Somerset County Court Records Search

Somerset County, Maryland, on the lower Eastern Shore, runs a court system that produces a broad range of public and restricted records through its Circuit Court, District Court, and Orphans' Court. Under Md. R. Ct. Admin. 16-903, court records include any paper, exhibit, notice, order, or document created, filed with, or maintained by a court clerk in connection with a legal action or the administration of the judicial branch. For most records requests, the Circuit Court Clerk is where you'll want to start.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Somerset County?

Start with Maryland's official Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal, which gives you free online access to case records from both Circuit and District Courts, searchable by party name or case number. It covers Somerset County proceedings and can save you a trip to the courthouse. MarylandStateCourts.us is another resource for identifying publicly available case information across Maryland's court system.

If you need physical case files, certified copies, or records that aren't indexed online, visit the clerk's offices at the courthouse in Princess Anne during regular business hours. Public access terminals are also available on-site for in-person research.

Are Court Records Public in Somerset County?

Maryland's court record access framework rests on two pillars: the Maryland Public Information Act (PIA) and the Maryland Rules on Access to Judicial Records. Together, these provisions direct the Circuit and District Courts to make most criminal and civil records available for public inspection and copying. That said, Md. R. Ct. Admin. 16-914 identifies specific categories that are excluded from routine public access.

The following record types are confidential or restricted in Somerset County courts:

Juvenile court proceedings — case files involving minors are sealed from public inspection
Adoption records — not accessible to the general public without a court order
Guardianship proceedings terminating parental rights — protected from public disclosure
Medical records — clinical and psychiatric information in court files is withheld
Emergency mental health evaluations — shielded under both court rules and health privacy law
Certain marriage license information — specific personal identifiers within license applications are restricted
Income tax returns — filed as exhibits in civil or family cases are not open to the public

For records that don't fall into those categories, any member of the public may inspect and request copies during regular court hours.

Somerset County Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases in Somerset County move through two courts depending on the severity of the charge. Felonies and serious misdemeanors are handled by the Circuit Court, while the District Court takes jurisdiction over misdemeanors, traffic violations, and lesser criminal matters. The Circuit Court Clerk maintains felony case files; the District Court Clerk holds records for matters within that court's jurisdiction.

Somerset County Circuit Court
Address: 30512 Prince William Street, Princess Anne, MD 21853
Phone: (410) 845-4840 | Toll-Free (in Maryland): (800) 341-2206
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Somerset County District Court
Address: 12155 Elm Street, Suite C, Princess Anne, MD 21853-1348
Phone: (410) 845-4700 | Toll-Free: (800) 939-7306
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

If you need arrest records or criminal history information, contact the Somerset County Sheriff's Office directly. Call (410) 651-9225 with a name or arrest date before visiting. The office is located at 7920 Crisfield Highway, Westover, MD 21871 (Fax: (410) 651-1142; Email: scso@somersetmd.us).

How to search criminal court records:

Online — Use the free Maryland Judiciary Case Search to locate criminal case dockets by party name or case number.
In person — Visit the Circuit Court Clerk's Office or District Court Clerk's Office during business hours to inspect case files or request certified copies.
Arrest records — Contact the Somerset County Sheriff's Office at (410) 651-9225 to request law enforcement records.

Records involving active investigations, sealed cases, and juvenile proceedings are not available through standard public request channels.

Somerset County Civil Court Records

Civil cases in Somerset County are split between the Circuit Court and the District Court based on the amount in dispute. The Circuit Court takes cases exceeding $30,000, along with equity actions, mortgage foreclosures, mechanics' liens, torts, injunctions, name changes, and other major civil matters. The District Court handles civil claims where the amount in controversy is $30,000 or less.

The Circuit Court Civil Department is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A dedicated self-help legal assistance line is available at (410) 621-7582 for indigent litigants who need guidance on family-related civil matters such as divorce, custody, and visitation.

Circuit Court Civil Filing and Copy Fees:

Fee Type	Cost
Civil action filing fee (with attorney)	$175.00
Civil action filing fee (self-represented)	$165.00
Mortgage foreclosure on residential property	$300.00 (plus other required fees)
Foreclosure mediation request	$50.00
Docketing motion fee	$31.00
Copy fee (per page)	$0.50
Certification fee	$5.00 (plus copy fees)
Exemplification fee	$10.00 (plus copy fees)

You can search case records at no cost through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal. For certified copies, visit the courthouse or send a written request to the Civil Department. Keep in mind that juvenile and adoption case records are restricted and won't appear in standard case search results.

Somerset County Family Court Records

Family law proceedings in Somerset County — divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, adoptions, and paternity — are filed and maintained by the Circuit Court Civil Department. Civil ceremonies are also conducted at the Circuit Court courthouse by appointment, at a cost of $25.00 cash.

Divorce records are part of the Circuit Court's civil case files and are generally accessible to the public unless sealed by court order. You can search case information online through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal, and certified copies of divorce judgments can be obtained from the clerk for $5.00 per certification plus $0.50 per page.

Marriage records and licenses are issued and maintained by the Somerset County Circuit Court Clerk. Key requirements and fees include:

Marriage license fee: $25.00 — cash only
Only one party needs to appear in person to apply (unless it is a non-resident application)
Both parties must be 18 or older (minors must call the License Department in advance)
Required identification: driver's license, birth certificate, or passport
Licenses are valid for 6 months from issuance; a 48-hour waiting period applies
Previously divorced applicants must provide a copy of the divorce decree

Certified copies of marriage records can be requested in person or by mail. Mail requests should include the couple's names, date of marriage, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check or money order for $5.50 per certified copy, payable to the Clerk, Circuit Court for Somerset County.

Birth certificates for Somerset County residents are issued by the Somerset County Health Department for $25.00 per copy. Eligible requesters — the subject of the record, parents, or an individual with legal custody — can apply online through the department's Online Application, paying by credit card, or in person using the Application for Certified Copy of Maryland Birth Record. In-person hours are Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at 8928 Sign Post Road, Suite 2, Westover, MD 21871.

Death certificates from the Health Department cost $25.00 for the first copy and $20.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Eligible requesters include surviving relatives, funeral directors, authorized representatives, or individuals with a proven legal need. You'll need a completed Application for Certified Copy of Maryland Death Record Form, valid photo ID, and payment by cash, check, or card. The Health Department is located at 8928 Sign Post Road, Suite 2, Westover, MD 21871.

Somerset County Probate Court Records

Probate in Somerset County is overseen by the Orphans' Court, Maryland's dedicated probate court with jurisdiction over the administration of decedents' estates. The Somerset County Register of Wills maintains all probate records and supports the work of the Orphans' Court. Records held by the Register include wills admitted to probate, letters of administration, inventories, accounts, and guardianship filings.

Somerset County Register of Wills — Register Keith B. Ward
Address: Courthouse, 30512 Prince William Street, Princess Anne, MD 21853
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Somerset County Orphans' Court
Address: 30512 Prince William Street, Princess Anne, MD 21853
Phone: (888) 758-0039
Fax: (410) 651-3873

How to access probate records:

Online (no charge): Search basic estate information through the Maryland Register of Wills Estate Search, searchable by estate number, county, estate status, estate type, party type, name, or filing date range.
Document downloads: Probate court records can be downloaded from the estate search platform for $0.50 per page.
In person: Visit the Register of Wills office at the courthouse during regular hours. Bring identifying information about the estate — the decedent's name, approximate date of death, and case or estate number if available.

The Register of Wills office can also answer procedural questions and provide guidance on required filings, estate administration steps, and forms needed to open an estate in Somerset County. Staff can help with procedural matters during office hours, though the office does not provide legal advice.