Wicomico County, Maryland State Court Records
As part of the judiciary's administrative responsibilities, court records are created. These records, however, serve several judicial purposes, including use as reference materials and as evidence in insurance claims. The Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings Code (§3-1510(2)) defines a "court record" as including any electronic case information displayed on a public website, indexes, petitions, memoranda, docket entries, orders, judgments, and other official documentation (including external documents like property deeds) filed or generated during a court case. This document is maintained by the clerk of the court and other court personnel.
Once Wicomico County court records are created, they are governed by certain statutes, and public access to these documents depends on the set-down statute.
Are Wicomico County Court Records Public?
Yes. In Wicomico County, case/court records are presumed open to the public under Title 16, Chapter 900 of the Maryland Rules, not the Maryland Public Information Act (PIA).
According to the Maryland law and court rules, certain information, details, or records may be shielded from the public. This means that such information is removed from public inspection and kept in a separate, secure area, to which the public has no legitimate authority to inspect or access the information or records.
For electronic records, confidential information is simply redacted from the relevant database. In such instances, researchers may not find the case parties' names, the case number, or any other reference to the proceedings. In other scenarios, only part of a record may be redacted, or the entire file may be nonpublic. For example, as provided under Maryland Rule 1-322.1, personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers, taxpayer identification numbers, and medical records are confidential records.
What Information is Available in Wicomico County Court Records?
Included in a Wicomico County court record are several case-related pieces of information, such as
Case information
- Case system
- Location
- Case number
- Filing date
- Case type
- Case title
- Case status
Other reference numbers
- Previous case identification number
Information on the parties involved
- Name of the defendant
- Name of the plaintiff
- Name of any other party involved in the case
Information on the judgment
- Type of the judgment event
- Date of issuance
Docket entries
- Filing date
- Docket entry name
- Comment
Wicomico County Court Records Search
Many Wicomico County court records are statutorily available for inspection, and the clerk of the court is responsible for providing access to records available to the public under statutory provisions. Publicly available local case records are provided primarily through these channels:
- Online Access: The Maryland Judiciary provides an online case search database. This resource is available remotely and can be searched by name or case number.
Inquirers can perform a basic or advanced search, selecting the type of case and the type of court that handled it to streamline the search. Except when the user provides a case number, a name search returns all case records that match the entered name, so it may return court records from other counties. However, an advanced search and a case number search streamline the search.
The information provided through this online channel is typically a summary of the entire case. This search can be done at no cost.
Parties who filed their cases through the Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) may also view them in the database.
- In-Person Access: An in-person search is conducted on-site and provides the inquirer with a hands-on opportunity to inspect hard copies of case records or a specific record.
During business hours, courts typically allow members of the public to come by and inspect records maintained at the courthouse, as long as the records are statutorily available to the public and searchable to the extent permitted.
The in-person option allows inquirers to access public records that may not be available online due to statutory limitations. Requesters may call the court to confirm if a record is available. While record inspection is free, requesting copies incurs a fee.
Fees for Court Records in Wicomico County
Wicomico County court records are available to the public for inspection free of charge; however, requests for records are not always complimentary, as requesters are charged a fee for ordering a copy or copies of a record. Below are the fees one may incur for copy requests for court records in Wicomico County.
|
Records |
Fee |
|---|---|
|
Copies |
50 cents per page |
|
Exemplification |
$10 |
|
Judgment of divorce |
$5 |
Wicomico County Courthouse Locations
Wicomico County is home to three courts: a county Circuit Court, a District Court, and an Orphans' Court. These courts are primarily trial courts, although the Circuit Court hears appeals from lower courts. The Circuit Court also handles civil, criminal, and juvenile cases within its trial jurisdiction.
The District Court hears cases regarding landlords and tenants, traffic violations, replevin actions, misdemeanors, and civil cases with damages of up to $30,000.
Cases involving the management of the estates of deceased people, wills, and related matters are handled in the Orphans' Court.
The Wicomico County courts are located at
Wicomico County Circuit Court
Wicomico County Courthouse
101 North Division Street
Room 105
Salisbury, MD 21801
Phone: (410) 543-6551
Fax: (410) 546-8590
Wicomico County District Court
West Paul Martin District Court/Multi-Service Center
201 Baptist Street
Salisbury, MD 21801
Phone: (410) 713-3500
Wicomico County Orphans' Court
Wicomico County Courthouse
101 North Division Street
Room 102
Salisbury, MD 21803
Phone: (410) 543-6635
Fax: (410) 334-3440
Criminal Records Access in Wicomico County
Inquirers can find Wicomico County criminal records at the local, state, and federal levels. However, the records are maintained by different agencies and may not include the same details, as the scope of information varies by level.
At the local level, court records are maintained by the clerk of the filing court. At the state level, the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) maintains comprehensive statewide criminal history records, and at the federal level, the Federal Bureau of Investigation maintains nationwide criminal records.
Where one needs only state-level coverage for a background check for personal or official reasons, they may contact the DPSCS CJIS Central Repository. Inquirers must complete a fingerprint form, which will be submitted to the DPSCS alongside the request and payment of the required fee. Fees can be paid using a credit or debit card, or requesters can send a check.
Wicomico County Probate Records
There is a judicial process that follows the passing of a resident of Wicomico County who had an estate, assets, or debts but did not have a will. The process is called probate. Probate matters are heard by the Orphans' Court in Wicomico County, and this court, through the Wicomico County Register of Wills, is also responsible for maintaining the corresponding probate records.
A Wicomico County probate record provides a documented account of the court-supervised process in which a deceased person's property and financial obligations were resolved and assets transferred to entitled parties. Examples of other cases heard by the Orphans' Court include guardianships, conservatorships, and trusts.
While statutory restrictions apply to certain probate records, the records are generally presumed open to the public and may be searched online, in person, and by mail.
Members of the public may inspect records of probate cases held by the Register of Wills through the court's online case management system. Public case information or documents not accessible through this option can be retrieved in person at the Register's office.
Wicomico County Family Court Records
Every court proceeding in a Wicomico County court, including family law proceedings, yields an official record. The Circuit Court in the county has the authorization to handle child custody, visitation, child support, and domestic violence. Primarily, inquirers can find family records through the Maryland case management system; however, the cases provided through this channel may be limited to recent cases and those allowed by statutory provisions.
Alternatively, the public can go down to the clerk's office to inquire about a particular record. This option provides access to a broader scope of records. Additionally, inquirers may send an email to the clerk's office with a name or case number. All searches require a name or a case number.
Individuals who need a certified copy of a family court record must stop by the clerk's office and pay the required fee. However, only authorized persons can obtain certified copies.
The curation, maintenance, and dissemination of family law records are guided by the Maryland Code, Family Law Article, as well as Title 16, Chapter 900 of the Maryland Rules.
Federal Court Records in Wicomico County
Apart from local courts that handle cases arising within the county, there are federal courts with federal jurisdiction. Federal cases arising in Wicomico County are handled by the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. This court also maintains the resulting case records.
At the federal level, court records are open to the public, however, only to the degree permitted by federal law. Those who want to view or obtain a federal case record can use the online PACER system. This system can be searched from the convenience of the user's location. However, each user must register and pay the nominal usage fee, if applicable.
Apart from the online option, a requester may send a completed request form to the federal court clerk's office, or stop by the court's location to use the public access terminal provided or speak to a staff member. All searches can only be completed if the inquirer provides the name of a party to the case or a case number. Where one does not find a sought record that is otherwise public and exists, requests can be forwarded to the National Archives and Records Administration.
