About Maryland Public Records

About Maryland public records

Maryland's department of public safety's criminal records searches are official background checks for employers, persons seeking license qualifications or as an application requirement. Criminal, civil, traffic and civil citation cases within District and Circuit courts are electronically available freely online for any member of the public from the state's judicial site. Different Maryland departments adopt varying policies and services in order to satisfy records requests. An index of state and local county or city agencies allows visitors to clearly peruse what is available and from which departments across Maryland.

State background and court information

Maryland became the 7th state in the US on April 28, 1788. Early economic growth came from tobacco and wheat crops. Today's economy is comprised of agriculture such as poultry, dairy and corn. Coal mining and steel are 2 of Maryland's major natural resources. Maryland is the country's 42 largest state with 12,407 square miles of territory with a population of 5.7 million residents.

The state has executive, legislative and judicial branches with 24 counties including Baltimore. The county government consists of commissioners, councils, executives, courts and works to govern localities in the state. The state's governor is the chief executive of the state with its own appointed cabinet. Cities provide residents with services such as fire and police departments, municipal courts for smaller disputes, city managers, clerks, city council, public works and other local agencies. Maryland has one of the least number of local governments in the U.S.

All of Maryland governing agencies local or state fall under the state's open record laws named the Maryland Public Information Act. Government agencies under PIA laws have a duty to provide a requestor any records deemed public information. The statutes have limitations in place to protect against abuses such as identity theft. Maryland enacted open record laws in 1973, seven years after the federal FOIA enacted in 1966 to provide its citizens government transparency. Reporters, researchers and members of the public, without being required to provide a reason, can inspect and copy budget information, transactions, planning, employee pay and assembly meetings. The departments have 30 days to provide or reject the PIA request.

As all state agencies fall under this law, so do the records in any particular department. This includes records from courts where a member of the general public can inspect and copy cases, divorces, criminal trials and other records kept in all venues. Residents can request a criminal history search from the department of public safety and correctional services to conduct a background check on any other resident. Births, deaths and marriages occurring in Maryland can be obtained from the department of public health's vital record division. The PIA can also be used for verification of professional licenses since it is state issued. The department of assessments and taxation online real property search will show the recorded owner's name and the property's details. Simple forms with how to instructions from Maryland's agencies are available to the public online the help begin your search.

The Maryland judiciary case database offers public access to court records. Online look up of divorces in family court cases. Find judgments, criminal trials and civil lawsuits occurring in courts statewide and from county to county. Instructions to look up UCC filings in Maryland can be found at the department of assessments and taxation website.

Maryland Orphans Court has jurisdiction to hears guardianships of minors and acts as the state's probate court, (except where such cases are handled by circuit court in Montgomery and Harford counties).

District Courts hear torts, contracts of $2,500 to $25,000, real property rights, miscellaneous civil, small claims jurisdiction ($2,500). Criminal cases of felony, misdemeanor, domestic violence, exclusive traffic and ordinance violations.

Circuit Courts handle torts, contracts, real property rights from $2,500 with no maximum, estate, civil, mental health, civil appeals jurisdiction. Domestic relations. Felony, misdemeanor, miscellaneous criminal. Exclusive criminal appeals jurisdiction. Juvenile.

Court of Special Appeals have mandatory jurisdiction in civil, noncapital criminal, administrative agency, juvenile, interlocutory decision cases. Discretionary jurisdiction in civil, noncapital criminal, original proceeding cases.

Court of Appeals have mandatory jurisdiction in civil, capital criminal, criminal, administrative agency, juvenile, disciplinary, certified questions from federal courts, original proceeding, interlocutory decision cases. Discretionary jurisdiction in civil, noncapital criminal, administrative agency, juvenile, interlocutory decision cases.

Vital records

Statewide Maryland vital records. Search births, marriage records and death certificates. Divorces filed with courts. State vital records offices. Link to the agencies in Maryland and order vital records. Many records are public information available to the public from private and government entities. You can use information to verify your records. Look up vital statistics and free vital searches in Maryland to conduct research online. Get vital statistic reports from the Maryland Vital Statistics Administration. Find Maryland divorce verifications. Get commemorative birth certificates. Maryland Death and Fetal Death Certificates. Search the Maryland State Archives. Find guide to government records at the state archives.

Property and asset records

Locating Maryland assets can require searching various agencies and departments depending on how comprehensive your report is to be. Financial records such as bank accounts or personal information as well as other exceptions to the law are included to protect residents. Many assets such as records of property ownership are available to the public with an instant data search from each county offices. Find out the names under filings of corporations, LLCs, LLPs, partnerships and other business trade names.

Government records and agencies

Access Maryland government agencies and obtain information on executive branches, legislative branches and jucidial branches within state jurisdiction. Link below to the state government agencies as well as state government information and services. Other state government resources such as codified state law, voters registration and other state government departments

Driving and vehicle records

Free and easy to use direct official Maryland government links to driver license and registration sources. Register your vehicle, get your tags, obtain the history of a vehicle. Online forms and processing from your computer anywhere. You can also see the status of your applications at anytime online without having to call the clerk. Locations, hours and office information are also available online.

Expungements and record clearing

Expunge your criminal past of felonies, misdemeanors, D.U.I convictions and more in the state of Maryland. Get information regarding expungements and begin to erase your previous Maryland criminal records statewide as well as nationwide. Some records can contain inaccurate or erroneous information that can be amended. Both juvenile and adult cases that can be corrected and begin your search for employment without a tainted past showing.

Genealogy and historical research

Maryland genealogy related links and topics. Individual state search of your ancestors, start a family tree, browse census records and more online. Resources and data from the State Online Archives, Vital Records, Guide to Government Records, Historical Society Digital Resources, Public Library Information Network, USGenWeb Project and National Archives Mid Atlantic Region.

Missing children resources

The state of Maryland makes available a multitude of resources to deal with missing and exploited children. There are law enforcement, criminal justice and other public agencies which can join forces to return a missing child safely home. Maryland's Amber Plan is a partnership between law enforcement agencies and broadcasters to activate an urgent bulletin when a child is reported missing. The Amber Plan has proven to be an effective tool in the first critical hours of a child abduction. The Maryland State Clearinghouse for Missing Children offers assistance and support to state police installations and all law enforcement agencies nationwide in locating a missing child. The Maryland Task Force for the Missing and Unidentified, Adults and Children provides a nationwide database which allows law enforcement agencies, investigators, and the public to search nationwide for missing persons by registering in the system. In the private sector, the Missing and Exploited Childrens Association of Maryland is an all volunteer organization committed to raising public awareness in issues of child safety. The internet serves citizens by providing search databases, websites which offer lists, photos, and details of children currently missing in Maryland.