Caroline County Court Records

Caroline County Court Records encompass documents pertaining to criminal and civil cases, family law matters, probate issues, and other legal proceedings. They are generated to provide an official account of the county's judicial processes to help resolve legal claims, dispute resolution, and various kinds of legal research. The availability of these records is governed by Maryland's public records laws, including the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), which establishes the right of access to public records with certain exceptions.

Are Court Records Public in Caroline County?

Yes, court records are generally public under the Maryland Public Information Act unless restricted by law or court order. Records may be sealed or confidential in specific instances, such as:

• Adoption records (Md. Code, Fam. Law § 5-3B-29)
• Juvenile delinquency records (Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 3-8A-27)
• Emergency mental health evaluations (Md. Code, Health Gen. § 10-631)
• Sensitive financial and medical record information
• Identifying information on victims, witnesses, and vulnerable persons
• Records regarding an ongoing criminal investigation - especially if they are likely to compromise the case.

Caroline County Court Records Search

Interested members of the public may perform Caroline County court record searches through any of the following means/custodians:

• Caroline County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
• Maryland Judiciary Case Search
• Caroline County District Court: For records of smaller civil and criminal matters:
• Maryland State Archives: For historical case information
• Third-Party Websites

Caroline County Courts

The addresses and contact information of all the courthouses in Caroline County, Maryland, are as follows:

Caroline County Circuit Court

Caroline County Courthouse
109 Market Street
Denton, MD 21629
Phone: (410) 479-1811
Fax: (410) 479-1142

Caroline County District Court
Multi-Service Center
207 S 3rd Street
Denton, MD 21629
Phone: (410) 819-4600

Caroline County Orphans' Court
Caroline County Courthouse
109 Market Street
Denton, MD 21629
Phone: (410) 479-0717
Fax: (410) 479-4983

Caroline County Criminal and Civil Records

Both Caroline County criminal and civil court records are generated in the course of judicial proceedings. While criminal court records result from criminal hearings, civil court records are generated following a civil suit. The office of the Caroline County Circuit Clerk of Court manages all court records in Caroline County. To access them, inquirers may send a written request to the office containing details of the record being sought, including the names of the parties involved in the case, case numbers, filing/judgment dates, and any other information useful for facilitating the search. Requests may be addressed to:

Caroline County Circuit Clerk of Court

Caroline County Courthouse
109 Market Street
Denton, MD 21629
Phone: (410) 479-1811
Fax: (410) 479-1142

Inquirers may also search for case information using the Maryland Judiciary Case Search tool. The database can be searched by the names of the parties involved, case type, number, filing date, and related information.

Caroline County Marriage Records

Caroline County marriage records validate the solemnization of a marital union between two individuals. Per Maryland law, these records are accessible to the parties named on the record and their legal representative. Interested persons may obtain these records by querying the office of the Caroline County Circuit Clerk of Court, which also issues marriage licenses.

Eligible parties can request these records by submitting a request to the clerk's office containing information regarding the marriage and the parties involved. Mail requestors will also be required to provide a self-addressed envelope with which the record will be returned.

Caroline County Divorce Records

Requests for Caroline County divorce records may be made to the County's Circuit Clerk of Court or the Maryland Department of Health. Like marriage records, Caroline County divorce records are only accessible to the persons named on the record and their legal representatives. Eligible requestors may request these records by downloading and completing the Maryland Application for Verification of Divorce Record. The completed application, along with a valid ID, a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and the required payment, may be submitted to the state division of vital records at:

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

Requests to the County Circuit Clerk may be made by sending a written request containing details of the divorce decree and the parties involved to the office.

Caroline County Birth Records

Caroline county birth records are managed and disseminated by the Caroline County Health Department. However, the department only manages records created from 1939 till date. Like other vital records, there are stringent restrictions on the dissemination of birth records. Only the subject of the record, their relative or legal representative can obtain these records.

Eligible parties can request these records by sending a written request containing details of their birth, their valid ID, and the associated charges to:

Department of Health
Division of Vital Records
Reisterstown Plaza
6764-B Reisterstown Road
Baltimore, MD 21215
Phone: (410) 764-3089

Caroline County Death Records

Caroline County death certificates contain details of the demise of a county resident or deaths within county limits. These records are restricted from public access and only available to persons with a direct, tangible relationship to the deceased. Interested and eligible persons may obtain these records by querying the County Health Department in person or via mail. Inquirers will usually be required to provide details of the record of interest, including the deceased's name, the date and location of the death, and information relevant to the documentation.

Record seekers will be charged $22 for the first copy of the record and $24 for additional copies they request. They will also be required to present a government-issued ID and a self-addressed envelope if their request was made via mail.

Caroline County Probate Court Records

The Register of Wills for Caroline County oversees probate records, documenting the administration of estates, guardianships, and disputes. Interested members of the public may access probate records by visiting the Register of Wills office or using their online database. Probate county record requests may be addressed to:

Caroline County Courthouse
109 Market Street
Denton, MD 21629
Phone: (410) 479-0717

Caroline County Property Records

The Circuit Court Clerk's Office and the Caroline County Department of Finance co-manage the county's property records, including deeds, liens, and assessments.

Interested members of the public may access Caroline County property records by visiting these local offices or searching online using the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) portal.

Caroline County Court Records Online

Third-party online resources like Marylandcourtrecords.us may provide convenient access to Caroline County court records. These platforms offer remote access to these records and allow searching for multiple records across various judicial districts. However, while convenient, these platforms typically operate independently of any government agency.