Garrett County Court Records
Garrett County court records are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk in Oakland and include civil, criminal, family, juvenile, land, and trust matters. Garrett is Maryland's westernmost county and the last county created in the state, formed in 1872. Marriage and land records date back to 1873. You can search Garrett County court records online for free through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search, or contact the clerk's office at 203 S. 4th Street in Oakland. This page covers how to access records, what they contain, and how to request copies.
Garrett County Court Records Overview
Garrett County Circuit Court Clerk
William L. Bittinger is the Circuit Court Clerk for Garrett County. The office is at 203 S. 4th Street, Room 109, Oakland, MD 21550. Mailing address is P.O. Box 447. Phone: 301-334-1937. Toll-free: 1-800-989-9760. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Chief Deputy Clerk Sheila M. Keating can be reached at 301-334-1944.
The clerk's office has several department lines. Criminal: 301-334-5016. Civil Non-Domestic: 301-334-1938. Domestic and Child Support: 301-334-1935. Juvenile: 301-334-1987. Land Records: 301-334-1941. Licensing: 301-334-1937. Trust: 301-334-1943. Jury: 301-334-5041. Family Magistrate Tracey L. Henline and Court Auditor H. William Graham are part of the court's support staff. The Garrett County Clerk's page on the Maryland court system site provides further contact details. Garrett County is part of the 4th Judicial Circuit with Allegany and Washington counties.
District Court in Garrett County
The Garrett County District Court is at 205 South Third Street in Oakland. Administrative Judge Hon. Erich Michael Bean oversees the District Court in this area. The District Court handles lower-level civil and criminal cases, traffic violations, and small claims matters. District Court records are separate from Circuit Court files but can be searched through the Maryland District Court directory for Garrett County and through the statewide Case Search tool.
Given Garrett County's small population and remote location, the clerks at both courts tend to be accessible by phone for specific questions about records and procedures. Calling ahead before visiting can save a trip if the records you need require a written request or can be handled remotely.
How to Search Garrett County Records Online
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search covers Garrett County records. Marriage and land records in the system date back to 1873. For more recent case records, the online coverage varies by case type. Search by name, case number, or citation. Add a percent sign after a name to broaden partial searches. Filter options include court type, county, case type, date range, and status.
Results show case numbers, parties, filing dates, docket entries, hearing dates, and dispositions. Document images and transcripts are not available online. Since 2024, cases ending in dismissal, nolle prosequi, or acquittal no longer appear in public results statewide. Stet cases three or more years old were also removed. Physical records remain accessible at the Oakland courthouse.
Note: Garrett County has only one Circuit Court judge, which reflects its small size as Maryland's westernmost and least populous county.
What Garrett County Court Records Contain
Garrett County Circuit Court records cover criminal charges, civil lawsuits, family matters, juvenile filings, land transactions, trust cases, and licensing records. Criminal files document charges, hearing dates, verdicts, and sentences. Civil records cover lawsuits and non-criminal disputes between parties. Family records include divorces, custody orders, child and spousal support, and protective orders. Juvenile records are sealed. Land records in Garrett County date to 1873 and include deeds, mortgages, liens, and other real property documents.
Trust cases are handled through a dedicated department at the clerk's office. These cases involve financial matters tied to court-administered trusts and estates. The child support department at 301-334-1935 tracks support payments and court-ordered support modifications. For probate and estate matters outside the Circuit Court, the Orphans' Court handles those filings. The Maryland Register of Wills provides statewide probate search access. For land records online, Maryland Land Records has records after free registration.
Getting Copies of Garrett 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 are $10.00 plus $0.50 per page. Audio recordings of court sessions cost $25 per CD or USB. Transcripts are $3.00 per page. Mailing adds $2.00 unless a self-addressed stamped envelope is included.
For in-person requests, visit Room 109 at 203 S. 4th Street in Oakland. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 447, Oakland, MD 21550. Include the case number or full names of the parties, the type of record you need, your contact information, and payment by money order or credit card. Cash is accepted in person. Call 301-334-1937 with questions before submitting a request.
Legal Help for Garrett County Residents
The Maryland Courts Self-Help Center at 410-260-1392 is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM. Chat is available at mdcourts.gov. Maryland Legal Aid serves qualifying Garrett County residents with free civil legal services. The People's Law Library offers free guides on Maryland legal topics. Court forms are at the Maryland Courts forms page. For research, the Thurgood Marshall State Law Library at 361 Rowe Boulevard in Annapolis is open to the public.
Garrett County Clerk Portal
The Garrett County clerk page on the Maryland court system website lists department contacts, record request procedures, and current information for the Oakland courthouse.
This page provides department phone numbers, mailing addresses, and procedures for requesting civil, criminal, land, and family court records from the Garrett County Circuit Court Clerk's office.
The Garrett County District Court directory on the Maryland Judiciary site lists contact information, hours, and jurisdiction details for the District Court at 205 South Third Street in Oakland.
This directory page covers the District Court's location, administrative judge information, and how District Court records in Garrett County fit into the broader statewide court system.
Cities in Garrett County
No major qualifying cities are located in Garrett County. Residents file court cases at the Circuit Court in Oakland, the county seat, where all civil, criminal, family, and land record matters are processed.
Nearby Counties
Garrett County shares the 4th Judicial Circuit with Allegany and Washington counties. Use these links to find court records for neighboring areas.