Frederick County Public Records

Thank you for visiting. We aim to help you find information on Frederick County MD Public Records. This guide gives details on where and how to get these records. We want to make your search clear and easy. We list key offices and links for you.

If you need to start a search now for Frederick County MD Public Records, please visit https://marylandofficialrecords.com/frederick-county-public-records/. This site can help you begin looking for various public record types right away. It offers a way to access different kinds of information available within Frederick County. Check their site for details on the specific records you can find there. It is a useful starting point for many searches.

Frederick County MD Public Records Access Laws

Access to most Frederick County MD Public Records is based on state law. The Maryland Public Information Act (PIA) is key here. It is found in the Md. Code Ann., Gen. Prov. § 4-101 et seq. This law gives people the right to see and get copies of records held by state and local government units. This includes Frederick County offices. The goal is open government. People should know what the government is doing.

The PIA says most records are open. But some are not. The law protects certain data. This can include private data about a person. It can shield some police case files. Legal advice to the county may also be kept private. If a record is not given, the office must state the reason why. They must cite the part of the PIA that allows them to deny access.

To get records, you ask the office that has them. This office is the custodian. Frederick County has a list of PIA contacts for its units. You can find this list or contact the main county office. You can often ask by mail, email, or a web form. The law allows fees for finding and copying records. Fees must be fair. You can ask for a fee estimate first. For more on the law, see the Maryland Attorney General's Public Information Act Manual.

Frederick County Circuit Court Records

The Clerk of the Circuit Court holds many important Frederick County MD Public Records. This office keeps files for court cases. It also issues some licenses. The main Clerk's office is in the Frederick County Courthouse.

• Address: 100 W. Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701

• Phone: 301-600-1976 (General Information)

• Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday

Civil, Criminal, Family & Juvenile Case Files

The Clerk maintains records for various court matters. This includes civil lawsuits. You can find filings, court orders, and judgments. Records for criminal cases are also kept here. These show charges, pleas, and sentences. Family law files cover divorce cases and child support actions. Juvenile records are often private. Access may be limited by law. Please call the right department for help. Civil is 301-600-2969. Criminal is 301-600-1932. Family is 301-600-1977. Juvenile is 301-600-1968. These records are vital for legal needs and background checks. They show court actions that affect people and firms in the area.

Business and Marriage Licenses

The Clerk's office issues business licenses for certain types of work in the county. They keep records of these licenses. They also issue marriage licenses. Records of marriages performed in Frederick County are kept here. To ask about these licenses, call 301-600-1965. This is the Land Recording and Licensing department number. These records can prove a business is licensed. They can also prove a marriage took place. You may need certified copies for legal uses.

Accessing Circuit Court Records

You can get court records in a few ways. You can visit the Records Room at the courthouse. The phone is 301-600-1957. They have computers for public search. Staff can help find older files. Many recent case records are online. Use the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal. This site lets you search cases by name or case number. It covers courts across the state, including Frederick County. You can view case details and docket entries. Copies of documents usually have a fee. The standard fee is $0.50 per page. Check the Circuit Court fee schedule for all costs. Online access is often free to view basic case data. But getting official copies will cost money. Plan your visit during open hours.

Frederick County Land and Property Records

Land records are key Frederick County MD Public Records. They show who owns land. They list debts tied to property. The Clerk of the Circuit Court keeps these records too. The Land Records Department is at the main courthouse.

• Address: 100 W. Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701

• Phone: 301-600-1965

• Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday

Types of Land Records

This office files many types of land documents. Deeds show property ownership changes. Mortgages show loans using property as security. Liens are claims against a property for debt. Plats are maps showing land divisions. You can also find leases and powers of attorney related to land. These documents are vital for real estate deals. They help prove ownership and check for claims. All these records create a history for each piece of land. They are filed and indexed for public viewing.

How to Search Land Records

There are good ways to search these records. Many land records are online. Maryland provides MDLANDREC.NET. This site has scanned images of deeds and other land records. It covers all Maryland counties. You need to make a free account to use it. You can search by name, address, or date. For property plats (maps), use PLATS.NET. Log in with username plato and password plato#. You can also search in person. Go to the Land Records department at the courthouse. They have computers and staff help. For property details like assessment values, use the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) Real Property Data Search. This site also lists deed reference numbers (book and page or instrument number).

Searching land records is crucial before buying property. It helps find any issues like liens or boundary disputes. Title companies perform these searches often. But the public can access the records too. Knowing how to search helps you check data yourself. Be sure to check all names linked to a property. Search back far enough to get a clear picture of ownership.

Fees for Land Records

Getting copies of land records involves fees. The cost is $0.50 per page for standard copies. Plat copies cost $0.50 for 11x17 size. Larger plats cost $1.00 per copy. If you need a certified copy, there is a $5.00 fee per document. An exemplified copy costs $10.00. These fees are set by the state. Recording new documents also has costs. These include recording fees and state/county transfer taxes. Check the Circuit Court fee schedule or ask the clerk for full details on costs. Plan for these fees when requesting copies or filing new land documents.

Frederick County Vital Records

Vital records document major life events. In Frederick County, the Health Department handles birth and death records. These Frederick County MD Public Records are needed for many official uses.

• Address: 350 Montevue Lane, Frederick, MD 21702 (Entrance A)

• Phone: 301-600-1029 (Admin); 301-600-3362 (Vital Records)

• Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Mon-Fri (Closed 12 PM - 1 PM for lunch)

Birth Certificates

The Health Department issues certified copies of birth certificates. These are only for births that occurred in Maryland. You need these for passports, school, and driver's licenses. The Federal REAL ID Act requires proof like a birth certificate. Only the person named on the record, their parent, or legal guardian can typically get a copy. Legal reps may also apply.

Death Certificates

Certified copies of death certificates are also available here. These are only for deaths that occurred in Maryland. Death certificates are needed for probate. They help settle estates. They are used for insurance claims and closing accounts. Usually, the next of kin, informants listed on the record, or legal reps can get copies. Funeral directors also request them often. Proof of relationship may be needed.

Obtaining Vital Records

You can get vital records in three main ways. First, go in person to the Health Department office on Montevue Lane. Fill out the Birth Certificate Application (English/Español) or Death Certificate Application. Bring valid photo ID, like a driver's license or passport. Proof of address might be needed too. Same-day service is often possible if you arrive early enough. Second, order online through VitalChek. This is a secure third-party site used by Maryland. Fees may be higher online. Third, order by mail from the Maryland Department of Health, Division of Vital Records in Baltimore. Download forms from their site. The cost per certificate is $20, whether in person, online, or by mail (check VitalChek for their processing fees). Always bring required ID and payment.

Frederick County Marriage and Divorce Records

Marriage and divorce records are also public but handled differently than vital records. They are part of court records. The Clerk of the Circuit Court manages these Frederick County MD Public Records.

• Address: 100 W. Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701

• Phone: 301-600-1965 (Licensing); 301-600-1977 (Family Dept. for Divorce)

• Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday

Marriage License Records

The Clerk's office issues marriage licenses in Frederick County. After a marriage ceremony occurs, the license is recorded. This record proves the marriage is legal. You can search for marriage records at the Clerk's office. Copies can be requested in person or sometimes by mail. These records are often searched for family history or legal proof. Call the Licensing department at 301-600-1965 for specifics on searching these records. Fees for copies will apply.

Divorce Decrees

Divorce cases are handled in the Circuit Court. The final document is the divorce decree. This decree legally ends the marriage. It details terms like property split and child custody. Divorce records are part of the court's civil case files, specifically family law cases. You can search for divorce records using the Maryland Judiciary Case Search online. You can also search in person at the Clerk's office. Call the Family Department at 301-600-1977 for help. Getting certified copies requires a fee. These copies are often needed for name changes or proof of divorce.

Frederick County Estate and Probate Records

When someone dies, their estate often goes through probate court. This process settles debts and passes assets to heirs. The Register of Wills office oversees this process and keeps related Frederick County MD Public Records.

• Address: Courthouse, 100 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701

• Phone: 301-600-6565

• Hours: Office 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM; Public Access 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM, Mon-Fri

Wills and Estate Files

The Register of Wills files original wills after a person dies. They maintain case files for each estate opened in Frederick County. These files include petitions, inventories of assets, lists of debts, accountings, and orders from the Orphans' Court. The Orphans' Court handles the judicial side of probate. These records show how an estate was handled. They list heirs and what they received. These records are very useful for genealogy research. They also provide legal proof of inheritance.

Searching Estate Records Online

Many estate records can be searched online. The Maryland Register of Wills provides an Estate Search tool. You can search by the deceased person's name. The search shows basic case information. It may show if a will was filed and list documents in the case file. You might see names of personal representatives or attorneys. For full document copies, you usually need to contact the Frederick County Register of Wills office directly. You can visit the office in person to view files. Copy fees apply for obtaining documents. The office also accepts filings by mail or drop box.

Frederick County Sheriff's Office Records

The Frederick County Sheriff's Office creates and keeps records related to law enforcement activities. Access to these Frederick County MD Public Records follows the Maryland Public Information Act.

• Address: 110 Airport Drive East, Frederick, MD 21701

• Phone: 301-600-1046 (Main); 301-600-1740 (Records); 301-600-2071 (Non-Emergency)

• Hours: Standard business hours likely apply for records requests.

Incident and Crash Reports

The Sheriff's Office maintains reports about crimes and incidents they respond to. They also handle traffic accident reports outside city limits. Victims or involved parties can often get copies of these reports. Insurance companies also request crash reports often. Some data might be redacted (blacked out) to protect privacy or ongoing cases. This is allowed under the PIA.

You can request standard vehicle crash reports online. Use the site www.crashdocs.org. You will need info like the date and names involved. For incident reports or other records like call logs or photos, use the new online portal.

Requesting Records via GovQuest

The Sheriff's Office prefers online requests. They use a system called GovQuest. Go to https://app.govquest.com and choose "Frederick County MD Sheriff's Office". You must create a free account. Through the portal, you can request incident reports, call logs, photos, and body-worn camera footage. You can track your request and pay online. Fees apply. An incident report costs 5.00forupto20pages(.25 each extra page). Body-worn camera video costs $40.00 for the first 20 minutes, plus extra fees for longer videos or heavy redaction work. There is a $3.50 convenience fee for online payments. Fees for incident reports are waived for domestic violence victims. If you cannot use the online portal, you can request records in person or possibly by mail. Call the Records Section at 301-600-1740 for help. Background checks are limited; call 301-600-1658 for details on criminal history letters.

City of Frederick Public Records

It is important to know that the City of Frederick is separate from Frederick County government. The City keeps its own public records. These are also subject to the Maryland Public Information Act. If you need records from a City department, you must ask the City directly.

Requesting City Records

The City has its own process for PIA requests. You should send your request to the custodian of the records you seek. If unsure, contact the City's main PIA contact.

• City PIA Contact: Kim Loop, 301-600-1453

• City Police Records Contact: Dana Kelly, 301-600-2136

• City PIA Request Form: Available on the City of Frederick website.

Examples of City records include City Council minutes, zoning information from the planning department, building permits issued by the City, and Frederick Police Department reports. Use the City's form or contact methods to request these specific records. Fees may apply, similar to county requests.