Wicomico County
Wicomico County, named after the Wicomico River, was founded in 1867 and is located in southeastern Maryland on the Delmarva Peninsula. The county covers a total land area of 374.4 square miles and has a population of around 104,800 residents. The county's largest city and government seat is the City of Salisbury.
The judicial system in Wicomico County is made up of the Circuit Court, District Court, and Orphans' Court. The Circuit Court is the county's highest trial court, overseeing civil cases involving $5000 or more. It also deals with felony criminal cases, family law matters, and appeals from the District Court. Juvenile cases such as delinquency and dependency are typically handled by the family division of the Circuit Court. The family division also addresses domestic relations issues such as divorces, child custody, and spousal support.
Meanwhile, the District Court in Wicomico County handles less severe criminal cases such as misdemeanors, traffic violations, and criminal pre-trials. Civil cases resolved at the District Court include landlord-tenant disputes, small claims under $30,000, and replevin actions. The Orphans' Court deals with probate matters, estates, and guardianship cases in Wicomico County.
The Clerk of the Circuit Court is tasked with maintaining and disseminating public court records in Wicomico County. Court records are documents or materials generated in the course of legal proceedings and are publicly accessible to maintain transparency as outlined in the Maryland Public Information Act. These records include case filings, dockets, orders, judgments, and minutes, among others. Below are some common public court records in Wicomico County:
- Criminal court records
- Small claims records
- Civil court records
- Probate records
- Family law records
However, certain records, such as adoption files, bank statements, juvenile records, and mental health cases, remain confidential and are only accessible to authorized individuals. Interested parties may request public records by contacting the Circuit Court Clerk by email or in person at:
Wicomico County Circuit Court Clerk
101 North Division Street, Room 105
Salisbury, Maryland 21801
Phone: (410) 543-6551
Public court records can also be accessed freely online via the Maryland Judiciary Case Search tool. The service allows users to search by name or case number. While this online platform offers free searches, obtaining certified or physical copies from the Clerk's Office may incur fees for processing and duplication.
