MDEC Policies & Procedures 6

Access to MDEC is governed by the provisions of Rule 20-109 and, for the general public, Title 16 Chapter 900.

Revised 03/13/2026 1

Purpose of This Manual

This manual describes the requirements, protocols, and procedures for using MDEC as set forth

in Title 20 (Electronic Filing and Case Management) of the Maryland Rules. It is intended as a

supplement and a guide to these Rules. It is published under the authority granted to the State

Court Administrator by Maryland Rule 20-103(b)(1).

Title 20 governs all MDEC actions. MDEC users must be familiar with the Rules contained in

Title 20. If you encounter an issue that you can’t resolve by a careful reading of the Title 20

Rules or this Manual, you may:

• Consult the MDEC Frequently Asked Questions segment on the Judiciary Website.

• Send your question to the Judiciary’s IT Service Desk at mdcourts@service-now.com.

Compliance with Title 20 is mandatory for MDEC users. Failure to comply can have serious

consequences. Rule 20-203(a)(2) requires the clerk to review a submission prior to docketing.

If your submission materially violates a provision of the Rules in Title 20 or an applicable

published policy or procedure established by the State Court Administrator, the clerk may issue

a Deficiency Notice under Rule 20-203(d). If your submission fails to comply with the

requirements of Rule 20-107(a)(1) or Rule 20-201(g), the clerk must strike the submission and

notify the filer and all other parties of the striking and the reason for it. See Rule 20-203(c). For

information regarding deficient or stricken filings, please visit

https://www.mdcourts.gov/sites/default/files/import/mdec/pdfs/qrgmdecfileandserveofsenvel

opestatusforattorneys.pdf.

A submission containing a confidential document will be rejected if the submission fails to

comply with Rule 20-201.1. For more information on filing restricted information, please visit

https://www.mdcourts.gov/courthelp/restrictedinfoform.

Filings will be rejected if a submission does not relate to the case in which it was filed under

Rule 20-203(a)(2). See File & Serve (OFS) Envelope Status for Filers.

A registered user may not file a submission in MDEC for any other person or entity. Violation of

this policy will result in a Deficiency Notice being issued and may result in an order suspending

or revoking the filer's registration.

Revised 03/13/2026 2

Registration—Rule 20-104

Registered Users Generally

1. To electronically file a submission, a filer must be a registered user. Only an individual may

become a registered user. Corporations and other business entities may not be registered

users.

2. There are two basic types of registered users:

a. Individual/Self-Represented users—a non-attorney user.

b. Firm user includes:

i. All attorneys, whether or not they are associated with a firm

ii. Persons authorized by an attorney to file on behalf of the attorney

iii. Persons authorized by law to file on behalf of another person or entity

All firm users must register with at least one firm administrator (See firm administrator

registration).

3. There is no charge for registration.

4. When filing electronically in an official capacity, judicial personnel2 need not be registered

users. When filing electronically in an individual capacity, however, judicial personnel must

register with a private email address.

5. To be a registered user, a person must:

a. Maintain a current email address for electronic notice and service.

b. Meet certain minimum equipment requirements.

c. Complete an on-line application in the form prescribed by the State Court Administrator

and comply with the submission procedure prescribed by the State Court Administrator.

d. Maintain a valid payment account for electronic filing fees and service contact

information.

6. By registering, an individual agrees to comply with Title 20 of the Maryland Rules and the

MDEC policies and procedures in this manual.