Access Talbot County Court Records
Talbot County court records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Easton as part of the 2nd Judicial Circuit. Whether you are looking for a civil case, a criminal record, or a family court filing, this page explains how to search Talbot County court records online, what you can find in those files, and how to request copies from the clerk's office.
Talbot County Court Records Overview
Talbot County Circuit Court Clerk
Kathleen M. (Kathi) Dulin Duvall serves as the Circuit Court Clerk for Talbot County. The office is at 11 North Washington Street, Suite 16, Easton, MD 21601. The main phone is 410-822-2611, with a toll-free number at 1-800-339-3403. Hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. The 2nd Judicial Circuit includes Caroline, Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's, and Talbot counties.
A December 2021 fire at the Talbot County courthouse caused temporary operational changes. Some procedures were adjusted in the aftermath, and land records must now be filed electronically. Filing by mail or through the online e-file system remains available for most case types. The courthouse has recovered operationally, but if you have questions about specific filing procedures, call the clerk's office before visiting. A Law Library is available on-site in Easton for in-person legal research.
Talbot County also operates a Drug Court as part of its problem-solving court program, and Family Support Services are available for those with family law matters pending. The Orphans' Court, located in the Courthouse North Wing, Suite 14, handles probate and estate matters. Its phone is 410-770-6700. The Talbot County Circuit Court Clerk page has current contact information and filing instructions.
Note: Land records in Talbot County must be filed electronically following operational changes after the December 2021 courthouse fire; check with the clerk's office for current e-filing requirements.
Searching Talbot County Court Records Online
The primary resource for finding Talbot County court records is Maryland Judiciary Case Search, the free statewide database that covers all 24 Maryland jurisdictions. You can search by name, case number, or citation. The default mode is exact name matching. Adding a percent sign (%) to the end of a last name enables partial searches, which helps when you are unsure of the exact spelling or if a name is hyphenated. The system returns case numbers, party names, filing dates, case types, statuses, docket entries, and dispositions.
You can filter results by court type, county, date range, and case status. The database updates overnight. Since 2024, dismissed cases, nolle prosequi entries, and acquittals have been removed from public online results. Stet cases older than three years are also no longer accessible online. To locate those files, contact the Easton clerk's office directly. Talbot County Circuit Court records generally go back to the late 1980s in the system. District Court records date to approximately 1991. For older records or documents not in the online system, an in-person visit to the courthouse is the best option.
What Talbot County Court Records Contain
Talbot County court records cover civil, criminal, and family matters filed in both the Circuit Court and the District Court. Criminal records document charges, pleas, trial dates, outcomes, and sentences for felony and misdemeanor cases. Civil records hold complaints, motions, orders, and judgments in disputes involving money, contracts, property, and other non-criminal claims. Family law records in Talbot County include divorce decrees, custody and visitation arrangements, child support orders, and protective orders.
Land records filed with the Talbot County clerk cover deeds, mortgages, liens, and releases affecting real property in the county. Because land records must now be filed electronically, they are also accessible through Maryland Land Records online using a free account. Copies of records under 100 years old cost $0.20 per page as of May 2025. Records over 100 years old are free to copy. Plat documents are available through the Maryland State Archives plat database. Probate and estate records are held by the Orphans' Court in Easton and the Register of Wills, accessible via the Maryland Register of Wills portal.
Records that are not available to the public include sealed cases, expunged records, adoption files, juvenile delinquency cases, and mental health evaluations. Failure-to-pay-rent cases without a possession judgment are automatically shielded within 60 days under the 2024 rule change.
How to Get Copies of Talbot County Records
Copies of Talbot County court records can be obtained in person at the Easton courthouse, by mail, or through the Maryland MDEC e-portal for electronically filed cases. Standard copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies run $5.00 to $5.50 plus the per-page fee. Exemplified copies with a triple seal cost $10.00 plus per-page charges. Mail requests carry a $2.00 handling charge with no self-addressed stamped envelope needed.
Audio recordings of court proceedings are $25.00 per proceeding on CD or USB drive. Written transcripts are $3.00 per page. Accepted payment methods include cash, checks or money orders payable to Clerk of Court, and Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. American Express is typically not accepted. All Maryland court forms are available free at the Maryland Judiciary forms library, which you can download and fill out before visiting the courthouse.
The Talbot County District Court is located at 108 West Dover Street in Easton and can be reached at 410-819-5850. District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic cases, and smaller civil claims.
Note: Filing by mail and electronic e-filing are both available for most case types in Talbot County, which can save a trip to the Easton courthouse for straightforward filings.
Legal Resources in Talbot County
Free legal resources are available for people dealing with court matters in Talbot County. Maryland Legal Aid provides civil legal services to those who qualify. The People's Law Library offers free guides to Maryland court procedures and forms in plain language. The Maryland Courts Self-Help Center at 410-260-1392 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM) can explain processes but does not give legal advice.
The on-site Law Library at the Talbot County courthouse in Easton is open to the public for legal research during court hours. The Thurgood Marshall State Law Library in Annapolis at 361 Rowe Boulevard (410-260-1430) is another research option. Family Support Services at the Talbot County courthouse can connect individuals with family law resources. The Maryland Courts Directory lists all Maryland courts with addresses and contact details.
Talbot County Clerk Office
The Talbot County Circuit Court Clerk page on the Maryland Judiciary website provides department contacts, filing instructions, and information about current procedures in Easton following the 2021 courthouse fire.
This page is the most reliable source for fee schedules, department phone numbers, and current filing requirements for Talbot County court records.
Cities in Talbot County
Talbot County has no cities that meet the population threshold for a dedicated court records page. All court filings for residents across the county are handled through the Circuit Court Clerk's office at 11 North Washington Street in Easton.
Nearby Counties
Talbot County is on Maryland's Eastern Shore and borders three other counties, each with its own court system and clerk's office.