Find Court Records in Kent County
Kent County court records document civil, criminal, and family cases filed in Chestertown and handled by the 2nd Judicial Circuit. Whether you need a case history, a certified copy, or just want to check a filing date, this guide covers how to search Kent County court records online, what information those files contain, and how to request official documents from the clerk's office.
Kent County Court Records Overview
Kent County Circuit Court Clerk
The Circuit Court Clerk for Kent County is Sherise L. Kennard. The clerk's office is located at 103 N. Cross Street, Chestertown, MD 21620. You can call the office at 410-778-7460 or use the toll-free number 1-800-989-2520. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. This is one of Maryland's smaller counties and has a single Circuit Court judge assigned to the 2nd Judicial Circuit, which also covers Caroline, Cecil, Queen Anne's, and Talbot counties.
Kent County's courthouse sits in the center of Chestertown. The Jury Office operates on a slightly different schedule: Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and it is closed on Fridays. The county holds one grand jury term per year running from January through December. Petit jurors serve one-month terms. If you are called for jury service, you can check your reporting status by calling 410-778-2512 after 5:00 PM the day before your date.
The Kent County Circuit Court Clerk page on the Maryland Judiciary site has current contact information, filing instructions, and links to local resources.
Note: The Jury Office in Kent County is closed on Fridays, so any jury-related inquiries should be made Monday through Thursday before 1:00 PM.
Search Kent County Court Records Online
Maryland offers free public access to court records through Maryland Judiciary Case Search. This statewide tool covers all 24 Maryland jurisdictions, including Kent County. You can search by name, case number, or citation. By default the system requires an exact name match, but entering a percent sign (%) after the last name allows partial name searches if you are unsure of the spelling.
The system returns case numbers, party names, filing dates, case types, current statuses, docket entries, and dispositions. You can filter results by court type, county, date range, and case status. The database refreshes every night. A change made in 2024 means that certain dismissed cases, nolle prosequi entries, and acquittals no longer appear in online results. Stet cases that are more than three years old have also been removed from public view online. For those records you need to contact the clerk's office in Chestertown directly.
Kent County Circuit Court records are generally available from the mid-to-late 1980s in the online system. District Court records typically start around 1991.
What Kent County Court Records Contain
Court records filed in Kent County cover the full range of cases handled by Circuit and District Court. Criminal records show charges, arraignment dates, pleas, trial outcomes, and sentencing details for felony and misdemeanor cases. Civil records include complaints, motions, judgments, and orders in cases involving money disputes, contracts, property, and other civil claims. Family law records in Kent County hold divorce decrees, custody agreements, child support orders, and protective orders.
Land records filed through the Kent County clerk document property transfers, mortgage recordings, liens, and other instruments affecting real estate title. These records are also searchable through Maryland Land Records, a free public portal. Copies of records less than 100 years old cost $0.20 per page as of May 2025. Records older than 100 years are free to copy. Property plats are available through the Maryland State Archives plats system. Estate and probate records are separate from court records and are maintained by the Register of Wills, accessible through the statewide Register of Wills portal.
Some records are restricted by law and will not appear in public searches. Sealed cases, expunged records, adoption files, juvenile delinquency cases, and mental health evaluations are not available to the general public. If you believe a record exists but cannot find it, call the clerk's office for guidance on restricted file categories.
Getting Copies of Court Records
Copies of Kent County court records are available in person at the courthouse, by mail, or through the Maryland Electronic Court (MDEC) portal for cases filed electronically. Standard copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost between $5.00 and $5.50 plus the per-page fee. Exemplified copies, which carry multiple court seals and are often needed for out-of-state legal use, cost $10.00 plus per-page fees.
Mail requests include a $2.00 handling charge added to copy fees. No self-addressed stamped envelope is needed. Audio recordings of courtroom proceedings are available on CD or USB drive for $25.00 per proceeding. Written transcripts cost $3.00 per page. Payment methods accepted at the Kent County clerk's office include cash, checks or money orders payable to the Clerk of Court, and Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. American Express is generally not accepted.
The Maryland Judiciary court forms library has downloadable forms for civil, criminal, and family matters that you can fill out before submitting to the clerk's office.
Note: Mail requests for Kent County court records must include the $2.00 handling fee in addition to per-page copy costs.
Legal Resources for Kent County Residents
People who need legal guidance for court matters in Kent County have several free options. Maryland Legal Aid provides civil legal services at no cost for qualifying individuals. The People's Law Library offers plain-language guides to Maryland court procedures, forms, and legal topics. Both are good starting points before filing anything in court.
The Maryland Courts Self-Help Center is available by phone at 410-260-1392, Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM. Staff can explain court processes but do not give legal advice. For in-depth legal research, the Thurgood Marshall State Law Library is located at 361 Rowe Boulevard in Annapolis and can be reached at 410-260-1430.
The Kent County District Court shares the same building as the Circuit Court at 103 N. Cross Street but operates on the second floor. Its phone number is 410-810-3360. District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, small claims, and civil cases up to $30,000. The Kent District Court directory page has current hours and contact details.
Kent County Clerk and District Court Pages
The Kent County Circuit Court Clerk page on the Maryland Judiciary website provides direct contact information, filing instructions, and links to local resources for people searching or filing Kent County court records.
This screenshot shows the clerk's page where you can find department contacts and filing guidance specific to Kent County.
The Kent County District Court directory lists court hours, location details, and contact numbers for the District Court serving Chestertown and the rest of Kent County.
The District Court handles smaller civil and criminal matters in Kent County and operates out of the same building as the Circuit Court in Chestertown.
Cities in Kent County
Kent County has no cities that meet the population threshold for a dedicated court records page. Residents throughout the county file and access court records through the Circuit Court located in Chestertown at 103 N. Cross Street.
Nearby Counties
Kent County is part of the Eastern Shore and borders two other Maryland counties, each with its own court clerk and records system.