Washington County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Washington County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Washington County, Maryland may access a range of publicly available information through official county and state channels. WashingtonMDRecords.us provides a directory of resources to assist individuals in locating records maintained by local and state agencies. The types of records that may be available include, but are not limited to:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and land records
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Business licenses and permits
- Tax and assessment records
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted by law)
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by state and county agencies.
Online Access: Members of the public may access Washington County court records through the Maryland Judiciary's online portal. The Circuit Court for Washington County maintains historic records online in cooperation with the Maryland State Archives. The Maryland Case Search system provides access to civil and criminal case information statewide. Estate records are searchable through the Maryland Register of Wills estate search portal. Some records require registration or in-person verification before full access is granted.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 95 West Washington Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should present a valid government-issued photo identification and complete a records request form at the public counter.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the Clerk of the Circuit Court, 95 West Washington Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740. Requests must include the requestor's full name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Maryland Code, General Provisions § 4-203, custodians are required to respond within 30 days of receiving a written request.
Phone/Email: The Circuit Court Clerk's Office may be reached at (301) 733-8660. Requestors seeking judicial records may also submit inquiries through the judicial records request process outlined on the Maryland Courts website.
What Are Public Records in Washington County?
Public records in Washington County are defined under Maryland law as any documentary material, regardless of physical form, that is made or received by a governmental unit in connection with the transaction of public business. Under Maryland Code, General Provisions § 4-101, a "public record" includes any document, paper, photograph, photostat, film, microfilm, sound recording, map, drawing, or other written or printed material.
The following record types are maintained by Washington County agencies:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Circuit Court Clerk's Office |
| Property deeds and land records | Washington County Circuit Court Land Records |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | Maryland Department of Health |
| Probate and estate records | Register of Wills |
| Business licenses and permits | Washington County Permits and Inspections |
| Property tax and assessment records | Washington County Assessor |
| Voting and election records | Washington County Board of Elections |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Washington County Government |
| Law enforcement records | Washington County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Washington County Planning Department |
A comprehensive listing of Washington County government records, including electronic, microfilm, and original formats, is maintained by the Maryland State Archives.
Is Washington County an Open Records County?
Washington County operates in full compliance with Maryland's statewide open records framework. Under the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), all government agencies in the state, including those in Washington County, are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request. The MPIA is codified at Maryland Code, General Provisions §§ 4-101 through 4-601.
As stated in the Maryland Attorney General's guidance on the MPIA: "The Public Information Act reflects the General Assembly's determination that citizens are entitled to have access to information about the affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees." This principle applies to all county-level agencies and offices operating within Washington County.
The county does not maintain a separate open records ordinance; the state MPIA governs all public records requests submitted to county agencies. Washington County agencies are subject to the same disclosure obligations, response timelines, and exemption provisions that apply statewide. The Maryland Attorney General's Office provides oversight and publishes annual compliance guidance for all custodians of public records throughout the state.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Washington County?
The fee structure for public records in Washington County is governed by the Maryland Public Information Act and applicable court fee schedules. Current fees vary by record type and the office maintaining the records.
Standard Copy Fees:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard paper copies (per page) | $0.25–$0.50 |
| Certified copies of court documents | $5.00 per document (plus $1.00 per page) |
| Land record copies | $1.00 per page |
| Certified land record copies | $5.00 per document |
| Electronic records (where available) | Varies by format |
| Search fee (where permitted) | Actual cost of staff time |
Under Maryland Code, General Provisions § 4-206, a custodian may charge a reasonable fee for the search, preparation, and reproduction of public records. Fees may not exceed the actual cost incurred by the agency. Accepted payment methods at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order made payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Fee waivers may be granted at the discretion of the custodian when disclosure is determined to be in the public interest and the requestor demonstrates an inability to pay.
Does Washington County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in Washington County. Under the Maryland Public Information Act, any person has the right to inspect public records during normal business hours at no charge, provided the records are not exempt from disclosure. The right to inspect does not automatically include the right to receive free copies.
The following resources provide free access to Washington County records:
- Maryland Case Search — Members of the public may search civil and criminal case information at no cost through the Maryland Judiciary's online case search system.
- Circuit Court Public Access Terminals — In-person terminals located at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office, 95 West Washington Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740, allow free inspection of court records.
- Historic Records Online — The Circuit Court for Washington County's historic records are available online at no charge through a cooperative project with the Maryland State Archives.
- Maryland Register of Wills — The estate case records search is available to the public at no cost through the Maryland Register of Wills online portal.
- Washington County Government Website — Meeting minutes, agendas, budgets, and other administrative documents are posted publicly on the county's official website at no charge.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no fee, reproduction of records is subject to the copy fees described in the preceding section.
Who Can Request Public Records in Washington County?
Any person may request public records in Washington County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The Maryland Public Information Act does not require requestors to be Maryland residents, to provide identification for most requests, or to explain the reason for their request. This broad access right reflects the legislature's intent that government records belong to the public.
Specific provisions applicable to requestors include:
- Residency: Not required. Non-residents of Maryland retain the same access rights as residents.
- Identification: Not required for most public records requests. Identification may be required for records containing sensitive personal information or for requests submitted in person at certain offices.
- Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a purpose when requesting public records under the MPIA.
- Requesting your own records: Individuals requesting records about themselves may be entitled to access records that would otherwise be withheld from third parties, such as certain personnel or investigative records.
- Restrictions by record type: Certain record categories, such as juvenile records, sealed court records, and adoption records, carry additional access restrictions regardless of the requestor's identity.
Members of the public seeking court records in Maryland should be aware that some case records may be shielded from public access by court order or by operation of law, even when the underlying case is otherwise public.
What Records Are Confidential in Washington County?
Not all government records in Washington County are subject to public disclosure. The Maryland Public Information Act identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from mandatory disclosure. Under Maryland Code, General Provisions § 4-301 through § 4-358, the following categories of records are exempt from public inspection:
- Sealed court records — Records sealed by court order are not accessible to the public.
- Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Maryland law.
- Ongoing criminal investigation records — Records compiled for law enforcement purposes that could interfere with an active investigation are exempt.
- Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are protected from disclosure.
- Medical and health records — Records protected under HIPAA and Maryland health privacy statutes are not subject to public disclosure.
- Adoption records — Adoption proceedings and related records are sealed under Maryland law.
- Child welfare and protective services records — Records maintained by child protective services agencies are confidential.
- Personnel records — Employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for certain public officials.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to government agencies is protected.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details — Records that could compromise public safety or security infrastructure are withheld.
Maryland courts apply a balancing test in certain circumstances, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the privacy interests of individuals named in the records. As the Maryland Courts have noted regarding court records access: "The right of access to court records is not absolute and must be balanced against other important interests, including the privacy rights of individuals and the integrity of the judicial process."
Washington County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Circuit Court for Washington County — Clerk's Office
95 West Washington Street
Hagerstown, MD 21740
(301) 733-8660
Circuit Court for Washington County
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Washington County Register of Wills
100 West Washington Street, Room 306
Hagerstown, MD 21740
(301) 733-8660
Maryland Register of Wills — Washington County
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Washington County Government — Department of Permits and Inspections
35 West Washington Street, Suite 204
Hagerstown, MD 21740
(240) 313-2460
Washington County Government
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Washington County Board of Elections
24 Summit Avenue
Hagerstown, MD 21740
(240) 313-2050
Washington County Board of Elections
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Maryland State Archives — Washington County Records
350 Rowe Boulevard
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 260-6400
Maryland State Archives
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday: 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM (research room only)