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CVB Frequently Asked Questions

I received a Notice to Appear that states "appearance required". Do I have to appear?

If the ticket is marked "appearance required" by the issuing officer or the Notice to Appear shows "Appearance Required" in the amount field, the defendant MUST appear in court on the scheduled date, time, and place indicated on the Notice to Appear.

What should I bring to court with me?

For Ft. Meade: Please bring a valid driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. All passengers must have identification. For Aberdeen Proving Ground: Please bring a valid driver’s license and vehicle registration. All passengers must have identification. For all other locations: Please bring your photo identification and any other pertinent information pertaining to your ticket.

I received a Notice to Appear that shows an amount due. Do I have to appear?

If a Notice to Appear indicates an amount, the defendant may choose to do one of the following: Pay the fine before the court date. A conviction will be entered, the case closed, and the defendant need not appear. Do not pay the fine, and appear in court on the scheduled date, time, and place to contest the ticket.

Can I e-file in CVB Cases?

The Court’s Electronic Case Filing Criminal Procedures Manual explains the procedures and requirements for using CM/ECF in criminal cases in this Court. and is located on our website under E-Filing Procedures.

How can I pay my ticket?

You can pay your ticket either by mail, on-line, or by telephone. Have a copy of your ticket available as you may need the "CVB Location Code" located in the box at the top right corner of the ticket and the Violation Number. Pay your ticket online at www.cvb.uscourts.gov. Click on the "Pay your ticket online" link. Mail a check or money order to:

Central Violations Bureau
P.O. Box 780549
San Antonio, TX 78278-0549

Call the Central Violations Bureau during normal business hours at (800) 827-2982 and press "0".

How can I check the balance on my ticket?

Ticket payments are posted in the system by CVB. Please contact the Central Violations Bureau by calling 800-827-2982. Use option 4 to hear an automated recording with the status of your ticket.

I received a ticket, but I have moved. What do I do?

Address change requests must be submitted in writing to the Central Violations Bureau. You may send a fax to 210-301-6401, email to info@cvb.uscourts.gov or mail to

Central Violations Bureau
P.O. Box 780549
San Antonio, TX 78278-0549

My license is suspended. What should I do?

Call the Greenbelt Clerk’s Office at (301) 344-0660 and choose menu option 5.

Call the Baltimore Clerk’s Office at (410) 962-2600 and choose menu option 5.

I’ve sent correspondence to the Court but haven’t received a response. What do I do?

If you haven’t received notice from the Court, contact the Baltimore or Greenbelt Clerk’s Office to check the status of your request. You are expected to appear at the scheduled date, time, and place, unless otherwise instructed by the Court.

Northern Division (Baltimore)
410-962-2705

Southern Division (Greenbelt)
301-344-0656

Can I mail, fax, or email my correspondence to the Court?

Yes. The Court accepts requests by mail, fax, or email. If you send a request by fax, please call the Clerk’s Office to verify your request was received. Please mail, fax, or email your requests to the appropriate division:

Northern Division (Baltimore)
U.S. District Court
101 West Lombard Street
Baltimore, MD  21201
Fax:  (410) 962-6948
Email: mdd_btickets@mdd.uscourts.gov

Southern Division (Greenbelt)
U.S. District Court
6500 Cherrywood Lane
Greenbelt, MD  20770
Fax:  (301) 344-0640
Email: mdd_gbtickets@mdd.uscourts.gov

I received a Notice Before Arrest. What should I do?

If the Notice Before Arrest was issued for a Baltimore case, please call the Clerk’s Office at (410) 962-2600 and choose menu option 5. If the Notice Before Arrest was issued for a Greenbelt case, please report to the Greenbelt Clerk’s Office, Monday - Friday between 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.

My offense occurred within the Virginia portion of the Eastern Shore. Will my case be heard in the District of Maryland or in the Eastern District of Virginia?

By an agreement between the two courts, offenses occurring on the Virginia side of the Eastern Shore will be heard in the District of Maryland. This joint order between the District of Maryland and the Eastern District of Virginia explains which and how cases will be heard in the District of Maryland.