Queen Anne's County Family Court Records

Queen Anne's County family court records are filed with the Circuit Court Clerk in Centreville, Maryland. The court handles divorce, custody, child support, and other family law matters for residents of this Eastern Shore county. Records are public in most cases, though sealed matters like adoptions are not available without a court order. This guide explains how to search for cases online, request copies of records, and find legal help in Queen Anne's County.

Circuit Court Clerk Office

The Circuit Court Clerk for Queen Anne's County is Katherine L. Marzano. The office is at 200 N. Commerce Street, Centreville, MD 21617 (also referenced as 100 Courthouse Square). The phone number is (410) 758-1773. Staff are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The court's page on the Maryland Judiciary site is at mdcourts.gov/clerks/queenannes.

Queen Anne's is a smaller county, and the Circuit Court handles all family law matters from one central location. There is no branch courthouse. All divorce filings, custody petitions, support cases, and related matters go through the Clerk's Office on Commerce Street in Centreville. The office can help you confirm case numbers and direct you to the right forms.

The clerk's office page links to statewide court resources, including the case search tool and standard forms used in all Maryland family law proceedings.

Family Services and Mediation

Queen Anne's County Circuit Court offers a Family Services Coordinator. You can reach this office at (410) 758-1773, extension 5128. The coordinator helps parties navigate family law proceedings and can connect them with available programs.

Day-of-Court Mediation is available in Queen Anne's County. This allows parties in custody or other family disputes to work with a mediator on the day of a scheduled hearing. Reaching an agreement through mediation can save time and reduce conflict. Ask the Clerk's Office or your attorney about scheduling mediation for your case.

Parent Education classes are also available. The fee for these classes is $25. Courts often require parents in contested custody cases to complete a parenting education program. Check with the Clerk's Office or your attorney to find out if this applies to your case.

Searching Cases Online

The best way to search Queen Anne's County family court records online is through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search. This is a free tool that covers all Maryland Circuit Courts. You can search by name, case number, attorney name, or business name. Results include case type, filing date, and current status.

Most active cases filed since the late 1990s are available in this system. However, some older records are not online. The Queen Anne's County Circuit Court has older records stored on a system called "Papervision." These records are not searchable through the public case search portal. The Papervision records include:

• Equity Dockets: 1975 to July 1984
• Law Dockets: 1944 to July 1984
• Civil Dockets: July 1984 to March 1999
• Paternity Dockets: 1964 to March 1999
• Criminal Dockets: 1945 to November 2000

For records in these date ranges, you will need to contact the Clerk's Office directly. Call (410) 758-1773 to ask about access to older Papervision records. Staff can let you know what's available and how to request copies.

If you need a certified copy of a divorce decree or a name change order, the court has a specific form for that. Ask for the "Request for Copy of a Judgment of Divorce or Order for Name Change" form when you contact the Clerk's Office. This speeds up the process.

Requesting Copies of Court Records

You can get copies of Queen Anne's County family court records in person or by mail. In-person requests are handled on the same day. Visit the Clerk's Office at 200 N. Commerce Street in Centreville during business hours. Bring a valid ID and the case number if you have it.

For mail requests, write to the Clerk's Office with the full names of the parties, case number if known, and what documents you need. Make payment by check or money order payable to "Clerk of Circuit Court." Wait times for mail requests vary. If you're unsure of the case number, call (410) 758-1773 before mailing your request.

Copy fees follow the state schedule. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 plus the per-page fee. Marriage license certified copies are $5.50, and plain copies of marriage records are $0.50 per page. Minor subdivision filings cost $20.00 per set, and major subdivision filings are $25.00 per set.

Filing fees for new family law cases start at $165.00. There is no separate county surcharge on top of this. Modifications to existing orders cost $31.00. If you cannot afford fees, you may apply for a fee waiver. Ask the Clerk's Office about the waiver process.

What Records Are and Are Not Public

Most family law records in Queen Anne's County are open to the public. Divorce cases, custody filings, child support orders, and name change proceedings are all public record. You do not need to be a party to request copies of these records.

Sealed records are a different matter. Adoption cases are confidential under Maryland law. Juvenile court matters are also sealed. Financial statements filed in child support proceedings are not public. If a judge has ordered a record sealed or shielded, it will not appear in the case search database.

If you need access to a sealed record, you must file a motion with the court. The judge will decide whether to grant access based on your stated reason. In most cases, only parties to the case or their attorneys can access sealed records.

District Court in Centreville

The Queen Anne's County District Court is at 120 Broadway, Centreville, MD 21617. The phone number is (410) 758-2165. The District Court handles protective orders and peace orders, which are common in family law situations involving domestic conflict.

If you need an emergency protective order, contact the District Court or local law enforcement. After an emergency order is issued, a hearing at the District Court follows within seven days. Final protective orders are then handled by the Circuit Court. For divorce and custody matters, always file with the Circuit Court Clerk's Office.

Legal Help Resources

Queen Anne's County residents who cannot afford a lawyer may qualify for help from Maryland Legal Aid. Legal Aid serves the Eastern Shore and can assist with divorce, custody, support, and protective order cases. Call their office to check eligibility and set up an appointment.

The People's Law Library of Maryland is a free online resource. It provides plain-language guides on divorce, custody, how to file on your own, and what to expect in court. This is a helpful starting point if you don't yet have an attorney.

Official family court forms are available through the Maryland courts family forms page. These are the correct forms for all Maryland courts, including Queen Anne's Circuit Court. The statewide Family Law Hotline is also available at 1-800-845-8550. For general court questions, call the Maryland Judiciary help line at (410) 260-1392.

Nearby Counties

Queen Anne's County is located on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Neighboring counties each have their own Circuit Court and clerk's office. Kent County is to the north, with its court in Chestertown. Caroline County is to the southeast. Talbot County is to the south, with its court in Easton. Residents of each county file their family law cases with the clerk in their own county seat.