What are Queen Anne's County Public Records?
According to the Public Information Act, a Queen Anne's County public record is any documentary material produced, received, or maintained as required to transact public business. Queen Anne's County public records include books, films, records, maps, drawings, tapes, photocopies, and information in other forms. The PIA specifies that all interested persons can access these records from custodian agencies. However, members of the general public cannot obtain the following information:
- Adoption records
- Personnel records, including applications, scholastic achievement information, and performance ratings
- Individual retirement records, except where requested by the person in interest, the person's appointing authority, personal representative, or beneficiary. Records may also be accessible to a requester with a valid claim to the person's benefits after their death, or a law enforcement agency for specific purposes
- Medical and psychological information
- Personal student records, such as a phone number, home address, religion, academic achievement, biology, mental ability, family, or physical ability
- Certain hospital records
- Traffic-related reports
- Arrest warrants and charging documents until the arrest warrant has been served with the return of service filed, or after 90 days since issuance of the warrant
- Records of persons authorized to purchase, rent, transfer, sell, or carry firearms
- Trade secrets and confidential financial, geophysical, geological, or commercial information
Maryland law also provides for discretionary exemptions that allow record custodians to restrict access if disclosure would not serve the public interest. Examples include intra- and inter-agency documents, examination records, real estate appraisals, and research projects.
In addition to government agencies, some public records may also be accessible 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. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search, such as:
- The name of the subject involved in record (subject must be older than 18 or not juvenile)
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The last known or current address of the registrant
Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Queen Anne's County Crime Statistics
The Maryland Department of State Police (MDSP) publishes annual reports containing crime statistics received from the state's law enforcement agencies. In 2020, the MDSP's report revealed 299 offenses reported in Queen Anne's County. Specifics include 6 rape cases, 5 robberies, 47 aggravated assault cases, 42 breaking or entering incidents, 189 larceny thefts, and 10 motor-vehicle theft cases. In 2019, the total count was 362, representing a 17% reduction in crime activity.
Are Queen Anne's County Criminal Records Public?
Interested persons may be able to obtain self records from the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS), through its Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS). Persons who live in Maryland must begin by visiting an authorized location for fingerprinting services. Requestors living outside Maryland must call the CJIS - Central Repository in Baltimore City at (410) 764-4501 or (888) 795-0011 (toll-free). The DPSCS charges $19 for a full state background check with a Gold Seal, or $18 without the seal. All persons must enclose completed fingerprint cards and checks payable to the "CJIS Central Repository" and send them to the:
Criminal Justice Information System- Central Repository
P.O. Box 32708
Pikesville, MD 21282 - 2708
Alternatively, parties can send overnight requests to the following address:
Criminal Justice Information System - Central Repository
6776 Reisterstown Road
Suite 102
Baltimore, MD 21205 - 2346
For licensing or employment purposes, the licensing agency or employer must request the record. The prospective licensee or employee must use the agency or employee's fingerprint cards and also provide the entity's authorization number.
How to Obtain Queen Anne's County Police Reports and Arrest Records
Interested persons can submit arrest record or police report requests to the Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office. Requestors must complete the public information request form with the incident date, police case number, incident type, investigating deputy, and incident location. Each record costs $10, payable by checks or money orders made out to "QACSO". Record seekers should enclose completed forms with payment and forward to:
Office of the Sheriff, Queen Anne's County
505 Railroad Avenue
Centreville, MD 21617
Phone: (410) 758-0770
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Queen Anne's County
The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) provides online access to information on all registered sex offenders in the state. Person's looking for Queen Anne's County sex offender records may use the name, area, and city options available on the DPSCS' Sex Offender Website. The page also provides a separate search for non-compliant sex offenders. Details available online include the offender's full name and aliases, physical description, address, offense information, and photograph.
How to Find Queen Anne's County Inmate Records
Persons looking for inmate records should contact the Queen Anne's County Department of Corrections. Record seekers must provide inmate information, such as a name, charge details, arrest specifics, and booking information. Parties should forward details to:
Queen Anne's County Detention Center
500 Little Hut Drive
Centreville, MD 21617
Phone: (410) 758-3817
Fax: (410) 758-2485
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Queen Anne's County Jail?
Family and friends can visit inmates by contacting the Queen Anne's County Detention Center. Prospective visitors may call or visit the facility using the details below:
Queen Anne's County Detention Center
500 Little Hut Drive
Centreville, MD 21617
Phone: (410) 758-3817
Fax: (410) 758-2485
Inmates are allowed one visit a week according to their housing locations, with each visit lasting 30 minutes. The Detention Center permits visits every day, from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, according to the jail's visitation schedule. However, there are no visits during shift changes and meals, which occur from 11:00 am to 12 pm, and 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Each inmate may receive two visitors per week at the same time. All visitors should have picture identification and should not be younger than 12 years old.
All male inmates in Segregation, Detox, or holding cells are restricted to Fridays. For females, the visits must take place on the jail's Female Visitation Day. Furthermore, inmates on Lockdown or on Suicide Watch and in Turtle Suits cannot receive visitors.
Court Records
Queen Anne's County features Circuit, District, and Orphans' Courts. While the Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over all cases, the District Court exercises limited jurisdiction. The District Court hears some felonies, most misdemeanors, county or municipal ordinance violations, and preliminary hearings. On the other hand, the Orphans' Court handles probate and guardianship matters, and sometimes shares jurisdiction with the Circuit Court in limited cases.
Locations of Courts in Queen Anne's County
Queen Anne's County Circuit Court
Queen Anne's County Courthouse
200 N. Commerce Street
Centreville, MD 21617
Phone: (410) 758-0216
Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Queen Anne's County District Court
Carter M. Hickman District Court/Multi-Service Center
120 Broadway
Suite 1
Centreville, MD 21617-1092
Phone: (410) 819-4000
Toll-Free: (800) 943403 (In-state only)
Queen Anne's County Orphans' Court
The Liberty Building
107 North Liberty Street
P.O. Box 59
Centreville, MD 21617
Phone: (410) 758-0585
Fax: (410) 758-4408
Are Queen Anne's County Court Records Public?
Queen Anne's County court records are public records. Interested applicants may submit written or in-person requests to the court that handled the desired record. Nonetheless, residents should note that records containing sensitive information should not be open to the public. Examples include adoption or juvenile delinquency records.
Can You Look Up a Queen Anne's County Court Case Online?
Queen Anne's County Circuit Court cases are available online via the Maryland Judiciary's Case Search. Interested persons can use the name search by entering an exact match or at least the first two characters of the last name and at least one character of the first name followed by a % symbol. Searches are also possible by specifying party type, court system, county, filing date, and case type. Alternatively, record seekers can use the case number search.
How to Obtain Queen Anne's County Civil Court Case Records
Queen Anne's County civil court records are available at the court that heard the case. Requestors may obtain records by submitting relevant case numbers to the Court Clerk's Office. Where the case number is unavailable, the office may locate the file by asking for the names of involved persons. The Clerk's Office charges 50 cents per page and an extra $5 for each certified copy.
How to Obtain Queen Anne's County Criminal Court Case Records
Queen Anne's County criminal court records are available at the overseeing court. Each requestor must provide the court with a case number, or provide names and relevant details if the case number is unknown. Queen Anne's County criminal court records cost 50 cents per page. Persons requesting certified copies incur a fee of $5 per copy.
What are Queen Anne's County Vital Records?
Queen Anne's County vital records detail county life events, including divorces, marriages, births, and deaths. Vital records serve as evidence that these events took place and are valid for legal purposes. However, applicants should note that some Queen Anne's County records are not open to public access.
Where and How to Obtain Queen Anne's County Divorce Records
Interested persons may contact the Circuit Court Clerk's Office for divorce records. All requests should describe the desired records with the names of the divorced parties, divorce date, and other relevant information. Applicant's seeking Queen Anne's County divorce decrees should visit the Clerk's Office or send written requests to the address below. Varying charges may apply.
Queen Anne's County Circuit Court
Queen Anne's County Courthouse
200 N. Commerce Street
Centreville, MD 21617
Phone: (410) 758-0216
Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Queen Anne's County divorce records are also available as divorce verifications, obtainable from the Maryland Department of Health (MDH). Through its Division of Vital Records (DVR), the MDH issues verifications for all divorces and annulments since January 1, 1992. However, only the following persons are eligible to submit requests:
- Either party named on the record
- Either party's representative with a letter of permission signed by one of the spouses, and completed before a notary public
- Either spouse's attorney
Eligible persons may complete the application form with the spouses' names, date of divorce, place of divorce, and reason for divorce. Each record costs a non-refundable $12 fee. All applicants must also provide self-addressed and stamped envelopes, valid ID as described on the form, and checks or money orders made out to the "Division of Vital Records". Record seekers should send requests to:
Division of Vital Records
P.O. Box 68760
Baltimore, MD 21215-0036
Where and How to Get Public Queen Anne's County Marriage Records
Public Queen Anne's County marriage records are plain copies obtainable from the Clerk of Circuit Court. Interested persons should complete the request form with the names of parties to the marriage, the exact or approximate year of marriage, and the marriage license number. Requestors should also add personal details, including names, mailing addresses, and phone numbers. Plain copies cost 50 cents each, payable by cashier's checks or money orders made out to the "Clerk of Circuit Court". Applicants should enclose requests and send to:
Queen Anne's County Circuit Court
Queen Anne's County Courthouse
200 N. Commerce Street
Centreville, MD 21617
Phone: (410) 758-0216
Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Queen Anne's County
Certified copies of Queen Anne's County marriage records are available at the Clerk of Circuit Court's Office. However, the office only issues certified copies to either spouse listed on the record, a legal representative of either spouse with a notarized permission letter signed by the spouse, and an attorney representing either spouse.
If eligible, each requestor should enclose a completed request form with valid government-issued ID, and a cashier's check or money order payable to the "Clerk of Circuit Court. Applicants should submit requests to:
Queen Anne's County Circuit Court
Queen Anne's County Courthouse
200 N. Commerce Street
Centreville, MD 21617
Phone: (410) 758-0216
Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Where and How to Find Queen Anne's County Birth Records
Birth records are available at the Queen Anne's County Health Department. However, only the following persons can access the records:
- The subject of the record
- A parent named on the record
- The subject's court-appointed guardian (not foster care)
- The subject's surviving spouse
- A legal representative of the record's subject or the court-appointed guardian
Eligible parties should request Queen Anne's County birth certificates in person. Each applicant should complete the birth record application and submit it with valid government-issued photo ID, or an alternative described on the form. Each record costs a non-refundable $25 fee payable by cash, checks, or money orders made out to "Queen Anne's County Department of Health". Applicants should submit requests to the address below:
Queen Anne's County Department of Health
206 N. Commerce Street
Centreville, MD 21617
Phone: (410) 758-0720
Where and How to Find Queen Anne's County Death Records
The Queen Anne's County Health Department maintains death records and issues copies to authorized requestors. According to Maryland law, access is restricted to persons who have documented proof of direct or tangible interest in the record.
To obtain Queen Anne's County death certificates, requestors must visit the Health Department to submit the death certificate application. The request should also include a check or money order made out to "Queen Anne's County Department of Health" and a valid government-issued photo ID. Requestors that do not have acceptable photo identification may present other options listed on the application. The first copy of a Queen Anne's County death certificate costs $25, while additional copies cost $20. Requestors should visit the address below:
Queen Anne's County Department of Health
206 N. Commerce Street
Centreville, MD 21617
Phone: (410) 758-0720
