Find Family Court Records in Kent County

Kent County family court records are filed and maintained by the Circuit Court for Kent County in Chestertown, Maryland. The court handles all family law matters for county residents, including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, name changes, and protective orders. Records from active and past cases are available to the public through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal online and through in-person or mail requests at the clerk's office at 103 N. Cross Street. This guide covers how to find records, what services are available, and where to get help.

Circuit Court for Kent County

The Circuit Court for Kent County is at 103 N. Cross Street, Chestertown, MD 21620. The main phone number is (410) 778-7460. Some references list the number as (410) 778-4600; both reach the same office. Court Clerk Bonnie L. Kronk runs the clerk's office. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

The District Court for Kent County shares the same building at 103 N. Cross Street. Their direct line is (410) 778-4605. The District Court handles smaller civil matters and issues initial interim protective orders. Family law cases, including divorce and custody, go to Circuit Court.

Kent County is a smaller county on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Because the court handles a smaller volume of cases than some larger Maryland counties, in-person requests are often resolved quickly. Staff at the clerk's office can assist with most questions the same day you visit.

The clerk's page provides links to online case search and family law forms available through the Maryland Courts system.

Family Law Services Available in Kent County

Kent County offers several services designed to help people resolve family law matters without a full contested trial. These programs are worth knowing about before you file or respond to a case.

The Family Law Assistance Program (FLAP) provides free legal consultations at the Kent County courthouse. You do not need an attorney to use this service. FLAP staff can help you understand what forms to file, what to bring to court, and what to expect at a hearing. This is not legal representation, but it can help you prepare.

Day-of-court mediation is available in Kent County for custody and visitation disputes. A trained mediator meets with both parties on the day of a scheduled hearing and tries to help them reach a voluntary agreement. If mediation works, you may be able to resolve the case without a contested hearing before the judge.

Parent Education classes are available for a $25 fee. These classes help parents understand how divorce and custody cases affect children and how to co-parent effectively. Some judges in Kent County may require parents to complete a parent education class before hearing their custody case.

Settlement conferences with retired judges are also an option. This service allows parties to get a neutral evaluation of their case from an experienced former judge. Settlement conferences can save time and legal fees compared to a full trial.

A supervised visitation program is available for cases where a child's safety requires that parenting time be monitored by a third party. If the court orders supervised visitation, the clerk's office can provide information on available providers.

Searching Kent County Family Court Records Online

The Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal is free and open to the public. It covers all Maryland Circuit Courts including Kent County.

The portal shows case type, current status, party names, and filing dates. Use it to confirm a case exists and get the case number before requesting documents.

Online results provide basic case information. To get actual court documents, you need to contact the clerk's office. Public access computer terminals at the courthouse let you view scanned records on-site without paying copy fees. If you need a paper copy, copy fees apply.

For in-person requests, visit the clerk's office during business hours. Bring the case number or the full legal names of the parties involved. Staff can pull the file and let you review it. Same-day service is generally available for most requests.

Mail requests are accepted but processed more slowly. Write to the clerk at 103 N. Cross Street, Chestertown, MD 21620. Include the case number or party names, a description of the documents you need, and payment for the copy fees. There is no direct email for record requests; all non-in-person requests go through the main office.

Types of Family Court Cases Handled in Kent County

Kent County Circuit Court handles all major family law matters. Divorce cases come in two forms. Absolute divorce ends the marriage and resolves property, support, and custody issues. Limited divorce is a court-managed separation that does not end the marriage but can set temporary orders for support and property use.

Under Maryland Family Law Article Section 7-103, there are three grounds for divorce: mutual consent of both spouses, a six-month separation, and irreconcilable differences. Mutual consent divorce requires a written settlement agreement signed by both parties. It is often the fastest route when both spouses agree on all issues.

Child custody cases decide where children live and how major decisions about their lives are made. The court looks at multiple factors to determine the best interest of the child. Parents who cannot agree on custody may be required to try mediation before a judge holds a contested hearing.

Child support orders are based on Maryland's income-sharing formula. Both parents' gross incomes are used to calculate the base support amount. Additional expenses like health insurance and childcare are added on. If circumstances change, a parent can file a motion to modify the support order. The modification filing fee is $31.

Paternity cases are used to legally establish fatherhood when parents were not married at the time of birth. Genetic testing may be ordered. Once paternity is established, the court can enter custody and child support orders.

Protective order cases for domestic violence are available in both District and Circuit Court. Interim orders are issued by the District Court. Final protective orders, entered after a full hearing, come from Circuit Court. These orders can cover no-contact provisions, temporary custody, and removal from a shared home.

Name changes for adults and minors are handled through Circuit Court. A petition is filed, a hearing may be scheduled, and if granted, the order can be used to update official records with other agencies. Guardianship of a minor is also a Circuit Court matter when a parent cannot care for a child.

Copy Fees and Record Request Procedures

Kent County uses the standard Maryland fee schedule for court record copies. Each plain copy costs $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 plus the per-page fee. If you need an exemplification copy with two seals for use in another state, the fee is $10.00 plus copy fees. Filing a civil case without an attorney costs between $165 and $175, depending on the case type.

Fee waivers are available for parties who cannot pay filing fees. Request fee waiver form CC-DC-089 from the clerk's office or download it from the Maryland Courts website. You will need to show proof of income or that you receive certain public benefits. The clerk reviews the application and notifies you before you proceed with filing.

Many forms are available as fillable PDFs. Complete them before your courthouse visit to speed up the filing process.

Legal Resources for Kent County Residents

Several resources are available to help Kent County residents with family court matters. The Family Law Assistance Program at the courthouse is the first stop for people who need help understanding the process. It is free and does not require an income test.

Maryland Legal Aid provides free legal services to income-eligible residents across the Eastern Shore. Visit mdlab.org to check eligibility and connect with the regional office that serves Kent County. Legal Aid can help with divorce, custody, support, and protective order cases.

The guides walk through each step of filing for divorce, custody, and other family law actions and explain the forms and hearings involved.

The Maryland Courts Self-Help Center can be reached at (410) 260-1392. Staff answer general questions about court procedures but cannot give legal advice. For specific advice about your case, consult an attorney. The Family Law Hotline at 1-800-845-8550 can help you find a local attorney or legal aid resource.

What Records Are Not Public

Maryland law restricts access to certain family court records. Adoption files are sealed. Juvenile delinquency records and CINA cases are confidential. Financial statements filed in child support cases are not public records.

Maryland Rules 16-901 through 16-912 set out the statewide rules for access to court records. These rules identify what is public, what is restricted, and how to request access to non-public files. If a record does not appear in the online case search, it may be sealed, may not be indexed yet, or may not exist. Contact the clerk's office to clarify.

If you need access to a sealed file, you must file a motion in the case. The judge decides whether to allow access based on your stated reason. Only parties to the original case typically have standing to petition for access to sealed records.

Nearby Counties

Kent County on the Eastern Shore borders several other Maryland counties. Each has a Circuit Court clerk handling family law records.

• Queen Anne's County - Circuit Court in Centreville, MD
• Cecil County - Circuit Court in Elkton, MD
• Talbot County - Circuit Court in Easton, MD

If you are unsure which county has jurisdiction over your family law matter, contact the Kent County clerk's office for guidance. Jurisdiction is typically based on where the children live or where the original order was entered.