Wicomico County Court Records

Court records are official documents on legal proceedings in Wicomico County. Such records refer to documents on legal prosecutions within the Wicomico County Circuit, District, and Orphans' Courts.

Court records consist of documents and information such as:

• Docket entries
• Case number
• Petitions/Complaints
• Evidence
• Exhibits
• Court orders
• Witness testimonies
• Motions
• Pleadings
• Names of the involved parties
• Sentences
• Transcripts of court Proceedings.

Maryland court records enlighten the public on state and local judiciary processes for fair and equitable judgments in legal matters. They also serve as precedents for future cases and are study materials for law students.

Are Court Records Public in Wicomico County?

Yes, Wicomico court records are public and accessible to interested individuals. The Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) grants public access to Wicomico County court records. In addition, Rules 16-901 through 16-934 of the Maryland Rules of Procedure establish the provision for public access to Wicomico County court records.

Notwithstanding, Wicomico courts are publicly accessible only if the Constitution of the United States, the Maryland Constitution, the Maryland Rules of Procedure, federal law, applicable state law, court order, or case law allows it. Per the MPIA and the Maryland Rules of Procedure, the public cannot access Wicomico County court case information relating to

• Juveniles
• Adoption
• Medical and Mental Health
• Family law cases such as child custody, domestic violence, and financial information
• Sealed or Expunged records
• Attorney-client privileges
• Ongoing law enforcement investigation
• Active court proceedings
• Grand Jury Proceedings
• Business Secrets
• Personal Identifying Information such as financial account numbers and Social Security Numbers.

Wicomico County Court Records Search

There are several ways to search for Wicomico County court records. Depending on individual preference and convenience, Wicomico County court records are available online through government or third-party databases. To search for Wicomico County court records, log in to the custodians' online repositories, third-party websites, or government agencies’ databases on Wicomico County Court Proceedings.

Also, interested persons should visit the records custodians’ physical offices and request access to the specific case files.

Wicomico County Court Records Search by Name

A name-based search for any document refers to using a name to look for information. To search for Wicomico County court records using a name as a criterion

• Log in to the record's online database.
• Locate the search tools and select the name option (if available) when prompted to choose from the criteria options.
• Enter the case name or the name of the record owner to search for specific records.

Also, record seekers need to include a name (especially if the case number is unavailable) when they request access to Wicomico County court records through phone calls, emails, faxes, mail, or visits to the records custodian agencies.

Records seekers should note that accessing Wicomico County court records may involve proof of identity and fee payments.

Wicomico County Courts

The Wicomico County court structure reflects the Maryland judicial system. The Wicomico County judiciary comprises the Circuit, District, and Orphans Courts.

The Circuit Court

Per Maryland's judicial hierarchy, the Wicomico County Circuit Court is the county's apex court; it has general jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases and handles cases beyond the authority of the lower courts.

The Wicomico County Circuit Court oversees

• Criminal felony cases
• Civil claims where the amount in dispute exceeds $5,000.00
• Family law cases such as
  • Child Custody, Support, and Protection
  • Parental Rights Termination
  • Divorce.

The District Court

The Wicomico County District Court has specific jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases. The District Court case portfolio includes

• Felonies
• Preliminary Hearings of felony cases
• Misdemeanors
• Violations of municipal ordinances
• Motor Vehicle and Boating Violations.

Also, Wicomico County District Court handles civil claims for amounts less than $25,000.00.

The Orphans' Court

The Wicomico County Orphans' County presides over certain probate cases and shares jurisdiction with the Circuit Court over cases relating to guardianship of minors.

To contact any Wicomico County courts, use the contact information below.

Wicomico County Circuit Court
Circuit Court for Wicomico County

102 Court Street Salisbury,
MD 21801
Phone: (410) 548-4822

Wicomico County District Court
W. Paul Martin District Court/Multi-Service Center

201 Baptist St
Salisbury,
MD 21801
Phone: (410) 713-3500
Toll-Free Number (In-state only): (800) 940-3267

Wicomico County Orphans' Court
Wicomico County Courthouse

101 N Division St, Room 102,
P.O. Box 787, Salisbury,
MD 21803
Phone: (410) 543-6635
Fax: (410) 334-3440

Wicomico County District Court Records

Wicomico County district court records document civil and criminal cases and proceedings within the Wicomico County district court. In Wicomico County, the District Court records include case files on

• Felony preliminary hearings
• Civil claims ranging from $5,000.00 to $25,000.00
• Misdemeanors
• Violation of city and municipal ordinances
• Felony cases
• Replevin cases
• Domestic violence protective orders
• Juvenile delinquency
• Landlord-Tenant disputes.

To access Wicomico County district court records

• Log in to the Maryland Judiciary Case Search Page
  • Click Advanced Search
  • Enter the name of the person/business into the search tools
  • Select District Court Only under the Court System header
  • Choose Wicomico County from the County drop menu
  • Enter a filing date, and search for Wicomico County district court records.
• Call or visit the Wicomico County Court Clerk's Office between 8.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays (working days) at:

101 North Division Street - Room 105, Salisbury, Maryland 21801
Phone: (410) 543-6551
Email: wicomico.clerk@mdcourts.gov

• Visit the Wicomico County District Court.

Wicomico County Criminal Records

Wicomico County criminal records are official documents and information on criminal activities and their prosecutions within the Wicomico Circuit and District Courts. Law enforcement agencies and courts in Wicomico County generate criminal records during arrests and legal prosecutions. Wicomico criminal records include arrest records, documentation of court proceedings, sentencing, and incarceration of criminal offenders.

In Wicomico County and other parts of Maryland, criminal records are publicly accessible. However, federal and state laws exempt public disclosure of criminal records relating to

• Juveniles
• Sealed and Expunged Records
• Ongoing law enforcement investigation or Judicial proceedings.

Also, custodian agencies will redact victims, witnesses, and personal information such as Social Security Numbers and financial details from publicly accessible Wicomico County criminal records.

There are several ways to access Wicomico County arrest records and other criminal records in the possession of law enforcement agencies. The following options are available to persons seeking Wicomico County criminal records.

Wicomico County Sheriff's Office

• Log in to the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search Page and access Wicomico county arrest records and other law enforcement criminal records
• Visit the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office at:

401 W Naylor Mill Rd, Salisbury,
MD 21801.

Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS)

• Log in to the DPSCS OffenderWatch® Portal and search for Wicomico County criminal records through sex offenders’ information

Maryland State Police (MSP)

• Visit the MSP Public Information Act Page and fill out the online request Page to access Wicomico County criminal records in the possession of the Maryland State Police (this option is available to the owners of the records, their legal representatives, and qualified beneficiaries)

Maryland Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS)

• Call or mail the CJIS for background checks at:

P.O. Box 32708, Pikesville,
Maryland 21282-2708
Phone: (888) 795-0011 or (410) 764-4501

Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) Requests

• Contact Wicomico County’s local police departments and request access to criminal records in their possessions.

Wicomico County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Wicomico County criminal court case information comprises Wicomico arrest records, warrants, incident reports, and details of criminal case trials, conviction, probation, and parole of individuals within the county's Circuit and District Courts. To look for Wicomico County criminal court case information:

• Log in to the Maryland Judiciary Case Search Portal, provide the relevant case details (these include party or business name, case number, court system, case type, and date), and search for Wicomico County criminal records.
• Submit an MPIA request to the relevant court through the Wicomico County Circuit or District Court Clerk's Offices using the following contact information.

Wicomico County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
101 North Division Street - Room 105, Salisbury,
Maryland 21801
Phone: (410) 543-6551
Email: wicomico.clerk@mdcourts.gov

Wicomico County District Court Clerk's Office
201 Baptist Street, Salisbury,
MD 21801
Phone: (410) 713-3500

Get Wicomico County Civil Court Records

Wicomico County civil court records refer to case files on non-criminal matter prosecutions within the Wicomico County Circuit and District Courts. Civil court records encompass but are not limited to documents on probate, family law, civil rights, business, civil claims, and property dispute cases.

In Wicomico County, the Circuit Court Clerk's Office is the custodian of civil court records. To access Wicomico County civil court records, log in to the Maryland Judiciary Case Search Portal or request access from the Wicomico County Circuit Court Clerk's Office through phone calls, mail, or in-person visits.

Wicomico County Family Court Records

Family Court records refer to official documents on family matter prosecutions.

In Wicomico County, the Circuit handles family law-related adjudications; these include cases on

• Adoption
• Paternity
• Child Custody and Visitation
• Child Support
• Alimony
• Domestic Violence and Restraining Orders
• Divorce
• Guardianship
• Name Change
• Child in Need of Assistance (CINA).

Wicomico County family court records are the official documentation of binding agreements between persons involved in family-related disputes within the county. They also ensure compliance with court-issued orders and Judgments. In addition, Wicomico County family court records are data sources for genealogical research.

Although Wicomico County can be public, federal and state confidentiality rules restrict access to certain records. For instance, the public cannot access Wicomico family court records relating to

• Adoption
• Child custody and visitation
• Guardianship
• Juvenile delinquency
• Domestic violence
• Child welfare
• Confidential settlement agreement
• Paternity.

To access Wicomico County family court records, eligible persons should visit the Wicomico County Circuit Court Clerk's Office. Also, interested persons should contact the Wicomico County District Court Clerk's Office to access records that fall under the jurisdiction of the District Court. In addition, publicly accessible family court records may be available through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search Portal.

Wicomico County Marriage and Divorce Records

Wicomico County marriage and divorce records are official documents that detail the status of marriages within the county. In Wicomico County, marriage and divorce records are public. However, to protect the privacy of the owners of the records, they empower records custodians to redact some details. For example, information on minors is not available for public scrutiny. To access a Wicomico County marriage certificate or divorce decree, interested persons should do the following:

Marriage or Divorce Record

• Visit the Maryland Department of Health Vital Statistics Administration (VSA) Request Certificate Page:
  • Scroll down and click Marriage Certificates or Divorce Verification to order a Wicomico marriage certificate or divorce decree through a third-party vendor, or schedule an appointment for an in-person request to:

Division of Vital Records,

6764 B Reisterstown Road, Baltimore,
Maryland 21214

• Download a marriage or divorce records request form from the Vital Statistics Administration website.
  • Complete the request form and mail it with photocopies of official identification documents, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check/money order to cover the copy fees to

The Division of Vital Records,

P.O. Box 68760, Baltimore,
MD 21215-0036.

Assessing Wicomico County marriage certificate or divorce verification through the VSA costs $12.00 per copy of documents (free of charge for current or former members of the United States Armed Forces). Also, ordering Wicomico County Vital Records through a third-party vendor attracts extra charges.

Marriage Records

• Call, mail, or visit the Wicomico County Clerk's Office

Divorce Records

• Contact the Wicomico County Circuit Court Clerk's Office and request access to divorce records.
• Log in to the Maryland Judiciary Case Search Portal and look for information using the case name or number to look for information on the specific divorce case.

Wicomico Birth and Death Records

Birth and death records refer to official documents that provide information on the birth or death of individuals.

There is a time restriction on public access to Wicomico birth and death records. The public can access a Wicomico County birth certificate 100 years from birth. On the other hand, death records become publicly accessible ten years after the demise of the owner of the record.

Birth and death records provide crucial data for health policy formation, disease research, and prevention. They are also documents for personal identification and genealogical inquiry.

To access a Wicomico County birth certificate or death record:

• Visit the Wicomico County Health Department Vital Records Page
  • Scroll down, and click Birth or Death Certificates
  • On the new pages, click Birth Certificate Application or Death Certificate Application to access the online marriage certificate application form or download an Application for Certified Copy of Maryland Death Record form
  • Fill out the online marriage certificate form, and submit or complete the death certificate form, including a photocopy of a valid state-issued identification, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check/money order to cover applicable fees, mail it to:

Wicomico County Health Department Vital Records Department,

4th Floor of the Seth H. Hurdle Building, 108 East Main St, Salisbury, MD 21801

• Call (410) 543-6949, mail, or visit the Wicomico County Health Department's Vital Records Office and request access to Wicomico County birth or death records
• Log in to the Maryland Department of Health's Vital Statistics Administration Request Certificate Page and order Wicomico County birth or death records.

Assessing a Wicomico County birth certificate or death records through the Wicomico County Health Department involves the following fees:

• $22.00 for a copy of a birth certificate and $20.00 for the first copy of a death certificate, with an additional $22.00 per extra copy.

Wicomico County Probate Court Records

Wicomico County probate court records are official documents on cases relating to a deceased person's estate. In Wicomico County Orphans' Court handles probate cases. Probate court records encompass case files and information on

• Will Contests and Disputes
• Guardianship and Conservatorship
• Claims Against the Estate
• Estate Administration
• Trust Administration
• Estate Litigation such as:
  • Breach of Fiduciary Duty
  • Recovery of Estate
• Final Accounting and Distribution.

Persons seeking to access Wicomico County probate court records should:

• Log in to the Maryland Judiciary Case Search Portal and use the online search tools to look for records on Wicomico County probate cases
• Visit the Wicomico County Circuit Clerk's Office and request access to probate court records.

On the alternative, request access to Wicomico County probate court records through the Orphans' Court using the following contact:

Wicomico County Orphans' Court,

101 North Division Street, Salisbury,
MD 21801
Phone:
(410) 543-6551

Wicomico County Property Records

Wicomico County property records are official documents on real estate ownership, legal rights, and transactions within Wicomico County, MD. Property records include documents such as

• Deeds
• Building permits
• Mortgages
• Liens and Encumbrances
• Tax information
• Building Sales History
• Zoning information
• Plats and Maps.

In Wicomico County, the Circuit Court Clerk's Office is the custodian of property records.

There are several options for accessing Wicomico County property records; interested individuals should

• Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) website:
  • Select Wicomico County from the County options
  • Choose a search method (this can be a street address, property account identifier, map/parcel, or prop sales)
  • Click Continue, and provide the necessary information on the new page to access Wicomico County property records
• Log in to the Wicomico County Self-Service Real Estate Property Tax Homepage
  • Enter the property address (house number and street name) or parcel ID, and search for property records
• Call, fax, email, mail, or visit the Wicomico County Assessor's Office at:

Salisbury District Court Multi-Service Center,

201 Baptist Street, Salisbury,
Maryland 21801-4962
Phone: (410) 713-3560
Fax: (410) 713-3570
Email: sdat.wic@maryland.gov.

Wicomico County Court Records Online

Citizens can obtain court records by logging in to the Maryland Judiciary Case Search. Third-party online resources like marylandcourtrecords.us may provide an alternative option for accessing Wicomico County court records. Private websites provide easy and convenient access to documents and information from different locations. For example, marylandcourtrecords.us (a third-party online database) offers access to court records from different Maryland county courts. However, sourcing court records through non-government third-party databases may lead to inaccurate or outdated information.