Frederick Maryland Public Records
Frederick public records are held by two separate bodies: the City of Frederick and Frederick County. Because Frederick is an incorporated city with its own government, some records sit with city departments while others go through the county. This page covers where to find court records, police reports, property data, and vital records for Frederick, MD. You can search many records online or submit a formal request under Maryland's Public Information Act to get what you need.
Frederick Public Records Overview
Frederick City Public Records Requests
Frederick has its own city government at 101 North Court Street, which means city-generated records go through a city custodian rather than the county. The main contact for city public records is Kim Loop at 301-600-1453 or kim.loop@cityoffrederickmd.gov. You can use the City's Public Information Act Request Form, which is available on the city website. Mail your request to: City of Frederick, Attn: Records Custodian, 101 North Court Street, Frederick, MD 21701.
The city must respond within 30 days under Maryland law. Complex requests may take longer, and you will get written notice if more time is needed. Fees may apply for copying and staff research time. A fee waiver can be requested in writing to the Mayor if you have a valid reason.
The MPIA covers a wide range of city records. That includes meeting minutes, budget documents, city contracts, code enforcement files, and communications between city officials. Not all records are open. Some are exempt under state law, such as personnel files, medical records, and certain investigatory files.
Frederick Police Department Records
The Frederick Police Department (FPD) is located at 100 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701. For police records specifically, contact Dana Kelly at (301) 600-2136. The non-emergency line for the department is (301) 600-2100.
To get a police report from FPD, you have two options. First, you can submit a Public Information Act request form through the city website. Second, you can contact Dana Kelly directly by phone. Either way, have the incident date, case number, and your name ready when you reach out. The city aims to respond as fast as possible, though the legal window is 30 days.
The Frederick County Circuit Court website provides case information and office contact details for the courthouse at 100 West Patrick Street.
The Circuit Court handles civil, criminal, and family court matters that feed into publicly searchable case records through the Maryland Judiciary system.
Police reports contain the incident date, time, and location, along with the reporting officer's name and badge number. You will also find a case narrative, names of involved parties, witness information, evidence notes, and the case disposition. Body camera footage requires a separate MPIA request and may be redacted for privacy before release.
Note: Traffic crash reports filed by the Maryland State Police follow a different process and may carry a $4 fee depending on how they were filed.
Frederick Court Records Online
Court records for Frederick are searchable through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search at casesearch.courts.state.md.us. This free tool lets you look up civil, criminal, traffic, and domestic cases by name or case number. It covers both the Frederick County Circuit Court and the District Court.
The Maryland Courts clerk page for Frederick lists contact information, hours, and services available at the Frederick courthouse.
The clerk's page is a good starting point if you need to confirm office hours or find out which forms to bring before your visit.
The Frederick County Circuit Court is at 100 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701, phone (301) 600-1976. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The District Court is also at this address and can be reached at (301) 600-2000. For probate matters, the Orphans' Court is at the same location at (301) 600-6565.
If you need a physical copy of a court record, you can go to the clerk's office in person. Copies cost $0.50 per page for standard copies. Certified copies are $5.00, and exemplified copies cost $10.00. Bring a valid ID and the case number if you have it.
The Maryland Judiciary's Frederick Circuit Court page gives direct links to court divisions, rules, and case filing information for Frederick.
This page also lists local court rules that apply to cases filed in Frederick County's Circuit Court.
Frederick Property Records Search
Property records for Frederick city parcels are held at the county level. The Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) runs the main online property search tool at sdat.dat.maryland.gov/RealProperty. Select Frederick County (County Code: 11) to search by address, account identifier, or map reference. SDAT records show ownership, assessed value, and tax status.
For deeds, mortgages, and liens, use the Maryland Land Records portal at mdlandrec.net. Free registration is required. Once you log in, you can search by name, address, or document type and view digital images of recorded documents. The land records office is part of the Frederick County Circuit Court Clerk's office at 100 West Patrick Street.
Property tax payments and billing go through the Frederick County Treasury at 30 North Market Street, Frederick, MD 21701, phone (301) 600-1111. The Treasury website offers online payment and lookup tools for tax accounts.
Note: GIS mapping tools on the county website show property boundaries, zoning, and aerial imagery for parcels within Frederick city limits.
Frederick County Sheriff and Records
For records tied to county law enforcement rather than city police, the Frederick County Sheriff handles calls outside the city's jurisdiction. The Frederick County Sheriff's Office website provides contact details and information on how to submit records requests to that agency.
The Sheriff's Office handles calls in unincorporated parts of Frederick County, so if a report was taken by a deputy rather than a city officer, this is where to request it.
The Frederick County government website serves as the central portal for county departments, services, and public records resources separate from the city.
From the county site you can navigate to departments like the Planning Division, Health Department, and Register of Wills, each of which may hold records relevant to your search.
For county-level public records, you can also visit the Frederick County public records page for a full breakdown of county offices, contacts, and filing procedures.
Vital Records in Frederick
Marriage licenses for Frederick residents are issued by the Frederick County Circuit Court, Marriage License Department, 100 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701, phone (301) 600-1976. Both parties must appear in person to apply. There is a fee, and you will need valid government-issued ID.
Birth and death certificates are not handled locally. You must request them from the Maryland Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, 6764-B Reisterstown Road, Baltimore, MD 21215, phone (410) 764-3038. Requests can also be submitted online through the state's VitalChek system. Processing times and fees vary by request type and delivery method.
How to Find Frederick Public Records
Here is a quick reference for the main record types and where to start:
- City MPIA requests: Contact Kim Loop, 301-600-1453, kim.loop@cityoffrederickmd.gov
- Police reports (FPD): Contact Dana Kelly, (301) 600-2136, or submit via city MPIA form
- Court records: Search free at casesearch.courts.state.md.us; in-person at 100 W Patrick St
- Property records: SDAT at sdat.dat.maryland.gov (County Code 11); deeds at mdlandrec.net
- Marriage licenses: Frederick County Circuit Court, (301) 600-1976
- Birth/death certificates: Maryland Department of Health, (410) 764-3038
Most records are free to search online. Physical copies carry fees set by each office. If you are not sure which agency has the record you need, start with the Maryland Judiciary Case Search for court matters or the SDAT portal for property matters. For anything else, a city or county MPIA request is the most direct path.
Nearby Maryland Cities
These cities are close to Frederick and each has its own public records page.