Wicomico County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Wicomico County?
Public records in Wicomico County are defined according to the Maryland Public Information Act, codified under §4-101 of the General Provisions Article. This statute defines a public record as "the original or any copy of any documentary material that is made by a unit or an instrumentality of the State or of a political subdivision or received by the unit or instrumentality in connection with the transaction of public business."
Wicomico County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family law)
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments)
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates)
- Business records (licenses, permits, fictitious business names)
- Tax records (property tax assessments, tax liens)
- Voting and election records
- Meeting minutes and agendas (County Council, boards, commissions)
- Budget and financial documents
- Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records
The Circuit Court Clerk's Office maintains court records, land records, marriage licenses, and business licenses. Property assessment records are maintained by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation. Vital records such as birth and death certificates are maintained by the Wicomico County Health Department. The Wicomico County Board of Elections maintains voter registration and election records, while the County Finance Department maintains budget and financial documents.
Is Wicomico County an Open Records County?
Wicomico County adheres to Maryland's open records laws, specifically the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), codified under §4-103 of the General Provisions Article. This statute establishes that "all persons are entitled to have access to information about the affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees."
The MPIA specifically states that "except as otherwise provided by law, a custodian shall permit a person or governmental unit to inspect any public record at any reasonable time." This provision underscores Maryland's commitment to government transparency and public access to information.
Wicomico County government operations are also subject to the Maryland Open Meetings Act, which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public with limited exceptions. The County Council and other county boards and commissions must provide public notice of meetings and maintain minutes of proceedings.
The county has implemented specific procedures for handling public records requests in compliance with state law, including designated custodians for various record types and established timeframes for responding to requests.
How to Find Public Records in Wicomico County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Wicomico County may follow these procedures to access various document types:
For Court Records:
- Visit the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in person or access records online through Maryland Judiciary Case Search.
- Submit a written request specifying the case number, names of parties, or other identifying information.
- For civil, criminal, family, and juvenile cases, contact the Circuit Court directly.
- For traffic, landlord-tenant, and small claims cases, contact the District Court.
For Land Records:
- Access property records through the Maryland Land Records online system (registration required).
- Visit the Circuit Court Clerk's Office to search records in person.
- Utilize the State Department of Assessments and Taxation website for property assessment information.
For Vital Records:
- Request birth and death certificates from the Wicomico County Health Department or the Maryland Department of Health Division of Vital Records.
- Obtain marriage licenses and records from the Circuit Court Clerk's Office.
- Access divorce records through the Circuit Court Clerk's Office.
For County Government Records:
- Submit a Public Information Act request to the specific department that maintains the records.
- Use the county's official request form or submit a written request.
- Clearly identify the records sought and provide contact information.
For Business Records:
- Search business entity records through the Maryland Business Express portal.
- Visit the Circuit Court Clerk's Office for trade name registrations.
Requests must be submitted during regular business hours, and custodians are required to respond within 30 days under Maryland law.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Wicomico County?
Wicomico County assesses fees for public records in accordance with §4-206 of the Maryland Public Information Act. Current standard fees include:
- Photocopies: $0.25 per page for standard letter/legal size
- Certified copies: $5.00 per document plus copy fees
- Land record copies: $1.00 per page
- Marriage license copies: $5.50 per copy
- Court case copies: $0.50 per page
- Electronic records: Actual cost of production
- Staff research time: May be charged at hourly rate for requests requiring extensive search or preparation
The Circuit Court Clerk's Office accepts payment by cash, credit card, money order, or certified check. Personal checks are accepted for some services with proper identification. The following payment methods are currently accepted:
- Cash (in-person only)
- Credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover)
- Money orders
- Certified checks
- Personal checks (with restrictions)
Under the MPIA, fees may be waived if the custodian determines that waiver would be in the public interest. Requestors may ask for a fee waiver by explaining how disclosure serves the public interest rather than personal interest.
Certain records searches, such as those conducted through Maryland Judiciary Case Search, are available at no cost to the public. However, obtaining official copies of these records still incurs the standard fees.
Does Wicomico County Have Free Public Records?
Wicomico County provides free inspection of most public records in accordance with the Maryland Public Information Act. Members of the public may view records without charge during normal business hours at the appropriate government office, though advance notice may be required for extensive records or those in storage.
The following resources are currently available at no cost:
- Maryland Judiciary Case Search - Free online access to case information
- SDAT Real Property Data Search - Free property assessment information
- Maryland Business Express - Free business entity searches
- Wicomico County Council - Free access to meeting agendas and minutes
- Maryland Campaign Finance Database - Free access to campaign finance reports
The Circuit Court Clerk's Office provides public access terminals for free searching of court and land records, though printing from these terminals incurs standard copy fees. Similarly, the Wicomico County Public Library offers free public computer access for searching online government records.
While inspection is free, obtaining copies of records typically involves fees as outlined in the fee schedule. Additionally, records that require extensive redaction or preparation may incur labor costs even for inspection.
Who Can Request Public Records in Wicomico County?
Under the Maryland Public Information Act §4-103, any person may request public records in Wicomico County regardless of citizenship or residency status. The statute specifically states that "all persons are entitled to have access to information about the affairs of government."
Key eligibility considerations include:
- Requestors need not be Maryland residents
- Requestors need not state a reason or purpose for most record requests
- Requestors need not provide identification for most record types
- Business entities, organizations, and government agencies may also submit requests
For certain record types, additional requirements apply:
- Vital records (birth, death certificates): Only qualified individuals with a legitimate interest may obtain these records, such as the person named on the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with court orders
- Adoption records: Access is restricted to parties involved and requires court authorization
- Medical records: Access is limited to the patient or authorized representative
- Motor vehicle records: Access is restricted under the Driver's Privacy Protection Act
When requesting records about oneself, identification may be required to verify identity and prevent unauthorized disclosure of personal information. For requests concerning another individual's records, authorization from that individual may be required unless the records are clearly of public nature.
Government agencies may not ask why records are being requested except in limited circumstances where such information is necessary to determine if an exemption applies or if a fee waiver is appropriate.
What Records Are Confidential in Wicomico County?
Certain records in Wicomico County are exempt from disclosure under the Maryland Public Information Act §4-301 through §4-355. These exemptions protect privacy, security, and other important interests. Records that are generally confidential include:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile court records (with limited exceptions)
- Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations
- Grand jury proceedings and materials
- Personnel records (including performance evaluations, disciplinary records)
- Medical and psychological records protected under HIPAA
- Social Security numbers, financial account information, and other personal identifiers
- Adoption records and related court documents
- Child welfare and protective services records
- Library user records
- Trade secrets and confidential commercial information
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Critical infrastructure and security information
- Home addresses and telephone numbers of public employees
- Records of certain emergency communications and preparations
The MPIA requires custodians to apply a balancing test for certain discretionary exemptions, weighing the public interest in disclosure against potential harm from release. When records contain both exempt and non-exempt information, custodians must redact the confidential portions and release the remainder.
Individuals seeking access to confidential records may need to obtain court orders, demonstrate legal authority, or provide written authorization from the subject of the records. In some cases, researchers may access confidential records for legitimate research purposes under strict confidentiality agreements.
Wicomico County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Circuit Court for Wicomico County, Clerk's Office
101 North Division Street, Room 106
Salisbury, MD 21801
410-543-6551
Circuit Court for Wicomico County
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Closed on state holidays
Wicomico County Register of Wills
101 North Division Street, Room 102
Salisbury, MD 21801
410-543-6551
Maryland Register of Wills
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Closed on state holidays
Wicomico County Health Department, Vital Records
108 East Main Street
Salisbury, MD 21801
410-543-6943
Wicomico County Health Department
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Closed on state holidays
State Department of Assessments and Taxation - Wicomico County Office
212 West Main Street, Room 102
Salisbury, MD 21801
410-713-3560
Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Closed on state holidays
Lookup Public Records in Wicomico County
Circuit Court for Wicomico County records and documents
Property records and assessment information