Wicomico County Civil Court Records
Wicomico County civil court records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Salisbury, the largest city on Maryland's Eastern Shore. These records are public and searchable for free through Maryland Judiciary Case Search or by visiting the courthouse on North Division Street. This page explains the search tools available, the contact details for the clerk's office, how to request copies, and what other services the Wicomico County court provides.
Wicomico County Overview
Searching Wicomico County Civil Court Records Online
Wicomico County's civil court records are part of the statewide Maryland Judiciary Case Search system. The portal is free to use and covers all 24 Maryland jurisdictions. Civil records for Wicomico County start from October 14, 1997. Criminal records in the online system begin on August 7, 2000.
To search, enter a party name or case number. The system defaults to exact name matching. If you add a percent sign (%) after the last name, the search runs a partial match, which can help if you are uncertain about spelling. Results show case type, filing date, parties, and outcome. They do not include the actual documents. For full case files, contact the clerk's office or visit in person.
Salisbury is the hub city for the lower Eastern Shore, so the Wicomico County courthouse handles a larger volume of civil cases than some other Eastern Shore counties. If you have a straightforward lookup, the online portal is usually sufficient. For anything more complex, the clerk's staff in Salisbury are available by phone or in person.
Note: Case Search covers Wicomico civil records from October 1997 forward. Contact the clerk for records filed before that date.
The Wicomico County clerk's listing on the Maryland Courts directory has current address, phone, hours, and links to related court resources for the county.
That page is the best source for confirming current hours before you visit, since the courthouse observes state holidays and occasional schedule changes.
Wicomico County Circuit Court: Address and Contact
The Circuit Court for Wicomico County is at 101 North Division Street, Salisbury, MD 21801. The main clerk's number is 410-543-6611. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Salisbury is the regional hub for the lower Eastern Shore, and the courthouse is centrally located in the downtown area, close to other government offices.
Parking is generally available near the courthouse. If you are coming from a more rural part of Wicomico County or from a neighboring county like Somerset or Worcester, plan your visit during mid-morning or early afternoon when traffic in downtown Salisbury is lighter. For a quick records lookup, the online portal may save you the trip entirely.
Criminal History Checks in Wicomico County
One service that Wicomico County's clerk's office provides, which is worth noting, is criminal history checks for immigration purposes. If you need a criminal history check for immigration proceedings, you must appear in person at the clerk's office with a government-issued photo ID. The fee is $20.00. If you pay by credit card, there is an additional $1.50 service charge.
This service is handled through the clerk's office at 101 North Division Street. The process involves a review of the county's criminal records, not a statewide background check. If you need a broader Maryland statewide criminal record check, that is handled through the Maryland Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS), not the circuit court.
Criminal records in the Wicomico County online system go back to August 7, 2000. For earlier criminal records, contact the clerk's office directly.
Note: The criminal history check for immigration is an in-person service only. Government-issued photo ID is required and the fee is $20 plus a $1.50 card surcharge.
Copies, Fees, and Other Civil Records Resources
Standard copy fees for Wicomico County civil court records are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 per document plus the copy fee. Exemplification, used for official authentication in other jurisdictions, is $10.00 plus copy fees. Civil filing fees follow Maryland's standard schedule: $165.00 without an attorney, $175.00 with an attorney.
Mail requests for copies should be sent to the Circuit Court Clerk at 101 North Division Street, Salisbury, MD 21801. Include the case number or party names, the documents you need, your contact information, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a money order for payment. Personal checks are not accepted at most Maryland courthouses.
Land records for Wicomico County properties, including deeds and mortgages, are separate from civil court records and available through MDLandRec.net. For civil cases that predate the 1997 online start, the Maryland State Archives at (410) 260-6400 may hold earlier Wicomico County court records. The statewide Self-Help Center is another useful resource if you are handling a civil matter without an attorney.
Records that are never public in Maryland include adoption files, juvenile proceedings, mental health evaluations, financial statements from support cases, and records sealed by court order. Since 2024, Failure to Pay Rent cases without a possession judgment are automatically shielded statewide.