Queen Anne’s County Court Records Search

Queen Anne’s County, Maryland, sits on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay and is governed by a court system that spans multiple trial court levels — from the District Court handling everyday disputes and traffic matters, to the Circuit Court managing serious civil and criminal cases, to the Orphans’ Court overseeing probate and estate affairs. Whether someone needs to trace the outcome of a criminal proceeding, verify a civil judgment, confirm a marriage record, or identify the heirs named in a will, the process for locating those records depends on knowing which court filed them and what access rules apply.

Residents searching for court case information in Maryland have access to several official resources. MarylandStateCourts.us can help identify the appropriate court level and connect users with publicly available case information across the state. Records can also be searched through the clerk’s office of the relevant court, public access computer terminals at the courthouse, online portals maintained by the Maryland Judiciary, and official government databases. The sections below explain how each record type is organized, where it is held, and what a requester needs to do to obtain it.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Queen Anne’s County?

The primary online tool for researching Queen Anne’s County court cases is the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal. This free, publicly accessible system returns case summaries for District and Circuit Court matters, including party names, hearing dates, case numbers, and document listings. It covers the majority of civil, criminal, and traffic cases from both court levels.

For older Queen Anne’s County Circuit Court records not yet digitized, the Clerk’s Office maintains case files on an internal system called “Papervision”. Records stored there but not visible in Case Search include:

• Equity Dockets — 1975 to July 1984
• Law Dockets — 1944 to July 1984
• Civil Dockets — July 1984 to March 1999
• Paternity Dockets — 1964 to March 1999
• Criminal Dockets — 1945 to November 2000
• Divorce Decrees — (not available through Case Search; must be requested separately)

For historical records predating these ranges, the Maryland State Archives serves as the central repository for government records going back to Maryland’s founding in 1634.

Queen Anne’s County Circuit Court — Clerk’s Office:

Address: 200 N. Commerce Street, Centreville, MD 21617
Phone: (410) 758-1773 | Toll-Free (MD only): (800) 987-7591
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Clerk: Katherine Hager | Chief Deputy Clerk: Douglas Arnold

Department phone routing:

Department	Extension/Option
Court Records (Civil/Criminal/Juvenile)	Option 4
Land Records	Option 2
Marriage Licenses	Option 2
Business Licenses	Option 2
Family Services Coordinator	Ext. 5128 / Option 6

Queen Anne’s County District Court:

Address: 120 Broadway, Suite #1, Centreville, MD 21617-1092
Phone: (410) 819-4000
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

In-person requests may be made at either clerk’s office. Requestors should bring a valid photo ID and, where possible, the case number, party names, and approximate filing year to expedite the search.

Are Court Records Public in Queen Anne’s County?

Maryland law generally supports open access to court records. The Maryland Public Information Act (PIA) establishes the right of the public to inspect and copy government records, including judicial records. The Maryland Rules supplement this through Title 16, Chapter 900, which governs access to court records specifically — setting out what the public may access, what is restricted, and the procedures for making requests and lodging challenges.

Under these rules, most civil and criminal case records are available for public review. However, several categories are protected from routine disclosure:

• Juvenile case records — accessible only by court order
• Adoption records — sealed unless a court orders otherwise
• Termination of parental rights records
• Financial records filed in child or spousal support proceedings
• Social Security numbers and federal tax identification numbers
• Income tax records
• Specific details from marriage license applications that are designated confidential

The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office is prohibited by law from rendering legal advice. Individuals uncertain about whether a record is accessible, or who wish to challenge a denial of access, should consult a licensed attorney or contact the Maryland Attorney General’s Office.

Queen Anne’s County Criminal Court Records

Circuit Court criminal jurisdiction covers felony charges and certain misdemeanor charges filed by the State’s Attorney or through Grand Jury indictment. The Circuit Court also hears appeals from the District Court and cases in which defendants have requested a jury trial. Circuit Court criminal case information for cases filed after November 2000 is searchable online through Maryland Judiciary Case Search. Cases from 1945 to November 2000 are maintained in Papervision at the Clerk’s Office and must be accessed in person.

District Court criminal jurisdiction at the Centreville location covers misdemeanor offenses, certain felony charges at the preliminary hearing stage, motor vehicle violations, and DUI/DWI matters. The District Court also handles criminal cases involving landlord-tenant disputes. Case information is accessible through Maryland Judiciary Case Search.

Criminal background checks are not performed by the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. For formal criminal history checks, requestors should contact the relevant agency:

• Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office — 505 Railroad Avenue, Centreville, MD 21617 | Phone: (410) 758-0770 (appointment required)
  • Full Background Check (State and Federal): $60
  • Fee varies based on background check type requested
• Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services — handles statewide criminal record requests

The Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office handles law enforcement matters countywide, including arrests and inmate information. The Queen Anne’s County Detention Center is an adult facility serving the county’s local courts and police agencies. To check on current inmate status or arrest-related information, contact the Sheriff’s Office directly at (410) 758-0770.

Queen Anne’s County Civil Court Records

Civil matters in Queen Anne’s County are split between the Circuit Court and the District Court based on the dollar amount in dispute and the nature of the claim.

Circuit Court civil jurisdiction includes:

• Claims exceeding $30,000 (exclusive jurisdiction)
• Claims between $5,000 and $30,000 (concurrent jurisdiction with District Court)
• Domestic relations matters (divorce, custody, support)
• Foreclosures and mechanics liens
• Property title disputes
• Injunctions
• Judicial review of administrative agency decisions
• Appeals from the District Court

District Court civil jurisdiction includes:

• Claims up to $30,000 (concurrent with Circuit Court above $5,000)
• Claims of $5,000 or less (general jurisdiction)
• Small claims — disputes of $5,000 or less, handled under simplified rules without formal rules of evidence; neither party is required to have an attorney
• All landlord-tenant and eviction proceedings (exclusive jurisdiction)
• Replevin actions
• Motor vehicle-related civil claims

Small claims filings begin with Maryland District Court Form DC-CV-001, the standard Complaint form. After filing, the court schedules a hearing and the defendant must be formally notified.

Copy fees for civil records at the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office follow the statewide Circuit Court Fee Schedule. Certified copies of records also carry a separate certification surcharge. For liens and judgments — including federal tax liens, hospital liens, Maryland tax liens, civil judgments, and District Court liens — the Circuit Clerk’s Office maintains a dedicated recordings index searchable in person.

Queen Anne’s County Family Court Records

Family-related cases in Queen Anne’s County fall within the Circuit Court’s jurisdiction, as Maryland does not maintain a separate family court. The Circuit Court hears all domestic relations matters, including divorce, child custody, child support, guardianship of minors, paternity, adoption, and name changes. The Family Services Coordinator at the Circuit Court can be reached at (410) 758-1773, Ext. 5128 (Option 6), and is available to assist litigants with court-connected family services.

Divorce records are not available through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal — they must be requested directly. Two methods are available:

1. In person — Visit the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office at 200 N. Commerce Street, Centreville, MD 21617. Bring a valid photo ID and, if possible, the case number. Staff can assist in locating the case number using party names.
2. By mail — Use the Request for Copy of a Judgment of Divorce or Order for Name Change form, available as a downloadable PDF from the Circuit Court’s website. Complete and return it with the applicable fee and a copy of your photo ID.

Marriage licenses in Queen Anne’s County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. To obtain a certified copy of a marriage record, submit a certified copy request form by mail or in person to the Clerk’s Office at 200 N. Commerce Street, Centreville, MD 21617. Certified copies cost $5.50 per copy; plain (uncertified) copies are $0.50 per copy. Payment must be by check or money order made payable to “Clerk of Circuit Court”. Note that the Clerk’s Office can only provide records for marriage licenses issued in Queen Anne’s County.

Adoption and paternity records are handled through the Circuit Court but are sealed from public access. Sealed records may be opened only upon a court order. The Clerk’s Office cannot provide legal advice on how to pursue access to sealed records.

Birth and death certificates are not maintained by the courts. Certified copies of birth records are available through the Queen Anne’s County Department of Health between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on business days. The fee is $25.00 per certified copy (non-refundable). Death certificate requests follow the same process using the death certificate application form; the first certified copy costs $25.00, and each additional copy of the same record is $20.00. Payment is by check or money order payable to the Queen Anne’s County Department of Health.

Queen Anne’s County Probate Court Records

Probate matters in Queen Anne’s County are handled by the Orphans’ Court, which is Maryland’s dedicated probate court. The Orphans’ Court oversees estate administration, will validity, guardianship appointments, conservatorships, and related equity matters. The Register of Wills serves as clerk to the Orphans’ Court and is the custodian of all probate records filed in the county.

Queen Anne’s County Register of Wills — Office Location:

Address: Liberty Building, 107 North Liberty Street, Suite 220, Centreville, MD 21617 (Mailing: P.O. Box 59, Centreville, MD 21617)
Phone: (410) 758-0585 | Fax: (410) 758-4408
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The Maryland Register of Wills website provides online access to estate records and probate filings for Queen Anne’s County, as well as a statewide estate search tool that allows users to look up estates by decedent name across all Maryland counties.

Probate fees in Maryland are based on the gross value of the estate and apply to estates opened on or after October 1, 2022:

Gross Estate Value	Probate Fee
Less than $50,000	$0
$50,000 – $99,999	$100
$100,000 – $499,999	$200
$500,000 – $999,999	$1,000
$1,000,000 – $2,499,999	$2,000
$2,500,000 – $4,999,999	$5,000
$5,000,000 – $7,499,999	$7,500
$7,500,000 – $9,999,999	$10,000
$10,000,000 and above	$10,000 + 0.02% of excess

Note: No probate fees are charged on small estates where a spouse is the sole heir or legatee, even if the estate’s value falls between $50,000 and $100,000.

Additional Register of Wills fees include:

• Plain copies: $0.50 per page
• Certified copies: $0.50 per page + $2.00
• Exemplified copies (for out-of-state official use): $0.50 per page + $6.00
• Letters of Administration: $1.00
• Filing a will for safekeeping: $5.00
• Claims fee: $3.00
• Caveat, Controversial Fees, Exceptions: $20.00 (call office for additional court fees)
• Copy of Court Hearing: $25.00

Probate records are generally available for public inspection. However, guardianship records and certain filings involving minors may carry confidentiality protections under Maryland law. The complete, current probate fee schedule is published on the Maryland Register of Wills website and updated when statutory changes take effect.