Find Family Court Records in Wicomico County

Wicomico County family court records are filed with the Circuit Court Clerk in Salisbury, serving all residents on Maryland's Eastern Shore who need access to divorce, custody, child support, and protective order cases. Clerk Mark N. Bowen oversees the office at 101 North Division Street. Most case records from recent years are searchable through the Maryland Judiciary's free online system. This guide explains how to find records, request copies, understand fees, and connect with local legal help in Wicomico County.

Circuit Court Clerk's Office

The Wicomico County Circuit Court Clerk is located at 101 North Division Street, Room 105, Salisbury, MD 21801. Phone: (410) 543-6551. You can also reach the office by email at wicomico.clerk@mdcourts.gov. Clerk Mark N. Bowen leads the office, which is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

The clerk's office handles all filings for family law cases in Wicomico County. This includes divorce petitions, custody modifications, child support orders, paternity cases, and domestic violence protective orders. When you contact the office, have a case number ready if you have one. Staff can locate records faster with a case number than with names alone. Email is a good option for general questions that do not require immediate answers.

Check the clerk's official page before visiting to confirm any updates to hours or procedures.

Searching Wicomico County Family Court Records Online

The Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal is the primary tool for looking up Wicomico County family court cases online. The system is free. You do not need an account to search. Visit casesearch.courts.state.md.us and enter a party name or case number to begin.

Search results display the case type, filing date, parties involved, and a list of court events. The portal does not show the full text of documents. It shows the index only. If you need a copy of a specific filing, motion, or order, you must request it from the clerk's office. Some records are restricted. Adoption files are not public. Juvenile cases and CINA matters are confidential under Maryland law. Financial statements filed in child support cases are not available to the general public.

For older or historical records not in the online system, the Maryland State Archives may hold what you need. Divorce records from before the online era, for instance, may be on file there. The Archives has its own online catalog. You can search their holdings before making a trip or submitting a mail request.

Fees for Copies and Record Searches

Wicomico County has a specific fee for record searches that differs from some other Maryland counties. A record search costs $12.00. This fee applies when staff must manually search for a file rather than simply pull a known record. Copy fees are $0.50 per page for standard copies. Certified copies cost $5.00 plus the per-page copy fee. Divorce-related document copies are $5.00 per page.

Civil filing fees in Wicomico County range from $165.00 to $180.00. The lower end applies to cases filed without an attorney. Cases filed with attorney representation carry a slightly higher fee. Modification requests, such as changes to existing custody or support orders, cost $31.00 to file.

If you need a divorce verification rather than a full copy of the decree, there are two routes. The Maryland Department of Health can issue verification for divorces granted after 1992. That costs $12.00 and takes four to six weeks by mail. For faster results, or for divorces not in the Department of Health's database, contact the Circuit Court Clerk directly. The clerk charges the $12.00 search fee plus $5.00 per page copied.

How to Request Records by Mail or Email

Wicomico County accepts mail requests for court records. Send written requests to 101 North Division Street, Room 105, Salisbury, MD 21801. Include the full names of both parties, the case number if known, the approximate filing date, and a return address. Include payment for the search fee and estimated copy fees. Make checks or money orders payable to "Clerk of Court."

For general inquiries, email wicomico.clerk@mdcourts.gov. Email is appropriate for confirming whether a case exists, asking about fees, or getting guidance on what to include in a formal request. The clerk's office does not send copies of documents by email due to record integrity rules, but staff can answer most procedural questions that way.

In-person requests are often the fastest option. You can visit the office during regular hours, pay by credit card or check, and receive copies the same day for available records. If a record needs to be retrieved from storage, staff may ask you to return or accept mailing.

District Court in Wicomico County

The Wicomico County District Court sits at 201 Baptist Street, Salisbury, MD 21801. Phone: (410) 548-4444. District Court handles peace orders, minor civil claims, and some protective order hearings. Full family law cases, including divorce, custody, and support, are filed at the Circuit Court on Division Street, not at the District Court.

If you are unsure which court handles your issue, call the Circuit Court Clerk first. Staff will direct you to the right location. Do not file family law paperwork at the District Court unless you have been specifically told to do so for a particular matter.

Language Access and Special Services

Wicomico County Circuit Court offers Video Remote Interpreting, known as VRI, as part of a pilot program for language services. VRI allows the court to connect litigants and witnesses with qualified interpreters via video when an in-person interpreter is not available. If you or someone in your case needs language assistance, contact the clerk's office at (410) 543-6551 before your court date to request services.

A law library is available at the courthouse for public use. You can access legal reference materials, review court rules, and look up statutes related to your case. Library use is free. Staff in the library cannot give legal advice, but they can help you locate materials and explain how to use research tools.

What Family Court Records Are Public

Most family court filings in Wicomico County are part of the public record under Maryland Rules 16-901 to 16-912. Divorce decrees, custody orders, support judgments, and most motions filed in open cases are available to any person who requests them. The case index is searchable free of charge at public terminals in the courthouse or through the statewide online portal.

Restricted records include all adoption files, juvenile delinquency records, CINA cases, and financial statements filed in support matters. Courts may also seal individual records on request if a party shows good cause. Sealed records do not appear in public searches. If you believe a case exists but cannot find it, contact the clerk's office directly. Staff can confirm whether a case is sealed or simply not indexed.

The People's Law Library of Maryland offers free guides on what records are public, how to request them, and what to expect when searching for family court information in Maryland. This is a useful reference before you visit the courthouse or submit a request.

Legal Resources in Wicomico County

Maryland Legal Aid has a local office that serves Wicomico County. The statewide site is mdlab.org. Legal Aid helps low-income residents with divorce, custody, protective orders, and related civil matters. Eligibility is income-based. Call or apply online to find out if you qualify.

The statewide Family Law Hotline at 1-800-845-8550 is another option. This line provides general guidance on family law matters in Maryland. The Court Help Line at (410) 260-1392 connects callers with information about court procedures and resources statewide. Neither line provides legal advice or representation, but both can help you understand your options and find local services.

• Circuit Court Clerk: (410) 543-6551
• District Court: (410) 548-4444
• Clerk email: wicomico.clerk@mdcourts.gov
• Family Law Hotline: 1-800-845-8550
• Court Help Line: (410) 260-1392
• Maryland Legal Aid: mdlab.org

Downloadable court forms are available free at the Maryland Courts family forms page. Forms cover divorce, custody, support, and protective orders. Read the instructions on each form carefully before filling it out. The self-help clinic or Family Law Hotline can help if you get stuck.

Criminal Background Checks

Criminal background checks in Maryland are handled through the Criminal Justice Information System, or CJIS. These are separate from family court records but are sometimes requested in custody and protective order cases. Contact CJIS directly for information on how to request a criminal history check. The Circuit Court Clerk's office can confirm whether a protective order appears in the court's case index but does not issue formal background check reports.

Nearby Counties

Wicomico County is located on Maryland's Eastern Shore and borders three other counties. Each has its own circuit court for family law filings. If a case involves parties from more than one county, or if you are unsure where a case was filed, search the statewide portal first to identify the county.

Somerset County lies to the south. Worcester County is to the east and borders the Atlantic Ocean. Dorchester County is to the north. All three counties use the same statewide Maryland Judiciary Case Search system.