Dorchester County Court Records

Dorchester County court records are official documents generated by the county's courts during a judicial proceeding. Per the Maryland Rules of Procedure, these records may be in written, digitized, microfilmed, photographed, or recorded formats, as specified in Maryland Code, General Provisions Article, Section 4-101(k)(1)(ii).

Court records help to provide detailed insights into court cases, including legal decisions and precedents, for the benefit of the public, legal practitioners, and relevant parties. Ultimately, they are an invaluable part of legal research, helping to resolve disputes and ensure judicial compliance with state laws.

Are Court Records Public in Dorchester County?

Yes, under the Maryland Public Information Act (PIA), court records in Dorchester County are public and generally accessible. However, specific records may be restricted from public disclosure or deemed confidential pursuant to federal and state statutes or following court orders. Some of these exempt or confidential records include:

• Personally identifiable information, including social security and tax identification numbers.
• Records protected by federal or state laws or court orders.
• Juvenile or minor case files.
• Family law records, such as adoption or domestic abuse cases.
• Financial or medical records.
• Subpoena-related case files.
• Unexecuted warrants and related affidavits.
• Information whose disclosure might compromise ongoing investigations, such as informant details.

Dorchester County Court Records Search

Court records for Dorchester County may be accessed through:

• The Circuit Court Clerk's Office
• Maryland Judiciary Case Search
• The District Court Clerk
• Maryland State Archives
• Third-Party Services

Dorchester County Courts

The addresses and contact information of courthouses in Dorchester County, Maryland, are as follows:

Dorchester County Circuit Court
Dorchester County Courthouse
206 High St,
P.O. Box 150,
Cambridge, MD 21613
Phone: (410) 228-0481

Dorchester County District Court
310 Gay St,
P.O. Box 547,
Cambridge, MD 21613
Phone: (410) 901-1420

Dorchester County Orphans' Court
Dorchester County Courthouse
206 High St,
Cambridge, MD 21613
Phone: (410) 228-4181
Fax: (410) 228-4988

Dorchester County Criminal and Civil Records

The Circuit Court serves as the county's primary trial court in Dorchester. According to the Annotated Code of Maryland, Courts & Judicial Proceedings Article (§ 1-501 et seq.), the Clerk of the Circuit Court is responsible for managing and preserving all records related to the court's judicial proceedings. Individuals seeking access to criminal court records may submit a written request containing details of the case and the parties involved to:

Dorchester County Court Clerk's Office
206 High Street
P.O. Box 923
Cambridge, MD 21613
Phone: (410) 228-0481
Fax: (410) 221-5003

Requests for criminal record can be submitted via mail, made in person during normal business hours, or through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal. However, criminal court records differ from Dorchester county arrest records and criminal history information which are maintained by the county’s law enforcement agencies.

Most civil actions in Dorchester County fall under the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court, especially when the amount in controversy exceeds $30,000, as described by the Maryland Courts & Judicial Proceedings Article (§ 4-402). The Circuit Court also shares concurrent jurisdiction with the District Court for claims exceeding $5,000 but not more than $30,000. Common civil matters include contract disputes, tort claims, property disputes, and appeals from administrative agencies.

To obtain these civil court records, interested parties can also visit the civil department of the Dorchester circuit court or submit a written request to the department containing case numbers, party names, and any information needed to facilitate the record search.

Dorchester County Divorce Records

Divorce records, including case filings, decrees, and related documents, are maintained by the Circuit Court for Dorchester County, in line with Maryland Family Law. To obtain these records, inquirers may submit a request containing the names of the parties involved and details of the event to:

Clerk of the Circuit Court – Family Division
206 High Street
Cambridge, MD 21613

Some older records may be accessible through the Maryland State Archives.

Dorchester County Marriage Records

In Dorchester County, marriage records are official documents pertaining to the marital union of two individuals. Since Dorchester marriages are typically licensed by the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court, records of consequent marriages are maintained by the same office. Under Maryland Family Law Article (§ 2-401 et seq.); certified copies can be obtained by submitting a written request with the required names, date of marriage, and associated fees to the preferred custodian. Divorce verifications and certain marriage records (beginning January 1, 2007) may also be obtained through the Maryland Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, subject to eligibility.

Requests may be addressed to:

Clerk of the Circuit Court – Marriage Records Department
206 High Street
Cambridge, MD 21613
Phone: (410) 228-0481

or

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

Dorchester County Birth Records

In Maryland, birth and death certificates are primarily issued by the Maryland Department of Health's Division of Vital Records, per Maryland Health-General Article (§ 4-201 et seq.). In Dorchester County, these records are also managed and disseminated by the County Health Department. To request these records, the record-seeker must be the individual named on the record, their legal guardian or representative and those with a direct, tangible interest in the record. Eligible requestors will need to download and complete the birth record application and submit it along with a valid ID and a payment of $25. Requests may be addressed to:

Dorchester County Health Department
3 Cedar Street
Cambridge, MD 21613
Phone: (410) 228-3223

or

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

Older birth and death records (generally over 100 years old) may be found at the Maryland State Archives.

Dorchester County Probate Court Records

Probate records, including wills, estate inventories, and related documents, are supervised by the Register of Wills for Dorchester County, under authority granted by the Estates and Trusts Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland (§ 2-101 et seq.). These records document the distribution of assets, resolution of debts, and the appointment of personal representatives. Interested members of the public may request a Dorchester county probate court record by sending a written request to the Register of Wills at:

Register of Wills for Dorchester County
206 High Street
Cambridge, MD 21613
Phone: (410) 228-4181

Requests can be made in person, by mail, or online. For historical estate records, digital indexes may be available through the Maryland State Archives or the online Estate Search tool

Dorchester County Property Records

Property records include deeds, mortgages, liens, and other documents related to real estate transactions. The Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) maintains assessment and tax data, while the Clerk of the Circuit Court records land instruments. Inquirers may obtain Dorchester county property records using the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, mdlandrec.net tool. Requesters will need to enter property identifiers including the property’s address, owner's name, or parcel number to facilitate the search. Requests to the Clerk’s office may also be addressed to:

Clerk of the Circuit Court – Land Records Division
206 High Street
Cambridge, MD 21613
Phone: (410) 228-0481

Dorchester County Court Records Online

Dorchester County court records are also accessible through third-party websites like Marylandcourtrecords.us. While these sites typically offer the convenience of remote access, users are advised to verify the accuracy of information obtained from non-official sources. Aggregate sites generally work independent of government custodians and the accuracy of the records they provide may not be guaranteed.