Click each heading for more detailed questions on "How Do I?".

General Information

• How do I find the Circuit Court's Hours of Operation and Holidays?

  Visit Hours of Operation and Holidays page

• How do I find information about the Circuit Court's Closure Policy?

  Visit Emergency Closure Policy page

• How do I find information about Directons and Parking to the Circuit Court?

  Visit Directions and Parking page

• How do I find the Circuit Court's Judicial Phone Directory?

  Visit Judicial Phone Directory page

Audio/Visual Equipment Rentals

• How do I request audio/visual equipment for courtroom presentations?

  Visit Equipment Rental section of the Department of Technical Services page.

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Birth and Death Certificates

• How do I obtain copies of birth/death certificates?

  The Division of Vital Records of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issues certified copies of birth, death, fetal death, and marriage certificates for events that occur in Maryland. For additional information, visit the department’s web site at: http://www.dhmh.state.md.us/lifeevents/

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Civil

• How do I find information about what I need to consider before filing a civil suit with the Court?

  Visit Things to consider before filing a Civil suit with the Court Section of the Civil Department page.

• How do I get information about general civil case proceedings?

  Visit Basic Civil Procedures Section of the Civil Department page.

• How do I view and copy cases and exhibits filed in the Court?

  Visit How to View and Copy Cases and Exhibits Filed in the Court section of the Civil Department page.

• How do I file an administrative appeal (a petition for judicial review of agency actions or decisions)?

  Visit General Information Regarding Administrative Appeals section of the Civil Department page.

• How do I find out if a case originates from the District Court or Circuit Court?

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Court Administration

• How do I obtain an ADA Accommodation?

  A Request for Accommodation by Persons with Disabilities form needs to be filed in the court case with the Clerk’s Office.  Administration will be notified and process the request.  Please be specific as to the accommodations that are needed.

• How do I file a grievance about Court Personnel or a Judge?

  Grievances regarding Court Personnel should be in writing and directed to the Court Administrator, Pamela Harris, at 50 Maryland Avenue, Room 301, Rockville, Maryland  20850.  Grievances regarding a Judge should be directed to the Commission on Judicial Disabilities, 100 Community Place, Crownsville, Maryland 21032 at 410-514-7044.

• How do I obtain payment from the Family Law Grant?

  When an order for payment has been granted and signed by a presiding judge for payment to be made from the Family Law Grant, the party requesting the payment must submit a copy of the signed order and an original invoice with Administration, 50 Maryland Avenue, Room 301, Rockville, Maryland 20850.

• How do I get statistical information about Montgomery County Circuit Court?

  Some of the Court’s statistical data is available at Court Reports/Statistics. All statistical data requests have to be in writing and submitted to Administration, 50 Maryland Avenue, Room 301, Rockville, Maryland 20850 or may be faxed to 240-777-9104.

  Data Information Request Form

• How do I get statistical information about Maryland Judiciary?

  Visit Maryland Judiciary's Statistical Report page

• How do I get a copy of the Court’s Annual Reports?

  Visit the Court Reports/Statistics  page of the Circuit Court website.

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Court Interpreter

• How do I know if I need an interpreter in court?

  If you think you might have Limited English Proficiency (LEP), that is you have difficulty adequately hearing, understanding or communicating effectively in English in a court proceeding, you might consider requesting a court interpreter. 

  If you know someone may be LEP, you can ask some probing questions to find out if he or she needs a court interpreter.  Below are some of the questions that you might try:
  

  “Please tell the court your name and address.”

  “Please tell us your birthday, how old you are, and where you were born.”

  “How did you come to court today?”

  “What kind of work do you do?”

  “Please tell the court how comfortable you feel speaking and understanding English.”

• How do I request an interpreter for my case?

  You can request an interpreter by filling out the form (click here to download the form) and sending the completed form to the Clerk's Office.  The form must be received 2 weeks prior to your court date.

• How do I cancel my interpreter request?

  Contact the Clerk's Office immediately either by phone at (240)777-9467 or fax (240)777-9468 noting the requirement is no longer required.

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Child Custody/Access Mediation

• How do I contact my assigned mediator?

  Call the Child Custody and Access Mediation Program at (240) 777-9080 and ask for your mediator, or, if you don’t remember who that is, give your case number and we will check for you.  For more information on Child Custody/Access Mediation, visit the program home page.

• How do I find a mediator if I haven’t been ordered to attend mediation as part of a pending custody or divorce case?

  You can check an online mediator listing, such as How Can I Find a Mediator for my Dispute? or Maryland Directory of Dispute Resolution Practitioners. To request help with your dispute using trained volunteer mediators call the CRCMC (Conflict Resolution Center of Montgomery County) at (301) 942-7700.



• How do I adjust my children’s custody or access order as our circumstances change?

  Parents usually discuss and work out these changes together. If help is needed and your parenting plan was mediated through the court’s program within the last year, you may qualify for free follow-up mediation. Just call (240) 777-9080 with your case number.

• How do I learn more about the Court’s Child Custody and Access Mediation Program?

  Come by the Court’s Family Division Services office, located in Suite 220 of the Montgomery Judicial Center, 50 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD 20850, to pick-up free brochures, or call the mediation office at (240) 777-9080.

  You can also find additional information about mediation in Maryland courts.

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Criminal

• How do I get information about Basic Steps in Criminal Proceedings?

  See Basic Steps in Criminal Proceedings section of the Criminal Department page.

• How do I get criminal records expunged?

  See Expungement of Records section of the Criminal Department page.

• How do I find out if a case originates from the District Court or Circuit Court?

  See Criminal Cases Handled in the Circuit Court in Maryland section of the Criminal Department page.

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Domestic Violence

• How do I get information on obtaining domestic violence help?

  Visit Domestic Violence Assistance (DVA) page.

• How do I get help if the Circuit Court is closed?

  District Court Commissioner. A commissioner is available 24 hours daily at the following numbers: (301) 610-7217 or (301) 610-7218. The Commissioner can issue an interim order, which is good only until your case can be heard by a judge.

• How do I get information about what the Domestic Violence Assistance program does?

  See What does the Domestic Violence Assistance program do? .

• How do I get information on how the Circuit Court can help protect me from further violence?

  See How can the court help protect me from further violence?.

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Drug Court

• How do I get information about Montgomery County Circuit Court Drug Court Programs?

  Visit the Drug Court page.

• How do I find out about who may be eligible for the Drug Court Programs?

  See Who is Eligible for Drug Court Enrollment? section of Drug Court page.

• How do I find out about how the Drug Court Programs work?

  See Drug Court Programs: Frequently Asked Questions section of the Drug Court page.

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Family

• How do I get information about family case proceedings?

  See General Family Law Procedures section of the Family Department page.

• How do I get information about issues covered under family law?

  See Case Type Specific Instructions section of the Family Department page.

• How do I get help for domestic violence?

  See the Domestic Violence Assistance Program page.

• How do I learn about adoption?

  See Adoptions section of the Family Department page.

• How do I legally change my name?

  See Change of Name section of the Family Department page.

• How do I change my child’s name?

  See Change of Name of Your Minor Child section of the Family Department page.

• How do I learn about divorce and related issues?   

  See Divorce section of the Family Department page.

Absolute Divorce

Limited Divorce

Child Custody and Visitation

Alimony/Spousal Support

• How do I learn about establishing guardianship?

  See Guardianship section of the Family Department page.

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Family Law Self Help

• How do I find out where legal services are located?

  See Where Can I Find Legal Services? page.

• How do I find out if I need a lawyer?

  See Do I need a lawyer? page.

• How do I find out where I should find family law forms and file them?

  See Where Should I File My Forms? page.

• How do I start my case?

  See How Do I Start? page.

• How do I get a divorce?

  See Divorce Section of the Family Department.

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Family Division Services

• How do I obtain information about Montgomery County Circuit Court Family Division Services?

  See What services are available? section or Family Division Services Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) of Family Division page.

• How do I obtain information about the services available to the parties who file family cases with Montgomery County Circuit Court?

• How do I obtain information about Court Evaluators?

  Visit Court Evaluators page.

• How do I obtain information about Montgomery County Circuit Court’s Co-Parenting Program?

  Visit Parent Education and Custody Effectiveness page.

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Foreclosure

• How do I get information about foreclosure proceedings in Maryland?

  Maryland State Bar Association published a brochure that describes foreclosure proceedings for the general public. To access the brochure, click here.

• How do I prevent my home from foreclosure?

  Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s HOPE (Home Owners Preserving Equity) program provides a variety of services and information to homeowners facing foreclosures. To obtain information, click here or call toll-free 1-877-462-7555.

• As a lawyer, how do I obtain  information about opportunities to help homeowners facing foreclosure?

  If you are interested in providing foreclosure-related pro bono services, Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland is seeking volunteers. For additional information, click here. 

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Guardianship

• How do I become a guardian of the person and/or property of a disabled person or minor?

  An interested person may file a petition requesting the Circuit Court to appoint a guardian of a minor or a disabled person (an "alleged disabled person"). Click here for additional information.

• How do I get information about the duties and responsibilities of a guardian of a person and/or the property of a disabled person or minor?

  See Guardianship FAQs page of the Trust Office.

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Jury Office

• How do I obtain information about Jury services at Montgomery County Circuit Court?

  Visit Jury Office.

• How do I find out if I need to report for jury service?

  The Jury Commissioner’s Office maintains a roster of possible jurors called a “jury pool”, comprised of Montgomery County residents who are licensed Maryland motor vehicle drivers and/or registered voters. Each year, 80,000 potential jurors are randomly selected from this jury pool. Throughout the year, each of these 80,000 potential jurors receives a Juror Questionnaire to establish whether he/she is qualified to serve as a juror in Montgomery County. The responses to the Juror Questionnaire will be reviewed by the Jury Commissioner’s Office to see if you meet the criteria to serve as a juror. Once deemed qualified to serve, a Jury Summons will be mailed to the prospective juror with a specific date to fulfill jury service.

• How do I get to the courthouse and where do I park?

  The Judicial Center is located at the intersection of Maryland Avenue and Jefferson Street (Route 28).  The Jurors' Parking Lot is at the corner of Jefferson and Monroe Streets.  See MAP and DIRECTIONS for more information.  

  If the Jurors’ Parking lot is full, there is an “overflow” lot directly across from the Juror Parking Lot.  It is the County Office Building Garage. 

• What is permitted to be brought into the Judicial Center when called for Jury Duty and what is not permitted?

  Visit the Juror’s Guide to Montgomery County Circuit Court section of the Jury page.

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Juvenile Delinquency/Child In Need of Assistance (CINA)

• How do I get help if I have an unruly child?

  The Juvenile court does not have jurisdiction over a child until a Petition has been filed. Therefore, if your child has not committed a delinquent act and you are not currently involved with the Department of Juvenile Services or the Court, you may call the Department of Juvenile Services at (301) 610-8500 to see if there are any services that may be available to you and/or your child without Court involvement.

  You may also call the Local Access Mechanism (LAM) at 301-610-0147 to see if there are any services that may be available to you and/or your child.

  You may also check InfoMontgomery.org, an on-line database of resources and services created specifically for the residents of Montgomery County.

• How do I obtain information on Child In Need of Assistance cases?

  Visit Juvenile Division of the Circuit Court for Montgomery County page.

• How do I obtain information on Delinquency cases?

  You may contact the Montgomery County Circuit Court’s Juvenile Clerk’s Office and the Juvenile Case Managers:

Juvenile Clerk’s Office
Barbara Meiklejohn (Supervisor)	240-777-9530
Juvenile Case Managers
Ann Wilson (Supervisor)	240-777-9343
Carla Hawkins	240-777-9118
Barbara Kirkland	240-777-9171
Ann Mazzullo	240-777-9172




• How do I obtain information on statutory deadlines?

  See What are statutory deadlines? section of the the Juvenile Division page.

• How do I know if my child is entitled to an attorney?

  See Is my child entitled to an attorney? section of the Juvenile Division page.

• How do I know if parents are entitled to an attorney?

  See Are parents entitled to an attorney? section of the Juvenile Division page.

• How do I know if I can contact the Judge regarding my child’s case?

  See May I contact the Judge regarding my child’s case? section of the Juvenile Division page.

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Land Records

• How do I record a deed in Montgomery County?

  See Recording Department Procedures section in Recording Department page.

• How do I view all instruments related to land transactions in Montgomery County?

  See Land Records Public Information Room section of Land Records Department page.

• How do I make copies of land records?

  See Duplication section of Land Records Department page.

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Law Library

• How do I find out what services are available at Montgomery County Circuit Court Law Library?

  The services listed below are provided by the Law Library.

  Computers:
  There are four computers available for the public to access on-line legal research databases, the internet and word processing. Printing documents from the library printer is possible at a cost of $.20 per page.  Free wireless internet access is also offered throughout the Law Library.

  Photocopies:
  A photocopier is available for use at a cost of $.20 per page.

  Facsimile (fax):
  The Law Library offers incoming and outgoing fax service.  The cost for faxes within the U.S. is $1.00 per page.  Faxing services outside the U.S. are not available.

  Circulation:
  Law Library materials may not be checked out.

  Reference:
  Law Library staff is available to answer questions regarding the library and its collection but cannot give legal opinions or advice.  The staff will provide limited assistance over the telephone and e-mail.

  Library Newsletter: 
  Click here to see the Law Library’s newsletters and archives.

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Legal Help/Representation

• How do I find an attorney who might be able to work for me for free or with reduced fees?

  If you are seeking direct representation for a law case but cannot afford to hire a lawyer, Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland provides a list of legal projects available at: http://www.probonomd.org/forclients.html

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License

• How do I obtain a new business license or renew an existing one?

  Go to Business license page at the License Department.

• How do I obtain a marriage license?

  Go to Marriage license page at the License Department.

• How do I obtain a passport or renew an existing one?

  Go to Passport Application at the License Department.

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Transcript Requests

• How do I request a written transcript of the court proceedings?

See How do I request a written transcript section of the Department of Technical Services page.

• How do I request an audio recording of the court proceedings?

  See How to Request an Audio Recording section of the Department of Technical Services page.

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