Frederick County Civil Court Records Lookup
Frederick County civil court records are filed and maintained at the Circuit Court in Frederick city under Clerk Sandra K. Dalton. The court handles civil cases including contract disputes, civil judgments, foreclosures, domestic relations matters, and property disputes. Most civil records are open to the public at no charge to view. This page explains how to search Frederick County civil court records online, visit the courthouse on West Patrick Street, request copies, and find the right department for your needs.
Frederick County Overview
Searching Frederick County Civil Court Records Online
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search is the free statewide tool for finding civil court records in Frederick County. It covers all 24 Maryland jurisdictions and updates nightly. Search by party name or case number. Since December 2021, searches default to exact name matching. If you get no results, add a percent sign (%) to the end of the last name to run a partial match search instead.
Frederick County civil records in the system go back to February 9, 1998. Older files are not digitized. For those, contact the clerk's office directly at 301-600-1976. Case Search shows case summaries and docket entries. It does not display document images. Viewing the actual filings requires a visit to the courthouse or a written request by mail.
Under Maryland Rules Section 16-904, you have the right to inspect public court records at no charge. You only pay when you need copies. This is important to know if you just want to review a file and don't need to take documents home. Show up at the courthouse during regular hours and ask to review the case file at the clerk's counter.
Land records are in a separate system. Search Frederick County land records at Maryland Land Records after creating a free account. For questions about land records, call the land record room at 301-600-1957.
Note: Inspection of public court records in Frederick County is free under Maryland Rules. You only pay when you need printed or certified copies of documents.
The Frederick County Circuit Court Clerk's page lists current contact information, department phone numbers, forms, and services available at the courthouse on West Patrick Street.
Check this page before your visit to confirm office hours and identify which department handles your specific type of record request.
Frederick County Circuit Court Clerk Information
The Frederick County Circuit Court is located at 100 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701. The main phone is 301-600-1976. A toll-free line is available at 1-800-341-8797. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Clerk Sandra K. Dalton can be reached at sandra.dalton@mdcourts.gov.
The clerk's office has specific numbers for each department. Civil matters: 301-600-2969. Criminal and traffic: 301-600-1973. Family: 301-600-1977. Juvenile: 301-600-1968. Child support: 301-600-1927. Jury duty: 301-600-1979. Land record room: 301-600-1957. Marriage licenses and business licenses share a line at 301-600-1965.
Mail requests for copies go to: Attn: Records Department, 100 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701. Include the case number or names of the parties, the type of documents needed, your return address, and payment. The court accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover). Transcript requests have their own form available at the Frederick County courts page.
Non-resident marriage license applications can be done by mail through a comparable official in your home jurisdiction. Contact the clerk's office at 301-600-1965 for details on how this process works if you live outside Maryland.
Copy Fees for Frederick County Civil Court Records
Standard copies of civil court records in Frederick County cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $5.50, which includes both the certification fee and the first page. Plain copies of marriage records are $0.50 per page. Exemplification, which is a high-level authentication sometimes needed for use in other legal proceedings, costs $10.00 plus copy fees.
Civil filing fees follow the Maryland statewide schedule. Filing with an attorney costs $185.00. Filing without an attorney costs $165.00. Foreclosure filings on residential property cost $300.00 to $450.00 depending on the type. Docketing a motion is $31.00. Foreign judgment filings run $110.00. Dismissals cost $15.00.
Attorneys who practice in Frederick County must use the Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) system for filings. MDEC is mandatory for attorneys in courts where it has been implemented. Paper filings by represented parties are generally not accepted in MDEC-enabled courts. Self-represented litigants may still file in paper form at the courthouse.
Note: Frederick County accepts personal checks, unlike many Maryland courts. Cash, money orders, and major credit cards are also accepted at the clerk's office.
Frederick County Civil Records: Scam Alert and Court Programs
Frederick County residents have reported phone scams targeting people with ties to the courthouse. The caller claims to work for the court and says the person has been charged with contempt for not reporting for jury duty. They then demand payment using a pre-paid card. This is a scam. Maryland courts do not call citizens to collect payments over the phone. If you get a call like this, hang up immediately. Do not give the caller any money, card numbers, or personal information. Call the courthouse directly at 301-600-1976 if you want to verify your jury status.
Frederick County has an active Adult Drug Treatment Court, presided over by Judge Hon. Julia A. Martz-Fisher. The program coordinator is D. Paul Wolford, reachable at 301-600-2978. Drug treatment courts work alongside the standard civil and criminal court system to address cases involving substance use issues. This is separate from standard civil court filings but handled through the same court building.
In fiscal year 2023, the Frederick County clerk processed over 3,000 business licenses. Types include Trader's License, Chain Store, Restaurant, Cigarette, Construction Firm, Out-of-State Contractor, Junk Dealer, Micro Market, Peddler's License, and Vending Machines. Business license renewals and new applications can be done at the courthouse or through the Maryland courts licensing portal.
For self-represented litigants who need help understanding how to file or what records are available, the Maryland Courts legal help page for court records covers the basics. It explains which records are public, how to request copies, and what the fees look like across the state.
Cities in Frederick County
Frederick city is the county seat and the qualifying city in Frederick County. Civil court records for Frederick city residents are filed at the Circuit Court at 100 West Patrick Street.