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Garrett County Court Records

According to Md. R. Ct. Admin. 16-901, court records are orders, notices, papers, exhibits, documents, or docket entries created, filed with, or kept by a court clerk relating to a case proceeding or about court administration. The Garrett County court clerks are the custodians of these records. The Maryland Public Information Act (PIA) and Maryland Rules on Access to Judicial Records govern the creation and maintenance of court records. Garret County court records are separate from, but frequently associated with, other public records such as vital records, arrest information, and federal case files.

Are Garrett County Court Records Public?

Yes. Garrett County court documents are publicly accessible under Maryland law. The Maryland Public Information Act and Access to Judicial Records authorize public disclosure of court records. However, the clerks, the official custodians of court records, do not release court records to the public due to their sensitive nature (Md. R. Ct. Admin. 16-905 to -907). Examples of such records include juvenile delinquency records, income tax returns, adoption files, termination of paternal rights in guardianship proceedings, and child-in-need-of-assistance (CINA) proceedings. 

What Information is Available in Garrett County Court Records?

The following details can be found within Garrett County court records:

Case Details:

  • Court System and Location
  • Case Number, Type, Status, and Filing Date
  • Cause Description
  • Names of the Filer and Respondent
  • Remedy Type, Amount, and Comments

Party Information:

  • Name, Address, City, State, and Zip Code for Case Parties

Judgment Information:

  • Event Type
  • Judge's Name
  • Parties For and Against Whom the Judgment was Issued
  • Ordered Date and Entry Date
  • Financial Details: Principal Amount, Filing Fee, Pre-Judgment Interest, Attorney Fee, and Total Judgment Index
  • Judgment Status and Final Amount

Document Information:

  • File Date
  • Document Name
  • Comments

Garrett County Court Records Search

There are various ways to access court documents in Garrett County. This includes:

  • Online Access: Members of the public can use the Maryland Judiciary Case Search and Maryland Judiciary Record Search portals to access case information at no cost. Users will need a party name or case number for their searches. Case parties and their attorneys can use the Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) database to access court records.
  • In-Person Access: Inquirers can visit the Garrett County court where the case was filed to obtain copies of court records. They may use the public access terminals at the courthouse to conduct free searches. After locating the record, they can print it out for a fee. Alternatively, they can obtain copies of court records from the staff.

Fees for Court Records in Garrett County

Garret County charges regular fees for obtaining court documents. Copies of court records typically cost 50 cents per page. If a certified copy is required, an extra $5 certification fee is added to the per-page copy cost. Exemplified copies normally cost $10 plus copying fees. Individuals who cannot afford these fees can access basic court information for free through the Maryland Judiciary Record Search portal.

Garrett County courts do not issue vital records. Records seekers who want copies of vital records may contact the Garrett County Health Department or the Maryland Division of Vital Records. These certificates typically cost around $10 to $12 

Garrett County Courthouse Locations

Garrett County is part of the 4th Circuit and has Circuit, District, and Orphans' Courts. The Circuit Court handles serious criminal cases and major civil cases, including family law cases such as divorce, custody, and child support. The District Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanors, certain felonies, small claims, and civil cases with amounts between $5,000 and $30,000. The Orphan's Court handles all probate cases. 

Below are the addresses of these courts:

Garrett County Circuit Court

203 South 4th Street 

P.O. Box 447

Oakland, MD 21550

Phone: (301) 334-1937

Garrett County District Court

205 South Third Street

Oakland, MD 21550-1526

Phone: (301) 334-8020

Garrett County Orphans' Court

313 East Alder Street
Oakland, MD 21550

Phone: (301) 334-1999 

Fax: (301) 334-1984

Criminal Records Access in Garrett County

The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services DPSCS, through its Criminal Justice Information System, provides statewide criminal history records to citizens. These records are different from the criminal court documents available at the Garrett County circuit and district courts. 

The online Maryland Judiciary Case Search and Maryland Judiciary Record search portals are the best places for the public to find criminal case information from the courts at no cost. Each search requires a party name or case number. Members of the public can also visit the Garrett County court where the case was filed to obtain copies of criminal court records. These courts have public access terminals where the public may find criminal court records without charges, but any copy of the record printed from the terminal costs a fee. Requesters can also obtain copies from the records staff for a fee.

Garrett County Probate Records

The Garrett County Orphans' Court is the custodian of probate records. These records are open to the public, but last wills and testaments filed for safekeeping by living persons and other confidential documents are not disclosed. The court releases these confidential probate records only to authorized parties. 

Members of the public may view basic Garrett County estate records for free using the online Estate Search tool. The search parameters are estate number, county, estate status, estate type, party type, last name, first name, or filing date. Users can also download probate records from the portal for a fee of 50 cents per page. The Garrett County Register of Wills, the records custodian of Garrett County probate records, also has public viewing stations where individuals may view any public probate records at no cost. Printing from these stations also costs 50 cents per page.

Garrett County Family Court Records

The Garrett County Circuit Court handles family law cases, including divorce, child custody, adoption, paternity, and child support. The Clerk of the Circuit Court is the custodian of these records and releases them upon request. 

Family court cases, such as divorce, are public, with basic information available online via the Maryland Judiciary Case Search and Maryland Judiciary Record Search portals. Users will need a name or case number to search. However, confidential family court records, such as adoption and those involving minors, are not made public. Individuals may view or obtain copies of confidential court records in person at the clerk's office during business hours. Copies of records attract a fee. 

Federal Court Records in Garrett County

The United States District Court for the District of Maryland handles Garrett County's federal court cases, not the county courts. An individual may find federal court records online through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) for a fee or at public terminals located in the clerk's office for free. Access to case information through the PACER portal costs 10 cents per page, but a single document is capped at $3. 

Requesters can also obtain plain and certified copies of federal court records by submitting a complete Copy Work Request to the court clerk's office. The office will contact the record seeker with the costs of the copies. The clerk's rates are 50 cents per page for paper copies of federal court records and 10 cents per page for electronic copies. Certified copies cost $12 plus copy fees.

Garrett County Court