Using Maryland Public Records

Screen job applicants with Maryland public court records

Hiring a new employee is one of the most common reasons for using Maryland public records. A small business may prefer to take advantage of the free information available online instead of hiring another company to perform this service.

Finding an applicant with the right job qualifications is only part of the hiring process. Background checks should be essential because the employer can be held responsible for an employee’s actions on the job. Maryland criminal records can help identify individuals that could be a poor choice due to their credit or criminal history. Employers must also specifically check people who will be working with children or the elderly for any history of abuse.

There are three types of public records of particular interest when performing background checks:

1. Credit reports that show current lines of credit, payment histories and declarations of bankruptcy.

2. Maryland vital records that show past convictions, births or divorces. These may also be useful in determining criminal history, residency requirements and alimony payments.

3. Registered sex offender lists. Maryland requires convicted sex offenders to be kept on a list for a specified period after their conviction.

 

Use Maryland court records to get general information on individuals

Public records can include Maryland marriage records, birth records, death records and divorce records. Many cities and counties in Maryland have websites with this information that is freely available to the general public.
Try: The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Howard County maintains public records such as land transactions, marriage licenses and Circuit Court records. The Circuit Court for Hartford County provides a partial list of records that are available for public review.

Use Maryland police records to get information on criminal history

Law enforcement agencies keep criminal records which may be publicly available. Laws vary widely by state as to the specific information you will be able to obtain. Some government agencies may also charge fees.
Try: The Maryland Department of Public Services and Correction Services provides various background checks. The Maryland Board of Nursing allows you to lookup licensees by name, social security number or license number.

Use public records to conduct a Maryland background check

There are many sites dedicated to performing background checks for prospective employees. These checks can also include Social Security number verification, education verification and reference checks.
Try: InfoRecordSearch.com performs a variety of information searches in Maryland including criminal background checks. Instant Criminal Checks performs criminal background checks, tenant screening and pre-employment screening.

 

• You will first need to obtain some basic information on the individual you are seeking a Maryland public record for. Job applicants will need to provide this information on the application form or on a separate form for the background check. Individuals must also grant permission for a background check in most cases.

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