Frederick County Court Records

The Frederick County court records, as outlined in the Maryland Code Court and Judicial Proceedings § 3-1510, are the official documentation of court proceedings that are maintained by the court clerk or other court personnel. This documentation comprises various contents such as an index, memorandum, docket entry, petition, transcription of proceedings, documents, exhibit, electronic recording, order, and judgment.

The significance of Maryland court records lies in their utility to the judiciary, law enforcement, and the general public. For instance, judiciary staff or law enforcement can consult previous case records for comparison with new ones, whether for cross-referencing or in the event of an appeal. Furthermore, these records provide residents with insight into the workings of the justice system, thereby promoting transparency. Moreover, citizens have access to court records for both personal and legal purposes.

In general, Frederick County court records may exist in various formats, including hard copies, digital copies, photographs, and sometimes in audio form.

Are Court Records Public in Frederick County?

Yes. Frederick County court records maintained by the court or other judicial agency are presumed open to the public for inspection Rule 16-902 Maryland Rules of Procedure.

However, certain records such as those that have been sealed, expunged, or protected by a court order, are not available for public access. Furthermore, specific records, including but not limited to court records of guardianship terminating parental rights and adoption, emergency mental health evaluations and medical conditions, juvenile delinquency, a child in need of assistance cases (CINA), certain marriage license information, financial statements in spousal or child support cases, income tax returns, and judicial declarations of gender identity, are also not open to the public without special legal provisions or court order.

Frederick County Court Records Search

Typically, individuals can access court records using the court's case management system, by visiting the courthouse where the case was processed and the records are kept, or by utilizing private aggregate websites.

Frederick County Court Records Search by Name

In general, residents have the option to conduct a search for Frederick court records either online or in person by supplying the name of a party involved or a case number. The Maryland court offers an online case search tool as the primary method for the public to access court records. Those interested in obtaining a Frederick court record through the case search tool can simply visit the website maintained by the Office of the County Clerk and click on the “case record search” option located in the left-hand corner.

Upon clicking on this option, a page will appear where the user must agree to a disclaimer before proceeding with a name search. Typically, providing just the last name of a participant in the case is sufficient to retrieve matching records, although individuals can also conduct an advanced search by providing additional parameters for a more targeted search.

The information made available through the ‘Case Search’ feature offers a summary of the details contained within the official case file, including case information (such as case number, dates, and type of case), document details, and judgment information.

Furthermore, residents have the option to visit the court that oversaw the case in the county to inquire about the case. By conducting a name search, individuals can view the complete record of the case file, and these inspections are typically free of charge.

Frederick County Courts

Frederick holds three different types of courts in the same location. These courts are the Circuit court, District court and Orphans’ court, each with jurisdiction over specific cases. Below is the details of each one:

Circuit Court in Frederick County
Frederick County Circuit Court
Frederick County Courthouse
100 West Patrick Street
Frederick, MD 21701
Phone: (301) 600-1976

District Court in Frederick County
Frederick County District Court
Frederick County Courthouse
100 West Patrick Street
Frederick, MD 21701
Phone: (301) 600-2000

Orphans' Court in Frederick County
Frederick County Orphans' Court
Frederick County Courthouse
100 West Patrick Street
Frederick, MD 21701
Phone: (301) 600-6565
Fax: (301) 600-6580

Frederick County Superior Court Case Search

Frederick County does not have a Superior Court. However, the Circuit Court serves as the trial court for both civil and criminal cases within the county. The Circuit Court handles all cases that are not within the jurisdiction of the District or Orphans’ Courts.

Individuals interested in obtaining specific case records from this court can utilize the case search database provided by the state’s courts. Typically, conducting a search using the case number is sufficient, but if the case number is not known, a search using a party's name would also work.

As another option, individuals have the option to directly contact the court, which can provide extensive details about a specific case, as long as it is not sealed or confidential.

Frederick County District Court Records

The District Court in Frederick County holds jurisdiction over various matters, including misdemeanors, landlord-tenant cases, replevin actions, certain felonies, and motor vehicle violations. Additionally, the court handles civil cases involving claims of $5,000 or less and has concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit courts for claims ranging from above $5,000 to less than $30,000. However, it is worth noting that the District Court only handles criminal cases involving confinement for 3 years or more, a fine of $2,500 or more, and certain felonies. Jury trials are generally not conducted by Frederick’s District Court.

Accessing records from Frederick’s District Court follows a process similar to that of accessing Circuit court records. Records can be accessed either online via the web page managed by Maryland’s courts or in person at the District courthouse. Individuals seeking records will need to provide case-related information to assist the clerk in locating the record, especially when an open case is not available online.

Frederick County Criminal Records

Maryland has a distinctive framework concerning the accessibility of criminal records. Based on the General Provisions Article, §§ 4-101 through 4-601, court-maintained criminal records in Frederick County are generally considered public records, with exceptions for sealed or confidential records. Conversely, under The Maryland Security and Privacy Act and the Code of Maryland Annotated Regulations (COMAR), law enforcement-held criminal records are not classified as Frederick public records, accessible solely to individuals with appropriate authorization. Essentially, while access to case files of criminal cases may be possible, obtaining Frederick County arrest records might be restricted.

To obtain a copy of their criminal record, individuals can utilize the Maryland Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS). The process involves submitting the CJIS 015 Form along with a payment of $18 to the central repository. Moreover, certain authorized entities like licensing agencies, public housing authorities, those providing adult dependent care, and private employers can also request criminal records. These organizations would be required to fill out and forward the Application to receive State of Maryland Criminal History Record Information.

Furthermore, residents have the option to procure their background checks from the FBI for a fee of $18.

Frederick County Criminal Court Case Lookup

There are two primary methods for obtaining a Frederick County criminal court case record:

• Utilizing the online case management system known as ‘Case Search’ provided by the courts of Maryland. This database offers search results for most cases unless the court record is deemed confidential or sealed by law and statute.
• Visiting the office of the clerk or the court where the case was heard to inquire about the case. By doing so, individuals can gain access to the complete case record of a criminal proceeding.

Get Frederick County Civil Court Records

Accessing civil court records in Frederick County is a relatively straightforward process. As previously mentioned, there are two main approaches to obtaining these records: online or through an onsite visit. Requesters can access civil case records free of charge via the online database, where they can conduct searches using case numbers, names, or a combination of both for a more precise match. It is vital to note that the records available online are intended for informational purposes and cannot be used as legal documents.

Alternatively, residents can opt to visit the courthouse where the case was handled. Typically, the record department at the courthouse manages the case files and makes them accessible to interested individuals. Unlike the records available online, certified copies obtained from the courthouse can be utilized for legal purposes. Please note that replicated court record copies would cost a fee.

The civil records that one can access may involve cases related to landlords and tenants, traffic violations, and certain public family matters, among others.

Frederick County Family Court Records

Family court cases in Frederick County are typically under the jurisdiction of the circuit court. These cases encompass a wide range of matters, including, but not limited to, divorce, custody, child support, juvenile cases, domestic violence cases, adoption, annulment, alimony, private paternity, guardianship, cases arising from marital settlement agreements, change of name, contempt petitions of any family order, guardianship, and visitation.

While not all family court records are accessible to the general public, those that are available can be accessed online through the public case management system maintained by Maryland’s judiciary. Upon providing the necessary search parameters, the system retrieves records that best match the input criteria.

If an individual is unable to find a particular public record in the case management system, they have the option to reach out directly to the clerk of the circuit court for assistance. Access to case records that are not public records is restricted to eligible parties involved in the case or authorized personnel.

Family court records hold significance as they provide legal evidence for various claims. For example, a divorce case record serves as proof that a legal union has been dissolved, releasing the involved parties from the responsibilities associated with the union.

Frederick County Dissolution of Marriage Records

As previously mentioned, dissolution of marriage records in Frederick County are categorized under family court records, which are considered civil records. The process of obtaining a dissolution of marriage record is similar to accessing any other court record within the county, whether online or in person. Researchers are required to provide the name of either party involved in the record to retrieve the document.

Frederick County Marriage and Divorce Records

Frederick County divorce and marriage records are classified as public records, yet certain details within these records may not be accessible to the general public. While individuals might have access to information like the names of the parties and the event date, sensitive details such as financial information or children-related specifics in a divorce case could be restricted.

Typically, the process for acquiring a marriage record or a divorce record is similar. Residents have the option to verify a Frederick County marriage or divorce record or obtain a certificate.

Those seeking to verify a record can reach out to the Office of Vital Records. However, obtaining a Frederick County marriage certificate or divorce certificate necessitates contacting the relevant circuit court involved in the event. Securing a Frederick County marriage or divorce certificate can be accomplished online through an authorized private vendor, by mail, or on-site by scheduling an appointment.

Those opting to submit a request by mail are required to fill out and send the relevant application form, either the Application for verification of a divorce record or the Application for a certified copy of a marriage record. Along with the completed form, requesters must include photocopies of the necessary identification, the fee (in the form of a check or money order, payable to the Division of Vital Records), and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Division of Vital Records. The mail should be addressed to:

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

It is important to note that only parties directly involved in the case or other authorized individuals are permitted to obtain a certified copy of these records.

When requesting these records, individuals are typically required to provide the following details:

• Names of the parties
• Case number (found in indexes)
• Date of the event

The Division of Vital Records offers divorce verifications for divorces occurring from 1992 to the present, and marriage records verifications from 2007 onwards. Those looking to obtain their marriage or divorce certificate can refer to the online fee schedule for more information.

Frederick Birth and Death Records

Birth and death records are classified as Frederick County vital records, are not considered public documents, and are only accessible to individuals directly linked to the record or authorized by law (Maryland Code Regs. 10.03.01.08). According to this regulation, only the following individuals are eligible to request a Frederick birth record:

• The individual named on the birth certificate
• The parent named on the certificate
• The spouse of the individual on the record
• The legal guardian of the individual documented on the record, provided that proof of guardianship is provided
• An authorized representative of the individual on the record or their parents. The representative must possess a notarized letter signed by the individual, parent, or guardian, granting permission to obtain a copy of the certificate

Individuals seeking a Frederick County birth certificate have the option to obtain it online through an approved private vendor or via mail.

Conversely, death certificates predating 2012 can be obtained from the Maryland State Archives, while records from 2012 onwards are available at the Vital Records office. Eligible individuals to apply for a death certificate include:

• Immediate family members of the deceased (spouse, child, sibling, or grandchild)
• A legal representative of the deceased
• The funeral director responsible for the final disposition of the deceased's body

The process for submitting mail requests for birth records is consistent with the process for obtaining marriage and divorce records via mail as previously outlined. However, individuals must submit an Application for a Certified copy of a Birth Record for a birth record and an Application for a Certified Copy of a Maryland Death Record for a death record. The fee for a Frederick County death certificate is $20.

Birth and death certificates hold legal significance and are relevant for various legal processes, for example, a birth certificate serves as evidence of a person's age or date of birth, among other uses.

Frederick County Probate Court Records

In Frederick County, the Probate Court is also commonly referred to as the Orphan Court. This court typically oversees cases related to wills, guardianship, and estates. Case records are typically managed by the court's records department. Those interested in obtaining a probate court record have the option to visit the courthouse in person, send a mail request to the court, or utilize the online case management tool offered by the court.

Similar to acquiring other types of records, individuals can either conduct a name search, a case number search or provide any known details about the case.

Due to the sensitive nature of these records, certain probate records are considered confidential and can only be accessed by authorized individuals or those directly involved in the specific case.

Frederick County Property Records

The Department of Land Records at the Frederick County Court maintains property records, which include details related to properties within the county.

Individuals seeking access to specific property records can utilize the Property Explorer tool provided by Frederick County. This tool enables users to obtain a property report, and parcel identifier, and conduct a street search. Alternatively, individuals can visit the Office of the Clerk to make inquiries or perform a search.

A property report typically includes information such as the property owner's name, location, map, description, tax payments, any existing liens, and the property's assessed value.

Frederick County Court Records Online

Frederick County residents have the option to access court records online through third-party websites. Typically, these websites are privately owned and independent of government affiliation, often serving commercial purposes. Utilizing these sites presents both advantages and disadvantages. While online access provides convenience and the ability to retrieve records from the comfort of one's home, comprehensive access to detailed information usually requires user registration and may involve a fee. This fee structure can vary, with options for per search, monthly, quarterly, or annual charges depending on the site and the user's chosen subscription.

Furthermore, although private sites offer a broad spectrum of information extending beyond the county level, individuals seeking information must ensure the accuracy and currency of the provided data. Nonetheless, these sites are designed for user-friendly navigation. Marylandcourtrecords.us is an example of a third-party site that facilitates access to court records.