Charles County Arrest, Court, and Public Records

What are Charles County Public Records?

Charles county public records consist of documentary material that is created, maintained, received, or stored by state and local agencies during the transaction of public business. These include written materials, photocopies, books, tapes, records drawings, and other materials. The Maryland PIA preserves the public’s right to access or make copies of these records. However, some records may be restricted from public view if they are found to contain information protected by law. Examples of these include:

Records containing adoption or welfare information
Personnel, retirement, and student records
Records that divulge a subject’s personal finances
Professional licensing and occupational records
Motor vehicle administration records
Sociological, psychological, and medical data
Records containing the phone number and personal contact details of public employees
Records containing trade secrets or protected financial information
Records containing testing data, research projects, or proprietary information

Criminal Statistics

The Maryland Statistical Analysis Center maintains the state’s repository of crime data. It also publishes annual statistical crime reports to depict criminal activity across the state. According to 2017 reports, Charles county recorded a 2.4% year-to-year increase in crime rate. Charles County law enforcement agencies recorded a net total of 3,220 index crime offenses in 2017 with violent crimes accounting for 17.9% of the reported criminal acts, while property crimes constituted 83% of the reported offenses. Larceny-theft was recorded to be the most recurring crime with 2,090 reported incidents followed by burglary with 408 incidents, and aggravated assault reported 367 times. Motor vehicle theft, robbery, and rape recorded 182, 126, and 39 incidents respectively, indicating a 4.3% decline in violent crime rate and a 3.8% increase in the occurrence of property crime.

Are Charles County Criminal Records Public?

Access to criminal records in Charles County is decided on a case-by-case basis. The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is tasked with preventing and investigating crimes as well as providing full-service law enforcement services, including performing the court-related functions of a traditional sheriff’s office. However, requests for criminal records and background checks are primarily processed by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. The Department is the central repository of criminal history information of persons resident in the state of Maryland.

How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records?

The CJIS-Central Repository of the Maryland State Department of Public Safety responds to queries relating to criminal records and background checks. To request criminal records, interested parties will need to visit any of the authorized fingerprinting Vendors where they will be fingerprinted on the State Form 015. This will require fingerprint cards either supplied by the employer/licensing agency or the employer/licensing agency’s authorization number. After completing the fingerprinting process, the completed form should then be accompanied by a cheque or money order payment of the appropriate fee and submitted to:

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

CJIS-CR
P.O. Box 32708
Pikesville, MD 21282-2708

How to Find Charles County Sex Offender Information?

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office maintains a public-access Registry of Sex Offenders featuring the personal information, addresses, and compliance status of sex offenders resident within county limits. Interested persons may search the registry by name, city, and zip code. Sex offender information can also be filtered by the home, school, and work addresses of offenders. Offenders within a specified radius of any chosen address can also be viewed on the registry. To keep county residents updated about changes in offender location and compliance, the Sheriff’s Office also provides an Email Alert Service with which subscribed persons can receive frequent email notifications regarding sex offenders their chosen vicinities.

How to Find Charles County Inmate and Jail Information?

The Corrections Division of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for overseeing the Charles County Detention Center Main Facility, and the Charles County Detention Center Annex. Thus, all queries relating to jail facilities and incarcerated persons within county limits may be directed to the staff of the Corrections Division at (301) 932-3100. Information relating to inmate accounts, welfare, contact, and onsite or virtual visitation can be viewed on the Detention Center Information Page.

How Do I Visit an inmate in Charles County Jail?

Only approved persons included on an inmate’s visitation list may visit the Charles County Jail. Inmates at the Charles County Jail are permitted an hour-long visit every other week. The visiting schedule is determined by cell assignment and housing units. Visitors are required to arrive at least 15 minutes before each visit. Visitors must also provide a valid government-issued photo I.D (such as a driver’s license or passport). A maximum of four visitors may see an inmate, two at a time. Visitors under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult no younger than 21. Visitors are forbidden from bringing contraband items along during a visit. These include:

Lighters, aerosol spray cans
Cameras, mobile phones, or recording devices
Tobacco and cigarettes
Knives or guns
Medication, alcohol, or any alcohol-based products

Court Records

Where and How to Get Charles County Court Records?

The Charles County Circuit Court Clerk is charged with performing most administrative and clerical functions of the Charles County Circuit Court. The office retains records of court cases filed and heard by the court, and issues copies of non-confidential records to interested persons.

To obtain a record, interested persons may query the office in person or via mail. The requesting party will be required to provide relevant information regarding the record being requested such as the name of the plaintiff/defendant, details of the case type, the case file number, and the date the record was filed.

Record requests can be made to:

Charles County Circuit Court Clerk
200 Charles Street
La Plata, MD 20646
Phone: (301) 932-3201

The Circuit Court Clerk also records and maintains records pertaining to land and real property ownership including deeds, liens, mortgage documents, and land records of property recorded within county limits. Copies of these may also be accessed by querying the office in person or sending a written request stating the type of record required, the recording and page number of the document as well as the owner's name and the location of the property.

Location of all Courts in Charles County

Carroll County is home to multiple courts, including a circuit court, district court, and orphan’s court. The circuit court has general jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases, while the district court oversees general civil claims up to $25,000. Cases involving guardianship and probate disputes are heard at the Orphan’s court. Listed below are the addresses and contact information of all the courthouses in Charles County, Maryland:

Charles County Circuit Court Charles County Courthouse
200 Charles Street
La Plata, MD 20646
Phone: (301) 932-3201

Charles County District Court Charles County Courthouse
11 Washington Avenue
P.O. Box 3070
La Plata, MD 20646
Phone: (301) 934-5110

Charles County Orphans’ Court Charles County Courthouse
11 Washington Avenue
P.O. Box 3080
La Plata, MD 20646
Phone: (301) 932-3345
Fax: (301) 932-3349

Are Property Records Open to the Public in Charles County?

Under the Maryland Public Information Act, all interested parties may inspect Charles County property records or obtain copies as desired. Documents are accessible by submitting applications to the county's custodian office.

Where and How to Find Property Records in Charles County

Charles County property records are available at the Office of the Circuit Court Clerk. The Clerk's Office serves as the county's official recorder for property records such as deeds, plats, mortgages, conveyances, and other related documents. Each regular page costs 50 cents. Plat copies larger than 11" x 17" cost 1 per page. For certification and exemplification, requestors are charged $5 and $10, respectively. Requestors may submit written applications or visit the Circuit Court Clerk's Office at:

Charles County Office of the Circuit Court Clerk
200 Charles Street
La Plata, MD 20646
Phone: (301) 932-3201
Phone: (301) 870-2659
Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Interested persons can also obtain records by contacting the local assessment office in Charles County. The Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation assesses and values or properties in the county through local offices. Persons seeking the Assessment Office's property records may visit or send requests to the:

Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation – Charles County Office
Southern Maryland Trade Center
101 Catalpa Drive - Suite 101A
La Plata, MD 20646
Hours: 8:00 to 4:30
Phone: (301) 932-2440
Fax: (301) 932-2189
Email: sdat.char@maryland.gov

How to Look Up Charles County Property Records

The Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation provides a searchable online registry for property records. Users must select Charles County from the appropriate drop-down menu and then choose one of the following search methods:

Street address
Property sales
Property account identifier
Map/Parcel

Limited property information may also be obtained online on the property tax account inquiry provided by the Charles County Treasury Division. Users can search by property number, owner's last name, or street details.

Location of Charles County Property Assessors

Vital Records

The Maryland Department of Health is the chief custodian of statewide vital records and statistics. The Department processes requests for birth and death records as well as marriage and divorce certificates. At the county level, these records are maintained by the Charles County Department of Health and the County Court of Circuit Clerk.

Where and How to Get Charles County Divorce Records?

The Charles County Circuit Court Clerk maintains records of divorces granted by the Charles County Circuit Court. Interested persons can obtain copies by submitting a request to the Clerk’s Office in person or via mail. The requesting party will be required to provide information regarding the divorce, including the names of the divorcees, the date of filing, and the record case file number (if known). Record requests can be made to:

Charles County Circuit Court Clerk
200 Charles Street
La Plata, MD 20646
Phone: (301) 932-3201

Where and How to Get Charles County Marriage Records?

The office of the Charles County Circuit Court Clerk doubles as the County Clerk and issues marriage licenses to intending spouses in Charles County. The office maintains records of marriages licensed by its office and provides copies of these records to interested parties.

To obtain certified copies of a marriage record from the Clerk’s Office, interested persons may mail a written request to the Marriage Records Department of the Office. Requests must state the names of the individuals on the record, the date of the marriage, and the requester’s address. A check or money order for $5 plus 50 cents (per page) must be enclosed with the written request which should then be submitted to:

Charles County Circuit Court Clerk
200 Charles Street
La Plata, MD 20646
Phone: (301) 932-3201

Where and How to Get Charles County Birth Records?

The Maryland Division of Vital Records maintains records of births that occurred in Charles County and other parts of the state from 1898 till date. Access to records is restricted to only eligible persons namely:

The named registrant
A court-appointed guardian of the registrant
A parent or guardian (proof of guardianship required)
An authorized representative of any of the above

Requests must include enough details to facilitate the search, including the name on the record, the date and place of birth on record, and the full name of the patents. Interested parties can obtain a copy by submitting a completed application form to the custodial office at:

Division of Vital Records
Department of Health
6764-B Reisterstown Road
P.O. Box 68760
Baltimore, MD 21215-2306

Birth records can also be obtained at the Charles County Department of Health. The office maintains and issues records of births that took place within county limits. Requesters who are requesting records for anyone other than themselves or their children will be required to provide a court order to access the records. However, all requesters will need to present a photo ID and make a payment of $25. Requests are to be made to:

Charles County Department of Health
4545 Crain Highway
White Plains, MD 20695

Where and How to Get Charles County Death Records?

The Maryland Division of Vital Records provides public access to copies of death records for events that occurred in Charles County from 1969 to date. Requesters can obtain records by submitting a completed application form to the:

Division of Vital Records
Department of Health
6764-B Reisterstown Road
P.O. Box 68760
Baltimore, MD 21215-2306

The department charges $10 for the first copy and $12 for each additional copy. Records are only issued to eligible persons, such as a surviving relative, an authorized representative of the deceased, and the funeral director in charge of the burial. Record seekers must provide valid government-issued I.D as well as entitlement documentation that proves their eligibility. Access to older death records can be obtained by sending an application through the:

Maryland State Archives,
350 Rowe Blvd.,
Annapolis, MD 21401,
(410) 260-6400

Records for deaths that occurred from January 2015 to date can be obtained from the Charles County Department of Health. The department processes local curb-side requests on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Record seekers pay $25.00 for the first copy and $20.00 for each additional copy. The office opens between 8:00 a.m. and noon and from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.