Anne Arundel County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Anne Arundel County?

Public records in Anne Arundel County are defined under the Maryland Public Information Act (PIA), codified in § 4-101 through § 4-601 of the General Provisions Article of the Maryland Code. According to this statute, public records include any documentary material in any form created or received by a government agency in connection with public business.

Anne Arundel County maintains numerous types of public records accessible to citizens, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, traffic, family law, and probate cases maintained by the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County and District Court
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other land records dating back to the county's founding
Vital Records: Birth and death certificates (restricted access), marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
Tax Records: Property tax assessments, tax maps, and payment records
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County Council meetings, board proceedings, and public hearings
Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
Law Enforcement Records: Police reports, arrest logs, and incident reports (with certain restrictions)
Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and development plans

The Maryland State Archives serves as the central repository for many historical Anne Arundel County government records, while current records are typically maintained by the specific agency that created them. Property records are maintained by the Land Records Department within the Circuit Court Clerk's Office, while vital records are primarily managed by the Maryland Department of Health's Division of Vital Records.

Is Anne Arundel County an Open Records County?

Anne Arundel County fully complies with the Maryland Public Information Act (PIA), codified under § 4-101 et seq. of the General Provisions Article. This comprehensive state law establishes the public's right to access government records while protecting legitimate governmental interests and individual privacy.

The PIA explicitly states in § 4-103 that "all persons are entitled to have access to information about the affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees." This foundational principle guides Anne Arundel County's approach to records management and disclosure.

The county adheres to the state's transparency requirements, including:

Providing reasonable access to records during normal business hours
Responding to requests within statutory timeframes (generally 30 days)
Charging only reasonable fees for reproduction costs
Providing written explanations when denying access to records

Anne Arundel County has implemented specific procedures for handling public information requests in accordance with the Maryland Public Information Act Manual. Each county department designates PIA coordinators responsible for processing requests pertaining to their respective records.

The county also complies with Maryland's Open Meetings Act, ensuring that meetings of public bodies are conducted openly and that citizens have advance notice of such meetings. This dual commitment to open records and open meetings demonstrates Anne Arundel County's adherence to transparency principles in governance.

How to Find Public Records in Anne Arundel County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Anne Arundel County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

In-Person Requests:

Identify the appropriate agency that maintains the desired records
Visit the agency during regular business hours
Complete a Public Information Act request form if required
Present identification if necessary for restricted records
Pay applicable fees for copies or certified documents

Online Access:

Visit the Anne Arundel County website
Navigate to the specific department that maintains the desired records
Use available online search tools and databases
Download publicly available documents directly
Submit electronic PIA requests for records not available online

Mail or Email Requests:

Draft a written request clearly identifying the records sought
Include contact information and preferred delivery method
Address the request to the appropriate department's PIA coordinator
Send via postal mail or email to the designated address
Include payment for any applicable fees if known

For court records, the Maryland Judiciary Case Search provides online access to case information from District and Circuit Courts. Land records can be searched through the Maryland Land Records online system maintained by the Judiciary.

Property assessment records are accessible through the State Department of Assessments and Taxation real property database. Marriage records from 1905 to present can be requested through the Circuit Court, while older records are maintained by the Maryland State Archives.

For vital records such as birth and death certificates, requests must be submitted to the Maryland Department of Health's Division of Vital Records, as these are state-maintained records with restricted access.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Anne Arundel County?

Anne Arundel County assesses fees for public records in accordance with § 4-206 of the Maryland Public Information Act, which permits agencies to charge "reasonable fees" for the search, preparation, and reproduction of public records.

Current standard fees for common record types include:

Photocopies: $0.25 per page for standard letter/legal size
Certified Copies: $5.00-$10.00 per document (varies by record type)
Land Records: $10.00 for the first page, $1.00 for each additional page
Marriage License: $35.00 application fee
Court Records: $5.00 for certified copies, $0.50 per page for regular copies
Police Reports: $15.00 per report
Maps and Plats: $10.00-$25.00 depending on size and complexity

Additional fees may apply for:

Staff time for searching and preparing records (first two hours are typically free)
Special handling or expedited processing
Electronic media (USB drives, CDs)
Oversized documents or specialized reproduction methods
Postage for mailed documents

The county accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and major credit cards for most transactions. Some departments may have limited payment options for in-person requests.

Under § 4-206(e) of the PIA, fees may be waived if the applicant is indigent or if the custodian determines that waiver would be in the public interest. Requests for fee waivers must be submitted in writing with the initial records request, explaining the basis for the waiver.

Does Anne Arundel County Have Free Public Records?

Anne Arundel County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with Maryland law. Pursuant to § 4-201 of the Maryland Public Information Act, the public has the right to inspect records without charge during normal business hours, though fees may apply for copies or certified documents.

Records available at no cost include:

Online Court Case Information: The Maryland Judiciary Case Search provides free access to basic case information for District and Circuit Court cases
Property Assessment Data: The State Department of Assessments and Taxation maintains a free online database of property assessment records
County Council Records: Meeting agendas, minutes, and legislation are available on the county website
Budget Documents: Annual budgets and financial reports are published online at no cost
Election Results: Voting data and election outcomes are freely accessible through the Board of Elections
Probate Records: Basic estate information can be searched online at no cost
GIS Maps: Basic geographic information system maps and data layers are available through the county's online portal

The Maryland State Archives provides free online access to certain historical Anne Arundel County records through its website, including indexes to land records, marriage records, and other historical documents.

For in-person requests, the public may inspect records without charge during normal business hours, though appointments may be required for certain record types or large volume requests. While inspection is free, reproduction costs apply if copies are requested.

Who Can Request Public Records in Anne Arundel County?

Under § 4-103 of the Maryland Public Information Act, "all persons" are entitled to access public records in Anne Arundel County. This broad eligibility extends to:

Maryland residents
Non-residents and out-of-state requesters
Business entities and organizations
Media representatives
Government agencies
Legal representatives

The law does not require requesters to:

Provide identification for most general records
State a reason or purpose for their request
Be a county or state resident
Have a direct interest in the records

However, certain exceptions apply for restricted records:

Vital Records: Birth and death certificates are available only to the person named on the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a legitimate legal interest
Medical Records: Access is restricted to the patient or their authorized representative
Juvenile Records: Generally confidential with limited exceptions for parties to the case
Motor Vehicle Records: Subject to restrictions under the Driver's Privacy Protection Act
Criminal History Records: Complete records are available only to the subject or their attorney

For records with restricted access, proper identification and documentation of eligibility must be provided. This may include government-issued photo ID, proof of relationship, court orders, or notarized authorizations.

Government agencies processing requests may not inquire about the requester's purpose except when necessary to determine if the requester is entitled to a waiver of fees or if the request involves records with restricted access.

What Records Are Confidential in Anne Arundel County?

Anne Arundel County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with § 4-301 through § 4-355 of the Maryland Public Information Act, which establishes mandatory and discretionary exemptions from disclosure. These protected records include:

Personnel Records: Employee files, performance evaluations, and disciplinary records (with limited exceptions for basic employment information)
Medical and Psychological Records: Health information protected under HIPAA and state privacy laws
Juvenile Records: Court proceedings, police reports, and social service records involving minors
Ongoing Investigations: Active criminal, civil, and administrative investigations by law enforcement or regulatory agencies
Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and work product prepared for litigation
Sealed Court Records: Cases sealed by judicial order, including certain domestic relations matters
Social Security Numbers: Personal identifiers redacted from public documents
Financial Information: Personal financial data, including bank account numbers and credit information
Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
Security Information: Building plans, emergency response protocols, and critical infrastructure details
Adoption Records: Sealed except by court order
Child Welfare Records: Reports of child abuse and neglect investigations
Library User Records: Patron borrowing history and personal information
Certain Procurement Documents: Sealed bids prior to award and proprietary vendor information

Under § 4-343, custodians must consider whether disclosure would cause "substantial injury to the public interest" when determining whether to release certain records. This balancing test weighs the public's right to information against potential harm from disclosure.

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, § 4-203(c)(1)(ii) requires that the exempt material be redacted and the remainder of the record be disclosed when reasonably severable.

Anne Arundel County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
8 Church Circle
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-222-1397
Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
(Excluding state holidays)

Anne Arundel County Register of Wills
8 Church Circle, Room H-150
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-222-1430
Register of Wills for Anne Arundel County

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
(Excluding state holidays)

Maryland State Archives
350 Rowe Boulevard
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-260-6400
Maryland State Archives

Hours of Operation: Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
(Excluding state holidays)

Anne Arundel County Office of Planning and Zoning
2664 Riva Road, 4th Floor
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-222-7450
Office of Planning and Zoning

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
(Excluding county holidays)

Anne Arundel County Health Department - Vital Records
3 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-222-4462
Anne Arundel County Health Department

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
(Excluding county holidays)