Crime Numbers
The Maryland Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) maintained by the Maryland State Police (MDSP) contains crime data provided by law enforcement agencies across the state. Crime data for 2018 indicated there were a total of 1,036 index crimes in Calvert County with violent crimes recording 111 incidents and property crimes recording 925 incidents. Of the total number of violent crimes, 4 were murders, 15 were rapes, 19 were robberies, and 76 were incidents of aggravated assault. Reported incidences of property crimes included 148 incidents of breaking and entering, 726 larceny-thefts, 48 motor vehicle thefts, and 3 arsons.
Compared with the crime data for 2014, there was a 38% reduction in the total number of index crimes in Calvert County in 2018. In this five-year period, violent crime and property crime rates fell by 15.3% and 39.9% respectively. An analysis of the five-year trend revealed declining robbery (-36.7%), aggravated assault (-24%), breaking and entering (-57.3%), larceny-theft (-36.5%), and arson (-40%) rates. On the other hand, rape (+1400%), murder (+100%), and motor vehicle theft (+11.6%) rates rose during this period in Calvert County.
Criminal Records
The Criminal Justice Information Service (CJIS) of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Corrections Services (DPSCS) collates, retains, and provides statewide criminal history information. Information gathered and possessed by the CJIS is only available to entities with the proper authorization to obtain such information. Individuals are authorized to request and obtain personal criminal history check reports for personal reviews, Gold Seal letters, visa applications, and other such purposes. Certain employers are also authorized to request criminal history information about potential employees. Criminal history checks in Maryland are fingerprint-based.
To perform a personal review state criminal history check, the individual requesting the information must submit a complete set of fingerprints to the CJIS central repository. A copy of an individual’s set of fingerprints can be obtained from authorized locations that provide fingerprinting services or the local law enforcement agency. Fingerprints are obtained on the state fingerprint card. Persons requesting a copy of their fingerprints from private providers will be required to complete the Livescan Pre-registration Application form. Providers can mail the completed fingerprint card to the CJIS for individual review requests if so desired. Fingerprinting services cost $20 per customer for a set of five fingerprints.
Requesters should send the fingerprint card by overnight delivery to the CJIS - Central Repository at Suite 102, 6776 Reisterstown Road, Baltimore, MD 21215, or mail it to CJIS-Central Repository P.O. Box 32708, Pikesville, MD 21282-2708. State criminal history checks cost $18 each and there is an extra $1 charge for gold seals. Accepted payment options are checks (payable to CJIS Central Repository) and credit/debit cards.
To obtain a criminal history check report for employment purposes, the employer must initiate the criminal history check request. When submitting the fingerprints to the CJIS for the check, the subjects must use the fingerprint cards provided by their employers and have their employers authorization number available.
The Calvert County Sheriff’s Office responds to requests for copies of open records for the county. These include accident reports, incident reports, criminal reports, reconstruction reports, CD/DVDs, and photos. Complete the Information Request form and submit it in person or by mail to:
Office of the Sheriff
Calvert County
30 Church Street
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Phone: (410) 535-2800
(310) 855-1194
An accident report costs $10, a criminal report costs $5, and reconstruction reports cost $2 per page. The Sheriff’s Office charges $10 for a CD/DVD containing audio or video records and $1 for each photo record. If research or copying of records exceeds a 2-hour limit, the Sheriff’s Office will charge an additional fee of $28 per extra hour. Payment should be by cash or checks made payable to the Calvert County Treasurer. Cash is not accepted for mail requests.
The Maryland Sex Offender Registry is maintained by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS). Members of the public can search for sex offenders in Calvert County by using the search tool provided. Users can also register for free email alerts which will inform them if registered sex offenders move into homes within 1 mile of provided addresses.
The Calvert County Detention Center is run by the Calvert County Sheriff. The center handles the detention of suspected offenders pre-trial and of convicted offenders serving short-term sentences. The Calvert County Detention Center is located at:
325 Stafford Road
Barstow, MD 20610
Phone: (410) 535-4300
Fax: (410) 535-4537
Inmates can receive funds for their commissary accounts from friends and relatives through money orders (made payable to the Calvert County Detention Center). The inmate’s name should be indicated on the money order and it should be mailed to:
(Inmate’s Name)
Calvert County Detention Center
P.O. Box 9
Barstow, MD 20610
Inmate commissary accounts are also funded by using the kiosk located in the lobby of the detention center. Cash, credit, or debit cards are accepted for making deposits and there will be a transaction charge deducted. Inmate commissary accounts will be credited immediately.
Inmate accounts may also be credited online using the web deposit services of JailATM.
Court Records
The trial courts in Calvert County are a Circuit Court, a District Court, and an Orphan Court. The Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases but will usually only handle cases beyond the jurisdiction of the lower courts. Cases typically heard exclusively in Circuit Court are civil claims with disputes exceeding $25,000, most felony crimes, divorces, domestic violence protection orders, child custody, child support, child protection, termination of parental rights, and cases that require equitable relief. The Circuit Court in Calvert County is located at:
Calvert County Circuit Court
Calvert County Courthouse
175 Main Street
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
(410) 535-1600
The District Court has limited jurisdiction over certain types of civil and criminal cases. Criminal cases heard in District Court include preliminary hearings, some felonies, most misdemeanors, violations of county and municipal ordinance, and traffic violations. Civil cases heard include landlord-tenant disputes, actions for replevin, peace orders, some juvenile cases, and civil claims for claims up to $25,000. District Court shares jurisdiction with Circuit Court for civil cases involving disputes between $5,000 and $25,000. It also has a Small Claims Court which handles civil cases involving $5,000. District Court does not handle cases that request a jury trial. The District Court for Calvert County is:
Calvert County District Court
Louis L. Goldstein Multi-Service Center
200 Duke Street
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
(443) 550-6700
Orphan Court has limited jurisdiction over most probate matters, certain tax issues which are related to probate cases, issues involving the ownership of land related to probate cases, and some guardianships. They share jurisdiction with Circuit Court over certain cases such as the guardianship of a minor. The Orphan Court for Calvert County is:
Calvert County Orphans' Court
Calvert County Courthouse
175 Main St
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Phone: (410) 535-1600 ext. 2256
Fax: (410) 414-3952
The Maryland Judiciary website provides online access, for members of the public, to court records and case files through the Maryland Judiciary CaseSearch. The web portal retains information from all the Circuit and District Courts in the State of Maryland. Court records can be searched by name, type, county, and/or case number. Select Calvert County from the county drop-down box for records exclusive to the county.
Copies of Calvert County court records are also obtained by contacting the appropriate court where the record was filed and making a request to the Clerk of the Court.
Land and property records for Calvert County are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. For information about land and property records or deeds, contact the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Vital Records
Certified copies of vital records can only be received upon request by eligible persons. All persons requesting certified copies of vital records are required to provide acceptable forms of identification.
Divorce decrees finalized in Calvert County are filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Calvert County. Certified copies of divorce decrees can only be received, upon request, by either spouse named on the record, their authorized representatives, or their attorneys. Representatives must present an authorization letter signed by either spouse and certified by a notary public. Attorneys must present proof of representation of either spouse. Obtain certified copies of a divorce decree in Calvert County by submitting a request by mail or in person to:
Office of the Clerk
Circuit Court of Calvert County
175 Main Street
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
(410) 535-1600
Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays to Fridays (except state holidays). The Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court charges 50 cents per page for copying records and $5 per record for certification.
To obtain certified copies of marriage licenses issued in Calvert County, contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Calvert County. Certified copies of marriage licenses are only available to either spouse named on the record, their authorized representatives, or their attorneys. Representatives must present an authorization letter signed by either spouse and certified by a notary public. Attorneys must present proof of representation of either spouse. Requests for certified copies of marriage licenses can be made in writing or in person. Requesters may use the Request for Certified Copy of Marriage License form or not, but must provide all the information necessary to obtain the record. Submit the request to
Office of the Clerk
Circuit Court of Calvert County
175 Main Street
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
(410) 535-1600
Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays to Fridays (except state holidays). The Clerk of the Circuit Court charges $5.50 per copy for certified marriage licenses, payable by check or money order made out to the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Certified copies of certificates for births that were recorded in Calvert County from 1939 to the present can be obtained from the Calvert County Health Department. Certified copies of birth certificates are only obtainable by the person named on the certificate and the parents named on the certificate. All applicants are required to provide valid government-issued photo IDs. There is a $20 fee for copies which can be paid in cash or by credit or debit card. Apply in person at:
Calvert County Health Department
975 Solomons Island Road North
P.O. Box 980
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
(410) 535-5400
Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays (except state holidays).
For births recorded prior to 1939, certified abstracts of birth certificates are available from the Maryland Department of Health.
Obtain certified copies of death certificates for deaths recorded in Calvert County after January 1, 2015, from the Calvert County Health Department. Certified copies of death certificates are only available to surviving relatives of the deceased, their legal representatives, and the funeral directors in charge of the final disposition of the deceased. Relatives will be required to provide proof of their relationship to the deceased. Certified copies of death certificates cost $18 for the first copy and $20 for each additional copy. Apply in person at:
Calvert County Health Department
975 Solomons Island Road North
P.O. Box 980
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
(410) 535-5400
Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays (except state holidays).
Obtain death certificates for persons deceased prior to January 1, 2015, from the Maryland Department of Health.
Vital records for the State of Maryland can be obtained by eligible persons from the Maryland Department of Health. The Division of Vital Records retains birth records since 1898, death records since 1969, marriage records since 1990, and divorce records since 1992. Certified copies of birth records cost $10 each, certified copies of death records cost $10 for the first copy and $12 for each additional copy, certified copies of marriage records cost $12 each, and certified copies of divorce verifications cost $12 each. Make requests online, by mail, or in person. Use the birth, death, marriage, or divorce application form to submit mail or in-person requests to:
Division of Vital Records
Maryland Department of Health
6764-B Reisterstown Road
P.O. Box 68760
Baltimore, MD 21215-2306
