Maryland became the seventh state to join the Union on April 28, 1788. With a land area of approximately 12,000 square miles, it ranks as the 42nd largest state by size, but the 19th most populous, with a population of around 5.7 million residents.
The state is divided into 23 counties and one independent city (Baltimore), along with 157 incorporated towns and cities, all of which operate their own local governments. Each county is governed by elected officials, including county commissioners and boards, overseeing a wide range of services and administrative functions. Maryland’s state and local governments manage diverse departments such as law enforcement, public health, economic development, planning, zoning, and more.
The Maryland Public Information Act (PIA) ensures the public’s right to access government records and information. This legislation applies to all state and local government agencies, requiring them to provide requested documents promptly and without unreasonable costs or delays.
While PIA promotes transparency, it also safeguards the privacy and confidentiality of Maryland residents through various exemptions. Notably, Maryland does not have a single centralized office for all public records. Instead, each agency maintains its own records or operates dedicated databases, meaning requests must be directed to the appropriate department.
Public records are often requested for purposes such as background checks, verifying credentials, locating individuals, or reviewing legal documents. Below are key resources and departments that provide access to Maryland’s most commonly sought records:
Criminal history reports can be obtained from the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. These records may include information on felony and misdemeanor convictions.
Driving records, including license status and traffic violations, are available through the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA).
Professional licenses (e.g., contractors, real estate agents, medical professionals) can be verified via the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, which oversees 23 individual boards.
Birth, death, and marriage certificates are issued by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH).
Use the Maryland Secretary of State and Department of Assessments and Taxation to search for registered corporations, LLCs, LLPs, partnerships, and business trade names.
While private financial data (like bank accounts) is protected by law, many types of public asset records are readily accessible. These include:
Real estate ownership and valuations, available via county property offices and assessors
Business ownership filings
UCC filings and lien records, which can provide insights into financial obligations and assets
Searching across multiple departments may be necessary for a comprehensive asset report, depending on the scope of your research.
A productive search often begins with identifying key personal details such as:
Aliases
Previous addresses
Maiden names
Knowing a person’s residence history can help determine whether you need to expand your search to other states beyond Maryland. Because records are maintained by individual departments, using the most current and reliable sources is essential for accuracy and efficiency.
To simplify your process, start with a centralized directory like PublicRecordCenter, which provides direct links to Maryland’s best and most up-to-date government sources. This eliminates guesswork and leads you straight to the agencies responsible for the records you need.
