What are Kent County Public Records?
Kent County public records are documents created or received by a government agency where necessary to transact public business. According to the Maryland PIA, public records may be papers, maps, documents, photographs, letters, or books.
Kent County government agencies are mandated to grant residents access to all public records. Nonetheless, Section 10-615 of the Maryland PIA states that custodians of public records can deny requestors access to specific documents. The following are some records not accessible to the general public by law:
- Records protected by court order, state, or federal law
- Documents concerning an individual's welfare
- Letters of reference
- Security records such as information on assessments, systems procedures, and plans, if disclosure could negatively affect public safety or welfare
- Circulation and registration records of college, public school, university, or public libraries
- Hospital records
- Insurance company records regarding risk-based capital (RBC) plans
- 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.
Kent County Crime Statistics
The Kent Sheriff's Annual Report contains the county’s annual crime statistics. According to the 2019 report, Kent County recorded a total of 255 crimes. The report includes 1 attempted murder, 25 burglary incidents, 4 first-degree assault cases, 39 larceny offenses, 3 motor vehicle thefts, and 1 rape incident.
In 2020, the county recorded 1 robbery, 11 burglaries, 1 kidnapping incident, 4 first-degree assaults, 27 larceny thefts, 2 motor vehicle thefts, and 4 rape incidents. The total number of recorded crimes was 194, revealing a 23.9% decrease in crime compared to 2019.
Are Kent County Criminal Records Public?
Kent County criminal records are only open to requestors authorized by the subjects of the records. Eligible applicants can access Kent criminal records by visiting the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS). Interested parties must produce written consent from the subject of the record, along with the subject’s full name, social security number, and birth date. Afterward, the requestor and subject must visit an authorized fingerprinting service location for live scanning.
Each applicant should also download and complete a criminal record application for individuals or agencies. All parties should submit request forms, fingerprint cards, and the applicable fees to:
Maryland Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Central Repository
P.O. Box 32708
Pikesville, MD 21282 - 2708
How to Obtain Kent County Police Reports and Arrest Records
Individuals interested in Kent County arrest records and police reports may obtain them from the Kent County Sheriff's Office. Requestors should contact the Office of the Sheriff with details of the document, including the names of involved persons, incident dates, incident descriptions, and other related information. Incident reports from the Kent Sheriff's Office cost $5.00. Record seekers should submit requests for Kent arrest records and police reports to:
Kent County Sheriff's Office
04 Vickers Drive, Unit B
Chestertown, MD 21620
Phone: (410) 778-2279
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Kent County
The Maryland DPSCS offers residents a public online database that contains details of sex offenders in the state. All interested persons can search the Maryland Sex Offender Registry by area, name, city, non-compliance status, zip code, zip plus, or offender address. The repository contains each offender's full name, aliases, photos, addresses, offense information, physical description, and registration number. Concerned county residents can also subscribe to the database to get email alerts when sex offenders move into specified areas.
How to Find Kent County Inmate Records
Interested persons may contact the Sheriff's Office for details of inmates in the Kent County Detention Center. Record seekers may require the inmate’s full name, booking details, and charge information. Persons interested in these records should contact the Sheriff’s Office located at:
04 Vickers Drive, Unit B
Chestertown, MD 21620
Phone: (410) 778-2279
Parties should note that information on inmates booked into state prisons is not obtainable from the Sheriff’s Office. Record seekers may use the Maryland inmate locator tool maintained by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
Kent County Court Records
The Kent County court system features Circuit, District, and Orphans’ Courts. The Circuit Court is the county's court of general jurisdiction, exercising authority over all matters in the county. The Circuit Court also hears cases transferred from the District or Orphans’ Courts.
While the Kent County District Court generally handles landlord and tenant cases, traffic violations, replevin actions, misdemeanors and specific felonies, the Orphans’ Court supervises the management of decedents’ estates regardless of a will.
Locations of Kent County Courts
Kent County Circuit Court
Kent County Courthouse
103, North Cross Street
Chestertown, MD 21620
Phone: (410) 778-7460
Kent County District Court
Kent County Courthouse
103 North Cross Street
Chestertown, MD 21620
Phone: (410) 810-3360
Kent County Orphans’ Court
Kent County Courthouse
103 North Cross Street
Chestertown, MD 21620
Phone: (410) 778-7466
Fax: (410) 778-2466
Are Kent County Court Records Public?
Most Kent County court records are available to the public. The Maryland PIA allows all interested county residents to inspect or obtain copies of court records by sending requests to the overseeing court in each case. However, interested persons should note that the general public cannot obtain records considered sensitive or confidential. Some records exempt from public access include:
- Juvenile delinquency
- Adoption records
- Emergency mental evaluations
- Guardianship terminating parental rights
- CINA (child in need of assistance) cases
- Financial statements filed in a case about spousal or child support
- Documents by a physician regarding the medical condition of adults with disabilities
- Records sealed by court orders
Interested persons can access some Kent court records via the Maryland Case Search by entering details, such as names, party type, case type, filing date, and case number.
How to Obtain Kent County Civil Court Case Records
Kent County civil court case records are accessible from the Kent County Circuit Court Clerk's Office. All parties interested in civil court records should contact the office of the Circuit Court Clerk located at:
103 North Cross Street
Chestertown, MD 21620
Phone: (410) 778-7460
Requestors must provide specific information to obtain desired records. Necessary details may include:
- A written request describing the record of interest
- Litigants' names
- Court dates
Interested individuals should also note that various fees apply to different requests. According to the Circuit Court fee schedule, the Clerk’s Office charges 50 cents per page, and an extra $5.00 for each certified copy. Persons requesting exemplified copies must pay $10.00 per record in addition to the per-page fee.
How to Obtain Kent County Criminal Court Case Records
Interested individuals can order Kent County criminal court records from the Circuit Court Clerk's Office. Applicants must describe the desired records, including details such as names, dates, and other case specifics. Requestors are advised to first check on the record status by calling the Clerk’s Office. Persons seeking records should submit their requests along with the applicable request fee to:
Kent County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
103 North Cross Street
Chestertown, MD 21620
Phone: (410) 778-7460
Alternatively, interested persons can access specific criminal court records from the Maryland Judiciary Case Search website. Requestors can search for records:
- By criteria (court type, record subject’s name, county and filing date)
- By case number (also requires the court name)
What are Kent County Vital Records?
Kent County vital records are government-generated records containing information about life events that happen in the county. Some vital records are obtainable from the Circuit Court Clerk at the county level, while others are available at the state level. However, not all Kent County vital records are public.
Divorce Records
Divorce records are official documents that confirm dissolved marriages. Persons seeking Kent County divorce decrees may submit requests to the Kent County Circuit Court Clerk. Each request must contain the names of the divorced parties, the divorce location, and the divorce date. Records seekers should visit or mail the Circuit Court Clerk’s office using the following information:
Kent County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
103 North Cross Street
Chestertown, MD 21620
Phone: (410) 778-7460
Instead of Kent County divorce certificates, parties can obtain divorce verification documents from the Maryland Department of Health. Each requestor must apply with valid identification and a $12.00 check or money order made out to the Division of Vital Records. Requests should be sent to:
Division of Vital Records
P.O. Box 68760
Baltimore, MD 21215
Marriage Records
Kent County marriage records are documents that confirm details of a marriage that took place in the county. Access to marriage licenses requires record seekers to contact the Circuit Court Clerk located at:
Kent County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
103 North Cross Street
Chestertown, MD 21620
Phone: (410) 778-7460
Persons interested in Kent County marriage certificates may submit requests to the Maryland Department of Health. Records cost $12.00 per copy and are only available to the following parties:
- Either spouse
- Either spouse’s representative with a signed and notarized confirmation letter from the spouse
- A lawyer representing either spouse
Birth Records
A birth record is an official report of birth that contains vital details such as the child’s name, date & place of birth, gender, and the names of the child's parents. Kent County birth records are obtainable from the Maryland Department of Health and are only accessible to the following persons:
- The registrant
- The registrant’s parent, spouse, or guardian who has obtained a court order
- A representative of either the record-owner, the parents, or the court-appointed guardian
The charge for a certified Kent County birth certificate is $10.00. Eligible persons are to complete a birth record request form and submit to the address below, along with payment and a valid means of identification:
Maryland Department of Health (Vital Records Office)
201 West Preston Street
Baltimore, MD 21201-2399
Phone: (410) 767-6500
Death Records
Kent county death records contain information regarding deaths recorded in the county. The document includes the name of the deceased, age of death, date of death, and gender. This record is only accessible to the following:
- Family and relatives of the deceased
- The deceased person’s authorized representative
- The funeral director who supervised the final disposition of the deceased's body
Interested individuals can order Kent County death certificates from the Maryland Health Department by submitting completed application forms, valid identification, and a $10.00 check or money order made out to the Division of Vital Records. Interested persons should request using the details below:
Maryland Department of Health (Vital Records Office)
201 West Preston Street
Baltimore, MD 21201-2399
Phone: (410) 767-6500
