About Frederick County

County Seat Frederick
Population 280,341 residents
Area 667 square miles
Established 1748

Frederick County is located in north-central Maryland, bordered by Pennsylvania to the north and acting as a gateway between the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan corridor and the Appalachian region. Frederick County seat is Frederick, Maryland's second-largest incorporated city, situated approximately 50 miles northwest of Washington, D.C. And 45 miles west of Baltimore. Frederick County includes approximately 667 square miles and has a population of roughly 270,000 residents as of recent estimates, making it one of Maryland's most populous counties. Frederick County is home to significant historical landmarks including the Antietam National Battlefield (though primarily in Washington County, Frederick County played a crucial role in Civil War history), Catoctin Mountain Park, and the presidential retreat Camp David located in the Catoctin Mountains. Downtown Frederick area features one of the largest historic districts in Maryland with over 50 blocks of preserved 18th and 19th-century architecture. Frederick County's economy has evolved from its agricultural roots to include biotechnology, healthcare, and defense-related industries. Public records in Frederick County are maintained by several offices: the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court (100 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701), which handles court records and marriage licenses; the Land Records Division within the Circuit Court (same address) serving as Frederick County recorder; and the Department of Finance (Winchester Hall, 12 East Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701), which oversees property assessments and tax records. Frederick County government operates from Winchester Hall in downtown Frederick, a distinctive Second Empire-style building that has served as the seat of county government since 1871.

Court Records & Case Information

The Frederick County Court serves Frederick County and is located at 100 West Patrick Street. The court handles civil, criminal, family, and probate cases for the county. Court records and case filings can be requested in person or through the Maryland online court portal.

Access to public records in Frederick County is streamlined under Maryland's Public Information Act, encompassing a range of documents such as court records for civil, criminal, family, and probate cases.

Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement

Law Enforcement & Arrests

  • Maryland State Police Barrack F in Waterloo also provides coverage for certain areas and state highways.
  • The Maryland Judiciary Case Search (casesearch.courts.state.md.us) provides access to criminal case information once charges are filed.
  • Processing fees may apply for copies of arrest reports and records exceeding two pages.
200 Monroe Avenue, Frederick, MD 21701 • Phone: 301-600-1046

Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records

Courts & Case Records

  • The system provides case summaries, filing dates, dispositions, and scheduled hearings but does not include images of actual documents.
  • Copies of court documents can be requested from the Clerk of the Circuit Court with fees of $2 per page for standard copies and $5 for certified copies.
  • Online payment options are available for certain court fees through the Maryland Judiciary's website.
100 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701 • Phone: 301-600-1976
100 North Court Street, Frederick County, MD 21701 • Phone: 301-600-1980

Property & Public Records

  • Recording fees vary by document type, with standard deeds typically costing $90 for the first page and $20 for each additional page, plus transfer and recordation taxes based on the property value.
  • Certified copies are available for $20 for the first certification plus $2 per page.
  • Property tax records and assessment information are managed by the Department of Finance, Assessment Division, located at Winchester Hall, 12 East Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701 (phone: 301-600-1104).
  • Property tax bills and payment history are also available online.
  • Frederick County's iMap GIS system provides interactive mapping with property boundaries, aerial photography, and zoning overlays.
100 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701 • Phone: 301-600-1976

Vital Records

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

  • The Maryland Department of Health also offers VitalChek online ordering (maryland-vitalrecords.org) for expedited service with additional processing fees, providing vital records within 5-10 business days.
  • Marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Frederick County at 100 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701 (phone: 301-600-1976).
  • Couples must apply in person with both parties present, provide valid photo identification and Social Security numbers, and pay a fee of $85 (with a $5 discount for completion of premarital counseling).
  • Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $10 each.
  • Divorce records are also maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk as part of court case files and can be searched through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search or requested in person.
6550 Reisterstown Road Plaza, Baltimore, MD 21215 • Phone: 301-600-1976
100 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701

Business & Licensing

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

  • Frederick County Office of Economic Development (301) 600-1660) provides assistance to new and expanding businesses.
100 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701 • Phone: 301-600-1976
30 North Market Street, Frederick County, MD 21701 • Phone: 301-600-1492

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I search for someone recently arrested in Frederick County, Maryland?
To search for someone recently arrested in Frederick County, Maryland, you can use the Frederick County Adult Detention Center's inmate lookup tool. The facility is located at 7300 Marcie's Choice Lane, Frederick, MD 21704. You can access the inmate search online through the Frederick County Sheriff's Office website, which provides up-to-date information on current detainees, including their charges and bond status.
Mugshots or booking photos in Frederick County, Maryland, can be obtained through the Frederick County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office may provide access to these images upon request, and they might also be available through the online inmate search portal on their website. For more detailed inquiries, you can visit the Sheriff's Office at 110 Airport Drive East, Frederick, MD 21701.
To obtain a criminal background check in Frederick County, Maryland, you must contact the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. The Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) is responsible for processing background checks. You can submit your request online or visit a CJIS-authorized fingerprinting location to complete the process.
To look up sex offenders in Frederick County, Maryland, you can use the Maryland Sex Offender Registry. This registry is managed by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services and provides a searchable online database. You can access information about registered sex offenders, including their names, addresses, and offenses, through the registry's website.
You can register to vote through the Maryland State Board of Elections online portal (elections.maryland.gov/voter_registration), in person at the Frederick County Board of Elections at 340 Montevue Lane, Frederick, MD 21702 (301) 600-2255), or at any MVA office during a transaction. Maryland requires registration at least 21 days before an election, though same-day registration is available during early voting and on Election Day at designated sites. Once registered, you can request mail-in ballots for any election without providing a reason, and applications are accepted beginning 90 days before each election through the online portal or by contacting the Board of Elections.
Property records in Frederick County are accessible through two primary online systems maintained by county offices. For land records including deeds, mortgages, liens, and plat maps, use the free Maryland State Archives portal (mdlandrec.net) which provides digitized images of documents recorded with the Land Records Division of the Circuit Court. For property tax assessments, ownership information, sale history, and parcel mapping, visit the Frederick County property search portal (frederickcountymd.gov/propsearch) maintained by the Department of Finance. Both systems are free to search and view, though certified copies of land records require a fee of $20 plus $2 per page and can be requested from the Circuit Court at 100 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701.
Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Frederick County are issued by the Maryland Department of Health, Division of Vital Records in Baltimore, not by the county directly. You can order certificates by mail using an application form sent to 6550 Reisterstown Road Plaza, Baltimore, MD 21215, or order online through VitalChek (maryland-vitalrecords.org) for faster processing with additional fees. Certificates cost $24 for the first copy and $16 for additional copies ordered simultaneously, with mail orders taking 3-5 weeks and online orders processed in 5-10 business days. Only individuals with direct and tangible interest (the person named if of legal age, immediate family members, or legal representatives with documentation) can obtain recent vital records under Maryland Code, Health-General Article § 4-211.
Business records in Frederick County are split between county and state agencies depending on the business type. For trade name (DBA) registrations filed by sole proprietors and partnerships, contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Frederick County at 301-600-1976 or visit 100 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701. For formal business entities including corporations and LLCs, use the Maryland Business Express portal (dat.maryland.gov) maintained by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation, which offers free online searches of all registered Maryland businesses. Local business licenses for specific activities like contracting or food service are issued by the Frederick County Division of Permits and Inspections (301) 600-1492) or the Health Department (301) 600-1029), and the County Office of Economic Development (301) 600-1660) can direct you to the appropriate licensing agency.

Nearby Counties

Montgomery County MD Loudoun County VA Howard County MD Carroll County MD Franklin County PA Washington County MD Adams County PA
Quick Access
Frederick County Criminal RecordsLink to the criminal division page.
Frederick County Chamber of CommerceLocal business information.
Frederick County Death RecordsOfficial death certificates from the county of Frederick.
Frederick County Birth RecordsOrder record or certificate of births in the county of Frederick.
Frederick County DirectoryIndex of Frederick county's services and resources.
County Info
StateMaryland
County SeatFrederick
Population280341
Area667 sq mi
Founded1748
Maryland Resources
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