Filing Small Claims Online in Maryland Through MDEC

Maryland completed its statewide rollout of electronic filing through MDEC (Maryland Electronic Courts) in May 2024. The system is powered by Tyler Technologies' Odyssey File & Serve platform. If you're wondering whether you can file your small claims case online instead of going to the courthouse, the short answer is: yes, but you don't have to.

Self-Represented Litigants Are Exempt

Under Maryland Rule 20-106, self-represented litigants (SRLs) are not required to e-file. Mandatory e-filing applies to licensed attorneys, not to individuals representing themselves in their own cases.

You can walk into any District Court clerk's office during business hours, hand over your completed Form DC-CV-001, pay the $44 filing fee, and leave with a date-stamped copy. You can also mail the complaint with a check or money order. Both methods are fully valid.

E-filing is an option for pro se litigants — not a requirement.

How MDEC E-Filing Works

If you choose to file electronically, here's what's involved:

Registration — Create an account on the MDEC Odyssey File & Serve portal. Self-represented litigants must complete a Party Access Application (Form MDJ-004) and may need to notarize it. Once approved, you can submit filings and receive electronic service notifications.

Submission — Upload your completed Form DC-CV-001 as a PDF, along with any supporting documents (contract copies, invoices, photos). Pay the $44 filing fee by credit card or e-check. The system timestamps your submission and issues an electronic confirmation.

Commitment — Once you opt into MDEC for a case, you generally commit to e-filing all future documents in that case. This includes any motions, responses, or requests for hearing changes.

Which Counties Support E-Filing

MDEC is operational in District Courts statewide, including Anne Arundel, Baltimore County, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George's, and counties on the Eastern Shore and in Western Maryland.

Baltimore City District Court is part of the statewide MDEC system. Self-represented litigants may still choose paper filing or opt into e-filing there.

When Paper Filing Makes More Sense

For most small claims filers, paper filing is still the simpler path. Here's why:

• No registration process or notarized application required
• No need to scan documents into PDF format
• Immediate confirmation from the clerk's date stamp
• No commitment to electronic filing for the rest of the case
• Payment by cash, check, money order, or credit card at the window

E-filing makes more sense if you live far from the courthouse, have difficulty taking time off work, or want the convenience of filing from home. It's also useful if you anticipate filing multiple cases and want electronic tracking.

Don't Confuse Case Search with E-Filing

The Maryland Judiciary Case Search website is a public lookup tool for checking case dockets, hearing dates, and judgment entries. It is not the e-filing portal. You cannot submit complaints or pay filing fees through Case Search.

To actually e-file, you need the separate MDEC Odyssey File & Serve portal, which requires registration and authentication.

Whether you file online or in person, the procedural steps are the same. The Maryland Small Claims Filing Guide walks you through every step of preparing and filing Form DC-CV-001, with checklists for both paper and electronic routes.

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