Look Up Somerset County Court Records
Somerset County court records are filed with the 1st Judicial Circuit in Princess Anne, one of Maryland's oldest court systems with records dating back to 1665. This page explains how to search Somerset County court records online, what those records include, and how to request official copies from the clerk's office on Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore.
Somerset County Court Records Overview
Somerset County Circuit Court Clerk
Charles T. Horner serves as the Circuit Court Clerk for Somerset County. The office is at 30512 Prince William Street, Princess Anne, MD 21853, with a mailing address of P.O. Box 99, Princess Anne, MD 21853. You can reach the office at 410-845-4848, or toll-free at 1-800-341-2206. Hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. The 1st Judicial Circuit includes Dorchester, Wicomico, and Worcester counties in addition to Somerset.
Chief Deputy Clerk Penny B. Custis can be reached at 410-845-4845. The Civil Department Supervisor is Patricia A. Bozman at 410-845-4855. The Criminal Supervisor is Melinda L. Sterling at 410-845-4850. Land Records are managed by Richard C. Truax, also reachable at 410-845-4845. One notable feature of the Somerset County clerk's office is that staff can assist visitors in Spanish, making it more accessible to Spanish-speaking residents of the Lower Eastern Shore.
Somerset County court records go back to 1665, making this one of the oldest continuous court record sets in Maryland. A research room is available at the courthouse for those who want to self-research historical files. The county also runs an Adult Recovery Court and a Truancy Reduction Program through the court system. The Somerset County Circuit Court Clerk page has current contact details and local filing information.
Note: The Somerset County clerk's office offers assistance in Spanish, which can be helpful for Spanish-speaking residents seeking court records or filing documents.
Searching Somerset County Court Records
The main online tool for Somerset County court records is Maryland Judiciary Case Search, the free statewide database covering all 24 Maryland jurisdictions. You can search by name, case number, or citation. Name searches require an exact match by default. Adding a percent sign (%) after the last name enables partial matching if you are not sure of the exact spelling. Results include case numbers, party names, filing dates, case types, current statuses, docket entries, and dispositions.
You can filter search results by case type, court level, county, and date range. The system updates each night. Since 2024, dismissed cases, nolle prosequi entries, and acquittals are no longer visible in public results. Stet cases older than three years have also been removed online. For those records, contact the Princess Anne clerk's office directly. Somerset County's Circuit Court records are generally available in the online system from the late 1980s. District Court records date back to approximately 1991. Historical records from 1665 forward can be accessed through an in-person visit and a self-research session in the courthouse research room.
What Somerset County Court Records Contain
Court records in Somerset County span all case types filed in Circuit and District Court. Criminal records document charges, pleas, hearing schedules, trial outcomes, and sentencing details for felony and misdemeanor cases. Civil records hold complaints, motions, court orders, and judgments in disputes involving money, contracts, property, and other civil matters. Family law files contain divorce decrees, custody and visitation orders, child support rulings, and protective orders issued in the county.
Somerset County land records document deeds, mortgage recordings, liens, and other instruments affecting real property. These can also be searched through Maryland Land Records online using a free account. Records under 100 years old cost $0.20 per page to copy as of May 2025. Records over 100 years old are free to copy online. Plat documents are searchable at the Maryland State Archives plat database. Plat copy fees in Somerset County differ slightly: copies up to 11" x 17" are $0.50 per page, and larger plats cost $1.00 per page. Estate and probate matters are handled through the Register of Wills, available via the Maryland Register of Wills portal.
Certain records are withheld from public access. Sealed, expunged, adoption, juvenile delinquency, and mental health records are restricted by Maryland law. Failure-to-pay-rent cases without a possession judgment are shielded automatically within 60 days under the 2024 rule.
Getting Copies of Somerset County Records
Copies of Somerset County court records can be obtained in person, by mail, or through the Maryland MDEC portal for electronically filed cases. Standard copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies run $5.00 to $5.50 plus the per-page fee. Exemplified copies with a triple court seal cost $10.00 plus per-page fees. Mail requests add a $2.00 handling charge and do not require a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Audio recordings of proceedings are $25.00 per proceeding on CD or USB drive. Written transcripts cost $3.00 per page. Payment is accepted by cash, check or money order made payable to Clerk of Court, and Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. American Express is generally not accepted at Maryland courthouses. Court forms for all case types can be downloaded free at the Maryland Judiciary forms page.
The Somerset County District Court is located at 12155 Elm Street, Suite C in Princess Anne. Note that the District Court requires compliance with security screening, including metal detectors, and does not allow food or drink inside.
Note: Somerset County's plat copy fees differ from standard copy rates: copies up to 11" x 17" are $0.50 per page, while larger formats cost $1.00 per page.
Legal Resources in Somerset County
Several free resources are available to Somerset County residents who need help navigating the court system. Maryland Legal Aid serves those who qualify with free civil legal assistance. The People's Law Library provides free, plain-language guides to Maryland court processes and forms. The Maryland Courts Self-Help Center at 410-260-1392 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM) can explain procedures but does not provide legal advice.
The Thurgood Marshall State Law Library at 361 Rowe Boulevard in Annapolis (410-260-1430) is open to the public and has extensive Maryland legal research materials. The Maryland Courts Directory lists every court in Maryland with contact details.
Somerset County Clerk Office
The Somerset County Circuit Court Clerk page on the Maryland Judiciary site provides current staff contacts, department phone numbers, filing requirements, and information about accessing historical records in Princess Anne.
The clerk's page is the best source for up-to-date filing instructions, fee schedules, and department contacts for Somerset County court records.
Cities in Somerset County
Somerset County has no cities that meet the population threshold for a dedicated court records page. All court filings for residents are handled through the Circuit Court Clerk's office at 30512 Prince William Street in Princess Anne.
Nearby Counties
Somerset County is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit on Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore, bordering two other counties with their own court systems.