What are Garrett County Public Records?
Maryland’s Public Information Act describes Garrett County public records as the original or copy of any recorded material in any format generated or received by an organization in association with the execution of public business. These include books, photographs, microfilms, tapes, written materials, and digital records. However, the Public Information Act restricts access to records that are confidential under federal and state laws. The exempted records include investigatory records, retirement records, and trade secrets. 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.
Garrett County Crime Statistics
Maryland crime statistics are under the maintenance of the Maryland State Police. The agency also provides public access to the general public. The 2020 Maryland Uniform Crime Report reports a total of 64 violent crimes at Garrett County numbering two murders, 53 aggravated assaults, eight rapes, and one robbery. In 2019, there were 61 aggravated assaults, 18 rapes, and no record of murder or robbery which gave a sum of 79 violent crimes in that year. Property crimes in 2020 were 293 which included 215 larcenies, 66 breaking and entry offenses, and 12 motor vehicle thefts. The previous showed a total of 353 property crimes numbering 283 larcenies, 65 breaking and entry offenses, and five motor vehicle thefts. The report shows an 18.99% decrease in violent crimes and a 17% decrease in property crimes between 2020 and 2019 in Garrett County.
Are Garrett County Criminal Records Public?
The Criminal Justice System-Central Repository (CJIS-CR), under the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (MDPSCS), is the central repository for Garrett County criminal records. The department conducts background checks for interested parties at Garrett County. The department restricts access to Garrett County criminal records to the following:
- Agencies that provide special services (adult dependent care and child care)
- Private employers
- Criminal justice
- The subject of the record
- Government employment.
For individual review background checks, interested parties must submit the CJIS 015 form to CJIS-CR and pay applicable fees. To obtain a Garrett County criminal record on third parties, authorized requesters must submit a fingerprint card and a complete application form (private party or employment/ licensing purposes) specific to the nature of the request. Send these via email with a short description of the agency and applicable licensing and/or certification. Upon receipt of the application and approval by the CJIS Authorization Administrator, interested parties can request a criminal history record on a potential employee.
This service requires payment of applicable fees relating to the category of background check requested. Acceptable types of payment are checks or credit cards. Residents of Maryland can visit one of the authorized locations for fingerprinting services. Individuals who reside outside the state should request a fingerprint card by contacting the CJIS-CR in Baltimore City at (410) 764-4501 or toll-free at 1-88-795-0011. Parties can also write to the agency at the address below requesting the card. Upon receipt, mail the card, along with the applicable fee to:
Criminal Justice Information System-Central Repository
P.O. Box 32708
Pikesville, MD 21282-2708
Parties can also send it overnight to:
Criminal Justice Information System - Central Repository
6776 Reisterstown Road, Suite 102
Baltimore, MD 21215 - 2346
For further inquiry, contact the CJIS customer service unit on (410) 764-4501 or toll-free at (888) 795-0011. Parties can also contact the MDPSCS using the contact information below:
Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services
6776 Reisterstown Road,
Baltimore, MD 21215
_6852 4th Street,
Sykesville, MD 21784
Phone: (410) 399-5000, (877) 379-8638
How to Obtain Garrett County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
Garrett County police reports and arrest records are available at the office of the Garrett County Sheriff. Interested parties can contact the office by phone or by email using the contact information below. Typically, requesters are to submit a formal request application to the Sheriff’s Office with details of the record they wish to obtain. In addition to the application, the record custodian requires a valid photo ID and payment of applicable fees.
The fee schedule for incident reports is $5 per record while pictures cost $10 on a CD. Garrett County has a publicly accessible online arrest log maintained by the Garrett County Sherriff’s Office. The online database contains the name of the arrested individual, date of arrest, a mugshot, and arrest status. Details in a Garrett County police report include crime scene photos, witness statements, nature of the incident. Garrett County arrest records contain a mugshot, fingerprint, personal information of the arrested individual (sex, date of birth, name, and race), and date of arrest. Requesters can make a request in person or by mail and submit the requirements using the contact information below:
Garrett County Sheriff’s Office
311 East Alder Street
Oakland, MD 21550
Phone: (301) 334-1911 or (301) 334-1910
Fax: (301) 334-8852
Email: gcso@garrettcounty.org
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Garrett County
Garrett County sex offender information is available on the Maryland State sex offender registry. The registry is under the maintenance of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. The registry allows interested parties to search for sex offenders by name, city, non-compliance, and address. The site offers record checkers the option of searching for published sex offenders registered with the agency. Interested parties can register to receive email alerts when a published sex offender registers within a particular radius of addresses of interest. For each registered sex offender, the registry includes the following information:
- Name and aliases of the sex offender
- Physical description (age sex, race, etc)
- Residential and work address
- Description of offenses
- Risk Level
- Vehicle information
- Mugshot
How to Find Garrett County Inmate Records
Garret County inmate records are available at the Garrett County Sheriff’s Office. Interested parties can contact the office on (301) 334-1911. Parties must provide details of the inmate such as the name, date of birth, and date of arrest. Requesters can also contact the Garrett County Detention Center on (301) 334-5055 to request inmate records of interest. Typically an inmate record contains personal information of an inmate (name, sex, age, height), description of the offense, date of arrest, the arresting officer, bail amount (if applicable).
Garrett County Court Records
The Garrett County judiciary system comprises the Circuit Court, District Court, and the Orphan’s Court. The courts handle all case types including criminal and civil cases. A typical Garrett County court record contains exhibits, information, and documents filed at any courthouse in Garrett County. Interested parties can contact the ruling court to obtain Garrett County court records of interest.
Location of Garrett County Courts
Garrett County Circuit Court
203 South Fourth Street
Room 205
Oakland, MD 21150
Phone: (301) 334-1934
Fax: (301) 334-5042
Garrett County District Court
205 South Third Street
Oakland, MD 21550-1526
Phone: (301) 334-8020
Garret County Orphans' Court
313 East Alder Street
Oakland, MD 21550
Phone: (301) 334-1999
Fax: (301) 334-1984
Are Garrett County Court Records Public?
Maryland’s Public Information Act permits public access to Garrett County court records unless restricted by law. Maryland Courts provides a case search system that helps interested parties locate Garrett County court records. Alternatively, Garrett County court records are available at the office of the relevant court clerk upon provision of a formal request, valid state-issued ID, and payment of applicable fees.
How to Obtain Garrett County Civil Court Case Records
Parties can obtain Garret County civil court case records from the case search system provided by the Maryland Courts. The system has Garrett County civil court case records that date back to 3rd November 1997 from the Circuit Court in addition to civil court case records that date back to 1989 from the District Court. The system allows record checkers to search for civil court case records by party name, file date, case type, county, party type, and court system.
Alternatively, interested parties can visit the designated court clerk to obtain a court record. Typically, requesters should submit requirements that include fees, valid ID, and an application to obtain the court record. In addition, requesters must provide details of the record to facilitate the search. The details include file date, case number, party names, and attorney information.
How to Obtain Garrett County Criminal Court Records
Requesters should visit the court clerk where the case was conducted to retrieve a Garrett County criminal court record. Interested parties need to provide the Court Clerk with the case number or party name to locate the criminal court record of interest. The clerk will also require a fee to release copies of a criminal court record. In addition to a fee, requesters will typically need to provide a valid photo ID and a record request application.
Alternatively, requesters can obtain a Garrett County criminal court record via the state’s public case search system. Members of the public can locate a criminal court record by using the following search parameters: court system, case type, party name, party type, file date, and county. The database contains criminal court records from late 1991 filed at the Garrett County District Court along with criminal court records from 4th October 1999 filed at the Garrett County Circuit Court.
What are Garrett County Vital Records?
Garrett County vital records document life events that occur in Garrett County. The vital records include birth records and death records. These vital records are available at the Garrett County Health Department. The locations of the health department are at:
Oakland (Main Office)
1025 Memorial Drive,
Oakland, MD 21550
Grantsville
28 Hershberger Lane
Grantsville, MD 21536
Phone: (301) 334-7700
Fax: (301) 334-7701
Note: Requesters must contact the Grantville unit about availability.
Divorce Records
Garrett County divorce records document marriage dissolutions filed at the Garrett County Circuit Court. Parties can obtain these records from the office of the Circuit Court Clerk in person or by mail. To obtain the divorce record, requesters must provide the party’s names and the filing date. In addition, requests typically require the payment of applicable fees and the provision of a valid government-issued photo ID. For mail requests, interested parties should submit the afore-mentioned requirements including a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
203 South 4th Street, Room 109
P.O. Box 447
Oakland, MD 21550
Interested parties who wish to obtain Garrett County divorce records can visit:
203 South 4th Street, Room 109
Oakland, MD 21550
Phone: (301) 334-1937
Marriage Records
Garrett County marriage records document marriage ceremonies officiated in the county and are available at the office of the Circuit Court Clerk. Garrett County marriage records are accessible to the public. Requesters can obtain certified copies of the records via mail or in-person for $5.50 in cash, check, or money order. To obtain the records, requesters should also provide the party’s names and year of marriage. For mail requests, parties must enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and include a piece of paper with both party’s names and year of marriage and deliver it to the Circuit Court Clerk. It should include the fee for the record as a money order or check payable to the Circuit Court Clerk. The Clerk’s Office processes Garrett County marriage records and sends results back to the requester on the same day the office receives the request. Interested parties can mail marriage record requests to:
203 South 4th Street, Room 109
P.O. Box 447
Oakland, MD 21550
Requesters can submit Garrett County marriage record requests in person to:
203 South 4th Street, Room 109
Oakland, MD 21550
Phone: (301) 334-1937
Birth Records
Garrett County birth records document the county’s births. Garrett County birth records from 1940 to the present are available at the county’s health department. The purchase of Garrett County birth records is only available to the registrant, the parents of the registrant, and the guardian of the registrant. Applicants can only apply in person by submitting a complete birth record application, a $20 fee per copy, and a valid government-issued photo ID. To obtain a Garrett County birth record, requesters should visit Garrett County health department at:
Oakland (Main Office)
1025 Memorial Drive,
Oakland, MD 21550
Grantsville
28 Hershberger Lane
Grantsville, MD 21536
Phone: (301) 334-7700
Fax: (301) 334-7701
Note: Requesters must contact the Grantville unit about availability.
Death Records
Deaths documented in Garrett county are known as Garrett County death records. Certified copies of Garrett County death records are available to obtain at the local health department within 30 days from the date of death. These records cost $18 for the first copy and $20 for subsequent copies requested. Requesters interested in obtaining a Garrett County death record should follow instructions stated in the death record application form. The Garrett County local health department is located at:
Garrett County Health Department
Oakland (Main Office)
1025 Memorial Drive,
Oakland, MD 21550
Garrett County Health Department
Grantsville
28 Hershberger Lane
Grantsville, MD 21536
Phone: (301) 334-7700
Fax: (301) 334-7701
Note: Requesters must contact the Grantville unit about availability.
Mail requesters should be submitted to:
Division of Vital Records
P.O.Box 68760
Baltimore, MD 21215-0036.
For death records older than 30 days, interested parties can pay $10 for the certified first copy and $12 for each additional copy. Parties should mail a death certificate application to the Maryland Division of Vital Records in Baltimore at:
Division of Vital Records
P.O. Box 68760
Baltimore, MD 21215-0036
For more information on obtaining a certified vital record, and for in-person requests, contact:
Division of Vital Records
6764B Reisterstown Road
Reisterstown Road Plaza
Baltimore, MD 21215
Phone: (410) 764-3038
