Charles County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Charles County?
Public records in Charles County are defined according to the Maryland Public Information Act (PIA), codified under § 4-101 of the General Provisions Article. The statute defines public records as information that is made or received by a unit of government in connection with the transaction of public business and preserved in any format.
Charles County maintains numerous categories of public records accessible to citizens, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, traffic, family, and probate case files maintained by the Circuit Court for Charles County
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and land records dating back to the county's founding
- Vital Records: Birth certificates (limited to 1939-1969), death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
- Business Records: Trade names, licenses, permits, and corporate filings
- Tax Records: Property tax assessments, tax maps, and payment records
- Voting Records: Voter registration data and election results (excluding confidential voter information)
- Government Proceedings: County Commissioner meeting minutes, resolutions, and ordinances
- Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and audits
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with legally required redactions)
- Land Use Records: Zoning maps, building permits, and development plans
The Charles County Clerk of Circuit Court maintains court records, land records, business licenses, and marriage records pursuant to § 2-201 of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article. Property assessment and tax records are maintained by the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, Charles County office.
Is Charles County an Open Records County?
Charles 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 governs access to public records throughout Maryland, including Charles County.
Under § 4-103 of the PIA, "all persons are entitled to have access to information about the affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees." This provision establishes a presumption of openness for government records in Charles County.
Charles County government agencies adhere to the PIA's requirements for responding to record requests within statutory timeframes. Pursuant to § 4-203, agencies must respond to requests within 30 days, though many Charles County departments respond more quickly when possible.
The county also complies with Maryland's Open Meetings Act (§ 3-101 et seq., General Provisions Article), which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public with proper notice. The Charles County Commissioners and other county boards conduct their business in accordance with these transparency requirements.
Charles County has established specific procedures for handling public information requests through its Public Information Act Policy, which outlines the process for submitting and processing requests in accordance with state law.
How to Find Public Records in Charles County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Charles County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain documents. The county currently maintains multiple access points for different record types:
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Online Access: Many Charles County records are available through digital portals:
- Court records can be searched through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search
- Land records are accessible via MDLandRec.net (free registration required)
- Property tax and assessment information is available through the SDAT Real Property Search
- County Commissioner meeting minutes and agendas are posted on the Charles County Government website
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In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the appropriate county office to inspect or request copies of records:
- For court records, visit the Clerk of Circuit Court
- For property tax records, visit the Charles County Treasury Office
- For zoning and land use records, visit the Department of Planning and Growth Management
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Written Requests: Submit a formal PIA request in writing to the custodian of the desired records. Requests should:
- Identify the specific records sought with reasonable particularity
- Include requestor contact information
- Specify preferred format (paper copies, electronic files, etc.)
- Be addressed to the appropriate department
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Maryland State Archives: Historical Charles County records are maintained by the Maryland State Archives, which houses records dating back to the county's establishment in 1658.
When requesting records, individuals should specify the record type, relevant dates, names, and any other identifying information that will help locate the specific documents needed.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Charles County?
Charles County agencies charge reasonable fees for public records in accordance with § 4-206 of the Maryland Public Information Act. Current fee structures for common record types include:
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Copy Fees:
- Standard paper copies: $0.25 per page for letter/legal size
- Large format documents (maps, plats): $5.00-$15.00 per sheet
- Certified copies: $5.00-$10.00 per document plus copy fees
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Search and Preparation Fees:
- Staff time: First two hours free, then $25-$50 per hour depending on staff level required
- Commercial requests may incur fees for all time spent
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Electronic Records:
- PDF documents: Often provided at no cost when sent via email
- Data files: Variable fees based on complexity
- Records provided on CD/DVD: $5.00-$10.00 per disc plus preparation time
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Specific Record Fees:
- Marriage licenses: $35.00 application fee
- Certified copies of marriage certificates: $5.50 per copy
- Land record copies: $5.00 per document plus $1.00 per page
- Court case documents: $5.00 for first page, $0.50 for each additional page
Accepted payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit cards (in most offices). Some online services may require credit card payment.
Fee waivers may be granted under § 4-206(e) of the PIA if the custodian determines that waiver would be in the public interest. Requests for fee waivers should be included in the initial records request with an explanation of the public interest served.
Does Charles County Have Free Public Records?
Charles County provides several avenues for accessing public records at no cost, in accordance with Maryland law. The following free options are currently available:
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In-Person Inspection: Pursuant to § 4-201 of the Maryland Public Information Act, individuals may inspect public records without charge during normal business hours. This right applies to all non-exempt public records maintained by Charles County agencies.
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Online Resources: Charles County and the State of Maryland provide numerous free online record access points:
- Maryland Judiciary Case Search - Basic case information for civil, criminal, and traffic cases
- MDLandRec.net - Land records and plats (free registration required)
- Charles County Government website - Meeting minutes, agendas, budgets, and planning documents
- Maryland State Archives - Historical Charles County records
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Public Access Terminals: The Circuit Court Clerk's Office provides public access computers for searching court and land records at no charge.
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First Two Hours: Under § 4-206(c) of the PIA, the first two hours of search and preparation time for records are provided at no cost to the requestor.
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Public Interest Waiver: Fees may be waived entirely if the custodian determines that waiver would be in the public interest, such as for requests from nonprofit organizations, researchers, or journalists working on matters of public concern.
While inspection is free, requestors should note that fees may still apply for copies or for search time exceeding two hours as detailed in the previous section.
Who Can Request Public Records in Charles County?
Under § 4-103 of the Maryland Public Information Act, "all persons" are entitled to access public records in Charles County. This broad eligibility includes:
- Maryland residents and non-residents alike
- U.S. citizens and foreign nationals
- Individuals and organizations (businesses, nonprofits, media)
- Representatives acting on behalf of others
For most public records in Charles County, requestors:
- Are not required to state a reason or purpose for their request
- Do not need to demonstrate a "need to know" or special interest
- Are not required to identify themselves, though providing contact information is necessary for processing requests
- May make anonymous requests for in-person inspection of records
However, certain record types have specific eligibility restrictions:
- Motor Vehicle Records: Access is restricted under the Maryland Driver Privacy Protection Act (Transportation Article § 12-111 through § 12-113)
- Criminal History Records: Complete criminal histories are restricted to authorized agencies and the subject of the record
- Vital Records: Birth and death certificates are restricted to the person named, immediate family members, or legal representatives
- Adoption Records: Access is highly restricted by Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article § 5-3A-01 et seq.
- Medical Records: Protected by HIPAA and available only to the patient or authorized representatives
When requesting records about oneself, identification is typically required to verify identity and prevent unauthorized disclosure of personal information.
What Records Are Confidential in Charles County?
Certain records in Charles County are exempt from disclosure under the Maryland Public Information Act. Pursuant to § 4-301 through § 4-355 of the General Provisions Article, the following record types are confidential:
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Personal Information:
- Social Security numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Financial account information
- Medical and psychological records
- Personnel records (with limited exceptions)
- Student educational records (protected by FERPA)
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Law Enforcement Records:
- Active criminal investigations
- Investigatory files that would interfere with proceedings
- Information that would endanger individuals
- Confidential source information
- Juvenile arrest and criminal history records
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Court Records:
- Sealed court proceedings and records
- Adoption records
- Mental health commitment proceedings
- Certain family law matters involving minors
- Expunged criminal records
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Government Operations:
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Executive privilege deliberations
- Trade secrets or confidential commercial information
- Critical infrastructure and security information
- Procurement information during active bidding
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Other Protected Records:
- Child welfare and protective services records
- Certain tax information
- Library user records
- Voting records showing how a specific person voted
Under § 4-343 of the PIA, custodians must apply a "public interest test" for certain discretionary exemptions, weighing whether the public interest in disclosure outweighs the potential harm from release.
When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, Charles County agencies will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder, as required by § 4-203(c)(1)(ii) of the PIA.
Charles County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Charles County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
200 Charles Street
La Plata, MD 20646
Phone: 301-932-3245
Circuit Court for Charles County
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed on state holidays
Charles County Land Records Department
200 Charles Street, Room 1400
La Plata, MD 20646
Phone: 301-932-3245
Land Records Division
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed on state holidays
Charles County Register of Wills
200 Charles Street, Room 1407
La Plata, MD 20646
Phone: 301-932-3314
Register of Wills for Charles County
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed on state holidays
Maryland State Archives (for historical Charles County records)
350 Rowe Boulevard
Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: 410-260-6400
Maryland State Archives
Hours of Operation: Wednesday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed on state holidays