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Kent County, Maryland Court Records

Kent County’s Circuit, District, and Orphans’ Courts create official documents to record civil and criminal trials. These records track the progress and outcomes of legal proceedings to ensure transparency while preserving accurate histories that serve as precedents for future cases. The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Kent County and the District Court for Kent County maintain these records in compliance with Maryland Judiciary policies and state laws under the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA).

Kent County’s court records relate to other public records. For example, depending on the type of crimes, the county’s arrest records may play a crucial role in criminal prosecutions at the local, state, or federal levels. Furthermore, Kent County’s vital records are foundational documents for probate adjudications within the Kent County Orphans’ Court.

Are Kent County Court Records Public?

Yes, Kent County maintains most court records as public documents. The Maryland Public Information Act establishes access to these records, while the Maryland Judiciary rules enforce their availability. Although the MPIA grants access to government records, specific provisions protect privacy and personal rights. Consequently, the court denies public access to:

  • Juvenile delinquency and child welfare cases
  • Adoption records
  • Guardianship records involving minors
  • Mental health commitment proceedings
  • Records sealed by court order
  • Documents containing sensitive personal information, such as Social Security numbers or financial account data.

Public-facing Kent County court records typically display basic information, such as:

  • Names of parties involved
  • Case summaries
  • Court filings
  • Motions and petitions
  • Charges or claims
  • Hearing or trial dates
  • Docket entries
  • Final judgments
  • Information about attorneys of record.

What Information is Available in Kent County Court Records?

While Kent County’s court records are public, not all are open to scrutiny. There are exceptions to what is publicly accessible and what is not. A typical Kent County public court record includes the following information:

  • Case identification details, such as:
  • Case number
  • Filing date
  • Case type
  • Names of the parties involved, including:
  • Plaintiffs
  • Defendants
  • Petitioners
  • Respondents
  • Attorneys of record
  • Court docket entries that provide the timeline of filing, hearings, and updates
  • Complaints, petitions, and charge documents
  • Motions
  • Court orders
  • Rulings
  • Hearing or trial schedules
  • Judgment, verdicts, or final disposition.

Kent County Court Records Search

Kent County’s court records are searchable online and offline. Record seekers can access these documents online through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search (MJCS) portal or through the Kent County Circuit Court and the District Court of Maryland for Kent County.

Online Access

The Maryland Judiciary Case Search Portal is the official tool for online access to court records in Maryland. The MJCS is a lookup system that provides access to case summaries from Maryland’s various courts. To access Kent County’s court records online:

  • Log in to the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system.
  • Expand the Case Number Search, Party Search, or Advanced Search menu.
  • Provide the required information.
  • Click Search to submit the query.

In-person access

Kent County court records are accessible through the county’s court clerk’s offices. In Kent County, the Circuit and District Courts maintain court records. To access Kent County’s court records in person, identify the Kent County Court that handled the specific trial and visit the clerk’s office at the George B. Rasin, Jr. Courthouse (Kent County Courthouse):

103 N. Cross Street,

Chestertown,

MD 21620

Kent County court records are also accessible at the Kent County Courthouse via Public Access Terminals.

Phone and mail-in requests

Individuals who cannot visit the Kent County Courthouse or find their records online can inquire through the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office at (410) 778-7460 or the District Court at (410) 810-3360. Alternatively, mail the Kent County Circuit or District Court Clerk’s Office at the following addresses:

Kent County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office

Clerk of the Circuit Court for Kent County

103 North Cross Street,

P.O. Box 608,

Chestertown,

MD 21620-0608

Kent County District Court Clerk’s Office

District Court of Maryland for Kent County

103 North Cross Street, 2nd Floor,

Chestertown,

MD 21620-1511.

Individuals seeking copies of Kent County court records by mail must provide the case number (if available), the parties’ names, and the specific type of document requested. Furthermore, applicants must include a self-addressed stamped envelope along with a check or money order (payable to the clerk’s office) to cover all applicable fees.

Fees for Court Records in Kent County

Generally, access to copies of court records involves fees (unless the court waives them). The Maryland Judiciary sets the fees for copies of court documents across Maryland. While exact costs may depend on the type of document and the number of copies, the following fees apply to copies of court records through the Kent County Circuit and District Courts Clerk’s Offices:

  • Standard copies - $0.50 per page
  • Certified copies - $5.00 per document, in addition to the per-page costs
  • Exemplified copies - $10.00 per document, plus copy costs
  • Marriage records - $5.50 per certified copy
  • Birth certificates - $10.00 per copy for live birth and $12.00 for stillbirth
  • Divorce certificate - $12.00 per certified copy.

Kent County Courthouse Locations

Kent County’s judiciary comprises a Circuit, District, and Orphans’ Court, each fulfilling a distinct role. Under the Maryland trial system, Circuit Courts exercise general jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases, handling cases that exceed the District Courts’ authority. Conversely, the District Courts maintain limited authority over specific civil and criminal matters. Finally, the Orphans’ Court presides over certain probate and guardianship cases. All Kent County courts are in the same courthouse; information seekers can contact their clerk’s offices through the following details:

Kent County Circuit Court

103 North Cross Street,

Chestertown,

MD 21620

Phone: (410) 778-7460, 1-800-989-2520 (toll-free in Maryland)

Email: kentcc@courts.state.md.us

District Court of Maryland for Kent County

103 North Cross Street, 2nd Floor,

Chestertown,

MD 21620

Phone: (410) 810-3360, 1(800) 941-3347 (toll-free Maryland only)

TTY: 711 (Maryland Relay)

Orphans’ Court for Kent County

103 North Cross Street,

Chestertown,

MD 21620

Phone: (410) 778-7466

Fax: (410) 778-2466.

Criminal Records Access in Kent County

Access to criminal records in Kent County depends on the type of documents. While the Kent County Circuit and District Courts maintain case files on criminal trials within their respective jurisdictions, the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, through its Criminal Justice Information System Central Repository (CJIS-CR), provides statewide criminal history reports. The CJIS-CR maintains fingerprint-based criminal history submitted by law enforcement agencies, courts, and correctional facilities across Maryland. Individuals and other entities can request authorized criminal background checks for personal reviews, licensing, and employment screening through the CJIS-CR.

In contrast, local courts, such as the Kent County Circuit Court and the District Court of Maryland for Kent County, provide criminal case summaries through the Maryland Judicial Case Search portal, Public Access Terminals, or their clerk’s offices.

Kent County Probate Records

Kent County probate court records are official documents on the administration of deceased persons’ estates and the management of the affairs of individuals who cannot oversee their finances or personal matters. In Kent County, the Register of Wills creates these documents during probate adjudications under the judicial oversight of the Orphans’ Court. Kent County’s probate records include documents related to wills, guardianships, trust administration, and conservatorships.

Generally, probate court records encompass, but are not limited to, documents such as:

  • Last will
  • Petition for probate or estate administration
  • Letters of administration or letters of testamentary
  • Inventory of assets
  • Estate accounting reports
  • Creditor claims
  • Receipts and releases from heirs or beneficiaries
  • Guardianship or conservatorship petitions

Kent County probate court records are public. However, while recent estate records may be accessible through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system, older Will and probate filings may require in-person visits to the Kent County Register of Wills Office.

Kent County Family Court Records

Kent County family court records are official documents of legal proceedings within the Family Division of the Circuit Court. These records include documents related to family matters, including divorce, child custody and visitation, adoption, paternity, child support, and domestic relations. In Kent County, the Clerk of the Circuit Court is the custodian of the county’s family court records. These records are publicly accessible, but with limitations. There are restrictions on public access to sensitive documents, particularly those involving adoptions, juvenile matters, or sealed filings.

Online access to Kent County’s family court records is through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system, where individuals can access details, such as:

  • Case numbers
  • Filing dates
  • Case status
  • Scheduled hearings and events
  • Docket entries.

For in-person reviews or certified copies of Kent County’s family court records, interested parties should visit or mail the Kent County Clerk of the Circuit Court. Record seekers should note that access to certified copies of Kent County family court records requires identifying information, such as parties’ names, case number, and filing date. Individuals who prefer mail-in access to Kent County’s family court records should include:

  • Their contact info (mailing address and phone number)
  • Case details
  • The number of certified copies
  • A check or money order for fees.

For accurate costs applicable to mail-in requests, call the Kent County Clerk of the Circuit Court for the free fee schedule at (410) 778-7460.

Federal Court Records in Kent County

The United States District Court for the District of Maryland handles federal law cases originating from Kent County, including:

  • Federal criminal cases
  • Bankruptcy cases
  • Civil cases involving federal laws
  • Diversity jurisdiction cases
  • Appeals from federal agencies.

Online access to federal case records is through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). This federal resource provides convenient access to case files from U.S. District Courts, the U.S. Courts of Appeal, and U.S. Bankruptcy Courts. For a nominal fee, interested parties can access Case dockets and summaries, filed pleadings, motions, court orders, opinions, judgments, and case status updates. Information seekers can also contact the Clerk of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland at the following courthouses:

Baltimore Division (Northern Division)

Edward A. Garmatz U.S. Courthouse,

101 W. Lombard Street,

Baltimore,

MD 21201

Phone: (410) 962-2600

Greenbelt Division (Southern Division)

United States Courthouse

6500 Cherrywood Lane,

Greenbelt,

MD 20770

Phone: (301) 344-0660.