Dorchester County Civil Court Records
Dorchester County civil court records are maintained at the Circuit Court in Cambridge under Clerk Amy J. Craig. The court handles civil cases including contract disputes, property matters, judgments, and domestic filings. Most civil records are open to the public. Whether you want to search cases online, visit the courthouse at 206 High Street, or request copies by mail, this page covers the process for accessing Dorchester County civil court records.
Dorchester County Overview
How to Find Dorchester County Civil Court Records
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search is the free, statewide tool for searching civil court records across all 24 Maryland jurisdictions, including Dorchester County. It is updated nightly and can be searched by party name or case number. Since December 2021, all searches default to exact name matches. Use a percent sign (%) at the end of a last name to run a broader partial search if an exact match turns up nothing.
Dorchester County civil records in Case Search go back to March 24, 1998. Files before that date are not in the digital system. You would need to call the clerk's office at 410-228-0481 to ask about older records. Case Search shows docket entries and case summaries only. It does not show document images. To get full documents, visit the courthouse in person or submit a written request.
Land records for Dorchester County are in a separate system. You can search them at Maryland Land Records after registering for a free account. For land record questions, call the land record department at 410-228-0480.
The Dorchester County Circuit Court Clerk's page provides contact details, office hours, and a summary of available services at the Cambridge courthouse.
This page is the best place to confirm hours and find the right phone number before contacting the clerk's office.
Dorchester County Circuit Court Clerk Contact
The Dorchester County Circuit Court is located at 206 High Street in Cambridge, MD 21613. The mailing address is P.O. Box 150, Cambridge, MD 21613. The main phone number is 410-228-0481. A toll-free number is available at 1-800-340-9186. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Clerk Amy J. Craig can be reached directly at amy.craig@mdcourts.gov.
The office handles a full range of court functions. Civil, criminal, and juvenile case filings all go through the main number at 410-228-0481. Land record questions use a different line at 410-228-0480. The clerk's office also processes business licenses, marriage licenses, civil marriage ceremonies, and notary commissions. All of these functions are handled from the same courthouse location in Cambridge.
Spanish language assistance is available at the Dorchester County clerk's office. If you need help in Spanish when visiting in person or calling, staff can assist. This is useful for residents who are more comfortable conducting court business in Spanish or who need help understanding a civil court document.
Note: Personal checks are not accepted at Maryland courts. Bring cash, a money order, or use a credit card when paying fees at the Dorchester County courthouse.
Requesting Copies of Civil Court Records in Dorchester County
Copies of civil court records in Dorchester County cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies add a $5.00 certification fee on top of the per-page charge. Exemplification, which provides a higher level of authentication, costs $10.00 plus copy fees. These are the standard statewide rates for Maryland courts.
You can request records in person at the clerk's office at 206 High Street. Bring the case number if you have it. Staff can locate files by party name and filing date if you don't have the case number. For mail requests, send your request to P.O. Box 150, Cambridge, MD 21613. Include the names of the parties, the case type, the filing date or year, and your return address. Enclose a money order for the estimated copy cost.
If you are not sure what records exist or how much copies will cost, call 410-228-0481 first to ask. Staff can help you figure out what you need and how to request it. This can save time, especially if you are requesting multiple documents or need a specific type of certified copy.
Special Services and Community Programs in Dorchester County
Dorchester County has a Truancy Reduction Program coordinated through the court. The coordinator is Kendall E. Timmons, who can be reached at 410-548-7107. This program works with families and schools on attendance issues that come before the court. It is separate from civil court records but handled through the same court system.
The court also has a Family Support Services Coordinator, Miko Collins, at 410-228-1395. This resource is relevant for people involved in domestic or family-related civil cases who need help connecting with support services while their case is active. It is not a legal advice line, but it can point people to community resources.
The Dorchester County clerk's office has received community recognition for its work over the years, including a 2019 Maryland Charity Campaign award for the highest increase in monetary contributions and a 2017 Community Award for services to the local rescue fire company. These recognitions reflect the office's involvement with the broader Cambridge community beyond its standard court functions.
For general guidance on court records and how to navigate the Maryland court system, the Maryland Courts legal help page is a useful starting point. It explains what records are public, how to request them, and what to expect from the process.
Note: Some civil case records are not public in Maryland, including adoption files, juvenile records, and any cases that have been expunged or sealed by a judge.