maintained by the public agency that created, received, or lodged such record. Individuals interested in obtaining particular records should directly contact the custodian agency for the record they seek. The Maryland Attorney General has a regularly updated list of record custodians at state, county, and municipal level. If the requester is not certain of the record custodian, they may visit the agency’s website or reach out to their local library for assistance from a reference staff.

Requests for public records should be submitted to the relevant record custodian at the state, county, or municipal agency. Some agencies may provide their request forms, there is not a standard form used for requesting public records. Requests can be made orally or in writing, addressed to the individual responsible for the specific record or the agency’s public information officer.

A requester must provide sufficient information about the desired records to facilitate the agency’s search process. Although agencies are generally expected to respond within 30 days, some instances may require additional time for record retrieval and review.

Can I Find Free Public Records in Maryland Using Third-Party Sites?

Spme third-party sites offer access to a range of Maryland public records, including property records, court documents, criminal records, vital records, and more. However, these records are not always verified or backed by the government, so there's a possibility of inaccuracies or incomplete information.

One major risk of using third-party sites is the potential exposure of personal information. Additionally, due to restricted access to records, there’s a chance of receiving erroneous or incomplete information. Therefore, reliance solely on these sites without cross-referencing with legitimate government sources can be risky.

On the positive side, these sites offer convenience and may provide access to services like data analysis and aggregated information, which can be useful for research or investigative purposes.

If you choose to engage a third-party site:

• Cross-reference the information provided by third-party websites with legitimate government sources to ensure accuracy.
• Stick to reputable third-party sites that have a history of providing accurate and reliable information. Look for user reviews and ratings to gauge the credibility of these sites.
• Before using any third-party service, carefully review their terms and conditions as well as privacy policies to understand how your information will be used and protected.

How Much Do Public Records Cost in Maryland?

In Maryland, the PIA allows public agencies to charge reasonable fees for copying and searching for records. The initial two hours of search time are free and extended searches may incur charges. Most agencies have a fee schedule and it may information about fee waivers.

For FOIA requests, fees are typically restricted to standard charges for document searches, reviews, and copies. The first two hours of search and preparation are exempt from fees, calculated based on the searcher’s salary and time spent searching. Additional charges may apply for reproduction facilities if not provided by the office. Flat fees may be imposed for specific document types, covering both search and reproduction costs.

Some agencies grant fee waivers for search or copy fees if the requester is indigent or the requester seeks a waiver which is deemed to be in the public interest and granted.

What Happens if I Am Refused a Public Records Request?

An agency that denies all or part of an applicant’s request for public records is required to provide a written explanation to that effect. The explanation must contain the reason for the denial, the legal basis for the denial, and the applicant’s right to appeal.

Some common reasons for refusal or denial of access to records include:

• The public record is exempt from public access by law.
• The inspection of the public record would be contrary to a state or federal law or a court order.
• It is not in the public interest that the information or record is provided.

If you are denied access to a public record, you have a right to administrative review of the decision. This may be done by contacting the Maryland Public Access Ombudsman or the Maryland Public Information Act Compliance Board to complain about the denial and seek review.

You can also file an action at a circuit court in the county where the public agency is located. A court can award attorney fees and litigation costs to an applicant who “substantially prevails.”