Maryland Court Records
Maryland court records are public documents held by the state's Circuit Courts and District Courts across all 24 jurisdictions. You can search case summaries for free through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system, which covers civil cases, criminal charges, traffic matters, and family law filings. Records go back to the late 1980s in most counties. This guide explains how to find court records in Maryland, how to use the state's online search tools, what these records contain, and where to get certified copies of documents you need.
Maryland Court Records Overview
Maryland's Four-Level Court System
Maryland has four levels of courts. Each level handles a different type of case. Knowing the structure helps you find the right court record, since the courthouse where a case was filed is where that case file is kept.
The Supreme Court of Maryland sits at the top of the system. Before October 2022 it was called the Court of Appeals. Seven judges serve on this court, including Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader. The Supreme Court hears appeals and issues binding rulings for all courts below it. It does not hold jury trials. The court is in Annapolis, and its opinions are published at mdcourts.gov/supremecourt. Records from this court go back to term year 2015.
Below the Supreme Court is the Appellate Court of Maryland, formerly called the Court of Special Appeals. It has 15 judges and reviews decisions made by Circuit Courts. Online records for the Appellate Court go back to term year 2016. Both appellate-level courts are searchable through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system, the same tool used for trial court records statewide.
Circuit Courts are the main trial courts for serious matters in Maryland. There are 24 of them, one for each of the state's 23 counties plus one for Baltimore City. These courts handle major civil cases over $30,000, felony charges, family law, and juvenile matters. Jury trials are available at this level. The 24 Circuit Courts are divided into eight judicial circuits. Online records go back to 1984 for some counties and 1989 for most. The courts directory is at mdcourts.gov/courtsdirectory.
District Courts handle civil cases up to $30,000, misdemeanors, and traffic violations. There are no jury trials at this level. A judge decides every case. Maryland has 34 District Court locations spread across 12 districts, making local access available to residents throughout the state. Online records at the District Court level start from around 1991. Both Circuit and District Court records are searchable through the same free system at casesearch.courts.state.md.us.
How to Search Maryland Court Records Online
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search is the official free database for looking up court records. It covers both Circuit and District Courts across all 24 jurisdictions in the state. The system went through a full redesign on February 5, 2024, improving usability and accessibility. That was the first major update since the original launch in January 2006.
The Maryland Judiciary homepage at mdcourts.gov is your starting point for all official court information. From there you can reach Case Search, court forms, clerks' directories, and legal help resources. Case Search itself covers summaries for both criminal and civil filings going back decades, with data from Circuit Courts in most counties starting at 1989 and District Courts starting around 1991.
You can search by party name, case number, or citation number. Name searches use exact matching by default since December 2021. To run a partial name search, add a percent sign after at least the first letter. For example, "Smith%" returns all last names that start with Smith. You can also filter by case type, court type, county or jurisdiction, filing date range, and case status. Status codes include A for active, C for closed, I for inactive, P for appealed, R for restricted, and W for warrant.
Search results show the case number, party names, filing date, case type, and current status. Click into a case to see attorney names, all docket entries in chronological order, hearing dates and times, charge details for criminal cases, and final judgment or disposition. Case data updates each night. It is not a live feed. Starting with the 2024 redesign, criminal cases ending in dismissal, nolle prosequi, or acquittal no longer appear online. Stet cases older than three years are also removed. Cannabis possession charges disposed before July 1, 2023 are no longer visible. These records still exist and clerks can pull them at the courthouse in person.
Note: Case Search shows summaries only. Full document images, evidence files, exhibits, and transcripts are not available through the public online portal.
What Maryland Court Records Contain
Maryland court records cover a wide range of case types and document formats. Civil case files hold the original complaint or petition, the response from the opposing party, any motions filed, court orders, and the final judgment. The names of all parties appear in the file along with attorneys, filing dates, and the relief requested. Both Circuit Court and District Court civil records are searchable through Case Search.
Criminal case records list the defendant's name, case number, charge description, statute code, class of offense, offense date, arresting agency, attorney information, bail details, and final disposition. Sentencing details show once a case closes. Traffic citation records include the driver's license number, violation type, fine amount, and officer information. Family law records include divorce decrees, custody orders, and support agreements, though certain financial details in support cases are kept restricted.
Land records filed with Circuit Court clerks, including deeds, mortgages, liens, powers of attorney, and subdivision plats, are part of the public record. Maryland land records are also searchable through MDLandRec.net at mdlandrec.net, a joint service of the Maryland Judiciary and the Maryland State Archives. Free account registration is required. The database covers records from the 1700s to the present in most counties, with Somerset County going back to 1665. Starting May 2025, records less than 100 years old cost $0.20 per page to view or download. Records 100 or more years old are free. Plat records are available at plats.msa.maryland.gov and estate records at registers.maryland.gov.
The Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) system gives parties to a case full online document access. MDEC was fully implemented statewide as of May 6, 2024. Attorneys are required to use it for filing. Members of the public who are parties to a case may request access through the portal at mdcourts.gov/eservices/eportal using Form MDJ-004. Some courthouses have public kiosks where you can view electronic case documents in person.
Court Records That Are Not Public in Maryland
Not all court records are open to public view. State law and court rules, including Maryland Rules 16-901 through 16-912, restrict certain types of records from public access. These records still exist at the courthouse but cannot be viewed or copied without a court order.
Restricted records include expunged, shielded, and sealed cases; adoption files and guardianship proceedings terminating parental rights; juvenile delinquency records; child in need of assistance (CINA) cases; emergency mental health evaluations; income tax returns filed with the court; financial statements in spousal or child support cases; and actions for judicial declaration of gender identity. Certain marriage license information also receives restricted treatment.
Note: Sealed or shielded records still exist in the court's files. An attorney or the parties to a case may access them through the appropriate legal process.
Maryland Court Record Copy Fees
Getting copies of Maryland court records costs money at both the Circuit and District Court levels. Standard photocopies cost $0.50 per page. A certified copy runs $5.00 to $5.50 per document plus the per-page fee. Certified copies are needed when you must prove a case outcome in another legal proceeding, change your name on government documents, or use a record in a court in another state.
Exemplified copies, also known as triple-seal copies, cost $10.00 plus $0.50 per page. They carry three levels of attestation including a judge's signature, and courts in other states or countries require them when a higher level of authentication is needed. Audio recordings of hearings cost $25 per CD or USB drive at Circuit Court. At District Court, audio on CD is $15 per case and electronic delivery is $10 per case. Court transcripts cost $3.00 per page for the original. Expedited delivery adds extra fees depending on the turnaround time requested.
Most locations accept cash, checks and money orders payable to Clerk of Court, and credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. American Express is not accepted at most offices. Some locations do not accept personal out-of-state checks. Baltimore County does not accept debit cards at the criminal division and does not accept personal checks for criminal fines. A $2 mailing fee applies when you do not include a self-addressed stamped envelope with a mail request.
How to Request Maryland Court Record Copies
You can get court record copies in person, by mail, or through electronic systems. The best method depends on what you need and where the case was filed.
In-person requests are the most direct option. Go to the clerk's office at the courthouse where the case was heard. Bring a valid photo ID and know either the case number or the full names of the parties. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Some counties have extended phone hours. Staff can search records and print copies. Montgomery County Circuit Court has three self-scan kiosks in its building at 50 Maryland Avenue in Rockville for quick public lookups.
Mail requests require a written letter with the party names, approximate filing year or case number, the specific documents you want, your return mailing address, and payment. Money orders are the safest choice for mail payments. Allow several business days to a few weeks depending on the county's workload. Both Washington County and Prince George's County require a case number for record searches and cannot certify a record by name search alone. Always call ahead to confirm what each office needs before mailing.
Electronic access varies by record type. Case summaries are free at Case Search. Full case documents through MDEC are available to registered parties. Land records require a free account at MDLandRec.net. Older District Court cases transferred to the state archives can be requested with Form DC-046. Official court forms including DC-034 for in-person record inspection and DC-034A for multiple cases are available at mdcourts.gov/courtforms.
Legal Help and Self-Help Resources in Maryland
Several free services are available to Maryland residents who need help with court records, legal forms, or open cases. You do not need to hire a lawyer to search records, request copies, or understand what a document means.
The Maryland Courts Self-Help Center is a strong starting point. Call 410-260-1392 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., or use the live chat at mdcourts.gov/helpcenter. Staff give free limited legal advice for civil matters in multiple languages. They can help you find records, fill out forms, and understand what steps to take next. Several counties also have local court help centers inside the courthouse. Frederick County's courthouse was the first in Maryland to offer a combined help center for both District and Circuit Court cases in the same building.
Maryland Legal Aid provides free civil legal services to low-income residents across the state. It has offices in many counties and focuses on family law and other civil matters. Apply or find a local office at marylandlegalaid.org. The People's Law Library of Maryland at peoples-law.org offers self-help guides, legal facts, and downloadable forms for people who want to handle their own matters. The Thurgood Marshall State Law Library at 361 Rowe Blvd in Annapolis has legal research resources open to anyone. Call 410-260-1430 for hours and available services.
Browse Maryland Court Records by County
Each county in Maryland has its own Circuit Court clerk who keeps local case records. Pick a county below to find contact information, addresses, and resources for court records in that area.
Court Records in Major Maryland Cities
Residents of major cities file cases at their county Circuit Court or a nearby District Court location. Pick a city below to learn about court records and the courts that serve your area.