Maryland criminal records come from two main sources: the state criminal history repository (maintained by the state police or equivalent agency) and individual county court systems. These are separate databases that may show different information.
What this page covers: Maryland state-level criminal history searches, county court criminal case lookups, and sex offender registry searches. What it does not cover: Federal criminal cases (those require PACER) or arrest records that did not result in charges.
Where to start: For a broad criminal history check, start with the state repository. For specific case details (charges, dispositions, documents), go to the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the case was filed. For sex offenders, use the state sex offender registry.
Common mistake: A state criminal history search and a county court search are not the same thing. The state repository compiles conviction data from across the state. County courts have the actual case files with full detail. You may need both.
Maryland Criminal Records — Key Numbers (2026)
State-only check (State Identification Bureau): Returns arrests, dispositions and convictions reported to that one state's repository. It does not include arrests from other states or most federal cases. See the FBI's directory of state agencies: State Identification Bureau Listing.
Multi-state / federal check (FBI Identity History Summary): Returns records contributed by federal, state, local, and tribal agencies through the FBI's Interstate Identification Index (III). See FBI Identity History Summary FAQs and Interstate Identification Index (III).
What state repositories miss: The FBI's national survey of state criminal-history information systems documents known reporting gaps (missing dispositions, delayed updates, sealed/expunged handling). See BJS: Survey of State Criminal History Information Systems.
What Changed in 2026 — Maryland Criminal Records
The 4-Step Maryland Criminal Records Pathway
Five Things People Get Wrong About Maryland Criminal Records
Primary Sources and Official Record Portals
- dpscs.maryland.gov — DPSCS - CJIS Central Repository — Official Maryland criminal history portal
- fbi.gov — Identity History Summary — FBI fingerprint-based federal check ($18)
- fbi.gov — State ID Bureau listing — FBI listing of every state's repository
- ftc.gov — FCRA basics — Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act rules
- ftc.gov — Background Checks employer guide — FTC + EEOC employer guidance
- bjs.ojp.gov — Bureau of Justice Statistics — Federal stats on state criminal record systems
Related Criminal Records Resources
- Maryland Court Records →
- Maryland Property Records →
- Maryland Vital Records →
- Maryland Voter Records →
- Maryland Wants & Warrants →
- Maryland Licenses →
- Maryland Recorded Documents →
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Criminal Records Databases
9 official Maryland criminal records sources.
Criminal Records
Maryland Counties
All 24 Maryland counties. Click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I run an official Maryland background check?▼
Maryland's official statewide criminal-history check is administered by the DPSCS - CJIS Central Repository. Begin the request at dpscs.maryland.gov. Most state-level checks require submitting fingerprints (live-scan or ink) plus a processing fee, and the response covers convictions and certain non-conviction data permitted by Maryland statute.
Are Maryland criminal records public?▼
Most adult criminal-history information in Maryland is considered public record, but access is restricted depending on the requester (self, employer, government agency) and the data type (arrest, conviction, sealed, juvenile). The DPSCS - CJIS Central Repository explains who can request what at dpscs.maryland.gov. County-court records are also public and searchable through the trial-court system.
What's the difference between a state and an FBI background check in Maryland?▼
A state check from the DPSCS - CJIS Central Repository (dpscs.maryland.gov) covers only criminal activity within Maryland. An FBI Identity History Summary (fbi.gov) is the nationwide check covering federal records and contributing states. Employers and licensing boards often require both.
Can I get someone else's Maryland criminal record?▼
Generally, no — only the record subject (with their own ID and signature) or a specifically authorized requester (such as a credentialed employer under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a licensing board, or law enforcement) can pull a third-party criminal history from the DPSCS - CJIS Central Repository. The DPSCS - CJIS Central Repository documentation at dpscs.maryland.gov lists each authorized requester category.
How do I challenge or correct a Maryland criminal record?▼
If you find an error on your Maryland criminal history, the DPSCS - CJIS Central Repository offers a record-review and challenge process. Begin at dpscs.maryland.gov — typical steps include fingerprint verification, a written dispute, and supporting court documents (such as a dismissal or expungement order) for each contested entry.