Find Civil Court Records in Somerset County

Somerset County civil court records are public documents held by the Circuit Court in Princess Anne on Maryland's lower Eastern Shore. You can search them online for free or visit the courthouse in person. This page covers how the search process works, what the records contain, how to request copies, and what self-help resources are available for Somerset County residents who need help with civil or family court matters.

Searching Somerset County Civil Court Records Online

Somerset County is one of Maryland's smallest counties by population, but its civil court records are fully searchable through Maryland Judiciary Case Search just like every other jurisdiction in the state. The portal is free. You can search by party name or case number. Online civil records for Somerset County go back to February 16, 1999. Criminal records in the system start from December 11, 2000.

When you enter a name, the system defaults to exact match. If you think the name might be spelled differently in court records, add a percent sign (%) after the last name to get partial results. Results show the case number, case type, filing date, parties, and disposition. They do not include the actual filings or documents. For those, you need to contact the civil department at the courthouse.

The Case Search portal updated its interface on March 14, 2026, but the search logic is the same. Data refreshes overnight, so filings from the same day may not appear until the following morning.

The Somerset County clerk's page on the Maryland Courts directory lists current contact details, courthouse address, and links to related court information for the county.

Check that page for any updates to hours or contact information before making a trip to Princess Anne.

Somerset County Circuit Court: Contact and Hours

The Circuit Court for Somerset County is in Princess Anne, the county seat. The civil department phone number is 410-845-4855. Civil records are available for in-person review Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The courthouse is closed on state and federal holidays.

Princess Anne is a small town on the lower Eastern Shore, and the circuit courthouse serves the entire county. If you have a straightforward records request, calling ahead to the civil department can help you confirm what you need to bring and whether the documents you want are ready for pickup or need to be prepared in advance.

Self-Help Legal Resources in Somerset County

Somerset County has a dedicated self-help phone line for family law matters. If you are dealing with a civil issue involving divorce, child custody, or visitation and you do not have an attorney, you can call 410-621-7582. That line is set up specifically for Somerset County residents who need guidance on family cases. It does not provide legal advice but can point you toward the right forms, procedures, and resources at the courthouse.

This is a notable resource. Not all Maryland counties have a dedicated local self-help line for family civil matters. Somerset County's setup reflects the practical needs of a rural Eastern Shore county where legal aid offices may be farther away than in more urban parts of the state.

The statewide Maryland Courts Self-Help Center also has guides, forms, and step-by-step instructions for common civil and family court matters. These resources are available online, so you do not need to travel to use them.

Civil Court Record Copies and Fees in Somerset County

Copies of Somerset County civil court records cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 per document plus the per-page copy fee. Exemplification, which adds an extra layer of official authentication, costs $10.00 plus copy fees.

Filing fees for Somerset County civil cases follow the standard Maryland schedule. A civil action filed with an attorney is $175.00. Without an attorney, it is $165.00. Foreclosure on a residential property costs $300.00 plus a $50.00 mediation fee. A docketing motion is $31.00. Attorney appearance is $10.00. Dismissal costs $15.00. A foreign judgment filed from another state costs $110.00.

You can request copies in person at the civil department or by mail. For mailed requests, include the case number or party names, the specific documents you need, your contact information, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and your payment. Personal checks are not accepted at most Maryland courthouses, so use a money order for mailed payments.

Land records for Somerset County are separate from civil court records and are available through MDLandRec.net. For historical records that predate the 1999 online start date, contact the Maryland State Archives at (410) 260-6400.

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