Rockville Criminal History Records
Rockville criminal history records come from two sources depending on where an incident occurred: the Rockville City Police Department for events within city limits, and Montgomery County Police for areas just outside. Rockville is both a city and the county seat of Montgomery County, which means both the city and county court systems have a presence here. Official criminal history background checks for Rockville residents are handled by the Maryland CJIS Central Repository, not by the city or county police.
Rockville Overview
Rockville City Police Records
Rockville has its own city police department. Officers respond only to incidents within Rockville city limits. If an incident happened outside city boundaries, Montgomery County Police or another agency handled it. This distinction is important when you request records. The city provides an address verification tool at rockvillemd.gov/services to help you confirm which agency has jurisdiction.
To request police records from Rockville, you submit a request online or visit the police station in person. The online option is often faster and avoids a trip to the station.
| Online Records Request | rockvillemd.gov/services/request-police-records |
|---|---|
| In-Person Hours | Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Processing Time | Up to 30 days under MPIA (city contacts you if more than 10 working days) |
When you submit a request, you'll need to provide your email address, your relationship to the incident, the date of the incident, the names of people involved, and a copy of your government-issued photo ID.
Maryland DPSCS provides court record access tools and resources for Rockville residents needing official criminal history information at the state level.
Rockville's status as the county seat means the Montgomery County Circuit Court is located right in the city, making court record access straightforward for local residents.
Rockville Police Records Fees
Rockville city police charge set fees for copies of specific record types. These are flat rates per copy:
- Incident report: $5.00 per copy
- Accident report: $5.00 per copy
- Animal control report: $5.00 per copy
- Body camera footage on CD: $5.00 per copy
- Body camera footage on USB: $5.00 per copy
These fees cover only Rockville City Police records. Court records and CJIS background checks have separate costs through their own agencies.
Note: Rockville police only handle incidents within Rockville city limits. Use the address finder on the city website to confirm jurisdiction before submitting a request.
Criminal History Background Checks
Rockville City Police do not conduct criminal history background checks. For an official criminal history record, you go directly to the Maryland CJIS Central Repository. This is the state agency that holds the central database of criminal history for all of Maryland, including Rockville.
Submit Form 015 with fingerprints and an $18 fee for a state-only criminal history check. A combined state and FBI check costs $38 or more. Mail to CJIS Central Repository, P.O. Box 32708, Pikesville, MD 21282-2708. Processing takes 10 to 15 business days. Call the CJIS Help Desk at 1-888-795-0011 or 410-764-4501 with any questions. The full process is at the DPSCS background checks page. Find fingerprinting sites near Rockville through the DPSCS fingerprinting page.
Montgomery County Circuit Court in Rockville
Because Rockville is the county seat of Montgomery County, the Montgomery County Circuit Court sits in Rockville. This is where felony cases from across the county are heard, and where you go for court records, case filings, and official case copies. The clerk's office handles public record requests.
| Address | 50 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 240-777-9400 |
| Case Search | casesearch.courts.state.md.us |
| County Police | montgomerycountymd.gov/pol |
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search is free and updated regularly. You can look up cases from both the Montgomery County Circuit Court and the district court by name or case number. Filter by Montgomery County to narrow results to Rockville-area cases. This tool shows public charges, hearing dates, and case outcomes but is not a substitute for an official CJIS criminal history report.
Sex Offender Registry
The Maryland Sex Offender Registry is searchable for free and covers Rockville and all of Montgomery County. Visit the DPSCS sex offender registry search page and search by name or zip code. The registry is maintained by DPSCS and shows current registrants in the area.
Expungement in Montgomery County
Rockville residents with criminal records from Montgomery County courts may be eligible to have those records expunged. Maryland allows expungement for dismissed cases, nolle prossed charges, not-guilty verdicts, and some convictions after a waiting period. The Maryland Courts record cleanup page walks through who qualifies and how to file. Petitions go to the Montgomery County Circuit Court, which is conveniently located in Rockville itself.
The People's Law Library expungement guide has plain-language explanations of the forms, fees, and steps involved. Legal aid organizations in Montgomery County can assist residents who need help navigating the process.
DPSCS and Statewide Criminal History Resources
The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) manages the statewide criminal history system. Their main site at dpscs.maryland.gov is the central hub for background checks, fingerprinting, the sex offender registry, and related public safety information. Rockville residents use the same state system as everyone in Maryland. There is no separate local criminal history database for the city.
Nearby Cities
Search criminal history records in cities near Rockville.
County Criminal History Records
Rockville is the county seat of Montgomery County. All circuit court filings and official records connect through Montgomery County.