Our Services
Request an appointment so that our staff can best assist you. Appointments are strongly encouraged. Benefits include: no wait time for help or for a workspace, ability to quickly ask an Archivist any questions, and most importantly a guarantee that your record will be on site.Visitors may also walk-in without an appointment.
General assistance with navigating our web resources is available through email. Send your questions to msa.helpdesk@maryland.gov.
Check out our new series of YouTube tutorials to help with your research.
We offer a variety of services including high quality prints, to research and record copy services, and online records preservation guidance. We also offer research assistance events throughout the year that are open to the public. View our upcoming events, join our email listserv or follow our social media feeds to stay up-to-date about our public programs. View the Fee Schedule page for pricing.
Research and Copy Service
We can find a vital record, legal record, or special collections (church records, newspapers, family records) for you, for a small fee. Research is for one name, in one index, and provides a copy of one document. All copies of public records are certified. Private records (or records found in our special collections) may not be certified.
Please visit our Order Forms Website to place an order for a copy of a record.
NOTE: We may or may not have your record, visit our modern court records page for more information.
High Quality Prints and Publications
Fill out our Image Request Form for documents, images and permission to reproduce items for publication, commercial use, or any purpose. Fees vary upon type of imaging, reproduction rights requested, and preferred delivery method. It is possible to order high-quality prints for personal use without publication. Permission for reproduction rights is given on a case-by-case basis at the sole discretion of the Maryland State Archives and the Maryland Commission on Artistic Property.
Image orders will take between 2 – 4 weeks to fulfill after ordered. Payment is due at the time of your order. Payment may be provided by check or by Visa or Mastercard.
You may incur a rush charge for a rush order. Rush fees are 150% of the total cost if needed within 3 days or less, and 100% of the total cost if needed between 4 and 10 days. Please Note: All orders must be paid in full before they can be processed.
Records Preservation
We offer online guidance and resources for personal records preservation. Guidance for state, county, and local government agencies in the management of public records should review our Government Records Management Resources.