Maryland public records are documents, files, or other types of information that are created or maintained by government agencies, departments, or other public entities in the state of Maryland. These records may include a wide range of information, including but not limited to court records, criminal records, property records, and government documents. The Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) guarantees the public's right to access and review these records, with certain exceptions for confidentiality and privacy.
Birth records are typically kept by the Maryland Department of Health, which is responsible for issuing birth certificates. To obtain a copy of a birth certificate, you will need to provide certain information, such as the name of the person on the birth certificate, their date of birth, and their place of birth. You may also need to provide proof of your relationship to the person whose birth certificate you are requesting.
Death records are typically kept by the Maryland Department of Health, which is responsible for issuing death certificates. To obtain a copy of a death certificate, you will need to provide certain information, such as the name of the person on the death certificate, their date of death, and their place of death. You may also need to provide proof of your relationship to the person whose death certificate you are requesting.
Marriage records are typically kept by the county Circuit Court Clerk's office where the marriage took place. To obtain a copy of a marriage certificate, you will need to provide certain information, such as the names of the people on the marriage certificate, the date of the marriage, and the place of the marriage. You may also need to provide proof of your relationship to the people whose marriage certificate you are requesting.
Divorce records are typically kept by the county Circuit Court Clerk's office where the divorce took place. To obtain a copy of a divorce decree, you will need to provide certain information, such as the names of the people on the divorce decree, the date of the divorce, and the place of the divorce. You may also need to provide proof of your relationship to the people whose divorce decree you are requesting.
Criminal records in Maryland are considered public records and are available to the public. Criminal records are typically kept by the Maryland State Police and are available online through their Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) database. To obtain a copy of a criminal record, you will need to provide certain information, such as the name of the person whose record you are requesting and their date of birth. You may also need to provide a valid reason for requesting the criminal record, such as for employment purposes or to conduct a background check.
Court records in Maryland are considered public records and are available to the public. Court records are typically kept by the county Circuit Court Clerk's office where the case was heard. To obtain a copy of a court record, you will need to provide certain information, such as the name of the person or case you are requesting and the court case number. You may also need to provide proof of your relationship to the person or case whose court record you are requesting.
Property records in Maryland are considered public records and are available to the public. Property records are typically kept by the county Circuit Court Clerk's office where the property is located. To obtain a copy of a property record, you will need to provide certain information, such as the name of the person or property you are requesting and the property address. You may also need to provide proof of your relationship to the person or property whose property record you are requesting.
The Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation also maintains a number of public records related to property, including information about property tax assessments, sales, and ownership. This information is available through the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation's online property database, which allows users to search for property records by address, owner name, or other identifying information.
Overall, Maryland public records are an important source of information for citizens, researchers, and others who are seeking to learn more about the state's history, government, and legal system. These records are an essential component of a transparent and accountable government, and the MPIA and other laws help to ensure that the public has access to these records.