Maryland MDEC Electronic Filing for Garnishments: What Self-Filers Need to Know

MDEC and Post-Judgment Filings

The Maryland Electronic Courts system (MDEC) is used statewide. E-filing is mandatory for attorneys and optional for self-represented litigants, who may also file paper documents. If you choose to e-file in a case, subsequent filings in that case must also be filed electronically. If you won a small claims judgment in District Court and need to file garnishment writs, you will likely interact with MDEC — either by filing electronically yourself or by submitting paper at the clerk's window.

For self-represented judgment creditors, MDEC creates both an opportunity (file from anywhere, anytime) and a new set of pitfalls (formatting rejections, restricted-information requirements, and unfamiliar digital workflows). Here is what you actually need to know.

How MDEC E-Filing Works for Garnishments

MDEC works through approved e-filing service providers. Choose a provider, create an account, locate your existing case by case number, select the filing type, upload your documents as PDF, pay fees by credit card, and submit. The clerk reviews the filing and either accepts it into the docket or rejects it with a reason.

For post-judgment garnishment filings, the documents you are submitting typically include:

• Form DC-CV-065 (Request for Writ of Garnishment of Wages) or Form DC-CV-060 (Request for Garnishment of Property Other Than Wages), depending on whether you are going after wages or bank accounts.
• Form MDJ-008 (Notice Regarding Restricted Information) — required whenever your filing includes bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, or other restricted information under Maryland Rule 20-201.1.
• Any supporting documents, such as a calculation of the outstanding balance including post-judgment interest.

The clerk filing fee ($10 per writ) is paid through the e-filing portal. Service fees ($40 per garnishee for Sheriff service) are paid separately if you are requesting the Sheriff to serve the writ. If you are serving by certified mail restricted delivery, you handle that yourself after the writ is issued.

The Form MDJ-008 Requirement

This is where most self-filers run into trouble. Maryland Rule 20-201.1 requires that any court filing containing "restricted information" — including Social Security numbers and financial account numbers — must be accompanied by a Notice Regarding Restricted Information on Form MDJ-008.

Garnishment filings can contain restricted information: a wage garnishment request may include the debtor's Social Security number, and a bank garnishment identifies an account. Include MDJ-008 whenever the filing contains restricted information.

What MDJ-008 does:

• Tells the court what information in the submission is restricted and the legal basis for restricting it.
• Does not by itself redact or shield a filing. If a document open to public inspection must include restricted information, Rule 20-201.1 requires both an unredacted copy marked "unredacted--to be shielded" and a redacted copy marked "redacted."

The form itself is a single page. You identify the restricted information and its legal basis, then sign it. File it as a companion document alongside your garnishment request — in MDEC, upload it as a separate attachment within the same filing submission.

Common MDEC Rejection Reasons

Garnishment filings through MDEC get rejected for a handful of recurring reasons:

Missing MDJ-008: Include it when a garnishment filing contains bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, or other restricted information.

Wrong form uploaded: DC-CV-060 (bank garnishment) and DC-CV-065 (wage garnishment) target different garnishees under different rules. Uploading the wrong one can lead to rejection.

Incomplete case information: MDEC requires you to select the correct existing case. If you enter the wrong case number or the system cannot locate the judgment, the filing fails. Double-check the case number format — District Court cases follow a specific numbering pattern that differs from Circuit Court cases.

Fee payment failure: Expired credit cards or declined payments cancel the submission. MDEC does not hold filings while payment is resolved.

Non-fillable PDF formatting: If you download the form, hand-fill it, scan it, and upload a low-resolution image, the clerk may reject it for illegibility. Use the fillable PDF version from the Maryland Judiciary website, complete it digitally, and upload the completed PDF directly.

Paper Filing Still Works

If MDEC feels like more hassle than it is worth, self-represented litigants may also submit paper filings. Bring two copies of each form — the clerk keeps the original and stamps your copy. Pay the filing fee by check or money order (cash acceptance varies by courthouse). The clerk issues the writ after processing; high court volumes can delay issuance, while limited Sheriff transport schedules can delay service.

Paper filing has one advantage for garnishments: you can ask the clerk whether your forms are complete before they are docketed. MDEC can send email notifications about filing status; check your account regularly and review any rejection or deficiency notice.

Tracking Your Filing Status

After an MDEC submission, log into the e-filing portal periodically to check the status. Accepted filings appear on the court docket after processing. Rejected filings show a reason code — correct the issue and check the portal's fee status before resubmitting. The filing fee is $10 per writ.

Once the writ is issued, you can download a stamped copy from the MDEC docket for your records and for serving the garnishee.

The Complete Filing Roadmap

The Maryland judgment collection guide maps every post-judgment filing — garnishment, execution, oral examination, satisfaction — with the form numbers, fees, restricted-information requirements, and step-by-step instructions for both MDEC electronic filing and paper filing at the clerk's window.

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