Records Disposal

Before a record can be destroyed, you must have an approved Records Retention and Disposition Schedule. For more information on creating a schedule, see our schedule preparation page.

Annotated Code of Maryland State Government Article 10, section 616 states that when records are destroyed in accordance with the terms of an approved schedule, the agency shall submit a certificate of records disposition (also known as a disposal certificate) to the Maryland State Archives.

Disposal certificates document what records are destroyed (including the dates and volume of the record), when and how it is destroyed, and what retention schedule provided authorization for the destruction.

Public officials are responsible for safeguarding the records in their custody. However, should a record be lost due to unforeseen circumstances (such as a flood or fire), the destruction of the records must still be documented. In these cases, public officials shall submit a disposal certificate along with a letter explaining the details of the destruction. If the record was not fully destroyed, but damaged beyond use, public officials shall submit a letter to the State Archivist explaining the circumstances and proposing that the record be destroyed.

Only record officers or appointed designees of the records officers can submit disposal certificates. Contact the Archives at msa.helpdesk@maryland.gov or 410-260-6467 to get an account to submit disposal certificates online at http://disposal.msa.md.gov/. You can also submit disposal certificates in a paper format by mail. View Disposal Submission Form.



This web site is provided as a courtesy of the Maryland State Archives. As you develop your records management program, you should consult with the Records Management Division of the Department of General Services and your staff counsel.


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