Frederick County Public Records
Frederick County public records are held by the Circuit Court Clerk, the Register of Wills, and several county and state agencies based in the city of Frederick. This guide helps you find court filings, land documents, property data, vital records, and other official files through the right offices. Whether you need a deed, a case record, or a background check, the sources below will get you to the right place.
Frederick County Public Records Overview
Frederick County Circuit Court Clerk
The Circuit Court Clerk for Frederick County is Kim Eaton. Her office is at 100 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. This is the primary office for court filings, case records, and land document recording in the county.
The clerk's office handles civil cases, criminal matters, family law filings, and land instruments. Staff can pull case files, confirm filing history, and help you find the right division for your request. The main number is (301) 600-1976. An alternate line is (301) 694-1976. Walk-in service is available during regular business hours. For most requests, you do not need an appointment. The office also processes Maryland Electronic Courts filings through the MDEC system, which allows attorneys and self-represented parties to file documents online.
The Frederick County Circuit Court page on the Maryland Courts website lists all divisions, staff contacts, local rules, and forms available to the public. This is a good starting point before you visit the courthouse in person.
The Frederick County Circuit Court Clerk page at mdcourts.gov covers the full range of clerk services and links to local filing rules.
The clerk page on the Maryland Courts site lists all contact numbers and explains what each division of the clerk's office handles.
This page is the main reference for locating clerk staff, understanding what records are held in Frederick, and finding forms for court filings.
Note: In-person visits are often the fastest route for older case files not yet available through the statewide online case search system.
Frederick County Court General Information
The Frederick County Circuit Court sits at 100 West Patrick Street in the city of Frederick. It handles all major civil, criminal, family, and land matters for the county. The court is part of Maryland's 6th Judicial Circuit. Judges assigned to this court hear cases ranging from felony criminal matters to contract disputes to domestic proceedings.
The county also maintains its own circuit court information page through the Frederick County government website. That page covers general court services, hours, directions to the courthouse, and links to state court resources. It is a useful supplement to the Maryland Courts website for residents who want locally focused information about the courthouse and its services.
The Frederick County Circuit Court general information page covers hours, directions, and what to expect when visiting the courthouse.
This county-hosted page is helpful for first-time visitors who need directions, parking information, or a general overview of court services in Frederick.
Note: The county government page links to the state Maryland Courts site for case-level information and does not host its own case search tool.
Frederick County Public Records Search Online
The Maryland Judiciary offers a free case search tool that covers Frederick County court records. You can look up civil, criminal, traffic, and domestic cases going back many years. The tool shows case status, party names, hearing dates, and document filing history. It does not provide the full text of filed documents, but it tells you what has been filed and when.
Access the tool at Maryland Judiciary Case Search. Select Frederick County from the drop-down, then enter a party name or case number. Results load quickly and cover both Circuit Court and District Court cases. For MDEC-filed cases, some documents may be downloadable directly from the search interface. Older paper-based records must be requested from the clerk's office. Copies are available for a per-page fee set by the court.
Note: Sealed records, juvenile cases, and expunged files do not appear in public searches and require a court order to access.
Frederick County Land Records
Land records in Frederick County are recorded with the Circuit Court Clerk's Land Records division at 100 West Patrick Street. Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and other instruments that affect real property are filed here. This division is part of the clerk's office and can be reached through the main number at (301) 600-1976.
Maryland maintains a statewide land records portal where you can search Frederick County deeds and related documents online. The portal covers instruments recorded over recent decades and is updated on a regular basis. You can search by grantor name, grantee name, or instrument type. Full document images are available for most records. Free access is open to the public for general browsing. Certified copies must be ordered through the clerk's office. Visit Maryland Land Records to search Frederick County land documents.
Recording fees in Maryland are set by state law. The base fee is $20 for documents of up to 9 pages and $75 for documents of 10 or more pages. All instruments carry a $40 surcharge. Releases of liens cost $10 to record. These fees apply across all Maryland counties.
Note: Documents recorded before the land records system was digitized may only be available on microfilm or paper at the Frederick courthouse.
Frederick County Property Records and SDAT
Property ownership and assessment data for Frederick County is maintained by the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, known as SDAT. Their real property search tool is free and open to the public. You can look up any parcel in Frederick County by owner name, street address, or parcel ID number.
SDAT records show the owner of record, assessed value, legal description, sale history, and tax billing data. This information is updated regularly and is useful for anyone researching ownership, checking values, or tracking recent sales. Search Frederick County property records at the SDAT Real Property Search. Select Frederick County from the drop-down and enter an owner name or address. Results link to full parcel detail pages.
For property tax billing questions, contact the Frederick County Treasury at 30 North Market Street, Frederick. The phone number is (301) 600-1111. The Treasury handles payment questions and can confirm whether taxes are current on a given parcel. SDAT handles assessment appeals through a separate process outlined on their website.
Note: SDAT assessment data is used for tax purposes and may not reflect recent sale prices until the next annual update cycle.
Frederick County Register of Wills and Probate Records
The Register of Wills handles probate and estate records in Frederick County. When a person dies, their will must be filed here, and estate administration is overseen by this office. These records are public and include wills, inventories, accounts, and final distributions of estate assets.
You can search Frederick County probate records through the statewide Register of Wills portal. The portal covers estates filed over many years and allows searches by decedent name or estate number. It is a useful tool for genealogy research as well as legal and financial matters involving estates. Access the Frederick County Register of Wills page for local office contact details, current hours, and a link to the online records portal.
Note: Certified copies of wills and estate documents can be ordered through the Register of Wills office in Frederick for a per-page fee set by state law.
Vital Records in Frederick County
Birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses involve both state and local offices in Frederick County. Marriage licenses are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk in Frederick. Certified copies of birth and death certificates are handled by the Maryland Department of Health's Vital Statistics Administration.
The Maryland Vital Statistics Administration processes certified birth and death record requests for the entire state. You can order copies online, by mail, or in person at the state office in Baltimore. Fees and processing times are posted on the VSA website.
Marriage licenses in Frederick County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 100 West Patrick Street. Both parties must appear in person with valid photo ID. The fee is $85. There is a 48-hour waiting period after the license is issued before the ceremony can take place. The license is valid for 6 months. Call (301) 600-1976 with questions about the marriage license process in Frederick County.
Note: Divorce records are held by the Circuit Court Clerk, not the Vital Statistics Administration, and can be accessed through the clerk's office or the Maryland case search tool.
Frederick County Criminal Records and Sheriff
Criminal records for Frederick County cases are accessible through several channels. The Maryland Judiciary Case Search tool shows publicly available criminal case information including charges, court dates, dispositions, and sentencing data. This tool is free and does not require a login. It covers both Circuit Court and District Court cases in Frederick County.
For official background checks, the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services manages statewide criminal history records. Their Criminal Justice Information System handles background checks for authorized purposes. Visit the DPSCS website for details on requesting a criminal history record check in Maryland.
The Frederick County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement records for the county. Incident reports, arrest records, and related police documents can be requested through the Sheriff's Office. Their website provides contact information and explains the process for records requests.
The Frederick County Sheriff's Office website covers how to request police and incident records from the sheriff's department.
This page explains what types of law enforcement records are available through the Sheriff's Office and how to submit a request for copies.
Note: Expunged and shielded records do not appear in public searches and are not available without a court order.
Frederick County Government and MPIA Requests
Maryland's public records law is the Maryland Public Information Act, known as the MPIA. It is found at General Provisions Article, Sections 4-101 and following. The MPIA gives the public the right to inspect and copy most government records. Some records are exempt, including certain law enforcement files and records protected by other statutes.
To request records from Frederick County government, contact the MPIA Coordinator at the county government offices. Requests should be submitted in writing and describe the records as specifically as possible. The agency must acknowledge your request and provide a full response within 30 days. The Frederick County government website has contact information and resources for county residents, including MPIA request guidance.
The Frederick County homepage links to departments, services, and records resources across all areas of county government.
For court records specifically, requests go to the Circuit Court Clerk's office at 100 West Patrick Street rather than to the county government. The clerk handles requests for case files, land records, and court documents under both the MPIA and Maryland court rules. Not all records require a formal MPIA request. Many court and land records can be accessed in person during business hours without filing any paperwork.
Note: The city of Frederick has its own city page at Frederick city public records covering city-specific services and resources.
Frederick Circuit Court on Maryland Courts Website
The Maryland Courts website provides a dedicated page for the Frederick County Circuit Court. That page covers the court's jurisdiction, assigned judges, general filing information, and links to local rules. It is maintained by the Maryland Judiciary and kept up to date with contact changes and court news.
The Frederick Circuit Court page on the state courts website gives an overview of the court and its jurisdiction within the 6th Judicial Circuit.
This page is helpful for understanding the scope of the Frederick Circuit Court and finding procedural information for civil, criminal, and family cases.
Note: Local rules specific to the 6th Circuit may affect filing deadlines and procedures, so check this page before filing any new case in Frederick County.
Nearby Maryland Counties
Frederick County borders Montgomery, Carroll, Washington, and Harford counties. Each maintains its own circuit court and public records office.