Prince George's County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Prince George's County?
Public records in Prince George's 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.
Prince George's County maintains numerous types of public records accessible to citizens:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases maintained by the Circuit Court for Prince George's County
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments
- Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business names
- Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records from County Council meetings, board meetings, and commission proceedings
- Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and incident reports (with certain restrictions)
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Zoning maps, permits, and land development plans
The Prince George's County Office of Central Services oversees many county records, while specialized records are maintained by their respective departments. Land records and court documents are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, while vital records are managed by the Prince George's County Health Department.
Is Prince George's County an Open Records County?
Prince George's County fully adheres to Maryland's open records laws as established in the Maryland Public Information Act. Under § 4-103 of the General Provisions Article, "all persons are entitled to have access to information about the affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees."
The statute establishes that "the right of the public to information about government activities lies at the heart of a democratic government" (§ 4-103(a)). This fundamental principle guides Prince George's County's approach to records access.
The county complies with Maryland's Open Meetings Act (§ 3-101 through § 3-501), ensuring that meetings of public bodies remain accessible to citizens. Prince George's County has established specific procedures for handling public information requests in accordance with state law, as outlined in the Prince George's County Administrative Procedure.
County agencies are required to respond to public records requests within 10 business days, though complex requests may require additional time. The county's commitment to transparency is further demonstrated through its Open Data Portal, which provides direct access to numerous datasets without requiring formal requests.
How to Find Public Records in Prince George's County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Prince George's County may utilize several methods to access information:
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Online Access: Many records are available through the county's digital platforms:
- Court records can be searched through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search
- Land records are accessible via the Maryland Land Records portal
- County financial information is available on the Prince George's County Open Data Portal
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In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the appropriate county office:
- For court records, visit the Clerk of the Circuit Court
- For property records, visit the Office of Finance or Land Records Department
- For vital records, visit the Health Department
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Written Requests: Submit a formal Public Information Act request:
- Identify the specific records sought
- Provide contact information
- Submit to the appropriate custodian of records
- The county must acknowledge receipt within 10 working days
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Electronic Requests: Many departments accept requests via email or through online forms available on the Prince George's County website.
For specialized records, contact the specific department:
- Property Tax Records: Office of Finance
- Police Reports: Prince George's County Police Department
- Business Licenses: Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement
- Vital Records: Health Department
Under current Maryland law, agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities who require assistance accessing records.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Prince George's County?
Prince George's County assesses fees for public records in accordance with § 4-206 of the Maryland Public Information Act. Current standard fees include:
- Photocopies: $0.25 per page for standard letter/legal size
- Certified Copies: $5.00 per document plus copy fees
- Electronic Records: Actual cost of production
- Staff Time: Actual cost for search and preparation exceeding two hours (first two hours are free)
- Specialized Records:
- Birth/Death Certificates: $10.00 per copy
- Marriage Licenses: $35.00 application fee
- Land Record Copies: $5.00 per document plus $1.00 per page
- Court Case Documents: Varies by document type and length
The county accepts payment via cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards at most locations. Online payments may incur additional processing fees.
Under § 4-206(e) of the Maryland Public Information Act, fees may be waived if the custodian determines that waiver would be in the public interest. Requestors may include a fee waiver request with their initial application, stating how disclosure serves the public interest rather than personal interest.
Government agencies, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations conducting research in the public interest may qualify for reduced fees or waivers under certain circumstances.
Does Prince George's County Have Free Public Records?
Prince George's County provides free access to certain public records as required by Maryland law. Under § 4-206 of the Maryland Public Information Act, the public has the right to inspect records without charge during normal business hours.
Free records and services include:
- In-Person Inspection: Citizens may examine non-exempt public records at no cost during regular business hours
- Online Resources: The Prince George's County Open Data Portal provides free access to numerous datasets including:
- County budget information
- Property assessment data
- Crime statistics
- Building permits
- Election results
- Maryland Judiciary Case Search: Basic court case information is available at no cost
- County Council Records: Meeting agendas, minutes, and legislation are freely accessible online
- Public Notices and Announcements: Available on the county website without charge
Additionally, the first two hours of search and preparation time for any public records request are provided at no cost to the requestor. This provision ensures that simple, straightforward requests can often be fulfilled without fees.
The Prince George's County Memorial Library System also provides free public computer access for residents to search online records.
Who Can Request Public Records in Prince George's County?
Under the Maryland Public Information Act § 4-103, "all persons" are entitled to access public records in Prince George's County. This broad eligibility includes:
- Maryland residents
- Non-residents of Maryland
- Business entities
- Media organizations
- Nonprofit organizations
- Government agencies
Requestors are not required to:
- Provide identification (except for certain restricted records)
- State the purpose of their request
- Demonstrate "legitimate interest" in the records
- Be physically present in Maryland
However, certain record types have specific eligibility restrictions:
- Criminal History Records: Access may be limited to the subject of the record or authorized representatives
- Juvenile Records: Generally confidential with limited access
- Medical Records: Access typically restricted to the subject or authorized medical providers
- Personnel Records: Limited access, primarily to the employee
For requests involving personal information, agencies may require verification of identity to prevent unauthorized disclosure. This is particularly relevant for:
- Motor vehicle records (governed by the Driver's Privacy Protection Act)
- Records containing Social Security numbers
- Medical information protected under HIPAA
Under § 4-601 of the Maryland Public Information Act, individuals have the right to inspect records that contain information about themselves, with certain exceptions for investigatory or privileged materials.
What Records Are Confidential in Prince George's County?
Prince George's County maintains confidentiality for certain records as mandated by Maryland Public Information Act § 4-301 through § 4-355. These exemptions protect privacy, security, and other important interests.
Records exempt from disclosure include:
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Personal Information:
- Social Security numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Financial account information
- Medical records (protected under HIPAA)
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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
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Juvenile Records: Court records involving minors are generally sealed under § 3-8A-27 of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article
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Personnel Records: Employee files including performance evaluations, though certain information like salary is disclosable
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Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and work product
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Security Information:
- Building security plans
- Critical infrastructure details
- Emergency response protocols
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Proprietary Business Information:
- Trade secrets
- Confidential commercial information
- Financial information provided in confidence
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Adoption Records: Sealed except by court order
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Deliberative Process Materials: Pre-decisional documents reflecting the decision-making process
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Educational Records: Protected under FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)
When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, § 4-203(c)(1)(ii) requires agencies to provide the non-exempt portions when reasonably severable.
The county applies a "public interest test" for certain discretionary exemptions, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the potential harm from release.
Prince George's County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Prince George's County Land Records Department
14735 Main Street, Room D1002
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
301-952-3330
Prince George's County Land Records
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and state holidays
Prince George's County Clerk of the Circuit Court
14735 Main Street
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
301-952-3318
Clerk of the Circuit Court
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and state holidays
Prince George's County Register of Wills
14735 Main Street, Room D4001
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
301-952-3250
Register of Wills
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and state holidays
Prince George's County Health Department - Vital Records
1701 McCormick Drive, Suite 200
Largo, MD 20774
301-883-7879
Health Department
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays