Search Charles County Court Records
Charles County court records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in La Plata and cover civil, criminal, family, juvenile, land, and probate-related matters for the county. The court also runs an Adult Drug Court and a Family Recovery Court. You can search Charles County court records for free through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search, or visit the courthouse at 200 Charles Street during business hours. This page explains how to find records, what they include, and how to request copies.
Charles County Court Records Overview
Charles County Circuit Court Clerk
Lisa E. Yates serves as Circuit Court Clerk for Charles County. The courthouse is at 200 Charles Street, La Plata, MD 20646. The mailing address is P.O. Box 970. You can reach the office at 301-932-3202 or 301-870-2659. Toll-free callers can use 1-888-932-2072. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Free parking is available behind the courthouse buildings.
Administrative Judge H. James (Jay) West oversees the Charles County Circuit Court. The county is part of Maryland's 7th Judicial Circuit along with Calvert, Prince George's, and St. Mary's counties. The Charles County Clerk's page on the Maryland Judiciary site has current contact information. The court also operates an Adult Drug Court and a Family Recovery Court for cases involving substance abuse and family-related rehabilitation programs.
Other Courts in Charles County
The Charles County District Court is at 11 Washington Avenue in La Plata. It handles lower-level civil and criminal cases, traffic matters, and small claims filings. Records from the District Court are separate from the Circuit Court but searchable through the same statewide tool. The Orphans' Court handles estate and probate matters and is located at P.O. Box 3080, 200 Charles Street, La Plata. The Orphans' Court can be reached at 301-932-3345. Register of Wills Loraine Davies Hennessy can be reached at 301-932-3347 for probate-related matters.
Searching Charles County Records Online
Use the free Maryland Judiciary Case Search to look up Charles County court records. Criminal records are available in the system from 1998. Civil records go back to 1996. Search by full name, case number, or citation. For broader results, add a percent sign after a name. You can filter by court type, case type, county, date range, and case status to narrow your search.
Search results show case numbers, party names, filing dates, docket entries, hearing schedules, and dispositions. The system does not provide document images or transcripts. Following 2024 statewide policy changes, cases that ended in dismissal, nolle prosequi, or acquittal no longer appear in public search results. Stet cases three or more years old were also removed. If you need one of these records, contact the clerk's office by phone or visit 200 Charles Street in La Plata.
Note: Charles County offers free parking behind its courthouse buildings, making in-person record visits more convenient than at some other Maryland Circuit Court locations.
What Charles County Court Records Include
The Charles County Circuit Court holds records across several categories. Criminal files document charges, hearings, verdicts, and sentences. Civil records cover lawsuits, contract disputes, property damage claims, and other non-criminal disputes. Family law files include divorces, custody orders, support agreements, name changes, and protective orders. Juvenile records are sealed. Land records document deeds, mortgages, easements, liens, and other real property transactions in Charles County.
The Orphans' Court handles estate and probate matters separately, but the Register of Wills office connects those records to the broader court system. If you need to search estate filings in Charles County, the Maryland Register of Wills provides statewide probate search access. For land records, Maryland Land Records provides online access after free registration.
Copy Fees and How to Request Records
Standard copies cost $0.50 per page. The first page of some documents carries a $5.00 fee. Certified copies run $5.00 plus copy fees. Exemplified copies with a triple seal are $10.00 plus copy fees. Audio recordings are $25 per CD or USB. Transcripts cost $3.00 per page. Mailing adds $2.00 unless you include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
In-person requests are handled at 200 Charles Street. Mail requests should go to P.O. Box 970, La Plata, MD 20646. Include the case number or full names of the parties, the record type you need, your contact information, and payment. The office accepts cash, money orders, and credit cards. When ordering certified copies, including a case number speeds up processing. Call 301-932-3202 if you need to confirm any details before sending a request.
Legal Resources for Charles County
The Maryland Courts Self-Help Center at 410-260-1392 is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM, with chat at mdcourts.gov. Staff explain procedures and help locate forms but do not give legal advice. Maryland Legal Aid offers free civil legal services to qualifying low-income Charles County residents. The People's Law Library provides free guides on Maryland legal topics. Court forms are available at the Maryland Courts forms page.
Charles County Clerk Records Portal
The Charles County clerk page on the Maryland court system website provides department contact details, record request guidance, and links to court resources for residents and attorneys.
This page links directly to the clerk's departments, contact information, and procedures for requesting Charles County court records in person or by mail.
Cities in Charles County
One qualifying city in Charles County has its own court records page.
Nearby Counties
Charles County shares borders with three other counties in the 7th Judicial Circuit. Use these links to find court records for surrounding areas.