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Domestic Violence Central Repository (DVCR) Certification

During the 2014 legislative session, the Maryland General Assembly enacted House Bill 397 (Chapter 227) entitled Peace Orders and Protective Orders – Consent Orders – Shielding. Among other provisions, the law states that petitioners may request to shield court records related to their peace order and protective order proceedings. Additionally, the law provides that certified victim services providers may have online access to shielded peace order and protective order court records.

Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article §3–1510(a)(5), Annotated Code of Maryland defines “Victim services provider” as a nonprofit or governmental organization that has been authorized by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy to have online access to records of shielded peace orders in order to assist victims of abuse. Effective January 19, 2015, Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy issued regulations .01–.06 under a new chapter, COMAR 01.04.04 Online Access to Records of Shielded Peace and Protective Orders, to govern certification procedures.

Organizations Eligible to Apply for Certification

  1. A State-designated domestic violence shelter;
  2. A certified rape crisis center; or
  3. A Maryland Legal Services Corporation grantee identified by the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence or the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault as an entity that provides services to victims.

The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy in its discretion, may deem an organization that does not fit into the above categories eligible for certification. In determining eligibility, the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy shall consider any information it believes relevant, in accordance with the regulations referenced above.

Dates and Deadlines

The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy will be accepting applications for the certification period of March 1, 2024 – February 28, 2027 beginning on January 3, 2024. If you applied and were approved for certification last year, you need not apply this year. The certification period is three years.

2024 DVCR Certification Application

Please submit your application and any questions to Marianne Camino at marianne.camino@maryland.gov by Friday, February 2, 2024.