Kent County Civil Court Records
Kent County civil court records are kept at the Circuit Court in Chestertown, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The clerk's office handles civil filings, case documents, and copy requests for this small but historic county. Online civil case data starts in August 1998, and the free Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal lets you look up cases by name or case number from anywhere. If you need documents that are not available online, the Chestertown clerk's office can help with in-person or mail requests. This page covers what you need to know to find and access Kent County civil court records.
Kent County Overview
How to Search Kent County Civil Court Records
You can search Kent County civil court records for free using the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal. This statewide system covers all Maryland courts and is updated nightly. For Kent County, civil case data in the online index goes back to August 3, 1998. Any civil cases filed before that date are not in the digital system and must be requested directly from the clerk's office in Chestertown or through the Maryland State Archives.
When you run a search, the default setting is an exact name match. This works well when you know the full legal name of the party. If you only have a partial name or suspect the spelling might vary, add a percent sign (%) at the end of the last name to enable a partial match search. For example, "Cross%" would return results for Crossley, Crossman, and other names beginning with Cross. The portal displays case summaries and docket entries. It does not show the full text of documents or filed papers. To get copies, you need to go through the Kent County clerk's office.
Note that Kent County is a smaller county by population, so the number of civil cases in the system will be less than in larger counties. If a search returns no results, double-check spelling and try a partial match before assuming no record exists.
The Maryland Courts directory provides direct contact information for the Kent County clerk's office. See the Kent County Circuit Court Clerk page for department phone numbers and hours.
Checking that page before you call can help you reach the right department on the first try, since the clerk's office has separate lines for civil, criminal, and land records matters.
Kent County Circuit Court Clerk Information
The Circuit Court clerk for Kent County is Sherise L. Kennard. The courthouse is at 103 North Cross Street, Chestertown, MD 21620. The main phone number is 410-778-7460, and a toll-free line is available at 1-800-989-2520. For those who are hearing impaired, a TTY line is available at 410-778-0608. You can also reach the office by email at kentcc@courts.state.md.us. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The Kent County clerk's office has different numbers for different departments. Civil and Pro Se (self-represented) matters are handled at 410-778-7461. For criminal and juvenile cases, call 410-778-7477. Jury and civil assignment questions go to 410-778-2512. Paternity and child support matters use 410-778-2853. Land records and licensing are reachable at 410-778-7460, 410-778-7415, or 410-778-2080. If you are not sure which department handles your request, calling the main number first is a reasonable starting point.
Note: Hearing-impaired callers can reach the Kent County Circuit Court clerk at the TTY number 410-778-0608.
Getting Copies of Kent County Civil Court Records
Copy fees at the Kent County Circuit Court follow the standard Maryland schedule. Plain copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 plus $0.50 per page. Exemplification copies, which carry the highest level of authentication, are $10.00 plus $0.50 per page. These fees apply whether you pick up copies in person or request them by mail. Civil filing fees for new cases are $165.00 without an attorney and $185.00 with one. Docketing a post-judgment motion costs $31.00.
To request copies by mail, write to the clerk at 103 North Cross Street, Chestertown, MD 21620. Include the names of all parties to the case, the case number if available, the approximate year filed, and the specific documents you need. The office will contact you with the total cost before sending anything. Send payment once you receive the quote, and the copies will be mailed to you. Most Maryland courts do not accept personal checks, so a money order is a safe payment method for mail requests.
You can visit the courthouse in person during regular hours. The clerk's staff can help you locate a case in the system and provide copies while you wait or on a return visit depending on the volume of requests at the time.
Records Not Open to the Public in Kent County
As in all Maryland counties, not every civil court record in Kent County is accessible to the public. Adoption records are sealed. Juvenile case files and CINA (Child in Need of Assistance) proceedings are not open. Mental health evaluations, income tax returns submitted in court proceedings, financial statements in support cases, and records involving certain disabled adult proceedings are also restricted. Expunged or sealed cases do not appear in Case Search.
A 2024 Maryland law automatically shields Failure to Pay Rent cases where no judgment for possession was entered. Those cases will not be visible in the online system. If you believe a civil case was filed but cannot find it, the clerk's office can confirm whether the record is restricted without necessarily releasing its contents.
For civil cases from before August 1998, check with the Maryland State Archives at (410) 260-6400. The Archives fee is $50 for a complete case file or $35 for partial records. Land records for Kent County can be searched through Maryland Land Records online at no charge.