Calvert County Court Records
Calvert County court records are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk in Prince Frederick and include civil, criminal, family, juvenile, and land filings going back to 1882. You can search Calvert County court records online at no cost using the Maryland Judiciary Case Search, or visit the clerk's office at 175 Main Street during business hours. This page covers how to search, what types of records exist, how to get copies, and where to find legal help in the county.
Calvert County Court Records Overview
Calvert County Circuit Court Clerk
Kathy P. Smith is the Circuit Court Clerk for Calvert County. The office is at 175 Main Street, Prince Frederick, MD 20678. The main phone number is 410-535-1600, with a toll-free option at 1-888-535-0113. Regular office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Extended phone hours run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. Free parking is available at the courthouse.
Different departments handle specific case types. Civil matters reach extension 2404. Criminal cases go to extension 2266. Family cases use extension 2261. Juvenile matters are at extension 2237. Land records are handled at extension 2267. Marriage licenses are processed at extension 2269. Calvert County is part of Maryland's 7th Judicial Circuit, which also includes Charles, Prince George's, and St. Mary's counties. Administrative Judge Mark S. Chandlee oversees circuit court operations in this region. The Calvert County Clerk's page on the Maryland Judiciary site has current contact information for each department.
District Court in Calvert County
The Louis L. Goldstein District Court/Multi-Service Center is located at 200 Duke Street in Prince Frederick. This facility houses both the District Court and other county services. The District Court handles lower-level civil and criminal cases, traffic matters, and small claims. Records from the District Court are separate from Circuit Court records but can be searched through the same statewide system.
Searching Calvert County Records Online
The free Maryland Judiciary Case Search covers all 24 Maryland jurisdictions, including Calvert County. Criminal records are available from the year 2000. Civil records go back to 1997. Search by full name, case number, or citation number. Results include case numbers, parties, filing dates, docket entries, hearing schedules, and dispositions. Document images and transcripts are not available online.
Starting in 2024, cases dismissed, nolle prossed, or ending in acquittal no longer appear in public search results. Stet cases aged three years or more were also removed. These are statewide changes that apply to Calvert County records as well as every other Maryland jurisdiction. If you need records that are no longer visible online, you will need to contact the clerk's office directly or visit in person to review the physical files.
Note: Calvert County court records in the online system date to 2000 for criminal cases and 1997 for civil cases, but older records are available in person at the Prince Frederick courthouse.
What Calvert County Court Records Contain
Court records from Calvert County cover a range of case types filed since 1882. Criminal records document charges, bail decisions, hearing dates, verdicts, and sentences. Civil records cover lawsuits, contract disputes, and other non-criminal matters between parties. Family law records include divorce filings, child custody orders, support agreements, and protective orders. Juvenile records are restricted and not available to the general public. Land records include deeds, mortgages, liens, and other documents tied to real property in the county.
Marriage licenses are also issued and recorded by the clerk's office. These are public records and can be requested in person or by mail. For estate matters, probate and will filings go through the Orphans' Court rather than the Circuit Court. The Maryland Register of Wills maintains statewide access to probate records.
How to Get Copies
You can get copies of Calvert County court records by visiting the clerk's office at 175 Main Street in Prince Frederick or by mailing a written request. Standard copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies run $5.00 to $5.50 per document plus the per-page fee. Exemplified copies with a triple seal cost $10.00 plus $0.50 per page. Audio recordings of proceedings cost $25 per CD or USB. Transcripts are $3.00 per page. Add $2.00 for mailing if you do not provide a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Mail requests should include the case number or full names of the parties, the type of record you need, your return address, and your contact information. Send payment by money order or credit card. Cash is also accepted for in-person requests. The clerk's extended phone hours from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM make it easier to call with questions before visiting or mailing a request.
Legal Help and Other Resources
The Maryland Courts Self-Help Center at 410-260-1392 is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM. Staff can explain court procedures and help identify the right forms, but they do not provide legal advice. Online chat is available at mdcourts.gov.
Maryland Legal Aid serves Calvert County residents who qualify for free civil legal services. Their offices handle family law, housing, and other civil matters. The People's Law Library has free online guides for common Maryland legal issues. For court forms, the Maryland Courts forms page provides downloadable versions of standard documents used in both Circuit and District Courts.
Calvert County Court Reference
The Maryland Judiciary website is the primary resource for statewide court information, including the Case Search tool, MDEC e-filing for attorneys, court directories, and links to the Calvert County clerk's office.
The Maryland Judiciary site links directly to Case Search, court forms, and county clerk contact pages, making it the main starting point for anyone researching Calvert County court records.
Cities in Calvert County
No major qualifying cities are located in Calvert County. Residents file court cases at the Circuit Court in Prince Frederick, the county seat, where all civil, criminal, family, and land record filings are processed.
Nearby Counties
Calvert County is part of the 7th Judicial Circuit. Use these links to find court records information for surrounding counties.