Maryland Civil Court Records
Maryland civil court records are public documents held by the Circuit Court in each of the state's 24 jurisdictions. The Maryland Judiciary Case Search gives you free online access to case summaries from all Circuit Courts, District Courts, and appellate courts across the state. You can search by name, case number, or filing date to find civil judgments, contract disputes, family law matters, and more. This guide covers how to search these records, what they contain, how to get copies, and where to find older or archived civil court filings.
Maryland Civil Court Records Overview
How to Search Maryland Civil Court Records Online
The main tool for searching Maryland civil court records is the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal. It is free to use and open to everyone. Case Search went live in January 2006 and now covers all 24 Circuit Courts, all District Courts statewide, the Appellate Court of Maryland, and the Supreme Court of Maryland. Records are updated nightly rather than in real time, so very recent filings may not appear right away.
You can search civil court records by party name, case number, filing date range, case type, court type, or county. Name searches changed in December 2021. The system now defaults to exact name matches only. To find all names that start with a certain word, type the name and add a percent sign at the end. For example, type "Johnson%" to get all last names starting with Johnson. You cannot put the percent sign at the start or in the middle of a word. First names are not required when you search by last name.
Case Search shows summary data only. It does not display actual document images. To see the full case file with all papers inside, you must visit the Clerk's office at the courthouse where the case was filed. A new Maryland Judiciary Case Search and Record Portal launched March 14, 2026, combining the existing Case Search with the Maryland Judiciary Record Search into one place.
The Court Records main page on the Maryland Courts website has links to search tools, request forms, and contact info for all court divisions.
This page on the Maryland Courts site brings together civil court records resources including access guides, fee schedules, and links to the Case Search portal.
What Maryland Civil Court Records Include
Civil court records in Maryland hold a wide range of case data. Each record shows the names of both parties, along with the city and state where they live. You will also see the case number, which follows a standard format using the year and case type code. Other data includes the trial date, hearing schedule, case status, and the judge assigned to the case.
Maryland uses short letter codes to identify civil case types. DA stands for Divorce Absolute and DL stands for Divorce Limited. CJ is a Civil Judgment, CT is Civil Tort, and CC is Civil Contract. Other civil case codes cover appeals, administrative reviews, foreclosures, and more. Knowing the case type code helps you narrow your search on the Case Search portal and find civil court records faster.
Docket entries are listed in the record in date order. Each entry names the document filed and gives a brief description. Judgment amounts and lien info also appear when applicable. However, Case Search does not show scanned copies of the actual court papers. For those, you need to visit the clerk's office in person or submit a written copy request.
The Maryland Courts legal help page on court records explains what is in each type of court file and how to access it.
This page details the types of civil court records held at Maryland courthouses and the rules governing public access under Maryland Title 16, Chapter 900.
Note: Case Search is a summary tool only and is not the official court record. The physical case file at the clerk's office is the legal record of a case.
Fees for Maryland Civil Court Records
Viewing civil court records in person at the clerk's office is free under Maryland Rules Section 16-904. You may inspect any open record at no charge during regular court hours, which are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at most locations. Fees apply only when you want copies.
Standard copy fees are the same across most Maryland counties. Copies cost $0.50 per page. A certified copy costs $5.00 plus the per-page copy fee. Exemplification, which provides a copy with a triple court seal for use in other courts, costs $10.00 plus copy fees. Mail requests often add a $2.00 handling fee. Most courts accept cash, money orders, and credit cards. Personal checks are not accepted at several county offices, so call ahead to confirm payment options before you go.
Filing fees for new civil cases are separate from copy fees. Filing with an attorney costs between $165 and $185 depending on the county. Self-represented litigants pay $165 in most jurisdictions. Foreclosure cases carry an additional $300 to $450 filing surcharge. Docketing motions such as contempt filings or garnishments cost $31.
Note: Copy fees and filing fees can change, so confirm current costs with the clerk's office before submitting a request or payment.
Maryland Electronic Courts and E-Filing
Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) is the state's e-filing platform. It was built out county by county starting in 2014. Attorneys must use MDEC to file documents in courts where it has been deployed. Paper filings from attorneys are returned without processing. Self-represented litigants are not required to use MDEC but may request access if they are a party to a case.
MDEC gives registered users access to the actual documents in their cases. This is different from Case Search, which only shows summaries. Some courthouses have MDEC kiosks in public areas where you can view scanned documents on-site. To get MDEC access as a self-represented party, you must complete a registration form, show ID, and submit to the clerk's office. Once approved, you can view case documents electronically from your own device.
Attorneys with technical issues can call the Tyler File & Serve Help Desk at 800-297-5377, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The MDEC site explains how attorneys and self-represented parties can register, file, and view Maryland civil court documents electronically.
Maryland Land Records and Civil Filings
Land records are a type of civil court filing in Maryland. The Maryland Courts land records page explains how deeds, mortgages, releases, and other property documents are recorded with each county's Circuit Court clerk. These records are civil court documents and follow the same access rules as other court files.
MdLandRec.net is the official online database for Maryland land record documents. It is run by the Judiciary and the Maryland State Archives. Free registration is required to view documents. Most counties have scanned records going back to the 1990s. You can search by party name, property description, document type, or date range. Documents on MdLandRec show images of the recorded instruments. Certified copies must still be obtained from the county clerk's office. For counties where online records are not yet available, visit the clerk's office directly or contact the Maryland State Archives.
This Maryland Courts page walks through the process of searching for and requesting copies of land records, which are filed with Circuit Court clerks across all counties.
For subdivision, condominium, and land survey plats, the Plats.net database provides digital images of all plats filed with the Land Office and Circuit Courts in Maryland. Log in with username "plato" and password "plato#" to search the collection. Plats are civil court records tied to property boundaries and development approvals.
Plats.net preserves and makes accessible all subdivision and condominium plats filed with Maryland courts, providing a searchable image archive free to the public.
Maryland State Archives for Older Civil Court Records
The Maryland State Archives holds original records from the Provincial, General, and Chancery courts going back centuries. It also has many records from county, circuit, and district courts, often into the twentieth century. For civil court records that predate electronic systems, the State Archives is the primary source. Staff can help you find records and provide research assistance for historical cases.
To request civil court records from the Archives, contact them at 350 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD 21401. Phone: (410) 260-6400 or toll-free (800) 235-4045. You can also email msa.helpdesk@maryland.gov or fax (410) 974-2525. If you have the case number, a full case copy costs $50. A specific portion of the file costs $35. If you do not have a case number, the Archives charges a research fee. All records are reproduced in full. Certified copies cost extra.
The Maryland State Archives research guide covers civil court records, equity records, chancery filings, and other historical case materials held in Annapolis.
Transcripts and Audio Recordings of Maryland Civil Cases
If you need a written transcript or audio recording of a court proceeding, you must submit a written request to the clerk's office. Phone requests are not accepted at most Maryland courts. The Transcripts and Recordings page on the Maryland Courts site covers the process and costs for both District Court and Circuit Court cases.
Transcript rates vary by court. Howard County Circuit Court, for example, uses the For the Record (FTR) digital recording system. A standard transcript costs $3.00 per page for an original, $0.50 per page for the first copy, and $0.25 per page for additional copies. Audio recordings cost $25 per proceeding and are available within two to three business days. All requests must be in writing. Deposits are required before work begins, and transcripts are not released until paid in full. Some counties offer electronic delivery alongside paper transcripts.
This page outlines how to request transcripts and audio recordings from Maryland civil court cases, with separate procedures for District and Circuit Courts.
Maryland Civil Court Records: What Stays Private
Most Maryland civil court records are open to the public. The Maryland Rules govern access under Title 16, Chapter 900. However, certain record types are not available. Adoption records and guardianship cases involving termination of parental rights are sealed. Juvenile delinquency cases and child in need of assistance cases are not public. Emergency mental health evaluations, income tax returns filed with the court, financial statements in support cases, and reports about disabled adults are also restricted.
In 2024, the Maryland General Assembly added a new protection for Failure to Pay Rent cases. If a case did not result in a judgment for possession, the court will automatically shield the record within 60 days of the final decision. That means these cases will not show in Case Search after the shielding takes place. Some criminal case information was also restricted under a 2021 rule change. Charges that ended in nolle prosequi, dismissal, or acquittal are no longer visible through Case Search, though they may still be reviewed in person at the courthouse.
Sealed records require a court order to access. To view a sealed file, you must file a written request with the court stating why you need to see it. A judge will decide whether to grant access.
Note: Case Search should not be used for official background check purposes. Criminal justice information is managed separately through the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
Browse Maryland Civil Court Records by Location
Each Maryland county maintains its own civil court records through the Circuit Court clerk. Select a county below to find local clerk contact information, office hours, filing fees, and online access options for civil court records in that area.
Civil Court Records in Major Maryland Cities
Most Maryland cities rely on their county Circuit Court for civil case filings and records. Pick a city below to find out which courthouse serves your area and how to access civil court records locally.