Access Public Records in Montgomery County MD (Free Search)

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Search Free Public Records of Montgomery County, MD

Access Montgomery County Records: marriage, divorce, warrants, arrests, probation, criminal, court, background checks, and all public records.

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Through the agencies and resources below, start the search for free Montgomery County public records to learn about someone’s past or verify that your own information is accurate and current.

Thanks to the U.S. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Maryland’s Public Information Act (MPIA), the public can access many records maintained by federal, state, and county custodians.

However, knowing where to look is key to finding the information you seek.

This resource explains how to access records involving marriages, divorces, court cases, property, and criminal histories (including arrests, warrants, and prisoner information). You can also discover how to order background check reports in Montgomery County and determine if someone is on probation.

How To See Who’s in a Montgomery County Jail & the Reason for the Arrest for Free

Maryland’s Public Information Act (MPIA) grants everyone the ability to check public records maintained by governments within the state.¹ This includes information about Montgomery County bookings and other jail records.

The first place to check to find out if someone is in jail in Montgomery County is with the county’s Department of Correction and Rehabilitation. This agency maintains the county’s two jails, the Montgomery County Detention Center and the Correctional Facility.

If a search of that department’s records yields no luck, the next best places to check for Montgomery County arrest records are the sheriff’s office and the various other law enforcement agencies within the county.

When searching for public records about arrests, it’s helpful to know the full name of the person in question, as well as in what jurisdiction they may have been arrested.

Find Arrestees Booked in the Montgomery County Jail

The Montgomery County Department of Correction and Rehabilitation maintains the Montgomery County Detention Center (MCDC), where suspects are processed and held for up to 72 hours.²

After that, prisoners are transferred to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility (MCCF), also run by the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation.

Inmates are kept at the MCCF until their trial or, post-trial, to serve sentences of up to 18 months. Offenders serving longer sentences are sent to a state-run correctional facility.

Unlike some other counties, Montgomery County doesn’t have an inmate search tool, which unfortunately means you can’t enter a name online to locate an inmate or find someone’s mugshot.

Instead, individuals can find out information about people incarcerated in the county jails by contacting the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation’s Inmate Records Section, which is located at the MCDC.

Montgomery County Detention Center
Attn: Inmate Records
1307 Seven Locks Rd.
Rockville, MD 20853

Phone: 240.777.9730

The Inmate Records Section’s phone line is staffed 24/7.

You can also contact the Montgomery County Correctional Facility for more information:

Montgomery County Correctional Facility
22880 Whelan Ln.
Boyds, MD 20841

Phone: 240.777.9976

In addition, record seekers may opt to use the third-party government-endorsed service VINELink to find out if someone is incarcerated in a jail in Montgomery County or elsewhere in the state of Maryland.

Search Arrests via the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office likewise doesn’t provide an inmate lookup tool on its website.

However, it’s worth contacting the office if you’re trying to find out information about arrests made in the county — especially if the arrest was made by a representative of the sheriff’s office.

Here’s the contact information for this department:

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office
50 Maryland Ave., Room T400
Rockville, MD 20850

Phone: 240.777.7000 (24/7 main line)

You may also want to try contacting the office’s Criminal Section directly at 240.777.7022.

Look Up Arrests & Obtain Police Reports Through Police Departments in Montgomery County

If you’re unable to find the arrest records you’re looking for through the Montgomery County Department of Correction and Rehabilitation or sheriff’s office, you can contact any of the other law enforcement agencies located in the county.

The whole of the county is served by the Montgomery County Police Department, which is split up into six districts. Information on the different districts — including how to contact them — can be found on the Department of Police website.³

Anyone who wants to make a Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) request for information from the county police department may do so through the Public Records Center.⁴

Once you’ve created a free account, you can send an electronic records request directly to the Montgomery County Police Department’s Public Records Center using the online form. It’s helpful to include as much information as possible about the records you’re searching for.

In addition to the Montgomery County Police Department, there are four municipal law enforcement agencies in the county. Here’s the contact information for each of them:

Local Police Department	Address	Phone Number
Gaithersburg Police Department	14 Fulks Corner Ave. Gaithersburg, MD 20877	301.258.6400
Rockville Police Department	2 West Montgomery Ave. Rockville, MD 20850	240.314.8900
Takoma Park Police Department	7500 Maple Ave, 1st Fl. Takoma Park, MD 20912	301.270.1100
Chevy Chase Village Police Department	5906 Connecticut Ave. Chevy Chase, MD 20815	310.654.7300

How To Perform a Free Public Criminal Record Search in Montgomery County

Public records in Montgomery County that involve someone’s potential criminal history include information about court cases, warrants, probation sentences, and more. You can use these records to conduct a free criminal record check and gain a complete picture of someone’s past.

To locate Montgomery County criminal records, you may need to use several state and county record custodians. However, the best place to start is with the Maryland Judiciary Case Search tool.

Conduct a Criminal Record Check in Montgomery County Maryland for Free

There are three trial courts in Montgomery County that hear criminal cases.

• District Courts: These courts hear misdemeanor and felony cases that are punishable with a fine of up to $2,500 or a prison sentence shorter than three years. There are two District Courts in Montgomery County — one in Rockville and one in Silver Spring.
• Circuit Court: This court’s Criminal Department hears most felony cases that are punishable with jail sentences longer than three years or fines exceeding $2,500.

Maryland’s unified Case Search tool allows users to look up criminal cases heard by both courts. This search includes most criminal cases tried in the state, but not all. For example, cases involving simple cannabis possession are not searchable, nor are cases in which all charges were dismissed, dropped by the prosecutor, or ended up with an acquittal or “not guilty” ruling.

To conduct a Montgomery County case search, all you have to supply is the search subject’s name (the last name is the only requirement). You can specify to search cases heard by either or both the District and Circuit courts, to search only criminal cases, and to select “Montgomery County” from a drop-down menu of Maryland jurisdictions.

Once you’ve entered your search criteria, you’ll see a public index of potential case matches. You’ll be able to see the case number, the search subject’s full name and date of birth, their role in the criminal court case, which court tried the case, the filing date, and the case title.

Case numbers are linked to pages that provide more information, including the court date, charge, ruling, and sentencing information.

Determine if Someone Has a History of Crime in Montgomery County Maryland via the Circuit & District Courts

It’s also possible to look up public records about someone’s potential criminal history by requesting information from the courts directly.

To order a copy of a criminal case file, you must know the case number. To locate the number, you can use the Case Search tool or call the courthouse where the case was tried (see below for contact information).

Once you know the case number, you can order copies of related documents in person or by mail.

To request copies in person, you can visit the courthouse where the case was tried and request copies of the desired records. Be sure to bring along your government-issued photo ID.

For criminal cases tried by the Circuit Court, you can visit the courthouse at:

Montgomery County Circuit Court – Criminal Dept.
North Tower, 1st Fl., Room 1260
50 Maryland Ave.
Rockville, MD 20850

Phone: 240.777.9440

Office hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For cases heard by the District Courts, searchers should first print out and complete the Application to Inspect Public Records or the Addendum Application (to view more than one file) and bring it to:

District Court of MD for Montgomery Co. – Rockville
191 E. Jefferson St.
Rockville, MD 20850

Phone: 301.563.8800

District Court of MD for Montgomery Co. – Silver Spring
8552 2nd. Ave.
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Phone: 301.563.8500

Office hours for both District Courts are Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

To request copies of criminal case records by mail from the Circuit Court, you can print and complete the Copy Request Form. Then you can mail it to the address above.

Currently, there’s no form for ordering copies of criminal case records via mail from either of the District Courts. However, you can send a letter with the case number, your mailing address, and contact information to one of the addresses above.

Fees for all Maryland court record copies are 50 cents per page. Certification costs an extra $5 per record. If you’re visiting a courthouse in person, you can pay with a check, money order, cash, or credit or debit card.

The fees for mail requests are payable only by check or money order. It’s recommended that you call in advance with the case number to find out the total you’ll owe.

How To Check for Arrest Warrants in Montgomery County Maryland

The best way to find out if you or anyone else has an open warrant in Montgomery County is by contacting the county police department’s Warrants Section.⁶

The phone number for inquiring about Montgomery County warrants is 240.773.5360.

You can also visit any of the Montgomery County Police Department’s district stations. The county police department maintains a list of districts and their contact information.

Alternatively, you can contact or visit the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at:

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office
50 Maryland Ave., Room T400
Rockville, MD 20850

Phone: 240.777.7000

Alternatively, you can contact or visit any of the municipal law enforcement agencies listed in the section on arrest records above.

However, note that if you have an open warrant and visit any law enforcement agency in Montgomery County, it’s likely that you will be arrested on the spot.

It’s worth noting that if you have an open warrant and wish to turn yourself in, you may do so at the Warrant Turn-In Facility located at:

Montgomery Co. Detention Center
1307 Seven Locks Rd.
Rockville, MD 20854

Phone: 240.773.6990

Voluntary turn-in hours are Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

How To View Probation Records & Determine Who’s on Probation in Montgomery County

There are two quick ways to find out if someone is on probation in Montgomery County: by contacting the local Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Probation Field Office or by conducting an online criminal case search.⁷

Here’s the contact information for the Probation Field Offices in Montgomery County:

Probation Field Office	Address	Phone Number
Gaithersburg Field Office	7871 Beechcraft Avenue, Ste. 200 Gaithersburg, MD 20879	240.386.2600
Rockville Field Office	191 Jefferson St. Rockville, MD 20850	301.563.8715
Silver Spring Field Office	8552 2nd Ave., 1st Fl. Silver Spring, MD 20910	301.563.8620

Alternatively, you can use the Maryland Judiciary’s Case Search tool to look up Montgomery County criminal cases using the instructions above. If someone received a probation sentence, this information will be in a special section in the case file. The file may also include the name and contact information of the individual’s probation officer.

How To Obtain a Background Check Report in Montgomery County Maryland

There are several scenarios in which someone may want to order a background check in Montgomery County.

For instance, you might want to learn more about a new neighbor or colleague to find out if they have a criminal history. Or you may want to find out if someone is married before going out on a date. You may also want to check your own files to make sure they are accurate.

Checks conducted for reasons like these are considered “personal” background checks. They don’t require the consent of the subject and can quickly be completed for free by using the resources outlined in this article. For a fee, you can also order a personal background check from a third-party record research service.

On the other hand, businesses, landlords, nonprofits, and other entities often conduct background checks to screen applicants for a job, lease, or license. Background checks completed in these scenarios are always considered “professional” checks. They can be level 1 checks — which are name-based — or level 2 checks — which use fingerprinting.

Under the U.S. Fair Credit Reporting Act, professional background checks always require the written consent of the subject before they can be begun.⁸

If you believe that you are the victim of an unlawfully conducted professional background check — or if your information has been illegally used against you — you can request assistance from agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Federal Trade Commission.^{9, 10} You can find more information on this topic at the bottom of this resource.

If you need to get a background check done in Montgomery County — either because an organization has requested one or to double-check your own records — you can order one from the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS).

If you’re a Maryland resident and want to order a check of your own files, you can make an appointment for fingerprinting by calling 410.764.4501. The Maryland DPSCS maintains a list of fingerprinting locations on its website.

Non-Maryland residents can request a fingerprint card by calling the DPSCS’s Criminal Justice Information System at 410.764.4501 or by writing to this address:

Criminal Justice Information System – Central Repository
P.O. Box 32708
Pikesville, MD 21282

Fingerprinting services, including the card, cost $20, payable by check or with a Mastercard, Visa, or Discover credit card.

The background check itself costs an additional $15. Currently, the department will search only Maryland records for a check of your own records. Businesses and agencies can order checks of both Maryland and FBI records for an extra fee.

Once a requester’s fingerprints have been taken, they can mail the card and a personal check for $15 to the Central Repository P.O. box address listed above.

Alternatively, requesters can visit the Central Repository for the Criminal Justice Information System in person for both fingerprinting services and to order a background check. The total cost is $35.

Criminal Justice Information System – Central Repository
6776 Reisterstown Rd., Ste. 217
Baltimore, MD 21215

If your employer or another business entity requires a background check for professional purposes, they will supply you with a fingerprint card and instructions.

How To Access State & Federal Resources to Find Maryland Criminal Cases

Montgomery County may not have a lot of online tools for anyone who wants to conduct a free public records search. However, there are plenty of resources on the state and federal levels for anyone who wishes to look up someone’s criminal record. They include:

• The Maryland Judiciary Case Search Tool — which allows users to look up criminal cases tried by district and circuit courts throughout the state.
• The Maryland Incarcerated Individual Locator — lets searchers to look up currently incarcerated individuals in state-run prisons.
• The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Search Tool — allows individuals to search inmates currently held in BOP-run jails.
• The Maryland Sex Offender Registry Website — equips users to find registered offenders within the state by name, address, or city.
• The U.S. Justice Department’s National Sex Offender Public Website — empowers the public to look up offenders by name and location throughout the county.

How To Review Montgomery County Public Court Records & Documents

There are three trial courts in Montgomery County: two District Courts plus one Circuit Court.

The District Courts hear criminal cases involving misdemeanors and minor felonies, as well as civil cases involving amounts of $30,000 or less, traffic violations, and landlord/tenant disputes.

On the other hand, the Circuit Court tries the majority of civil cases, as well as criminal cases involving serious felonies.

Searchers can look up Montgomery County court records involving both District and Circuit cases by using the Maryland Judiciary’s Case Search tool. You can find tips on using this tool in the criminal case search section of this resource.

Additionally, interested parties can order copies of case records directly from the courts themselves.

To order copies of records related to civil cases tried by the District Courts, you can complete and bring the Application to Inspect Public Records or the Addendum Application (for more than one file) to the courthouse where the case was heard:

District Court of MD for Montgomery Co. – Rockville
191 E. Jefferson St.
Rockville, MD 20850

Phone: 301.563.8800

District Court of MD for Montgomery Co. – Silver Spring
8552 2nd. Ave.
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Phone: 301.563.8500

Office hours for both District Courts are Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Alternatively, you can request copies of Montgomery County judicial records by mail from the District Courts by sending a letter with the case number, your contact information, and your mailing address to either of those addresses.

For cases tried by the Circuit Court, you can visit the Civil Department in person to make your request. Here’s the address:

Montgomery County Circuit Court – Civil Dept.
North Tower, 1st Fl., Room 1200
50 Maryland Ave.
Rockville, MD 20850

Phone: 240.777.9401

Office hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Alternatively, you can order copies of Circuit Court case records by mail using the Copy Request Form.

No matter which method of ordering court records you use, the cost is the same: 50 cents per page. If you wish to have the copies certified, this costs an additional $5 per record.

In addition, there’s one other county-level court in Montgomery County. The Orphans’ Court is a probate court that supervises the management of estates.¹² You can contact the court using the following information:

Montgomery Co. Orphans’ Court
50 Maryland Ave.
Rockville, MD 20850

Phone: 240.777.9401

On a state level, Maryland has a Supreme Court, which primarily hears appeals as well as cases involving questions of law. Maryland also has an Appellate Court that considers appeals involving cases previously heard in the Circuit and Orphan’s Courts.

How To Acquire Montgomery County Maryland Marriage, Divorce, Birth & Death Records

Records pertaining to major life events — including births, marriages, divorces, and deaths — can generally be classified as vital records. Requesters may contact either Montgomery County or state of Maryland agencies to track down the vital records they’re looking for. More information on the most efficient methods of viewing or acquiring each of these record types can be found below.

Review Marital Information & Obtain Certificates in Montgomery County Through Official Channels

If you want to check if someone is married, the Montgomery County Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains a public records repository for marriage records dated 1993 or later.¹³ However, if you’re looking for older records, you’ll need to contact the Maryland Archives.

The most expedient way to track down Montgomery County divorce records is through the Maryland Judiciary’s website; however, requesters can also order copies of records through the Circuit Court.

Find Marriage Records Through the Montgomery County Circuit Court Clerk: Anyone can order a copy of a marriage license as old as 1993 as long as they know the full names of both parties.

Copies cost 50 cents per page, but certification costs an extra $5 per record. You can order copies either in person or by mail. If ordering by mail, you may pay with a money order or cashier’s check made out to “Clerk of the Court.”

If requesting a copy in person, you may also pay with cash or a Visa or Mastercard.

To order a copy of a marriage record in person, visit the following address:

Montgomery County Clerk of the Court
License Department
North Tower, Room 1300
50 Maryland Ave.
Rockville, MD 20850

Office hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

To order a marriage record by mail, you can complete the Request for Copy of a Montgomery County Marriage Record and mail it, along with your payment, to the address above.

For more information pertaining to vital events, you may call the Clerk’s Office at 240.777.9460 during office hours.

Order Marriage Records From Maryland Vital Records: Maryland’s Vital Statistics Administration will also fulfill orders for marriage records dated on or after January 1, 2007, but only to authorized individuals — meaning either spouse listed on the record or a legal representative representing either spouse (with proof).

You can use the office’s Application for Certified Copy of Maryland Marriage Record to order by mail. The charge is $12 per record, payable by check or money order payable to “Division of Vital Records.”

To use this method, mail the completed application, along with a photocopy of your government-issued ID, payment, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

Division of Vital Records
P.O. Box 68760
Baltimore, MD 21215

Alternatively, you can use VitalChek to order a copy of the marriage record online. Using this option costs $12 for the record copy, plus an additional processing fee of $11.75. VitalChek accepts all major credit cards.

For more information, you can call the Vital Records department at 410.764.3038.

Track Down Marriage Records Through the State Archives: The Maryland Archives maintains Montgomery County marriage records dating from 1952 through 2013.¹⁵ You can order a copy of a record online, by mail, or via phone.

The fee for requesting a record from this custodian is $5 per uncertified copy and $25 per certified copy.

You can submit an online request using either the Order Form for a Certified Copy or the Order Form for an Uncertified Copy.

You may also order a copy by mailing a request — including as much information as possible about the record — along with payment and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to this address:

Maryland State Archives
350 Rowe Boulevard
Annapolis, MD 21401

Or you can call 410.260.6400 to order a copy via phone.

Look Up Divorce Records Using the Case Search Tool: The Maryland Judiciary’s Case Search tool allows users to look up divorce records online. To use this tool you can enter in the last name of the search subject, then choose:

• Case Type: Civil
• Court System: Circuit Court Only
• County: Montgomery County

If there’s a possibility that the divorce could have been granted in another county, you can leave the “County” field empty.

After entering the search criteria, you’ll be presented with an online directory of potential matches. Typically, divorce cases can be identified by either “DA” or “DL” in the “Case Type” column. You can also expect to see “PARTY A vs. PARTY B” in the “Case Caption” column.

You can also order copies of divorce records from the Montgomery County Circuit Court by visiting the office at:

Montgomery County Circuit Court – Family Dept.
North Tower, 1st Fl., Room 1460
50 Maryland Ave.
Rockville, MD 20850

Phone: 240.777.9426

Office hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

You can also order copies of records by mail with the Copy Request Form.

All court records cost 50 cents per page, plus an additional $5 per record for certification.

Track Down Birth or Death Records in Montgomery County Maryland via the Department of Health & Human Services

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services can issue birth certificates dated 1940 onward and death certificates issued January 2015 or later.¹⁷ For older records, requesters will have to consult the Maryland Department of Health’s Vital Records Division.

Order Montgomery County Birth Certificates:The county Department of Health and Human Services will issue birth certificate copies to the following authorized people:

• The registrant
• One of the registrant’s parents who is listed on the certificate
• A court-appointed guardian of the registrant
• The registrant’s spouse
• A legal representative of the registrant, one of their parents, or their court-appointed guardian

Authorized individuals can order a birth certificate copy from the department in person with same-day service by visiting this address:

Dennis Ave. Health Center
2000 Dennis Ave., Ste. 27
Silver Spring, MD 20902

You can order a certificate of birth in person Mondays through Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Copies cost $25, payable via cash, credit card, Apple Pay, or a check or money order made out to “Montgomery County, MD.”

For more information, call 240.773.1207.

Alternatively, authorized individuals can order a copy of a birth certificate by mail from the Division of Vital Records for $10 per copy.

To order a birth certificate copy by mail, you can complete the Application for Certified Copy of Maryland BIrth Record, print it out, and mail it to the state’s Vital Records office at:

Division of Vital Records
P.O. Box 68760
Baltimore, MD 21215

Requesters should be sure to include a photocopy of their state-issued ID, a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and payment in the form of a check or money order payable to “Division of Vital Records.”

You can also order a copy of a birth certificate online using VitalChek; however, note that this option costs an additional $11.75 in processing fees.

Finally, interested parties can order copies of much older birth certificates from the Maryland Archives. This agency maintains birth records dating from 1898 to 1924 for Montgomery County.

Marriage certificates dated older than 100 years ago are considered public records and can be ordered by anyone for genealogical purposes.

You can use the Maryland Archives Online Indexes to find the information you’re looking for. Or you can order a certified copy for $25 using the online Certified Birth Certificate Order Form or an uncertified copy for $5 using the online Uncertified Birth Certificate Order Form.

Request Montgomery County Death Certificates: The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services will issue copies of a certificate of death only to a surviving relative who can prove their relationship to the deceased through a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or obituary, as well as to the deceased’s legal representatives.

If you’re authorized, you can order a death certificate copy from the office in person with same-day service. Here’s the address:

Dennis Ave. Health Center
2000 Dennis Ave., Ste. 27
Silver Spring, MD 20902

Death certificates may be ordered in person Mondays through Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. They’re not available in the afternoons.

Copies cost $18 for the first copy and $20 for each additional copy. This fee is payable via cash, credit card, Apple Pay, or a check or money order made out to “Montgomery County, MD.”

For assistance, call 240.773.1207.

For death certificates older than 2015, searchers can request a copy via mail from the Maryland Division of Vital Records. The first copy costs $10, with each additional copy costing $12.

Alternatively, authorized individuals can order a copy of a birth certificate by mail from the Division of Vital Records for $10 per copy. To use this option, you must use the Application for Certified Copy of Maryland Death Record found online. You can print the form out and send it — along with a photocopy of your ID, a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and a check or money order made out to “Division of Vital Records” — to:

Division of Vital Records
P.O. Box 68760
Baltimore, MD 21215

It’s also possible to order a death certificate copy online through VitalChek. This service charges an additional $11.75 in processing fees on top of the $10 charge.

Death records dated from 1898 to 2012 can also be found through the Maryland Archives. Death certificates older than 10 years are available to anyone for genealogical purposes.

To order a certified copy, you can use the online Certified Death Certificate Order Form. These copies are available for $25 per record. Uncertified copies cost $5 and can be ordered through the Uncertified Death Certificate Order Form.

How To Find Property Records, Ownership & Taxes for Free in Montgomery County

There are no official ways to search with a person’s name and find out what property they own in Montgomery County.

However, there are ways to track down home ownership by searching property addressees through Montgomery county’s Real Property Tax lookup tool.¹⁹ You can use this tool to search property ownership and tax information by entering a street address (as well as an account or bill number).

By running this search, you can learn:

• The owner’s name
• Their mailing address
• The property’s assessed value
• Recent tax amount and payments

For more information about the tax lookup search, you can call 240.77.0311.

Alternatively, searchers can find out information on property owners through the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation.²⁰ You can enter the county you want to search, as well as the search method. The choices are:

• Street address
• Property account identifier (a numerical code issued by the county)
• Map/parcel number
• Property sales (this allows you to search a range of potential sale dates)

Searches yield the names and mailing addresses of the owners, the size of the primary structure, the size of the lot, and the assessed value. You can also see the names of several previous owners, in most cases.

For more information, you can contact the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation’s Montgomery County Assessor at:

Supervisor of Assessments
30 West Gude Dr., Ste. 400
Rockville, MD 20850

Phone: 240.314.4510

Office hours are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Using Montgomery County Public Records Responsibly & Understanding Your Rights

The U.S. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Maryland’s Public Information Act (MPIA) allow anyone to access public records kept by government agencies, with some exceptions.^{21, 1} However, with that freedom comes responsibility.

A search of Maryland public records must never be used to commit a crime — including identity theft, harassment, or stalking.

In addition, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) regulates how personal information can be used.²² For example, it’s illegal to check someone’s records for professional screenings without their prior written consent.

Maryland also has a “ban the box” law, the Criminal Record Screening Complaint Law, which makes it illegal for many employers to ask a job applicant if they have a criminal record in the early stages of pre-employment screening.²³

On a federal level, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provide help for anyone who believes their personal information has been unlawfully used against them.²⁴

On a state level, the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights and the state’s Labor Department Office of Fair Practices provide assistance and resources for employees who have been treated unjustly.^{26, 27}

Montgomery County also has its own Office of Human Rights that serves to help victims of discrimination.²⁸

As seen throughout this resource, Montgomery County public records can provide searchers with a wealth of information about individuals but it’s important to use them responsibly.