Maryland Criminal Records at a Glance
Maryland criminal records are maintained by the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) under the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS). Background checks should be conducted through CJIS, not through the court system. State checks cost $18 and FBI checks cost $24. Court records are accessible through Maryland Judiciary Case Search, which provides pub
1Maryland Statewide Criminal Search Resources
Maryland’s Case Search provides public access to court records from District Court and Circuit Courts statewide. However, the Maryland courts explicitly state that Case Search should not be used for criminal background checks. Official background checks must be conducted through CJIS under the Department of Public Safety.
- Maryland Courts, Access to Court Recordswww.courts.state.md.usInformation about accessing Maryland court records. Background checks should be conducted through CJIS, not the court system.
- Maryland Judiciary Case Searchcasesearch.courts.state.md.usPublic access to case records from Maryland District Court and Circuit Courts. Search by name, case number, or other criteria.
- Maryland Courts, Court Recordswww.mdcourts.govCASE SEARCH provides public access to case records originating within the District Court and Circuit Courts across Maryland.
- JPortal, Gateway to Court Recordsjportal.mdcourts.govJPortal is the gateway to applications providing online access to Maryland court records maintained by the Judiciary.
- Maryland Courts Homewww.mdcourts.govOfficial Maryland Courts portal. Case search, eFiling, traffic tickets, court forms, jury duty, and court locations.
- DPSCS, Incarcerated Individual Locatordpscs.maryland.govSearch for incarcerated individuals in Maryland. Learn the housing location of incarcerated individuals in state custody.
- Maryland DPSCS Homedpscs.maryland.govMaryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. Sex offender registry, incarcerated individual locator, CJIS, and community resources.
- Maryland State Police, Criminal Record Check Requestmdsp.maryland.govOfficial DSP form for requesting a criminal record check through the Criminal Justice Information System. State: $18. FBI: $24.
- Case Search FAQ, Maryland Courtswww.courts.state.md.usFrequently asked questions about Maryland Case Search. Note: Case Search should not be used for criminal background checks.
- Maryland VINELink, Victim Notificationvinelink.vineapps.comSearch for offenders in Maryland custody and register for automated victim notification of custody status changes.
2Federal & National Authoritative Sources
These federal and national sources complement Maryland's state-level records. They are the authoritative sources you should cross-check when Maryland state records are incomplete or out-of-state activity matters.
The Department of Justice's single national search across every state, territory, and tribal registry. Authoritative for offender status but does not include every historical conviction.
https://www.nsopw.gov/ (nsopw.gov)
How to request your own FBI rap sheet (CJIS Identity History Summary) under Title 28 CFR § 16.30, 16.34. $18 fee, fingerprint submission required.
https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/need-an-fbi-service-or-more-information/identity-history-summary-checks (fbi.gov)
The FBI's aggregate crime statistics program. Useful for context on offense frequency but not a record of individual persons.
https://ucr.fbi.gov/ (ucr.fbi.gov)
Maryland Criminal Records, FAQ
Is there a single nationwide criminal record search?
No public one. The FBI's Interstate Identification Index (III) is nationwide but is only accessible to law enforcement agencies and approved employers under Public Law 92-544. Individuals can order their own rap sheet through the CJIS Identity History Summary service.
What is the difference between state and FBI record checks?
A state check searches one state's conviction database. The FBI III check searches every state that participates in III. Both are fingerprint-based.
Can arrests without conviction appear on a background check?
Yes, on some. State BCI responses vary, a few states return arrests without disposition for up to seven years, others redact non-conviction arrests. The FCRA (15 U.S.C. § 1681c) caps non-conviction arrests on consumer reports at 7 years.
How long does an expungement take?
It is a court process governed by state statute, typically 60 - 180 days from petition to order, plus another 60 - 90 days for agency updates.