St. Marys County Arrest, Court, and Public Records

What are St. Mary's County Public Records?

Public records in St. Mary's County contain information generated or maintained by public agencies in the course of official business. According to the Maryland Public Information Act, St. Mary's County public records include books, documents, tapes, photographs, recordings, and other information storage methods. Although most government-generated records are public according to the PIA, the following information is not open to public disclosure:

Personal records that contain private personnel information
Arrest warrants and charging documents until 90 has passed since issuance, or the warrant has been served and the return of service filed
Trade secrets and other confidential financial, geological, commercial, or geophysical information
Some medical records
Personal student records
Records containing information system security details
Professional or occupational licensing records
Records containing details of persons legally allowed to carry, transfer, rent, or sell firearms
At the custodian's discretion, all or part of any record where disclosure would be contrary to the public interest

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.

St. Mary's County Crime Statistics

Statewide crime statistics are available online in annual reports published by the Maryland Department of State Police (MDSP). According to the MDSP's 2020 report, the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office reported a total of 1,554 offenses, including 6 murders, 18 rape cases, 32 robberies, 128 aggravated assault incidents, 218 reports of breaking or entering, 1,070 larceny-theft cases, and 82 motor-vehicle thefts. Compared to the 1,865 total reported in 2019, the report shows a 17% reduction in crime. Also, the total number of cleared offenses rose from 541 in 2019 to 574 in 2020, representing a 6% increase in the county's clearance rate.

Are St. Mary's County Criminal Records Public?

St. Mary's County criminal records are available to persons requesting personal criminal history information, or certain employers or agencies authorized by law. Eligible parties may submit requests to the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS). The DPSCS issues copies through its Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) - Central Repository. A full state background check costs $18 without a Gold Seal, or $19 for a record with the seal. Maryland residents should obtain fingerprinting services from any authorized location. For out-of-state residents, requests should begin by calling the Baltimore City CJIS - Central Repository at (410) 764-4501 or (888) 795-0011 (toll-free). Each request requires a completed fingerprint card and a check payable to the "CJIS Central Repository". All persons should submit applications to:

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

Overnight Requests:
Criminal Justice Information System - Central Repository
6776 Reisterstown Road
Suite 102
Baltimore, MD 21205 - 2346

How to Obtain St. Mary's County Police Reports and Arrest Records

St. Mary's County arrest records and police reports are obtainable from the Sheriff's Office. However, the office may restrict access to persons involved in the incident. Record seekers should complete the Sheriff's accident report application for accident reports, or the request form for all other incidents. Although victims of criminal investigations may receive copies at no cost, there is a $5 charge for persons involved in a motor vehicle accident. Records will be available in person or by mail within 10 working days. All parties should send requests to:

St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office
23150 Leonard Hall Drive
Leonardtown, MD 20650
Phone: (301) 475-8008

How to Find Sex Offender Information in St. Mary's County

Information on St. Mary's County sex offenders is available online via a statewide sex offender registry maintained by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. Members of the general public can find desired records through area, name, and city search options. Users can also search to locate published non-compliant offenders. Public sex offender details include names, aliases, addresses, offense information, physical descriptions, and photographs.

How to Find St. Mary's County Inmate Records

The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office maintains a public online inmate registry. Anyone can find inmate records by providing a last name, first name, or both. Details available online include each inmate's name, age, sex, race, booking date, and inmate ID number. Mugshots and charge information are also available.

How Do I Visit an Inmate in the St. Mary's County Detention Center?

Inmates at the St. Mary's County Detention and Rehabilitation Center may receive remote visits from family and friends. All interested persons must book appointments through the jail's visitation vendor at least 24 hours in advance but not more than one week before the visit. Persons experiencing difficulty with booking appointments should call (888) 646-9437.

The Detention Center allows an unlimited number of visits each week. Each visit lasts 25 minutes and is only possible via the Android or Windows operating systems. It is the responsibility of each inmate to check the Detention Center's visitation portal for scheduled visits. However, visitors must note that the inmate may cancel the visit at will.

Court Records

The St. Mary's County court system features Circuit, District, and Orphans' Courts. The Circuit Court is the county's court of general jurisdiction, with authority over all criminal and civil cases. The District Court has limited jurisdiction over these cases and may hear felonies, misdemeanors, felony preliminary hearings, and county or municipal ordinance violations. For the Orphans' Court, cases within its jurisdiction include guardianship and probate matters.

Locations of Courts in St. Mary's County

St. Mary's County Circuit Court
St. Mary's County Courthouse
41605 Courthouse Drive
P.O. Box 859
Leonardtown, MD 20650
Phone: (301) 475-4200

St. Mary's County District Court
23110 Leonard Hall Drive
P.O. Box 1509
Leonardtown, MD 20650
Phone: (301) 880-2700

St. Mary's County Orphans' Court
St. Mary's County Courthouse
41605 Courthouse Drive
P.O. Box 602
Leonardtown, MD 20650
Phone: (301) 475-5566
Fax: (301) 475-4968

Are St. Mary's County Court Records Public?

Most St. Mary's County court records are public records. Anyone may submit official requests to the Clerk's Office at the overseeing court. Obtaining physical copies of desired court records costs varying fees depending on volume and whether the requestor wants plain or certified copies. However, residents should note that some court records are exempt from public access. Examples include juvenile, adoption, or sealed court records.

Can You Look Up a St. Mary's County Court Case Online?

The Maryland Judiciary provides a Case Search for online access to St. Mary's County court records. Anyone may search the database by name, inputting an exact match of the litigant's name, or at least the first two characters of the person's last name and one character of the first name, adding the % symbol after that. Users may also streamline results from the name search by specifying county, party type, filing date, court system, and case type. Alternatively, a case number search is also available.

How to Obtain St. Mary's County Civil Court Case Records

St. Mary's County Civil court records are obtainable from the Clerk's Office at the court that handled the case. Record requestors should contact the overseeing court with record details, including the names of involved persons, case number, filing date, charge information, and other known details. All interested persons should note that access to court records may cost varying request fees payable as the Clerk's Office prefers.

How to Obtain St. Mary's County Criminal Court Case Records

Individuals may obtain St. Mary's County criminal court records from the overseeing court by submitting mail or in-person applications. These requests should describe the record, including case details, names, dates, and other relevant specifics. The Court Clerk at the applicable court may charge request fees before producing copies of St. Mary's County criminal court records. Requestors should also note that criminal court records that contain sensitive or confidential information are not open to the general public.

What are St. Mary's County Vital Records?

St. Mary's County vital records contain details of county life events. These records are government-generated records of marriages, divorces, births, and deaths, and are obtainable from different custodian agencies. Interested persons may visit these agencies or submit requests with applicable fees. According to Maryland law, not all St. Mary's vital records are open to public access.

Where and How to Obtain St. Mary's County Divorce Records

Parties seeking copies of St. Mary's County divorce records should contact the Circuit Court Clerk's Office. Each requestor must provide the names of involved persons, the date of divorce, and other known specifics, and pay varying copy fees where applicable. All parties should submit requests for St. Mary's County divorce decrees to the following address:

St. Mary's County Clerk's Office
St. Mary's County Courthouse
41605 Courthouse Drive
Leonardtown, MD 20650
Phone: (301) 475-7844

Requestors can also obtain St. Mary's County divorce verifications as alternatives to divorce decrees. However, divorce verifications are only available to:

Either party to the divorce
Either party's attorney
Either party's legal representative with a notarized permission letter, signed by either of the parties

Authorized persons should complete copies of the Application for Verification of Divorce Record and submit to the Maryland Department of Health (MDH). Required information includes both parties' names, place of divorce, reason for divorce, and the divorce date. Each St. Mary's County divorce verification costs a non-refundable $12 fee, payable by money orders or checks made out to the "Division of Vital Records". Applicants should enclose completed applications payments, valid ID as specified on the application, as well as self-addressed and stamped envelopes. All parties should submit requests to the address below:

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

Where and How to Get Public St. Mary's County Marriage Records

Plain copies of St. Mary's County marriage records are available at the Clerk of Circuit Court's Office. Residents should submit applications that contain the names of both parties to the marriage, the marriage year, and other known details. Requestors should also include personal contact information. The Clerk of Circuit Court's Office may charge copy fees before making desired records available. Applicants should submit requests to the following address:

St. Mary's County Clerk's Office
St. Mary's County Courthouse
41605 Courthouse Drive
Leonardtown, MD 20650
Phone: (301) 475-7844

Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in St. Mary's County

The St. Mary's County Clerk of Circuit Court's Office provides certified copies of marriage records to either spouse named on the record and the spouse's representative or attorney. Eligible persons should submit details to the Clerk's Office, such as the names of both spouses and the date of marriage. Requests for certified copies require valid government-issued identification. Payments are also applicable and may vary according to the request. All parties should send requests to:

St. Mary's County Clerk's Office
St. Mary's County Courthouse
41605 Courthouse Drive
Leonardtown, MD 20650
Phone: (301) 475-7844

Where and How to Find St. Mary's County Birth Records

Birth records are available at the St. Mary's County Health Department for in-person requests, and the state's Division of Vital Records for mail requests. However, Maryland law restricts birth records to the following persons:

The subject named on the certificate
The subject's parent or court-appointed guardian
A representative with a notarized letter signed by the subject or the subject's parent or guardian
The subject's surviving spouse
Anyone with a court order granting access
Any requestor permitted under law

Each eligible applicant should complete the birth record application form and submit it with valid identification as specified on the form, a self-addressed and stamped envelope, and a check or money order for $10 per copy, payable to the "Division of Vital Records". Applicants should submit requests to the Division of Vital Records in Baltimore:

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

For in-person requests, applicants should visit the Health Department's main office in Leonardtown. Payment options include checks made out to the St. Mary's County Health Department, cash, and cards from American Express, Mastercard, or visa. In-person requests cost $25 per certificate. Persons requesting St. Mary's County birth certificates should visit the Health Department at the address below:

St. Mary's County Health Department
21580 Peabody Street
Leonardtown, MD 20650
Phone: (301) 475-4330
Fax: (301) 475-4350
TTY: (800) 735-2258
Email: smchd.healthdept@maryland.gov
Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Mondays through Fridays

Where and How to Find St. Mary's County Death Records

Applicants can submit in-person requests for St. Mary's County death records to the county's Health Department in Leonardtown, or mail requests to the Division of Vital Records in Baltimore. Either facility only issues copies to persons that can prove a direct and tangible interest in the record.

Authorized persons should submit completed copies of the death certificate application along with a copy of a valid ID as described on the form, and a check or money order made out to the Division of Vital Records. The first copy of a St. Mary's County death certificate costs $10, while each additional copy costs $12. Applicants should submit mail requests to:

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

An in-person request for the first copy costs $18, and $20 for each additional copy. Record seekers should visit the Leonardtown office with valid ID and pay with cash or checks payable to the St. Mary's County Health Department. Cards from Mastercard, Visa, or American Express, are also acceptable. Applicants should visit the address below: