Introduction to Maryland Public Records

Maryland is one of the most historically rich states in the nation, home to more than 6.2 million residents spread across 23 counties, Baltimore City, and hundreds of incorporated municipalities. As a state deeply connected to federal government activity — sitting adjacent to Washington, D.C. — Maryland maintains an extensive and sophisticated system of public records that spans criminal history, court filings, vital statistics, property data, and much more.

The legal backbone of public records access in Maryland is the Maryland Public Information Act (PIA), codified under Maryland Code, General Provisions Article, §§ 4-101 through 4-601. First enacted in 1970, the PIA grants Maryland residents — and in many cases anyone — the right to inspect and copy government records. The law was modeled after the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and has been updated numerous times to reflect modern digital record-keeping standards.

Whether you are conducting a background check on a new neighbor, researching your family genealogy, verifying a contractor’s license, or performing due diligence on a business partner, Maryland’s public records infrastructure provides extensive tools to help you find the information you need. This 2026 guide covers every major category of public records in Maryland, explains where to find them, and outlines your legal rights as a requestor.

What Is Considered a Public Record in Maryland?

Under the Maryland Public Information Act, a “public record” is broadly defined as any documentary material that is made, maintained, or received by a government unit in connection with the transaction of public business. This includes documents, books, photographs, photocopies, films, microfilms, records, tapes, computerized records, maps, drawings, and other materials — regardless of the physical form they take.

The following types of records are generally considered public in Maryland:

• Court records filed in Maryland’s circuit courts, district courts, and appellate courts
• Criminal history records that are not expunged or shielded
• Arrest records and booking information
• Property ownership and deed transfer records
• Vital records including birth, death, marriage, and divorce records (with some access restrictions based on age)
• Sex offender registry information
• Business entity registration records
• Voter registration data (limited disclosure)
• Government employee salary records
• Licenses and permits issued by state or county agencies
• Zoning and land use records

Maryland law also identifies categories of records that are exempt from public disclosure. These include personnel records containing sensitive personal information, certain investigatory records related to ongoing law enforcement matters, medical records protected under HIPAA, attorney-client privileged communications, trade secrets, and juvenile records. Understanding these exemptions is critical when filing a PIA request.

To file a formal Maryland Public Information Act request, you must submit your request in writing to the appropriate custodian of the records you seek. State agencies are generally required to respond within 10 business days. If the agency needs more time, it must notify the requestor of the delay and the anticipated completion date. Fees for producing records may apply, though agencies must waive fees if producing the records serves the public interest.

For guidance on filing PIA requests, the Maryland Attorney General’s Office publishes a comprehensive public access manual at www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov.

Maryland Criminal Records

Criminal history records in Maryland are maintained and disseminated by the Maryland Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS), which operates under the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS). CJIS serves as the central repository for all criminal history data in the state, including arrests, charges, dispositions, and incarceration records.

Maryland’s criminal record system is among the most comprehensive in the mid-Atlantic region. Records compiled by CJIS include:

• Felony and misdemeanor charges and convictions
• Arrest records with fingerprint-based identification
• Case disposition information from Maryland courts
• Incarceration history through the Division of Correction
• Parole and probation records
• Sex offender registration status

How to Request Maryland Criminal Records

There are two primary ways to obtain Maryland criminal history records through CJIS:

1. Individual Self-Request

Maryland residents may request their own criminal history record — called a “RAP sheet” (Record of Arrests and Prosecutions) — directly from CJIS. You will need to appear in person, provide valid government-issued photo identification, and be fingerprinted. The current fee for a self-request is typically $18. You can also request your records by mail. More information is available at www.dpscs.state.md.us.

2. Authorized Third-Party Requests

Certain authorized entities — including employers in regulated industries, licensing boards, and law enforcement agencies — may obtain fingerprint-based criminal background checks on individuals through CJIS. These are more comprehensive than name-based searches and are required for many professional licenses in Maryland.

Maryland Sex Offender Registry

Maryland maintains a public sex offender registry through the DPSCS. The registry is searchable online by name, city, county, or ZIP code. You can search the Maryland Sex Offender Registry at www.dpscs.state.md.us/onlineservs/sor/.

Expungement and Record Shielding

Maryland law allows individuals to petition for expungement of certain criminal records, including arrests that did not result in conviction, charges that were dismissed or nolle prossed, and certain non-violent misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period. Maryland also enacted a Second Chance Act, allowing for shielding of certain conviction records from public view while still permitting law enforcement access. Expunged or shielded records will not appear in most public searches.

Maryland Court Records

Maryland operates a unified court system with multiple levels of jurisdiction. The Maryland Judiciary maintains public records for cases filed in circuit courts, district courts, the Court of Special Appeals (now called the Appellate Court of Maryland), and the Court of Appeals (now called the Supreme Court of Maryland, following a 2022 name change).

Maryland Judiciary Case Search

The primary tool for accessing Maryland court records online is the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal, available at casesearch.courts.state.md.us. This free public database allows you to search by:

• Person’s name (full or partial)
• Case number
• Business entity name
• Filing date ranges
• Court location

Maryland Judiciary Case Search covers both civil and criminal cases and returns information on charges, case status, hearing dates, dispositions, and related parties. Note that some case information — particularly for juveniles and cases involving protective orders — may be restricted or sealed from public view.

Circuit Courts

Maryland has 24 circuit courts, one in each of the state’s 23 counties and one in Baltimore City. Circuit courts have original jurisdiction over major felony cases, civil cases involving amounts greater than $30,000, equity matters, and family law cases including divorce and child custody. Circuit court records are generally maintained at the courthouse in each jurisdiction and are available through the Case Search portal.

District Courts

Maryland’s District Court system handles a high volume of cases, including misdemeanors, traffic violations, civil claims up to $30,000, and landlord-tenant disputes. District Court records are also searchable through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal. There are 34 district court locations serving all 24 jurisdictions in Maryland.

Obtaining Certified Court Records

If you need certified copies of court documents — such as for immigration purposes, name changes, or legal proceedings — you must request them directly from the clerk of the court where the case was heard. Fees for certified copies vary by court and document type but are typically $1 to $10 per page plus a certification fee. Contact information for individual Maryland court clerks is available at www.courts.state.md.us.

Maryland Arrest Records

Arrest records in Maryland are generated at the time a person is taken into custody by a law enforcement agency. These records document the individual’s personal identifying information, the charges placed, the arresting agency, the date and location of arrest, and bail or bond information. Arrest records are distinct from criminal conviction records — an arrest does not necessarily result in a conviction.

Maryland arrest records are maintained by multiple agencies:

• Local police departments — Each municipality, from Baltimore City Police Department to smaller county sheriffs’ offices, maintains its own arrest logs.
• Maryland State Police (MSP) — Handles arrests made by state troopers and also maintains statewide fingerprint records. Visit www.mdsp.maryland.gov for more information.
• CJIS Central Repository — Aggregates fingerprint-based arrest data from all agencies statewide.

Booking Records and Jail Rosters

Many Maryland county detention centers publish online inmate rosters or booking logs. For example, the Baltimore City Detention Center and many county jails make current inmate information available through their respective websites or through the Maryland Statewide Inmate Locator maintained by DPSCS. You can search Maryland inmates at www.dpscs.state.md.us.

Arrest Records and Expungement

It is important to understand that in Maryland, arrest records for charges that were dismissed, nolle prossed, or resulted in acquittal may be eligible for expungement. After expungement, law enforcement agencies are required to remove, obliterate, or return all records related to the arrest. However, the process is not automatic — individuals must file a petition with the court in the jurisdiction where the arrest occurred.

Maryland Vital Records

Vital records in Maryland — including birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, and divorce records — are maintained by the Maryland Department of Health, Division of Vital Records. The state has maintained birth and death records since 1898, and marriage records since 1914.

Visit the official Division of Vital Records website at health.maryland.gov/vsa to request