About Allegany County

County Seat Cumberland
Established 1789
Named After the Allegheny Mountains
Population 67,762 residents
Area 430 square miles

Allegany County is located in the western panhandle of Maryland, bordering Pennsylvania to the north and West Virginia to the south and west. Allegany County seat is Cumberland, historically known as the "Queen City" and once a major industrial hub along the National Road and C&O Canal. Allegany County includes approximately 430 square miles and has a population of around 72,000 residents according to recent estimates. Allegany County was established in 1789 and named after the Allegheny Mountains, though the spelling differs. Major landmarks include Rocky Gap State Park, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, the historic C&O Canal National Historical Park, and the Cumberland Narrows, a distinctive gap in the Allegheny Front. Allegany County is characterized by mountainous terrain and has a rich history in transportation, coal mining, and manufacturing. Allegany County Courthouse is located at 30 Washington Street in Cumberland, Maryland 21502. Allegany County Commissioners office oversees county government operations. Allegany County Clerk of the Circuit Court, located at the courthouse, maintains court records, marriage licenses, and various public documents. The Office of the Supervisor of Assessments at 701 Kelly Road, Cumberland, handles property assessments and tax records. The Recorder of Deeds office is part of the Circuit Court Clerk's office and maintains land records, deeds, and mortgages. What makes Allegany County unique is its position as a historic crossroads, where the National Road, B&O Railroad, and C&O Canal all converged, making Cumberland one of America's most important 19th-century transportation centers.

Court Records & Case Information

The Allegany County Circuit Court serves Allegany County and is located at 30 Washington Street in Cumberland. The court handles civil, criminal, family, and probate cases for this county. Court records and case filings can be requested in person or through the Maryland online court portal.

Allegany County Circuit Court has jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases, including appeals from the District Court. The Circuit Court also has exclusive jurisdiction over adoption, divorce, equity, and probate matters.

Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement

Law Enforcement & Arrests

  • Citizens may request arrest records by submitting a written request to the Sheriff's Office or the specific police department that made the arrest.
  • Processing fees may apply for copies of arrest records.
  • Maryland law requires agencies to respond to public records requests within 30 days.
  • The Maryland Judiciary Case Search system also provides access to criminal case information once charges have been filed in court.

Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records

Jail & Inmate Records

  • In Maryland, the bond or bail process allows for the temporary release of an inmate pending trial, with specific conditions set by the court.

Courts & Case Records

  • The county court system provides access to civil, criminal, traffic, and family law case information.
  • Certified copies of court documents can be obtained from the Clerk of the Circuit Court for a fee of $5 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page.

Property & Public Records

Property records, deeds, and land documents for this county are maintained by the County Clerk or Recorder of Deeds office. Public access includes deed searches, mortgage records, plat maps, and tax assessments.

  • Fees for certified copies are $5 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page.

Vital Records

Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.

  • Processing typically takes 2-3 weeks for walk-in requests, though same-day service may be available for an additional fee.
  • The marriage license fee is $85, and there is no waiting period in Maryland.
  • Online ordering of birth and death certificates is available through VitalChek at www.vitalchek.com for an additional convenience fee.
  • Maryland vital records law is codified in the Maryland Health-General Article § 4-201 et seq, which governs registration, access, and fees for vital records.

Business & Licensing

Business records, licenses, and permits for this county are processed by the County Clerk and local government offices.

  • Building permits, electrical permits, plumbing permits, and zoning approvals are processed through this office.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I search for someone recently arrested in Allegany County, Maryland?
To search for someone recently arrested in Allegany County, Maryland, you can contact the Allegany County Detention Center. They maintain records of current inmates, and you can perform an inmate lookup by visiting the facility in person or by checking their online resources if available. The Detention Center is located at 14300 McMullen Highway SW, Cumberland, MD 21502. For more information, you can call them at (301) 729-8540.
Mugshots or booking photos in Allegany County, Maryland, can be obtained from the Allegany County Sheriff's Office. They may provide access to these records through their office or an online portal. The Sheriff's Office is located at 695 Kelly Road, Cumberland, MD 21502. You can contact them at (301) 777-1585 for more details on accessing mugshots.
To obtain a criminal background check in Allegany County, Maryland, you should contact the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. You can request a background check through their Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS). Locally, you may also visit the Allegany County Sheriff's Office for assistance with the process. Ensure you have proper identification and any required fees when making your request.
To look up sex offenders in Allegany County, Maryland, you can use the Maryland Sex Offender Registry. This registry is maintained by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services and provides public access to information about registered sex offenders. You can search the registry online by name, address, or zip code to find information specific to Allegany County.
To register to vote in Allegany County, you can complete an online application at the Maryland State Board of Elections website (voterservices.elections.maryland.gov), register in person at the Allegany County Board of Elections at 701 Kelly Road, Suite 100, Cumberland, or submit a paper application by mail. The registration deadline is 21 days before any election. You must be a U.S. Citizen, at least 18 years old by the next general election, and a Maryland resident. The county Board of Elections can be reached at (301) 777-5980 for assistance, and all registered voters in Maryland can request absentee ballots without providing an excuse.
Property records in Allegany County can be searched through the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Land Records Division at 30 Washington Street, Cumberland, or online via the Maryland State Archives Land Records portal. For property tax assessments and ownership information, use the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation Real Property Data Search at sdat.dat.maryland.gov/RealProperty, which is free and allows searches by owner name, address, or account number. You can find deeds, mortgages, liens, tax records, assessment history, and sales data through these systems. The county also offers GIS mapping tools for parcel viewing at alleganygov.org.
Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Allegany County can be requested from the Allegany County Health Department, Division of Vital Records at 12501 Willowbrook Road SE, Cumberland, phone (301) 759-5070, or from the Maryland Division of Vital Records in Baltimore at (410) 764-3038. The fee is $24 for the first certified copy and $12 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously. Processing takes approximately 2-3 weeks, though expedited service may be available for an additional fee. You can also order online through VitalChek at vitalchek.com with a convenience fee, and you must provide valid photo ID and proof of eligibility to obtain certified copies.
Business license and registration records in Allegany County can be found through multiple sources depending on the business type. Trade name (DBA) filings are recorded with the Clerk of the Circuit Court at (301) 777-5922. For corporations, LLCs, and other formal business entities, use the free Maryland Business Express search at businessexpress.maryland.gov, which provides information on all businesses registered with the state. County-level business licenses, building permits, and zoning records are maintained by the Allegany County Department of Community Services, Division of Permits and Inspections at 701 Kelly Road, phone (301) 777-5911.

Nearby Counties

Washington County MD Somerset County PA Bedford County PA Garrett County MD Mineral County WV Hampshire County WV Morgan County WV Fulton County PA
Quick Access
Allegany County Criminal RecordsLink to the criminal division page.
Allegany County Sheriff's DepartmentLink to the county sheriff's office.
Allegany County Death RecordsOfficial death certificates from the county of Allegany.
Allegany County Birth RecordsOrder record or certificate of births in the county of Allegany.
Allegany County DirectoryIndex of Allegany county's services and resources.
County Info
StateMaryland
County SeatCumberland
Population67762
Area430 sq mi
Founded1789
Maryland Resources
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