Dorchester County Court Records
Dorchester County court records are filed and maintained at the Circuit Court in Cambridge, where Clerk Amy J. Craig oversees civil, criminal, family, juvenile, and land matters. Spanish language assistance is available at the courthouse for residents who need it. You can search Dorchester County court records online at no cost using the Maryland Judiciary Case Search, or visit the clerk's office at 206 High Street during business hours. This page explains how to find records, what they contain, and how to request copies.
Dorchester County Court Records Overview
Dorchester County Circuit Court Clerk
Amy J. Craig is the Circuit Court Clerk for Dorchester County. The office is at 206 High Street, Cambridge, MD 21613. The mailing address is P.O. Box 150. The main phone number is 410-228-0481. Fax is 410-221-5003. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Spanish-speaking staff or assistance is available for residents who need help in Spanish. The Dorchester County Clerk's page on the Maryland Judiciary site has current contact details.
Dorchester County is part of Maryland's 1st Judicial Circuit, which includes Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties on the Eastern Shore. The circuit handles all court matters from the lower Eastern Shore region. Self-Help Legal Assistance for family-related issues is available for indigent clients at 410-228-1395. This service helps residents who cannot afford an attorney navigate family court proceedings in Dorchester County.
District Court in Dorchester County
The Dorchester County District Court is at 310 Gay Street in Cambridge. It handles lower-level civil and criminal cases, traffic matters, and small claims. District Court records are separate from Circuit Court files but can be searched through the same statewide Maryland Judiciary Case Search system. If your case falls under District Court jurisdiction, you will need to contact 310 Gay Street rather than the Circuit Court at 206 High Street.
Searching Dorchester County Court Records Online
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search covers Dorchester County along with all 24 Maryland jurisdictions. Search by name, case number, or citation number. For partial name searches, add a percent sign after the name. You can narrow results by court type, county, case type, date range, and status. The system updates nightly, so filings from the current day may not yet appear.
Results include case numbers, party names, filing dates, docket entries, hearing dates, and dispositions. Document images and transcripts are not available through the online system. In 2024, the Maryland Judiciary removed cases ending in dismissal, nolle prosequi, or acquittal from public view. Stet cases three or more years old were also removed statewide. Older physical records at the Cambridge courthouse are still accessible in person through a written request or an in-person visit.
Note: Self-Help Legal Assistance for family cases is available at 410-228-1395 for Dorchester County residents who qualify based on income and cannot afford an attorney.
What Dorchester County Court Records Contain
The Dorchester County Circuit Court holds a range of public record types. Criminal records document charges, bail decisions, hearing dates, verdicts, and sentences. Civil records cover lawsuits, contract disputes, and non-criminal claims between parties. Family law files include divorces, custody orders, support agreements, and protective orders. Juvenile records are sealed and not available to the general public. Land records document property transactions including deeds, mortgages, and liens for Dorchester County real estate.
For estate and probate matters, the Orphans' Court handles those filings separately from the Circuit Court. The Maryland Register of Wills provides statewide probate search access. For land records, Maryland Land Records gives online access after free registration, with records under 100 years old costing $0.20 per page and older records available free of charge.
Civil Filing Fees in Dorchester County
Dorchester County follows Maryland's standard civil filing fee structure. Filing with an attorney costs $175.00. Filing without an attorney costs $165.00. An attorney appearance fee is $10.00 per firm. Residential foreclosure filings cost $300.00. These fees apply to new case filings at the Circuit Court and are collected by the clerk's office at the time of filing.
How to Get Copies of Dorchester County Records
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 court proceedings cost $25 per CD or USB. Transcripts are $3.00 per page. Mailing adds $2.00 unless a self-addressed stamped envelope is included.
You can request records in person at 206 High Street during office hours, or submit a written mail request to P.O. Box 150, Cambridge, MD 21613. Include the case number or full names of the parties, the type of record, your contact information, and payment by money order or credit card. Cash is accepted for in-person requests. For questions before submitting, call 410-228-0481 or fax 410-221-5003.
Legal Help and Resources
The Maryland Courts Self-Help Center at 410-260-1392 is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM. Chat is available at mdcourts.gov. Maryland Legal Aid serves qualifying Dorchester County residents with free civil legal services. The People's Law Library has free self-help guides on Maryland legal issues. Court forms are available at the Maryland Courts forms page. For research needs, the Thurgood Marshall State Law Library at 361 Rowe Boulevard in Annapolis is open to the public.
Dorchester County Clerk Portal
The Dorchester County clerk page on the Maryland Judiciary site lists contact details, department information, and procedures for accessing Dorchester County court records in Cambridge.
This page provides contact details for the Dorchester County clerk's office, including phone and fax numbers, and outlines how to request civil, criminal, and land records from the Cambridge courthouse.
Cities in Dorchester County
No major qualifying cities are located in Dorchester County. Residents file court cases at the Circuit Court in Cambridge, the county seat, where all civil, criminal, family, and land record filings are processed.
Nearby Counties
Dorchester County is on Maryland's Eastern Shore and borders several other Eastern Shore counties. Use these links to find court records for surrounding areas.