What Can the Public See about Me in Court Records and on Case Search?
mdcourts.gov

This brochure will help you understand how to access state court records in Maryland. It will also tell you when the court can limit or deny public access to records. 

What information is available online on Case Search? 
Maryland Case Search provides public access to some case records. The Maryland Judiciary maintains this website. Anyone can search for these records at: mdcourts.gov/casesearch

Case Search is not the official court record. It does not have all of the information that is in the court file.

Case Search should not include certain personal information about victims or non-party witnesses in:
- criminal cases;
- domestic violence cases; and
- peace order cases.

However, personal information may still be available online if the person has another role in the case (separate from being a victim or non-party witness), unless the court grants that person's request to limit public access to court records. If you find information on Case Search that you believe is inaccurate or should not be open to the public, please notify in writing the court where the original record was created or filed. You can submit your written request by mail or in person to the Clerk's Office.

Maryland Electronic Courts System ("MDEC")
MDEC allows you to remotely view and file documents. Lawyers are required to use MDEC. Members of the public have limited access to MDEC. If you have an active case, you may request access to view and file documents through MDEC. The Clerk's Office in your courthouse may also have a kiosk where members of the public can view case files through MDEC. More information on MDEC can be found at: mdcourts.gov/mdec.

What are court records?
Court records include:
- Documents
- Information
- Exhibits
- Other things that a court maintains in connection with a case
- Information found online on Maryland Case Search or MDEC.

How can I see a physical court record?
- Make your request to the Clerk's Office in the court where the original court record was created.
- Provide a case number if you have it.
- You may review the file in the courthouse.
- If you want copies, you must pay a fee.

What records can the public see?
All court records are open to the public, except as restricted by law.
However, some records are not open to the public without a court order or a provision of law that specifically permits access. Records that the public cannot access include:
- Adoption;
- Guardianship terminating parental rights;
- Juvenile delinquency;
- Child in need of assistance cases (CINA);
- Certain marriage license information;
- Emergency mental health evaluations;
- Extreme risk protective orders;
- Income tax returns; and
- Financial statements filed in a case about spousal or child support.

The public should not be able to see:
- Who reported abuse of a vulnerable adult;
- Your social security or federal tax identification number; or
- Who requests and receives a copy of a sex offender list or sexual predator registration statement. 

By request, the court may restrict the public's access to a specific case or specific information in that case. For more information on how to make this request, see the brochures:
- Can I Keep the Public from Seeing Information about Me in a Court Case?
- Can I Keep the Public from Seeing Information about Me in a Peace or Protective Order Case?
- How Can I Expunge My Criminal Record?
- How Can I Expunge My Juvenile Record?
- Can I Limit Access to Information about Certain Criminal Convictions?

Who notifies the court if the record contains information that should not be public?
The person who files the court record must notify the court if the record contains something that should not be open to the public. The notification must be in writing and identify the specific information. The court will determine whether the information is subject to public inspection. 

If you find out that something in the court record should not be open to public inspection, notify the court in writing, and specify which information. If the court does not limit public access, you may file a motion and a judge will make the determination. See the brochures listed previously.

For more information

Read the law
Md. Rules 16-901, 20-106, and 20-109.

Maryland Court Self-Help Centers
Free legal advice on civil cases and expungements 
410-260-1392
mdcourts.gov/selfhelp

Court forms
mdcourts.gov/courtforms

People's Law Library of Maryland
peoples-law.org

Public law libraries
410-260-1430
mdcourts.gov/lawlib

Clerk's offices
Visit or call the court that heard your case.
mdcourts.gov/courtsdirectory

mdcourts.gov/accesstojustice
410-260-1258