Prince George's County Public Records
Prince George's County public records cover court cases, property ownership, land transfers, vital documents, and criminal history files maintained by multiple county and state agencies. The Circuit Court Clerk in Upper Marlboro handles the bulk of official filings, while state databases provide remote access to most record categories. This guide explains where to look, how each system works, and what you can expect to find when searching county records.
Prince George's County Public Records Overview
Prince George's County Court Records Search
The Maryland Judiciary's online case search is the fastest way to look up court records in Prince George's County. The system covers the Circuit Court and District Court, both of which serve Upper Marlboro and the surrounding area. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. Results include civil cases, criminal dockets, traffic matters, and domestic filings. The database is free to use and updates daily.
The Circuit Court Clerk's office is at 14735 Main Street, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772. You can reach the clerk at (301) 952-3318. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in access is available during those hours. Certified copies cost extra and must be requested in writing or in person. For older case files, some records are only available on microfilm at the courthouse.
The online portal shown below covers most active and recent cases. Some sealed records and juvenile matters do not appear. If you need a case that isn't showing up, call the clerk's office directly to confirm availability.
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal is the main tool for finding Prince George's County court records online.
Case results show filing dates, party names, charges or claim types, and current case status for both civil and criminal matters in Prince George's County.
Prince George's County Land Records and Deeds
Land records in Prince George's County go through the Circuit Court land records office, which records deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and related instruments. The state maintains a searchable online index through the Maryland Land Records system. You can search by grantor, grantee, or instrument type going back many decades. Actual document images are also available for most modern records.
Searching is free. Printed copies cost based on page count. Recording a new document costs $20 for nine pages or fewer. Documents of ten or more pages run $75. There is also a $40 surcharge on most instruments, and mortgage releases cost $10. These fees apply countywide and are set by state law, not the county itself.
Access the Maryland Land Records system to search Prince George's County deeds and property instruments.
The land records portal lets you view and download deed images directly, making it easy to verify ownership history or confirm a mortgage release.
Prince George's County Property Records
Property records include ownership information, assessed values, tax status, and parcel data. The Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) maintains a public database that covers every parcel in Prince George's County. You can look up an address or owner name and see the full assessment history, legal description, and current ownership details at no charge.
Prince George's County is one of Maryland's largest jurisdictions. It has dense urban and suburban areas near Washington, D.C., as well as more rural sections to the south and east. Property values vary widely across the county. SDAT updates records annually after each reassessment cycle. The county assessor's office handles local property tax administration based on those state assessments.
Use the SDAT Real Property Search to look up ownership and assessment records for any Prince George's County parcel.
SDAT results include the owner of record, mailing address, deed reference, assessed value, and tax account number for every property in the county.
Probate and Estate Records in Prince George's County
The Register of Wills handles probate filings, estate inventories, will admissions, and related records. Prince George's County has its own Register of Wills office, and most records from that office are available through the statewide Maryland Registers portal. You can search by decedent name, estate number, or filing date.
Wills that have been admitted to probate become public record. Estate inventories and accounts are also public unless sealed by court order. These records are useful for genealogy research, as they often contain names of heirs, property descriptions, and dates of death that don't appear in other sources.
The Prince George's County Register of Wills office manages all probate and estate filings for the county.
The Register of Wills portal allows name-based searches of estate filings and displays key case details including filing dates and estate values when available.
Vital Records: Birth and Death Documents
Birth and death records in Maryland are maintained by the Vital Statistics Administration (VSA) under the Maryland Department of Health. These records are not available at the county level. You must request them directly from the VSA. Certified copies of birth or death certificates are available by mail or in person. A valid government-issued ID is required.
Birth records less than 100 years old are restricted. Only the person named, parents, legal guardians, or authorized representatives can get a certified copy. Death records older than 20 years are generally more accessible. The VSA also processes marriage and divorce certificate requests, though certified divorce decrees come from the court that issued them.
Visit the Maryland Vital Statistics Administration to request Prince George's County birth and death records.
The VSA processes requests by mail and in person at the Baltimore office, with turnaround times varying based on current demand and how the request is submitted.
Criminal Records and Background Checks
Criminal records for Prince George's County residents can be found through multiple channels. The Maryland Judiciary Case Search shows court case outcomes, including convictions and acquittals. The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) handles formal criminal history record requests and background checks. Employers and landlords using records for screening must follow state and federal law.
The Circuit Court case search covers felony and serious misdemeanor cases. District Court records cover minor criminal matters and traffic infractions. Both are searchable through the same online portal. Arrest records held by the Prince George's County Police Department are a separate category and must be requested directly from that agency under the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA).
The MPIA gives the public a right to inspect and copy most government records. Agencies have 30 days to respond to a written request. Some categories, like ongoing investigations and personnel files, may be withheld. Submit requests in writing to the specific agency that holds the records you need.
How to Request Public Records in Prince George's County
Most records are easier to get online than by mail or in person. Start with the state databases listed on this page. For records not available online, contact the relevant office directly.
- Court records: Circuit Court Clerk, (301) 952-3318, 14735 Main Street, Upper Marlboro
- Land records: Circuit Court land records office, same address
- Property assessments: SDAT online or county assessor's office
- Probate records: Register of Wills, same courthouse location
- Vital records: Maryland VSA, Baltimore
- Criminal history: DPSCS or Maryland Judiciary Case Search
- Police reports: Prince George's County Police Department MPIA unit
Written MPIA requests should identify the records clearly and include your contact information. The county has a standard MPIA request form available on its website at princegeorgescountymd.gov. Response time is up to 30 days by law, though many requests are filled faster.
Prince George's County Marriage License Records
Marriage licenses in Maryland are issued at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in the county where the license is applied for. In Prince George's County, that means the Upper Marlboro courthouse. Both parties must appear together. There is a 48-hour waiting period after the license is issued before the ceremony can take place. The license is valid for six months. The fee is $85.
After the ceremony, the officiant returns the license to the issuing clerk's office. It then becomes a permanent public record. Certified copies can be requested from the clerk. The VSA also maintains marriage records on file, and certified copies can be ordered through their office as well.
Cities in Prince George's County
Prince George's County includes several incorporated municipalities. The largest city in the county with its own records page is Bowie. Other cities and towns in the county use the same county-level court and records systems described on this page.
Nearby Maryland Counties
Prince George's County borders several other Maryland counties. Each has its own court clerk, land records office, and records systems.