Washington County Family Court Records

Washington County family court records are filed and maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Hagerstown, covering divorce, custody, child support, protective orders, and other domestic matters. The clerk's office at 24 Summit Avenue serves residents of Hagerstown and all surrounding communities in Washington County. Records from recent decades are searchable online through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal at no cost. This page covers how to find records, what the clerk's office can help with, and what resources are available locally for those who need legal guidance before or after filing.

Circuit Court Clerk's Office

The Washington County Circuit Court Clerk handles all family law filings. Clerk Kevin L. Draper oversees the office at 24 Summit Avenue, Hagerstown, MD 21740. The main number is (301) 733-8660, with additional lines at (301) 790-7941, (301) 790-4972, and (301) 790-7413. Hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Note that Washington County opens at 8:00 AM, which is earlier than most other Maryland circuit courts.

When you call, the phone menu routes calls by matter type. Press option 0 for general information, option 2 for civil cases, and option 3 for criminal. If you have a case number, have it ready before you call. Staff can assist more quickly when you provide a case number at the start of the call. For in-person visits, go directly to the clerk's office at the Summit Avenue address.

The clerk's office website is the best starting point for confirming hours, fee schedules, and any updates to local procedures.

How to Search Washington County Family Court Records Online

The Maryland Judiciary makes most circuit court case records available through its free online portal. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. The system covers civil, family, criminal, and traffic cases filed across all Maryland counties.

To search, visit Maryland Judiciary Case Search and enter the name of either party or a known case number. Results show case type, filing date, parties, and events. Not all details appear online. Some documents require an in-person visit or a formal records request. Adoption records, juvenile cases, CINA matters, and financial statements in support cases are not available to the public regardless of how you search.

If the online search does not return what you need, call the clerk's office directly. Staff can confirm whether a record exists and explain how to request copies. In-person access is available during regular office hours.

Family Law Self-Help Clinic

Washington County offers a Family Law Self-Help Clinic for residents who do not have an attorney. The clinic meets twice a week inside the Circuit Court Law Library at 24 Summit Avenue. Tuesday sessions run from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Thursday sessions run from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Clinic volunteers can help you understand court forms, explain the filing process, and answer general questions about divorce, custody, and support. They do not give legal advice and cannot represent you in court. Still, for many people the clinic is the best first step before filing anything. It costs nothing to attend. No appointment is needed for most sessions, but it is wise to check with the clerk's office in case schedules change.

The People's Law Library of Maryland is another free resource. It covers divorce procedures, custody basics, protective orders, and more. The site includes plain-language guides designed for people without legal backgrounds.

Requesting Copies of Records

Washington County charges $0.50 per page for standard copies. Certified copies cost $5.00 plus the per-page copy fee. Civil filing fees range from $165.00 to $185.00 depending on case type and whether an attorney is involved. Modification requests cost $31.00.

You can request copies in person at the clerk's office during business hours. Bring a case number or the full names of the parties involved. Staff will locate the record and process your request. Payment is accepted by VISA, MasterCard, and Discover. American Express, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and other touchless payment methods are not accepted. Credit cards cannot be used for bonds.

Washington County Code Section 6-205(b) provides a local fee exemption from any additional local surcharge beyond the standard copying charge. This means you pay the state copy rate and are not subject to a separate county add-on fee. If you are unsure what charges apply to your request, ask the clerk before submitting payment.

Historical records are held by the Maryland State Archives. For older cases not available at the clerk's office, contact the Archives directly or use their online catalog to check availability.

District Court in Washington County

The Washington County District Court is located at 36 East Antietam Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740. The phone number is (301) 733-8650. District Court handles certain family-related matters including peace orders and some protective order hearings. However, full family law cases such as divorce, legal separation, and custody go through the Circuit Court, not the District Court.

If you are unsure which court handles your matter, call the Circuit Court Clerk at (301) 733-8660 first. Staff can tell you whether to go to the Circuit or District Court for your specific issue.

What Family Court Records Cover

Washington County family court records include cases filed under Maryland's Family Law Article. These cover divorce and annulment, legal separation, child custody and visitation, child and spousal support, domestic violence protective orders, paternity, and name changes. Records are created at the time of filing and updated as the case moves through the court system.

Each case file typically contains the original petition, any responses filed, motions, court orders, and the final judgment or decree. Some documents within a case file are sealed or restricted. Financial statements in support cases, for example, are not public. Juvenile matters handled by the court's juvenile division are also confidential under Maryland law.

To find out what is in a specific case file, contact the clerk's office or search the case index at casesearch.courts.state.md.us. The index shows the case status and filed events but does not display the full content of documents. Copies of specific documents must be requested separately.

Marriage Licenses

Marriage license applications in Washington County are handled in person at 24 Summit Avenue. Civil ceremonies are available by appointment. Morning slots run from 9:00 AM to noon, and afternoon slots run from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Contact the clerk's office at (301) 733-8660 to schedule an appointment or ask about required documents.

Marriage records are separate from divorce records but both are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk. If you need a certified copy of a marriage certificate or divorce decree, bring a valid ID and the case information when you visit the office.

Legal Aid and Support Services

Maryland Legal Aid serves low-income residents of Washington County who need help with family law matters. The local number is (301) 694-7414. You can also reach Maryland Legal Aid through the statewide website at mdlab.org. Services cover divorce, custody, protective orders, and other civil legal matters. Eligibility is based on income.

For those who do not qualify for legal aid, the statewide Family Law Hotline at 1-800-845-8550 provides general guidance. Court Help is also available statewide at (410) 260-1392. These lines can point you to resources specific to Washington County. The Circuit Court Law Library at the courthouse is open to the public and contains legal reference materials, form guides, and self-help resources.

• Circuit Court Clerk: (301) 733-8660
• District Court: (301) 733-8650
• Maryland Legal Aid (local): (301) 694-7414
• Family Law Hotline: 1-800-845-8550
• Court Help Line: (410) 260-1392

If you need help filling out court forms, the Maryland Courts family forms page has downloadable packets for divorce, custody, support, and protective order matters. Forms are free to download and print.

Public Access Rules

Maryland Rules 16-901 through 16-912 govern public access to court records. Most civil and family court records are open to the public. However, certain categories are always restricted. Adoption records are sealed. Juvenile delinquency and CINA (Child in Need of Assistance) records are confidential. Financial statements and income affidavits filed in child support cases are not open to the public.

Courts can also seal specific records on a case-by-case basis if a party requests it and the court finds good cause. If you search for a record and do not find it, the case may be sealed or the information may simply not be indexed yet. Contact the clerk's office to clarify.

Free terminals for searching case indices are available inside the courthouse. You do not need to pay to look up whether a case exists. Fees apply only when you request copies of documents.

Nearby Counties

Washington County borders several other Maryland counties, each with its own circuit court and family law records system. If a case was filed in a neighboring county, you will need to contact that county's clerk directly.

Frederick County lies to the east and is one of Maryland's larger jurisdictions. Allegany County is to the west, with its circuit court in Cumberland. Garrett County sits in the far western corner of Maryland. Each county has its own case search portal through the statewide Maryland Judiciary system.