Rockville Civil Court Records
Rockville civil court records are based at Montgomery County Circuit Court, located right here in the city at 50 Maryland Avenue. As the county seat of Montgomery County, Rockville is home to all major court facilities for the county, including the Circuit Court, the District Court, the Public Law Library, and the Land Records office. This guide covers how to search, view, and request copies of civil court records in Rockville, plus key contacts and online tools you can use before making a trip to the courthouse.
Rockville Overview
Rockville Civil Court Records: Court Facilities Here
Rockville is the county seat of Montgomery County, which means all major court buildings are in the city. You do not need to travel elsewhere to find civil court records for this area. Every court facility for Montgomery County is within a short distance of the Circuit Court building on Maryland Avenue.
The key locations are spread across the same complex. The Circuit Court sits in the North Tower at 50 Maryland Avenue. Central Files, where civil case folders are stored, is on the first floor in Room 1100. The Public Law Library is on the third floor in Room 3420 and closes at 4:00pm rather than 4:30pm. Land Records is on the second floor in Room 2120. The District Court is at a separate address nearby at 27 Courthouse Square, Rockville.
The Circuit Court handles major civil cases for all of Montgomery County, including the large cities and unincorporated communities throughout the area. Contract disputes, civil judgments, foreclosures, equity cases, tort claims, and appeals from District Court all go through the Circuit Court. If you are looking for a serious civil matter, start here.
Note: The Public Law Library in the North Tower closes at 4:00pm, thirty minutes before the rest of the courthouse closes. Plan your visit accordingly.
Montgomery County Circuit Court - Civil Records in Rockville
The Montgomery County Circuit Court website provides direct access to court information, forms, and records services for Rockville and the entire county.
The Montgomery County Circuit Court website includes contact details for the clerk's office, copy request instructions, and information about the ShareFile electronic delivery system for non-certified documents.
The site is a useful reference before you visit or call, since it covers hours, fees, and how to submit different types of requests without needing to speak with staff first.
Courthouse Contact for Rockville Civil Court Records
Montgomery County Circuit Court is at 50 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850. The Circuit Court Clerk is Karen A. Bushell. For clerk inquiries, call 240-777-9467. The general information line is 240-777-9400. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. The court does not accept personal checks.
The courthouse has four ways to submit civil records requests. You can use the online form, mail a written request, visit Central Files in Room 1100 during business hours, or use the 24-hour drop box located outside the courthouse at 50 Maryland Avenue. The drop box is available around the clock, including weekends and holidays, for after-hours submissions. This is one of the most convenient options if you cannot make it during regular hours.
Public access kiosks are available at three locations throughout the courthouse complex for viewing scanned documents. Note that case files cannot leave the courthouse. You can view them on-site or request copies to take with you. For non-certified copies delivered electronically, ask about the ShareFile system when you submit your request.
The District Court in Rockville handles smaller civil matters and is at 191 E. Jefferson Street, Rockville, MD 20850, phone 301-563-8800. This is the right place for small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and peace orders. It is a separate office from the Circuit Court with its own staff.
Note: Cases cannot leave the courthouse. View files on-site at Central Files or request copies made by clerk staff before you leave.
Searching Rockville Civil Court Records Online
The free Maryland Judiciary Case Search tool at casesearch.courts.state.md.us covers Montgomery County cases, including everything filed through Rockville courts. Search by party name or case number at no cost.
The default setting requires an exact name match. To run a wider search, add a percent sign (%) to the end of the last name. This partial match option became available in December 2021 and helps when you are not certain of the exact name used in the case filing. Business name searches work the same way.
Results show the case type, party names, filing date, case status, and scheduled hearings. The online tool does not show the actual text of documents, motions, or orders. It is a summary tool. To see full filings, you need to visit Central Files at the courthouse or submit a written copy request.
Montgomery County civil records in Case Search go back to 1978. That is the earliest date of any county in Maryland, giving you access to nearly five decades of civil case history in Rockville and the surrounding area. Criminal records are indexed from 1979. Records that are sealed, expunged, or protected by law will not appear. This includes adoption records, juvenile cases, mental health records, and financial statements in family law matters. The 2024 rule change also shields Failure to Pay Rent cases from public view when no judgment was entered.
Requesting Copies of Rockville Civil Court Records
You can request civil record copies from Montgomery County Circuit Court by online form, mail, in-person visit to Room 1100, or through the 24-hour drop box. Personal checks are not accepted. Bring a money order or cashier's check, or ask about other payment options.
Copy fees follow Maryland court rules. Plain copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies start at $5.00. Exemplification copies used for legal proceedings in other states start at $10.00. Do not send payment before staff quotes you the exact amount. The total depends on page count and whether you need certification.
For electronic copies, Montgomery County uses ShareFile to deliver non-certified documents by email. This is often faster than waiting for mailed copies and avoids a trip to Rockville if you do not need official certification. Ask about ShareFile eligibility when you submit your request.
Mail requests go to: Montgomery County Circuit Court, Central Files Room 1100, 50 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850. Include the party name, case number, the specific documents needed, and your contact information for the cost quote. A self-addressed stamped envelope helps if you want copies returned by mail.