Allegany County Court Records

Allegany County court records consist of all information, documents, exhibits, and any other material maintained by a court in relation to a case. They are defined by state laws to include administrative records, business license records, notices, and case files per Rule 16-901, Maryland Rules of Procedure. Court records are generally maintained by the Clerk of the courthouse where the case was heard. These records may be produced and stored in paper form or as electronic data such as recordings, audio/video tapes, and photographs.

Court records created by Allegany County courts serve as historical documents that may be reviewed and referenced in future adjudications. Case parties, attorneys, and other concerned persons may also inspect court records to ascertain a case status or glean information about a case of interest. Case information, case filings, exhibits, dockets, summonses, verdicts, and briefs are some of the information available in Allegany County court records and Maryland court records.

Are Court Records Public in Allegany County?

Yes. Court records are presumed open and supposedly a part of Allegany County public records unless otherwise stated by law (Rule 16-902 of the Maryland Rules of Procedure). Per this law, interested persons can visit a record custodian within business hours to inspect and request copies of court records in their custody.

The state provisions for accessing and copying Allegany County court records are enshrined in Maryland Rules 16:901 et seq. Under these rules, certain limitations apply to inspecting and copying court records. Court records kept from the public may be accessed with authorization from a court or other provisions in state laws. The following records are not publicly available and may only be accessible to authorized entities:

• Court records that are shielded, sealed, or expunged by a court order or Statutes
• Specific details in marriage licenses and records
• Financial information contained in case files related to spousal or child support cases
• Adoption and juvenile delinquency records
• Cases of guardianship or parental rights termination
• Reports of mental health evaluations or disabilities
• Guardianship cases involving the property of a disabled adult
• Reports created in a Child in Need of Assistance(CINA) case
• Records of income tax returns
• Medical reports submitted by a practitioner in cases involving an alleged disabled adult
• Personal information such as full name, address, mobile and social security numbers of record subjects.

Allegany County Court Records Search

Allegany County court records are typically maintained in the courthouse of jurisdiction over a case. Persons interested in conducting an Allegany County court records search may utilize the options outlined below:

• An in-person visit to the courthouse where the case was heard
• Walk-in visit to the Circuit or District Court Clerk's office
• Mail requests sent to the appropriate record custodian
• Electronic access provided by the record custodian, such as email or online search tools
• Maryland Judiciary Case Search online portal
• Independent third-party online resources.

Allegany County Courts

Allegany County's Judicial system comprises a Circuit court, one District Court, and an Orphans Court. The District Court presides over traffic violations, landlord/tenant issues, replevin actions, misdemeanors, certain felonies, and civil cases involving between $5,000 and $30,000. The Circuit court, on the other hand, has jurisdiction over felonies, some misdemeanors, appeals from the district court, family cases, guardianships, domestic relations, and civil cases in amounts above $30,000. A list of the contact information for the courts situated in Allegany County is as follows:

Allegany County Circuit Court
30 Washington Street
Cumberland, MD 21502
Phone: (301) 777-5923
Fax: (301) 777-2100

Allegany County District Court
123 South Liberty Street
Cumberland, MD 21502
Phone: (301) 723-3100

Allegany County Orphans' Court
59 Prospect Square
Cumberland, MD 21502
Phone: (301) 724-3760
Fax: (301) 724-1249

Allegany County Criminal Records

Allegany County criminal records are maintained by the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) section of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS). However, Allegany County arrest records and police reports may be obtained from the County Sheriff's Office in person at 695 Kelly Road Cumberland, MD 21502, or by calling (301) 777-1585. The CJIS allows interested individuals and prospective employees to conduct background checks on a desired subject by submitting a fingerprint card.

Persons residing within the state may visit any authorized fingerprinting service provider to obtain a fingerprint card. Requestors from outside the state may request a fingerprint card by submitting a written request or completed Fingerprint Card Order Form to the CJIS at:

P.O. Box 32708,
Pikesville, Maryland 21282-2708
Phone: (410) 764-450((888) 795-0011).

Fingerprint cards from the FBI or other states may not be accepted. The CJIS charges $18 per background check without a gold seal and $19 for those with a gold seal. A fingerprinting fee of $20 is also charged to all in-person requesters. Requestors are to note that the CJIS processing time for background check requests is between 10 and 15 days.

Residents performing a background check for employment or licensing purposes may be required to use the fingerprint cards provided by the employer or licensing agency. They may also be required to provide the employer's or licensing agency's authorization number. Completed fingerprint cards and the prescribed fees may be submitted in person overnight at:

CJIS-Central Repository
6776 Reisterstown Road
Suite 102
Baltimore, MD 21215
Phone: (410) 764-4501, (888) 795-0011
Fax: (410) 653-6320

Fingerprint cards can also be mailed to:

CJIS-CR
P.O. Box 32708
Pikesville, MD 21282-2708.

Get Allegany County Civil Court Records

Allegany County civil court records may be obtained by an in-person visit or mail request sent to the Clerk of the Court with jurisdiction over a particular case. However, the Clerk of the Circuit Court doubles as the County Clerk and serves as the primary custodian of Allegany County court records.

The Clerk's Office provides copies of civil court records involving amounts greater than $30,000, domestic relations, foreclosures, injunctions, and mechanics liens to interested persons at a fee of $.50 per page. Certified or exemplified copies cost $5 per page and $10 per page, respectively. Mail requests not enclosed in a stamped self-addressed envelope usually incur an additional mail-back fee of $2 per mail.

A requestor may query the office of the Circuit court clerk by phone at (301) 777-5923 or walk into the Clerk's office between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. Alternatively, one may obtain civil court records for claims below $30,000, landlord/ tenant disputes, and replevin actions from the District Court Clerk's office. Walk-in visits or mail requests may be submitted to the Clerk's office using the following information:

Circuit Court Clerk's Office
30 Washington Street
Cumberland, MD 21502
Phone: (301) 777-5922

District Court County Clerk
123 South Liberty Street
Cumberland, MD 21502
Phone: (301) 723-3106

In addition, remote access to civil court records generated by the circuit and district courts is available on the Maryland Judiciary Case Search tool. This search tool provides basic information about public cases, such as the case type, part names, and case number. Inquirers may search for civil court records on this portal by case number or party name.

Allegany County Marriage Records

Allegany County Marriage records are preserved by the Circuit court clerk's office and made available to residents on request. Concerned persons may fill out an Application for Certified Copy of Marriage License and submit it in person or mail it to the Clerk's office at 30 Washington Street, Cumberland, MD 21502. Marriage records cost $5.50 per copy, payable by cash or money order. All requests should contain the names of the couple and the date of marriage. Additionally, information on obtaining certified copies of marriage records from the Clerk's office may be obtained by calling (301) 777-5922.

The Division of Vital Records(DVR) of the Maryland Department of Health maintains records of marriages conducted in Allegany County from 2007 till date. Only the record subjects, a representative with proper documentation, or an attorney can request marriage records from the DVR. To request Allegany County Marriage certificates, one may complete an application to obtain a copy of a marriage certificate and mail it alongside photocopies of the necessary identification and a fee of $12 per copy payable by check or money order. Completed forms and other requirements may be mailed to:

Department of Health Division of Vital Records
6764 Reisterstown Road
P.O. Box 68760
Baltimore, MD 21215-0036
Phone: (410) 764-3038

Allegany County Divorce Records

The Clerk's Office maintains Allegany County divorce and annulment of marriage records. Copies of divorce decrees may be obtained from the Clerk's office at $.50 per page and $5 for certification.

The State Department of Health also processes requests for verification of divorce and annulments filed from 1992 till the present. Requests for verification of divorce are only accepted from either of the divorced persons, an attorney, or an authorized representative. Eligible applicants may fill out the verification request form and mail it in a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the DVR. Divorce verifications cost $12, and acceptable payment options include money orders, checks, or credit cards.

Allegany County Birth and Death Records

Allegany County Vital records are records of important events that occur in the County, such as births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. The Maryland Department of Health is the state's Allegany County vital records repository. Persons requesting Allegany County birth records must be the record subject, the subject's parent, a court-appointed guardian, a spouse, or a legal representative. To request a copy of an Allegany County birth certificate, eligible individuals may complete an application for a copy of a Birth Certificate and submit it alongside a valid identification and required fees to:

Division of Vital Records,
P.O. Box 68760,
Baltimore, MD 21215-0036.

For death records and certificates, eligible applicants include a surviving relative, an authorized representative, or the funeral director who handled the final disposition of the deceased's body. Concerned persons may request Allegany County death certificates and records filed between 2012 till date from the DVR. A filled-out application for a copy of a Death Certificate, valid means of identification, and a fee of $10 are the requirements for obtaining a death certificate from the DVR.

Allegany County Probate Court Records

The Allegany County Orphans Court handles cases of probate, including wills, codicils, administration of estates, and guardianship over properties and assets of minors. The Allegany County's Register of Wills also maintains records of probate and estates. Interested persons may query either the Clerk of the Orphans Court or the Register of Wills office to retrieve publicly available probate case information. The Register of Wills also maintains a searchable online database for obtaining estate records. Inquirers may search the system by entering a first/last name, estate number, filing date, party type, or status.

Allegany County Property Records

Allegany County property records include deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, land contracts, release of mortgages, plat records, leases, liens, and power of attorney. A property records search may disclose information about the property, such as the owner's name, parcel ID, property address, and appraisal. Persons interested in inspecting property records may visit the Allegany County Circuit Court, Land Records Department, in person or call (301) 777-5924. Copies of property and land records are issued at $.50 per copy. Residents may also find information about deeds and property records online.

Allegany County Court Records Online

Third-party online resources like Marylandcourtrecords.us may provide users with convenient and remote access to public Allegany County court records. These sites are generally user-friendly and require either a case number or party name to turn out search results. However, third-party platforms are not government-owned or supervised by any government agency. Hence, information from these sites may be inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated.