Title 6. Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice — Subtitle 3. Process
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 6-301 (2026)
Title 6. Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice
Subtitle 3. Process
§ 6–301LinkCopy Citation
In addition to any method allowed by law, service of process may be made in accordance with the Maryland Rules.
Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 6-302 (2026)
Title 6. Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice
Subtitle 3. Process
§ 6–302LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The process of a court or administrative office or agency of the State or local government may be served on a Sunday or holiday.
(b)
A writ of distraint, or for eviction or possession may not be served on Sunday.
Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 6-303 (2026)
Title 6. Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice
Subtitle 3. Process
§ 6–303LinkCopy Citation
(a)
If a person resists service of civil process by threats, violence, or superior force, or by preventing the officer serving the process from entering the premises so that the officer cannot serve the process without force or personal risk, the officer shall leave a copy of the process:
(1)
With a responsible person at the premises; or if that is not possible
(2)
Posted as near the premises as practicable.
(b)
Service under this section is as effective as actual personal service.
Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 6-304 (2026)
Title 6. Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice
Subtitle 3. Process
§ 6–304LinkCopy Citation
If the exercise of personal jurisdiction is authorized by this title, the defendant may be served with process where he is found, whether within or outside of the State.
Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 6-305 (2026)
Title 6. Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice
Subtitle 3. Process
§ 6–305LinkCopy Citation
(a)
A nonresident person who is within the State for the purpose of testifying in or prosecuting or defending an action may not be served with process.
(b)
A nonresident person passing through this State to or from another state in response to a summons to testify may not be served with process. This subsection does not apply to process arising from acts done by the person after his entry into this State.
Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 6-306 (2026)
Title 6. Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice
Subtitle 3. Process
§ 6–306LinkCopy Citation
Process may be served on an insurance, surety, or bonding company by serving it on an accredited agent or on one of the persons described in the Maryland Rules.
Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 6-307 (2026)
Title 6. Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice
Subtitle 3. Process
§ 6–307LinkCopy Citation
When process is served on the Department of Assessments and Taxation in accordance with the Maryland Rules, the Director shall record the date and time of the service, and shall forward a copy of the process and notice of the service to the defendant at his mailing address, if known, or to his principal place of business.
Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 6-308 (2026)
Title 6. Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice
Subtitle 3. Process
§ 6–308LinkCopy Citation
In a suit against the Police Department of Baltimore City, process may be served on the Police Department of Baltimore City in the same manner as service is made on an agency of the State as provided in Maryland Rule 2-124.
Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 6-309 (2026)
Title 6. Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice
Subtitle 3. Process
§ 6–309LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Designated employees of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services may serve a criminal summons, warrant, or charging document.
(b)
The authority of an individual designated to serve criminal process under this section shall be limited to the service of process within institutions operated by the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
(c)
The Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services shall ensure that an employee designated to serve criminal process has received adequate training.
(d)
This section may not be construed to limit the authority of any employee of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to serve civil process as provided in the Maryland Rules.
Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 6-310 (2026)
Title 6. Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice
Subtitle 3. Process
§ 6–310LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this section, “administrator” includes the sheriff, director, superintendent, warden, or other officer in charge of a local detention center.
(b)
The administrator may designate employees of the local detention center to serve a criminal summons, warrant, or charging document.
(c)
(1)
Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the authority of an individual designated to serve criminal process under this section shall be limited to the service of process within the local detention center.
(2)
The authority of an individual designated to serve criminal process under this section by the administrator of the local detention center in Harford County shall be limited to the service of process within:
(i)
The local detention center;
(ii)
The Circuit Court for Harford County; or
(iii)
The District Court of Maryland for Harford County.
(d)
The administrator shall ensure that an employee designated to serve criminal process has received adequate training.
(e)
This section may not be construed to limit the authority of any employee of the local detention center to serve civil process as provided in the Maryland Rules.
Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 6-311 (2026)
Title 6. Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice
Subtitle 3. Process
§ 6–311LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this section, “person” has the meaning stated in Rule 1–202 of the Maryland Rules.
(b)
(1)
This section applies to an action against a person who had applicable insurance coverage under an insurance policy or self–insurance plan at the time the alleged liability that is the subject of the action was incurred.
(2)
Subject to paragraph (1) of this subsection, this section applies to a person who is a defendant subject to a complaint, counterclaim, cross–claim, or third–party complaint.
(c)
(1)
On written request of a plaintiff to the action, an insurer or a person that has a self–insurance plan shall provide to the plaintiff the defendant’s last known home and business addresses if known.
(2)
An insurer or a person that has a self–insurance plan, and their employees and agents, may not be civilly or criminally liable for the disclosure of information required under this subsection.
(d)
A defendant who is subject to the provisions of this section is deemed to have consented to the disclosure of the information described in this section.
Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 6-312 (2026)
Title 6. Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice
Subtitle 3. Process
§ 6–312LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this section, “person” has the meaning stated in Rule 1-202 of the Maryland Rules.
(b)
This section applies to a person who is a defendant subject to a complaint, counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party complaint.
(c)
(1)
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a party may effect service by delivering a copy of the summons and the complaint to a defendant personally or by leaving copies of the summons and complaint at the defendant’s dwelling house or usual place of abode with a person of suitable age and discretion residing at the dwelling house or place of abode or by delivering a copy of the summons and the complaint to an agent authorized by appointment or law to receive service of process.
(2)
Any service under this subsection is as effective as actual personal service.
(3)
The method of service provided in this subsection is in addition to and not exclusive of any other means of service that may be provided by statute or rule for obtaining jurisdiction of a defendant.
(d)
This section does not affect any defense, including noncooperation, available to an insurer or a person who has a self-insurance plan under the terms of the applicable insurance or self-insurance plan.
(e)
A defendant who is subject to the provisions of this section is deemed to have consented to service of process as described in this section.
Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 6-313 (2026)
Title 6. Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice
Subtitle 3. Process
§ 6–313LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2)
“Motor vehicle” has the meaning stated in § 11–135 of the Transportation Article.
(3)
“Nonresident” has the meaning stated in § 11–139 of the Transportation Article.
(4)
“Nonresident’s privilege to drive” has the meaning stated in § 11–140 of the Transportation Article.
(b)
By exercising a nonresident’s privilege to drive a motor vehicle in the State, a nonresident irrevocably appoints the Motor Vehicle Administration as agent to receive a subpoena, a summons, or other process that is:
(1)
Issued in an action that is related to an accident or collision involving a motor vehicle driven by the nonresident driver and in which the nonresident driver is named as a party; and
(2)
Directed to the nonresident driver.
(c)
Service of process is sufficient service on a nonresident driver if:
(1)
Service is made by the personal delivery and leaving of a copy of the process, with a certification of the last known address of the nonresident driver, with the Motor Vehicle Administration;
(2)
A fee for service of process is paid to the Motor Vehicle Administration;
(3)
The Motor Vehicle Administration sends a copy of the process by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the nonresident driver at the nonresident driver’s last known address; and
(4)
The Motor Vehicle Administration files an affidavit of compliance with the provisions of this section with the clerk of the court in which the action is pending.
(d)
The Motor Vehicle Administration shall provide a copy of the affidavit of compliance to the party seeking service.
(e)
The party seeking service shall send by certified mail, return receipt requested, a copy of the affidavit of compliance to the motor vehicle insurer of the nonresident driver.
(f)
(1)
The Motor Vehicle Administration shall keep a record of all process served under this section that shows the date and hour of service on the Administration by the party seeking service.
(2)
When the certified return receipt is returned to the Motor Vehicle Administration, the Administration shall:
(i)
Deliver it to the party seeking service; and
(ii)
Keep a record of the date of its receipt and the date of its delivery to the party seeking service.
(g)
The Motor Vehicle Administration is authorized to establish and collect a reasonable fee to recover the Administration’s costs under this section.