Maryland Public Records Search: How to Find Public Records in Maryland with Ease

The Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) grants all citizens the right to access public documents, with the exception of private and confidential information. This article will provide a thorough overview of the procedure and walk you through each step of locating public records in Maryland. 

Using our guide, you can easily navigate the system whether you're looking for court transcripts, criminal records, or vital records.

About Maryland Public Records

Maryland's Public Information Act (PIA) allows you to access certain government records created, stored, and updated by all Maryland state and local government agencies, including the state government's executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
 

According to the Maryland Attorney General's Office's explanation of the Maryland Public Information Act, an agency must respond to a request within 30 days. However, this timeline can be extended if the requested information is particularly voluminous or needs to be retrieved from off-site storage. 

Unlike other states, Maryland's PIA does not require that a request be made in writing, and non-citizens can request records. But, the state does impose some limits to protect legitimate governmental interests and individual privacies.

Finding Public Records in Maryland

In Maryland, the local and state government agencies are individually responsible for maintaining all records under them. To obtain public records from these agencies in Maryland, you have three options:

In-person 

You can request in person by visiting the agency's office. It's essential to bring a valid form of identification, such as a passport or driver's license, with you.

Via email 

You can submit a written request for records via mail to the agency's address. Some agencies may even provide forms you can fill out and mail in.

Online

Numerous state and local government agencies in Maryland offer online portals where you can access and request public records.
Before making any requests, consider contacting the agency to learn more about the types of records available and the best request procedures. It's worth noting that most agencies require fees for document copies.

Examples of Public Records in Maryland

Below are some of the most searched public records in the state of Maryland:

Maryland Public Criminal Records

Criminal records are common public information in Maryland, but it's not always easy to get a hold of them. Maryland's primary repository for criminal records is the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Service (MDPSCS). 

The department allows you access to the state's sex offenders registry and inmates database on its website. You can also reach them by calling 1-888-795-0011 for more information.

Employers must fill out the Private Party Petition Packet and submit it to the Criminal Justice Information System Central Repository if they want to do a background check on a potential hire.

Maryland Court Records

The District and Circuit Court records are accessible through the online Case Search tool offered by the Maryland Courts. Criminal and civil cases are included in these records. You must enter the court type and the organization/name of the person to search court documents. If you don't have these, run the search by case number.

You can obtain court records by mail or in person. It would be best if you contacted the court clerk where the case was filed to do that. You can get the mailing address for each county court from the Maryland Judiciary website. Depending on the document category and quantity, court records range in price.

Maryland Vital Records

Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates in Maryland are kept up to date by the Division of Vital Records under the Department of Health.

Only by appointment is the Division of Vital Records lobby available to the public. To request vital records, make an appointment here or log into Maryland's VitalChek portal to search independently. Note that everyone must make all appointments at least 24 hours in advance.

Maryland Property and Asset Records

Search for details on property taxes, sales history, and other topics using the Department of Assessments and Taxation online real property search tool. 

Every county has a Register of Deeds where you can get data on property ownership, liens, and other things.
Since the Comptroller manages unclaimed property in Maryland, you can use their database to search for unclaimed property online.

Maryland Driving Records

Maintaining and issuing driving records is the responsibility of the Motor Vehicle Administration, which is part of the Maryland Department of Transportation. Creating an account on the MVA's online portal will allow you to order your driving record.
 

Or you can obtain it by visiting the MVA branch office closest to you, completing the Motor Vehicle Administration Records form, and providing the requisite payment and supporting documentation.

Exemptions on Access to Public Records in Maryland

The Public Information Act in Maryland is subject to several exemptions, most of which the Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services outlines. These exemptions are put in place to safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of individuals and entities without compromising transparency and access to public information. 

These exemptions cover a broad range of information, including inmate case records, personnel, and medical records, financial data, documents that contain attorney-client advice and attorney work product, investigatory records, and inter- and intra-agency memoranda and letters.

The Costs of Obtaining Public Records in Maryland

According to Maryland law, public entities can charge fair fees to grant access to public records. The charge complies with Maryland Statute Section 4-206 and is determined by the level of service. Most of the time, the prices include the cost of staff time spent locating, preparing, and copying documents after the first two hours. 

The office also considers the amount spent locating, organizing, and duplicating the records when determining the total fees of a public record search. Examples of the cost you might incur while searching for vital records are $24 and $25 for each copy of a birth and death certificate you request, respectively. 

Conclusion

Government agencies offer access to public records, and third-party websites like Truepeoplesearch can also provide an intuitive platform for comprehensive investigations. 

Accessing public records can be daunting, but it's an essential process. Always remember to provide the necessary information to optimize the search and ensure accurate results.