LOCATION: Central Files, North Tower, 1st Floor, Rm 1100
PHONE: 240-777-9501
Most Montgomery County Circuit Court cases are open to the public and are in Central Files.
Patrons must present a Montgomery County Circuit Court case number when requesting/viewing a case in paper or electronically. Without a case number, staff cannot guarantee a file will be located. To find your case number, look at the top of any document you were served by the Court (e.g., Judicial Order, Hearing Notice, etc.) or search for the case by name, date, case type, etc. on the Maryland Judiciary Case Search website.
The fee for copying case documents is 50 cents per page. Fees for certified copies are 50 cents per page copied plus a $5 certification fee. Triple seals cost $10 plus 50 cents per page copied. There is no fee for US Postal Service postage.
Patrons who are unable to locate their case number on Case Search may contact Central Files staff via email or phone. Please provide specific details about plaintiff/defendant names, dates, etc. to enable staff to search as efficiently as possible.
What to expect:
Courthouse hours of operation are 8:30 am-4:30 pm, Monday-Friday, excluding court holidays. Please note that the Law Library closes at 4:00 pm.
Patrons may also use kiosks to view and copy public scanned documents from other Maryland Circuit and District Courts.
If you are visiting the courthouse in person for copies, please visit Central Files first to locate your case.
Patrons have three options for ordering copies from outside the courthouse:
Online: Complete and submit the Copy Request Form. Staff will notify you within 3 business days if there are any issues locating the file (e.g., the file is now in Maryland State Archives) or to let you know the cost of your copies and how you can access them. (Unfortunately, we can only accept credit cards in person.)
Once you submit your completed form online, you will receive a receipt in your web browser window plus an email receipt if you supplied an email address.
By mail: Print and complete the Copy Request Form and mail it Central Files. Please do not insert any payment with your completed form unless you have received a price from courthouse staff.
Drop Box: Print and complete the Copy Request Form, enclose it in an envelope marked “Central Files”, and drop it in the Circuit Court drop box, which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, located outside the courthouse at 50 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850. Please do not insert any payment with your completed form unless you have received a price from courthouse staff.
For options (2) and (3) above, patrons will be contacted when their copies are ready and quoted a cost. Once payment is received, copies will be mailed. Copies will be mailed via US Postal Service mail as soon as payment is received and processed. If you would like expedited mailing, please include a self-addressed, pre-paid FedEx or other priority envelope.
Patrons also have the option to receive regular (non-certified) copies via ShareFile. Please check the appropriate box on the Copy Request Form if you would prefer this option rather than having your copies mailed to you. You will be contacted for payment before receiving the copies.
Attorneys of record on Circuit Court cases automatically have remote access to the Maryland Judiciary Case Search website. Parties to a case may also request remote access to cases – please visit Maryland Courts E-filing for more information.