Carroll County Arrest, Court, and Public Records

What Are Carroll County Public Records?

In line with the Public Information Act, Carroll County public records refer to any documentary material generated or received in connection with the public business and conduct of a government body or unit. These records may be in the form of typed/handwritten documents, films, maps, photographs, tape recordings, or computerized files.

Usually, records are presumed to be open unless exempted by law. However, not all public records are open for public inspection and duplication. Record custodians may provide or withhold access materials according to state/federal laws, statutes, court orders, or court rules.

Some records may be confidential or under discretionary disclosure, such as;

Sealed court records
Trade secrets and confidential commercial information
Adoption records
Medical records
Any personal or private information contained in government-generated documents
Law enforcement investigative records

Example of public records with open access includes:

Records, minutes, or videotapes of open meetings
A government-maintained public database like the Maryland Sex Offender Registry
Historical records or archives
Statistical data like population census and crime statistics

Carroll County Crime Statistics

According to the Maryland UCR Crime Index Report, Carroll County recorded 1,844 offenses in 2019, a 5% decrease compared to the 1,942 offenses recorded in 2018. Indexed crimes in 2019 included one murder, 29 robberies, 37 rape cases, 72 mother vehicle thefts, 181 incidents of aggravated assault, 213 breaking and entering cases, and 1,311 larceny thefts. Compared to the 2018 statistics, robbery, assault, B&E, larceny-theft, and MVT reduced by 36%, 8%, 1%, 3%, and 23%, respectively. However, rape cases increased by 12%, while murder rates remained unchanged. The crime arrest data for Carroll County revealed that there had been 2,960 arrests in 2019, divided into 2,714 adult arrests and 246 juvenile arrests. The total arrest rate had reduced by 6% since 2018.

Are Carroll County Criminal Records Public?

Not all Carroll County criminal records are publicly available. For instance, individuals may obtain personal criminal records, and authorized agencies/employers may conduct background checks through the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS). However, other third-party criminal record checks may require additional authorization.

For personal criminal history information, interested persons living in the state may visit the nearest CJIS Office that provides fingerprinting services along with valid government-issued photo identification and appropriate fees. Individuals who live outside the state should first request fingerprint cards by calling or mailing the Criminal Justice Information System - Central Repository at:

P.O. Box 32708
Pikesville, MD 21282-2708
Phone: (410) 764-4501
Phone: (888) 795-0011 (toll-free)

Applicants should fill and mail the fingerprint card, along with fees in check to:

Criminal Justice Information System - Central Repository
6776 Reisterstown Road,
Suite 102
Baltimore, MD 21215 - 2346

Individuals who wish to carry out background checks for licensing or employment reasons may do so through the licensing agency or employer. These applicants must have the agency’s authorization number or use the fingerprint cards provided by the agency.

On the other hand, eligible agencies may conduct criminal background checks by completing the application form and sending it along with fees to:

Mail: Criminal Justice Information System - Central Repository
P.O. Box 32708
Pikesville, MD 21282-2708

In-person: Criminal Justice Information - Central Repository
6776 Reisterstown Road,
Suite 102
Baltimore, MD 21215
Fax: (410) 653-6320

Interested persons may obtain criminal case information from county courts or criminal offense reports from the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office.

How to Obtain Carroll County Police Reports and Arrest Records?

Interested persons may obtain law enforcement records like Carroll arrest records, accident reports, offense reports, and other police records from the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office. Accident reports are available online as long as the requester can provide the involved party’s last name and the report number/incident date. The first page cost $8, with subsequent pages costing $2 each.

Individuals may request Carroll County arrest records, police reports, and other public information by filling the request form with relevant details and sending or submitting it with fees and other requirements to:

Carroll County Sheriff’s Office
100 North Court Street,
Westminster, MD 21157

The Sheriff’s Office charges 25cents per report page, $10 CD/DVD, and $35 per hour of research after the first two hours. Requesters may pay with cash, money order, or check.

Note: The Sheriff’s Office may withhold records if they contain confidential or sensitive information or details of pending investigations.

How to Find Sex Offender Information in Carroll County

The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) is responsible for registering sex offenders in the county, and it carries out this duty through the Sex Offender Registry Unit. Individuals may obtain information on child sex offenders residing in the county by filling the request form with the offender’s name or an area of interest and sending the completed form to:

Carroll County Sheriff’s Office
100 North Court Street,
Westminster, MD 21157

Alternatively, Maryland Sex Offender Registry provides access to statewide information on registered sex offenders in Maryland. Individuals may use the search tool to find sex offenders by name or city or in a specific area. Clicking on an offender's name on the result page will provide the following:

Offender’s full name and aliases
Offender’s physical description, including age, race, hair color, sex, and body markings
Work address and other known addresses
Offense, conviction, and release details

Users can view a list of all published offenders or a list of non-compliant offenders. Interested persons may also use the available notification resources on the website to receive automated email, text, or phone call alerts on offenders who move into an area or check for changes in an offender's custody status.

How to Find Carroll County Inmate Records

The CCSO Record's Unit collects, maintains, and reviews information on inmates in the Carroll County Detention Center (CCDC). Interested persons may obtain an inmate’s record by filling the request form with the inmate’s name, date of birth, or booking number and sending the completed form to:

Carroll County Sheriff’s Office
100 North Court Street,
Westminster, MD 21157

Additionally, victims of a crime may obtain their offenders’ incarceration details through the Victim Information & Notification Everyday (VINE) system.

How Do I Visit an Inmate in Carroll County Jail?

Inmates in the Carroll County Detention Center can receive visits from persons included in their approved visitation list. Eligible individuals should visit inmates according to the jail’s visitation schedule and register for the visit at least 30 minutes before the beginning of the last visit session. Upon arrival into the facility, visitors must provide valid picture identification, their complete home address, and the inmate's name before filling the visitation log sheet. Visitation rules include:

An inmate’s visitation list can contain up to eight adults
Inmates can change their visitation list monthly
A maximum of three persons may visit an inmate at a time
Inmates can receive up to two 20-minutes visits weekly but not on the same day
Disruptive behaviors and taking in contrabands may lead to suspension or termination of visiting privileges

For additional information, call (410) 386-2628

Court Records

Carroll County court records refer to documentary materials generated or filed in connection with the legal matters and proceedings that happen within the county’s jurisdiction. These records may contain audio or video recordings, sworn statements, typed or written information on civil or criminal cases. Examples of Carroll court records include case files, dockets, transcripts, court minutes, and so on.

The locations of courts in Carroll County are as follows:

Carroll County Circuit Court
Carroll County Courthouse Annex
55 North Court Street,
Westminster, MD 21157
Phone: (410) 386-8710
Fax: (410) 876-0822

Carroll County District Court
101 N Court Street,
Westminster, MD 21157
Phone: (410) 871-3500

Carroll County Orphans' Court
Carroll County Courthouse Annex
55 N Court Street,
Westminster, MD 21157
Phone: (410) 848-2586
Fax: (410) 876-0657

Are Carroll County Court Records Public?

Carroll County court records are open to public access unless restricted by state/federal law, statute, court order, or court rule. Individuals can obtain unrestricted Carroll court records simply by providing case details and duplication fees, while restricted records often require additional authorization. Interested persons may search for case information online or send requests for copies via mail, fax, or other accepted channels.

How to Obtain Carroll County Civil Court Case Records

Carroll County civil case records are available at the Clerk’s Office for the Carroll County Circuit Court. Interested persons may first call the Clerk’s Office at (410) 386-8720 to determine record availability and cost before request copies by sending filled copy request forms and required fees in check or money order to:

Heather S. DeWees - Clerk
Judicial Department
Carroll County Circuit Court
55 North Court Street
Westminster, MD 21158
Phone: (410) 386-8710
Fax: (410) 386-8734
Email: CarrollCircuitCourtClerksOffice@mdcourts.gov

The clerk charges 50 cents per copy page and $5 per certification.

How to Obtain Carroll County Criminal Court Records

The Clerk’s Office maintains criminal court records for the Carroll County Circuit Court. Individuals can obtain copies of the record by calling the Clerk’s Office at (410) 386-8720 to determine copy costs and availability before sending requests via email, mail, or dropbox. Requesters should send the completed copy request forms and required fees in check or money order to:

Plain copies of Carroll County criminal court records cost 50 cents each and certification costs $5.

Are Property Records Open to the Public in Carroll County?

According to the State of Maryland Public Information Act, members of the public have access to the property records documented by Carroll County. Requesters can inspect or obtain copies of these property records by submitting a request to the custodian who is the Carroll County Circuit Court Clerk.

Where and How to Find Property Records in Carroll County

The Carroll County Circuit Court Clerk's office records and maintains property documents for the county, including Deeds, Property Mortgages, Land Deeds, Liens, Property Leases, Releases of Mortgages, and Powers of Attorney. Requesters may access these property records online or by visiting the office in person. The County Clerk's office is open to the public Mondays to Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at:

55 North Court Street,
West Minster, MD 21157-5155

People may also contact the Circuit Clerk's office by calling (410) 386-8710 to order copies of Carroll County property records. People requesting copies of Carroll County property records may have to do so in writing. Printed copies of Carroll County property records cost 50 cents per page.

How to Look Up Carroll County Property Records

The Carroll County Circuit Court Clerk's office updates a database containing all properties within the county on the U.S State of Maryland Lands Record Portal. The Portal includes up-to-date and verified land instruments recorded in Maryland and is maintained by the Maryland Judiciary, the elected Court Clerks of Maryland, and the Maryland State Archives. Searches for property records are conducted on the platform by creating a user account. Upon creating an account, a user obtains login details consisting of a username and password for access. Land surveys, condominiums, and subdivision plats not recorded in land records are not available on the state database, but requesters can find them using an alternative website.

Also, tax bills and assessment information are not listed on the site; requesters may have to check the State Department of Assessment and Taxation (SDAT) or the Carroll County property tax collection department. The Carroll County Clerk's office has several computer terminals available for users' searches and review of records. The office offers in-person assistance as well at:

55 North Court Street,
West Minster, MD 21157-5155
Phone: (410) 386-8710

Location of Carroll County Township Property Assessors

State Department of Assessments & Taxation
15 East Main Street
Westminster, MD 21157
Phone: (410) 857-0600
Fax: (410) 857-0128

What Are Carroll County Vital Records?

Carroll County vital records refer to government-generated documents that contain information of life events such as births, divorces, marriages, and deaths in the county. Individuals may get certified or uncertified copies of these records from state or county departments. However, access to some information may be restricted to requesters with legitimate claims or valid interests.

Where and How to Obtain Carroll County Divorce Records

Carroll County divorce records are available locally at the Clerk’s Office for the Carroll County Circuit Court. Individuals can obtain copies of this record by calling the Clerk’s Office at (410) 386-8720 to determine copy costs and record availability before submitting requests via email, mail, or dropbox. Requesters should send the completed copy request forms and required fees in check or money order to:

Where and How to Get Public Carroll County Marriage Records

The Clerk’s Office provides access to Carroll County marriage certificates. Interested persons may request copies of these records by calling the Land Records and Licensing Department at (410) 386-8760 to determine record cost before sending requests via email, mail, or dropbox. Requesters should then fill and send the marriage certificate request form and required fees in check or money order to:

Heather S. DeWees - Clerk
Land Records & Licensing Department
Carroll County Circuit Court
55 North Court Street,
Westminster, MD 21158
Phone: (410) 386-8710
Fax: (410) 386-8734
Email: CarrollCountyMarriageLicenses@mdcourts.gov

Carroll County marriage records issued after January 1, 2007, are also available at the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), Division of Vital Records. However, access is limited to the record subjects and either spouse’s attorney or authorized representatives. Eligible parties may make requests by sending application forms (Spanish), a $12 check or money order per requested copy, valid ID, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

Division of Vital Records
P.O. Box 68760
Baltimore, MD 21215-0036

Where and How to Find Carroll County Birth Records

Carroll County birth records are available at the MDH Division of Vital Records. However, only the registrant and the subject’s parents/legal guardian, surviving spouse, or authorized representatives are eligible to obtain certified copies of Carroll County birth certificates. Applicants may make requests by sending application forms (Spanish), a $10 check or money order per requested copy, valid ID, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

Division of Vital Records
P.O. Box 68760
Baltimore, MD 21215-0036

Where and How to Find Carroll County Death Records

The MDH Division of Vital Records keeps records of deaths that happen in Carroll County from 1969. However, only the following parties may apply for certified copies:

Surviving relatives
The funeral director
The deceased’s legal representative

Eligible parties may make requests by sending completed application forms, fees in check or money order per requested copy, valid ID, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

Division of Vital Records
P.O. Box 68760
Baltimore, MD 21215-0036

The Division of Vital Records charges $10 for the first copy of a Carroll County death certificate and $12 for each added copy.