St. Mary’s County Court Records Search
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St. Mary’s County sits at the southern tip of Maryland’s Western Shore, with its county seat in the historic town of Leonardtown. The county’s judicial system operates through three distinct courts: the Circuit Court, the District Court, and the Orphans’ Court, all of which generate records spanning criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, family law matters, and estate administration. The Clerk of the Circuit Court — currently Debra J. Burch — files, processes, and maintains civil, criminal, and juvenile actions while also recording land deeds, mortgages, and other property documents. The District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, and smaller civil claims, and the Orphans’ Court oversees probate matters in coordination with the Register of Wills.
Locating court records in Maryland typically begins with the clerk’s office responsible for the relevant court, but online tools can save considerable time. The Maryland Judiciary Case Search platform provides free public access to case records across both Circuit and District Courts statewide. Documents e-filed through the Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) system are also viewable through the JPortal gateway. For further orientation to Maryland’s courts and record categories, MarylandStateCourts.us may help users identify publicly available case information and useful starting points.
How to Look Up a Court Case in St. Mary’s County?
Whether a case was heard in Circuit Court, District Court, or the Orphans’ Court determines which office holds the original file and which search tools apply.
Online searching. The Maryland Judiciary Case Search system allows the public to look up cases by party name, date of birth, or case number. Users can filter results by county, case type (civil, criminal, traffic), and filing date. Registration is required. For Supreme Court of Maryland civil filings processed through MDEC, documents can be viewed at JPortal.
In-person requests. Requesters should visit the relevant clerk’s office with a valid government-issued photo ID and, if possible, the case number or full names of parties involved.
St. Mary’s County Circuit Court — Clerk’s Office
Address: 41605 Courthouse Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 859, Leonardtown, MD 20650
Phone: (301) 475-7844
Fax: (301) 475-4470
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
St. Mary’s County District Court
Address: Carter State Office Building, 23110 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1509, Leonardtown, MD 20650
Phone: (301) 880-2700
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Copy and certification fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certified copy | $5.00 plus $0.50 per page |
| Exemplified copy (triple seal) | $10.00 |
The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office accepts cash, check, money order, and credit cards. A credit-card surcharge of 2.65% applies with a minimum of $3.00.
Are Court Records Public in St. Mary’s County?
Court records in St. Mary’s County are broadly accessible to the public under two overlapping legal frameworks: the Maryland Public Information Act (PIA), codified in the General Provisions Article, Title 4, and the Maryland Rules on Access to Court Records.
The PIA requires public agencies to grant access to government records unless a specific statutory exemption applies. The Maryland Rules complement the PIA with provisions tailored to court documents, governing what is publicly viewable through Case Search and MDEC as well as what may be inspected at the courthouse.
Records restricted from public access include:
- Juvenile delinquency and CINS (Children in Need of Supervision) proceedings
- Adoption records, which are sealed by statute
- Records sealed by court order, including certain expunged criminal records
- Mental health evaluations and treatment records
- Grand jury proceedings
- Domestic violence victim safety information contained in protective order files
- Records involving confidential informants or ongoing investigations
When a record contains both public and restricted information, the custodial office may redact the exempt portions and release the remainder. Individuals who believe they have been improperly denied access can seek review through the Public Access Ombudsman under the PIA or petition the court directly.
Expungement of criminal records is governed by Maryland Criminal Procedure Article §§ 10-101 through 10-110. Filing a petition to expunge records following an acquittal, dismissal, nolle prosequi, stet, or probation before judgment carries no fee. A petition to expunge a guilty disposition costs $30.00 at the Circuit Court.
St. Mary’s County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in St. Mary’s County are prosecuted in Circuit Court (felonies and serious matters) and District Court (misdemeanors, preliminary felony hearings, and certain traffic offenses). Criminal case files typically include charging documents, motions, plea agreements, trial transcripts, evidence logs, sentencing orders, and disposition records.
Courts handling criminal matters:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Court | 41605 Courthouse Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650 | (301) 475-7844 |
| District Court | 23110 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650 | (301) 880-2700 |
To reach the Circuit Court’s Criminal Department directly, call (301) 475-7844, ext. 4564 or 4574.
Searching criminal records. The Maryland Judiciary Case Search provides online access to criminal case docket information across both courts. Users can search by defendant name or case number.
Criminal filing fees (Circuit Court, per the fee schedule effective October 1, 2025):
- Criminal case filing fee: $80.00
- Additional cost upon conviction (jailable offense): $45.00
- Additional cost upon conviction (non-jailable offense): $3.00
- Appeal to Appellate Court of Maryland: $60.00
- Expungement petition (guilty disposition): $30.00
- Expungement petition (acquittal, dismissal, nolle prosequi, stet, PBJ): no fee
Law enforcement records. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records, incident reports, and booking information. The Sheriff’s Office can be contacted at:
St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 23150 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650
Phone: (301) 475-4040
Non-Emergency Dispatch: (301) 475-8008
For a statewide criminal background check, individuals may submit fingerprints and an $18.00 fee to the Maryland Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Central Repository, operated by the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
St. Mary’s County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in St. Mary’s County is heard in Circuit Court (unlimited jurisdiction) and District Court (civil claims of $30,000 or less). The Circuit Court also handles foreclosures, appeals from administrative agencies, and equitable actions. The District Court additionally presides over landlord-tenant disputes and replevin actions.
Key civil filing fees (Circuit Court):
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| New civil case | $165.00 |
| Divorce complaint (limited or absolute) | $165.00 |
| Foreclosure complaint | $165.00 |
| Residential foreclosure additional fee | $450.00 |
| Foreign judgment filing | $110.00 |
| Foreign custody decree filing | $110.00 |
| Motion to modify (custody, support, visitation, alimony) | $31.00 |
| Petition/motion for contempt | $31.00 |
| Writ of execution | $31.00 |
| Voluntary dismissal | $15.00 |
| Request for Judicial Intervention mediation | $50.00 |
District Court civil cost schedule. The District Court charges its own fees, detailed in the DCA-109 cost schedule. Copies are $0.50 per page, and certification costs $5.00 per request plus the photocopy fee.
Searching civil records. Civil case dockets are searchable through Case Search. E-filed documents in cases processed through MDEC can be viewed via JPortal. In-person requests can be made at the Circuit Court Clerk’s Civil Department, ext. 4562 or 4568.
Court forms. Standardized Maryland court forms are available for download through the Maryland Judiciary forms page. Self-represented litigants can also access the People’s Law Library for legal information and form guidance.
Property and land records. The Circuit Court Clerk also serves as Registrar of Deeds, recording deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats. The Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation maintains an online property data search covering all counties.
St. Mary’s County Family Court Records
St. Mary’s County does not operate a separate family court. Family law matters — including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, adoption, guardianship, and domestic violence protective orders — are heard within the Circuit Court’s domestic relations framework. A Domestic Relations Magistrate assists with these cases, and a Family Services Coordinator is available at (301) 475-4200, ext. 4110.
Accessing family court records. Requesters should contact the Circuit Court Clerk’s Civil Department at (301) 475-7844, ext. 4562 or 4568, or the Paternity/Child Support Department at ext. 4568. Most family law case files are public, but records involving adoption proceedings are sealed by statute, and records concerning juvenile dependency or CINA (Child in Need of Assistance) proceedings are confidential.
Family law forms. The Maryland Judiciary maintains a comprehensive index of family law court forms covering divorce, custody, visitation, child support, adoption, domestic violence, and name changes. The Circuit Court also operates a Family Law Self-Help Legal Clinic, reachable at (301) 475-4200, ext. 4110.
Domestic violence protective orders. There is no filing fee for a petitioner seeking a protective order. However, if the court orders the respondent to pay costs, the filing fee of $165.00 may be assessed against the respondent per Family Law § 4-506(d)(12).
Marriage licenses. The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office issues marriage licenses and performs civil ceremonies. Key details from the marriage license page:
- License application fee: $35.00 (cash or money order)
- Civil ceremony fee: $25.00 (cash or money order)
- Both parties must provide government-issued birth certificate or age-demonstrating document
- License becomes effective at 6:00 a.m. two calendar days after application and expires six months later
- Certified copy of a marriage record: $5.50 each; plain copy: $0.50 each
- Requests can be mailed to: Clerk of the Circuit Court, P.O. Box 676, Leonardtown, MD 20650
For marriage license inquiries, call (301) 475-7844, ext. 4563.
Divorce verifications. The Maryland Department of Health provides divorce verifications for $12.00 per request, available only to the divorced parties, their attorneys, or authorized agents. Applicants must submit a completed Application for Verification of Divorce Record.
Birth certificates. Certified copies for individuals born in Maryland after 1940 can be obtained in person at the St. Mary’s County Health Department in Leonardtown for $25.00 per certificate. Mail requests should be directed to the Division of Vital Records, P.O. Box 68760, Baltimore, MD 21215-0036, with a completed application, ID copies, and the applicable fee.
St. Mary’s County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in St. Mary’s County are handled by the Orphans’ Court, which is Maryland’s dedicated probate court. The Register of Wills serves as the administrative officer of the Orphans’ Court, accepting filings, maintaining estate records, and guiding personal representatives through the administration process. The current Register of Wills is the Honorable Phyllis A. Superior.
St. Mary’s County Register of Wills / Orphans’ Court
Address: 41605 Courthouse Drive, Room G008, Leonardtown, MD 20650
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 602, Leonardtown, MD 20650
Phone: (301) 475-5566
Fax: (301) 475-4968
The Orphans’ Court hears matters including the probate of wills, estate administration (both regular and small estates), appointment of personal representatives, guardianships of minors and disabled persons, and trust-related disputes.
Probate fees (for estates opened on or after October 1, 2022, per the Register of Wills fee schedule):
| Gross Estate Value | Fee |
|---|---|
| Under $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 plus 0.02% of excess over $10,000,000 |
Small estates valued between $50,000 and $100,000 with a surviving spouse as sole heir or legatee owe no fee.
Additional Register of Wills fees:
- Filing a will for safekeeping: $5.00
- Plain copies: $0.50 per page
- Certified copies: $0.50 per page plus $2.00
- Exemplified copies: $0.50 per page plus $6.00
- Letters of Administration: $1.00
- Claims fee: $3.00
- Caveat/contested matters: $20.00 (additional court fees may apply)
Searching probate records. Individuals can visit the Register of Wills office during regular business hours to inspect estate files. The Maryland Register of Wills website offers an estate search function and downloadable probate forms. The office staff can assist with locating records by decedent name and approximate date of death but cannot provide legal advice.
How to request a probate record:
- Contact the Register of Wills at (301) 475-5566 to confirm the record exists and whether it is publicly accessible.
- Provide the decedent’s full name, approximate date of death, and any known case or estate number.
- Visit in person or submit a written request by mail to P.O. Box 602, Leonardtown, MD 20650.
- Pay applicable copy fees — $0.50 per page for plain copies or $0.50 per page plus $2.00 for certified copies.
Probate records are generally public. However, guardianship files involving minors or incapacitated persons may contain medical or financial information subject to restricted access by court order or statute.