Laws, Rules, and Regulations

The purpose of this site is to guide Maryland State, county, and local government agencies in the management of public records. The Annotated Code of Maryland State Government Article 10, sections 631-634 and COMAR 14.18.02 require every State, county or local government agency to develop a program to efficiently manage its records. This includes the establishment and/or regular revision of records retention and disposition schedules. The head of each agency or office is responsible for ensuring that all records created or received by that agency are on an approved records retention and disposition schedule.

The willful, unauthorized destruction or alienation of any public record is a misdemeanor subject to criminal penalties set forth in the Annotated Code of Maryland (Criminal Law Article 8, section 606). A public record may not be disposed of without authorization from the State Archivist. This authorization must be obtained by means of filing a records retention and disposition schedule with the State of Maryland. The Schedule Preparation section of this web site provides guidance on the development and approval of records retention schedules.

If you are a State agency with an approved records retention schedule and would like to transfer non-permanent records to the State Records Center, please contact the Records Management Division at 410-799-1379. Agencies must complete and submit a Records Transmittal and Receipt Form (DGS 550-5) prior to transfer.

If you already have an approved records retention schedule and would like to arrange for the transfer of permanent records to the Archives, please visit the transfer.mdsa.net site. Forms, instructions and contact information for the transfer of permanent records to the Archives are available online.

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.