Frederick County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Frederick County?

Public records in Frederick County are defined according to the Maryland Public Information Act (PIA), codified under § 4-101 of the General Provisions Article of the Maryland Code. This statute defines public records as information that is made or received by a government agency in connection with the transaction of public business and is in any form, including written, photographic, or electronic format.

Frederick County maintains a comprehensive collection of public records that are accessible to citizens and interested parties. These records include:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court proceedings maintained by the Circuit Court for Frederick County
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments recorded with the Frederick County Land Records Office
Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax sale data
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of County Council meetings, board proceedings, and commission activities
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: Planning documents, zoning decisions, and development plans

The Frederick County Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains court records, marriage licenses, and land records, while the City of Frederick maintains records specific to city operations. Additional historical records are preserved by the Maryland State Archives, which houses government records of Frederick County in various formats.

Is Frederick County an Open Records County?

Frederick County fully adheres to 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.

Under § 4-103 of the Maryland 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 Frederick County and throughout Maryland.

Frederick County has implemented specific procedures to comply with state transparency requirements. The county maintains a dedicated public records portal where citizens can submit requests and access information about the public records process. Additionally, the county follows the state's Open Meetings Act, ensuring that government meetings are accessible to the public.

The Frederick County Government has adopted an official public records policy that aligns with state requirements. This policy outlines procedures for requesting records, establishes timeframes for responses, and details the appeal process for denied requests. The county's commitment to transparency is further demonstrated through its online resources that provide direct access to many commonly requested records.

How to Find Public Records in Frederick County in 2026

Members of the public seeking access to Frederick County records may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need. The county currently provides multiple pathways for records access:

Online Access: Many records are available through the county's official websites. The Frederick County Government website provides access to meeting minutes, financial reports, and various departmental records. Court records can be searched through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system.
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to inspect records. For court records, visit the Clerk of the Circuit Court; for property records, visit the Land Records office.
Written Requests: Submit a formal written request to the custodian of the desired records. Requests should include:
- Requestor's name and contact information
- Clear description of the records sought
- Preferred format for receiving records
- Statement regarding willingness to pay applicable fees
Electronic Requests: The City of Frederick's Public Records portal allows for electronic submission of records requests for city-maintained documents.
Maryland State Archives: Historical Frederick County records are maintained by the state archives and can be requested through their research services.

When submitting requests, individuals should be as specific as possible about the records they seek. Custodians are required to respond to requests within 30 days under the Maryland Public Information Act. For expedited processing, requestors may indicate if there is a time-sensitive need for the information.

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

Frederick 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.

The current fee structure for Frederick County public records includes:

Photocopies: $0.25 per page for standard letter/legal size documents
Certified Copies: Additional $5.00 certification fee per document
Search and Preparation: $25-50 per hour after the first two hours (which are provided at no charge)
Electronic Records: Actual cost of production
Specialized Documents: Variable fees based on size and format (e.g., maps, plats, architectural drawings)

Specific record types may have statutorily set fees:

Marriage License: $35-85
Land Record Recording: $40 for first page plus $20 for each additional page
Birth/Death Certificates: $20 per copy (through Health Department)

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

Fee waivers may be granted if the custodian determines that waiving the fee is in the public interest. Requests for fee waivers should be included with the initial records request and should explain how disclosure of the records serves the public interest rather than a personal interest.

Does Frederick County Have Free Public Records?

Frederick County provides free inspection of most public records in accordance with Maryland law. Under the Maryland Public Information Act, custodians must allow any person to inspect public records at no charge during normal business hours. This right to free inspection applies to most record types, though certain preparation fees may apply for records requiring extensive redaction or compilation.

The following free public records resources are currently available:

Online Resources: The Frederick County Government website offers free access to:
- County Council meeting agendas and minutes
- County budgets and financial reports
- Property assessment information
- Zoning maps and regulations
- Election results
Maryland Judiciary Case Search: This free online database provides basic information about court cases in Frederick County and throughout Maryland.
Public Terminals: Computer terminals at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office provide free access to court records and land records.
Public Libraries: Frederick County Public Libraries offer free internet access to many online government resources.
Maryland State Archives: The archives maintain a collection of Frederick County records that can be viewed online or in person at their facility.

While inspection is free, reproduction costs apply when copies are requested. Additionally, as noted in the previous section, search and preparation fees may apply for requests requiring more than two hours of staff time.

Who Can Request Public Records in Frederick County?

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

Maryland residents
Out-of-state residents
Foreign nationals
Business entities
Media organizations
Non-profit organizations
Government agencies

Requestors are not generally required to:

Provide identification (except for certain restricted records)
State the purpose of their request
Demonstrate a "need to know"
Have a direct interest in the records

However, certain record types have specific eligibility restrictions:

Vital Records: Birth and death certificates are restricted to the person named in the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a demonstrated legitimate interest as defined in § 4-217 of the Health-General Article.
Motor Vehicle Records: Access is restricted under the Maryland Driver's Privacy Protection Act, codified in § 4-320 of the General Provisions Article.
Criminal History Records: Complete criminal histories are restricted to the subject of the record or their authorized representative.
Medical Records: Access is limited to the patient or their authorized representative in accordance with HIPAA and state privacy laws.

When requesting records about oneself, identification may be required to verify identity. When requesting records about another individual, additional documentation may be necessary to demonstrate legal authority or legitimate interest.

What Records Are Confidential in Frederick County?

While Frederick County operates under a presumption of openness for government records, certain categories of information are protected from disclosure under § 4-301 through § 4-355 of the Maryland Public Information Act. These exemptions protect legitimate privacy interests, governmental functions, and sensitive information.

Records that are confidential or exempt from disclosure in Frederick County include:

Personal Information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, medical information, and other personally identifiable information as defined in § 4-331 of the General Provisions Article
Juvenile Records: Court records and police records concerning juvenile offenders, except under limited circumstances
Adoption Records: Sealed adoption records and related court documents
Personnel Records: Employee files including performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and personal information (with limited exceptions for basic employment verification)
Law Enforcement Records: Investigatory files for ongoing investigations, confidential informant information, and tactical plans
Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and attorney work product prepared for government agencies
Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information and confidential commercial data submitted to government agencies
Security Information: Critical infrastructure details, security system specifications, and emergency response plans
Deliberative Process Materials: Pre-decisional drafts, notes, and recommendations that reflect the deliberative process of government decision-makers
Educational Records: Student records protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Library Records: Information about individual library patrons and their borrowing history

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, custodians will typically redact the protected information and release the remainder of the record. The Maryland PIA Manual provides detailed guidance on exemptions and the application of the required balancing test between privacy interests and the public interest in disclosure.

Frederick County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Frederick County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
100 West Patrick Street
Frederick, MD 21701
301-600-1976
Circuit Court for Frederick County

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on State Holidays

Frederick County Land Records Office
100 West Patrick Street, Room 1400
Frederick, MD 21701
301-600-1976
Land Records Division

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Closed on State Holidays

Frederick County Register of Wills
100 West Patrick Street, Room 1400
Frederick, MD 21701
301-600-6565
Register of Wills for Frederick County

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on State Holidays

City of Frederick Public Records Office
101 North Court Street
Frederick, MD 21701
301-600-1380
City of Frederick Public Records

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Closed on Federal Holidays

Lookup Public Records in Frederick County

Public Records Portal for the City of Frederick

Circuit Court for Frederick County Clerk's Office

Frederick County Land Records and Recordation

Frederick County Courts Information

Maryland State Archives - Frederick County Records