What are Worcester County Arrest Records?
Worcester County arrest records are official documents and reports containing information on the recurrence of arrests in the county following criminal activity. It also includes information on arrest warrants issued and alleged offenders or arrested persons. The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office generates and maintains arrest records and provides data on the rate of crimes solved in the county. To obtain arrest records, interested parties should contact the Sheriff’s Office at:
Worcester County Sheriff’s Office
Worcester County Government Center
1 West Market Street
Room 1001
Snow Hill, MD 21863
Phone: (410) 632-1111
Fax: (410) 632-3070
While arrest records reveal that an individual has been taken into custody pursuant to an active investigation, it is not conclusive evidence that the person committed the alleged crime. Hence, arrest records should not be used as an alternative for criminal history information.
Crime Statistics
The Maryland State Police compiles statistics of criminal activity that happens in the state from data provided by the various local law enforcement agencies. In 2018, Worcester County crime statistics showed that the county reported 1,551 crimes, including 124 violent crimes and 1,427 property crimes. The violent crimes reported include 12 rapes, 24 robberies, and 88 aggravated assaults. Property crimes reported include 215 burglaries, 1,178 larcenies, 34 motor vehicle thefts. There were no reported incidents of murder or arson.
The 2018 crime statistics, when compared with the 2014 numbers, show a significant decline in the crimes reported in the county for a 5-year period. Between 2014 and 2018, there was a decline in 6 out of the 7 major crimes reported. Murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft rates declined by 100%, 14%, 29%, 17%, 25%, and 27% respectively. The number of arson incidents reported in 2014 was the same in 2018.
What are Worcester County Criminal Records?
Worcester County criminal records are official documents detailing an individual’s criminal activity that occurred within the county. The record includes arrest records, dispositions, criminal charges, convictions, and sentences or acquittals, paroles, and incarceration information.
The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office is the law enforcement agency of the county that maintains Worcester County criminal records. However, the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) is the central administrative system for criminal record information in Maryland. Criminal records can only be obtained at the state level, and the state agency provides interested parties with access to criminal records.
How Do I Get Worcester County Criminal Records?
The Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) of the DPSCS provides access to criminal background checks of others. Individuals interested in conducting criminal background checks are to carry out a fingerprint scan at any fingerprint service vendor. The result of the fingerprint scan and the applicable fee should be submitted in person to:
CJIS-Central Repository
6776 Reisterstown Road
Suite 102
Baltimore, MD 21215
The fingerprint scan result can also be mailed to:
CJIS-CR
P.O. Box 32708
Pikesville, MD 21282-2708
The status of a background check request can be gotten from the CJIS Customer Service by completing the Fingerprint Card Order Form. The completed form should be mailed to:
CJIS-Central Repository
P.O. Box 32708
Pikesville, Maryland 21282-2708
For more information, contact the Call Center at (410) 764-4501, the toll-free number (888) 795-0011, or fax (410) 653-6320.
How to Find Worcester County Sex Offender Information
The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services compiles the sex offender information of the state. This compilation is public information on individuals convicted for committing sex crimes. Sex offenders are grouped in degrees, namely first-, second-, third- and fourth-degree sexual offenders. Sex offender information is uploaded to the sex offender registry for public access. This registry exists to protect children and others from those with histories of crimes against children and other sexual offenses.
Residents of Worcester County can search this registry to locate sex offenders residing in their neighborhood. Sex offenders can be searched using address, city, zip, zip plus, and the offender address. Name searches can also be conducted.
How do I Visit an Inmate in Worcester County Jail?
Family and friends can visit inmates in the detention center. Inmate visitation happens on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. To schedule inmate visitation, visit the detention center or call (410) 632-1300. Worcester County keeps individuals sentenced by courts to the Worcester County Detention Center. It is located at:
Worcester County Detention Center
5022 Joyner Road
P.O. Box 189
Snow Hill, MD 21863
Phone: (410) 632-1300
Fax: (410) 632-3002
For information on the current inmate roster, interested persons should call (410) 632-1300. The fax number is (410) 632-3002.
What are Worcester County Court Records?
Worcester County court records are public records that can be obtained by the general public. Court records are available maintained by the court itself or the court’s clerk. They can be obtained in person or via mail and can be searched online. Circuit and District Court records can be searched online by using the Case Search website. This search portal is maintained by the Maryland Judiciary. It contains records of civil, criminal, and traffic cases.
The Worcester County Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains Circuit Court records, and interested individuals should visit the Clerk’s office for court records at:
Worcester County Clerk of the Circuit Court
One West Market Street
Snow Hill, MD 21863
(410) 632-5500
The records of the District Courts and Orphans’ Court can be obtained by visiting the courthouse and making inquiries.
Location of all Courts in Worcester County
Worcester County’s court system consists of one Circuit Court, two District Courts, and one Orphans’ Court. The courts’ addresses and contact information are below:
Worcester County Circuit Court
Worcester County Circuit Court
Worcester County Courthouse
1 West Market Street, #104
Snow Hill, MD 21863
Phone: (410) 632-5500
Worcester County District Courts
Worcester County District Court - Ocean City
6505 Coastal Highway
Ocean City, MD 21842
Phone: (410) 723-6935
Worcester County District Court - Snow Hill
301 Commerce Street
Snow Hill, MD 21863
Phone: (410) 219-7830
Worcester County Orphans’ Court
Worcester County Orphans’ Court
1 West Market Street, #102
Snow Hill, MD 21863
Phone: (410) 632-1529
Fax: (410) 632-5600
What are Worcester County Vital Records
Worcester County vital records are documents containing important events that occurred within the county. These records include birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. Divorce records are in the custody of the county’s Circuit Court Clerk. Other vital records are maintained by the Vital Records Administration Division of the Maryland Department of Health. There is an eligibility requirement to obtain each vital record.
Where and How to Get Worcester County Divorce Records
The Worcester County Circuit Court Clerk’s office maintains the county’s divorce records. Walk-in requests for divorce records can be made to:
Worcester County Clerk of the Circuit Court
One West Market Street
Snow Hill, MD 21863
(410) 632-5500
The Vital Records Division of the Maryland Department of Health provides verification of divorce and annulments for interested eligible persons. Divorce verifications available are for divorces that occurred from 1 January 1992 to date. They can be obtained in person or via mail. Divorce verification can be obtained by the following persons:
- Either of the divorced parties
- Their individual authorized representative, with a signed and notarized evidence of authorization
- Their individual attorneys, with proof of representation
Interested individuals can obtain divorce verifications by filling out the Application for Verification of Divorce Record. The filled-out form, along with the requester’s valid ID and the applicable fees, can be submitted in person or via mail to:
Division of Vital Records
6764B Reisterstown Road
Reisterstown Road Plaza
P.O. Box 68760
Baltimore, MD 21215
(410) 764-3038
Where and How to Get Worcester County Marriage Records
Marriage records of Worcester County are in the custody of the Circuit Court Clerk. In-person requests for marriage records can be made to:
Worcester County Clerk of the Circuit Court
One West Market Street
Snow Hill, MD 21863
(410) 632-5500
The Vital Records Division processes certified copies of marriage records from 1 January 2007 to date. Marriage records can be requested in person or via mail. They can only be requested by the following individuals:
- Either of the married couple
- A representative of either of the married couple, with a signed and notarized letter as proof of permission to obtain the record
- The attorney representing either of the married couple with proof of representation
Marriage records can be obtained by completing the Application for Certified Copy of Marriage Record. The completed form should be attached to the requester’s valid ID and the applicable fees, and submitted in person or via mail to:
Division of Vital Records
6764B Reisterstown Road
Reisterstown Road Plaza
Baltimore, MD 21215
(410) 764-3038
Where and How to Get Worcester County Birth Records
The Vital Records Division maintains certified copies of birth records. Requests for birth records can be made in person or via mail. This record is available only to:
- The record’s subject
- A parent whose name is on the record
- A court-appointed guardian of the record’s subject, with proof of guardianship
- The spouse of the record’s subject
- A representative of the record’s subject or the court-appointed guardian, with a letter signed and notarized showing that the representative has permission to obtain the record.
To obtain birth records, interested parties should fill out an Application for Certified Copy of Birth Record. The filled-out form, the requester’s valid ID and the applicable fees should be submitted in person or via mail to:
Division of Vital Records
6764B Reisterstown Road
Reisterstown Road Plaza
P.O. Box 68760
Baltimore, MD 21215
(410) 764-3038
Where and How to Get Worcester County Death Records
The Vital Records Division issues certified copies of death records from 1969 to date. Death records can be obtained in person or via mail. They can be obtained only by:
- A surviving relative
- An authorized representative of the deceased
- The funeral director in charge of the final disposition of the deceased’s body
Death records requests can be made by completing the Application for Certified Copy of Death Record. The completed form, along with the requester’s valid ID and the applicable fees should be submitted in person or via mail to:
Division of Vital Records
6764B Reisterstown Road
Reisterstown Road Plaza
P.O. Box 68760
Baltimore, MD 21215
(410) 764-3038
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.