Prince Georges County

Prince George's County is located in the central portion of Maryland, directly adjacent to Washington, D.C, forming part of the National Capital Region. Prince Georges County seat is Upper Marlboro, a historic town established in 1706. With a population exceeding 967,000 residents as of recent estimates, Prince George's County is the second-most populous county in Maryland and among the wealthiest majority-African American counties in the United States. Prince Georges County includes approximately 499 square miles and is home to major landmarks including FedExField (home of the Washington Commanders), the University of Maryland College Park campus, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, and Joint Base Andrews (formerly Andrews Air Force Base). Founded in 1696 and named after Prince George of Denmark, consort to Queen Anne of Great Britain, Prince Georges County has evolved from its colonial tobacco plantation roots into a diverse suburban community with significant government, educational, and commercial sectors. The Prince George's County Circuit Court is. The Office of the County Executive operates from the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building at 1301 McCormick Drive in Largo. Property records are maintained by the Land Records Division of the Circuit Court Clerk's Office at the courthouse in Upper Marlboro. The Assessment office, responsible for property tax assessments, is part of the Department of Finance at 1301 McCormick Drive, Suite 2100, Largo, MD 20774. Prince Georges County Clerk's Office, handling court filings and various public records, operates from the Circuit Court building in Upper Marlboro.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

The Prince George's County Sheriff's Office is responsible for a variety of law enforcement duties, including patrolling unincorporated areas, serving legal documents, and maintaining Prince Georges County jail. The office also processes arrests and maintains criminal records for Prince Georges County. Notable programs include community engagement initiatives and specialized units that focus on domestic violence and fugitive apprehension.

Police Departments

Prince George's County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including the Prince George's County Police Department and municipal police departments such as the Bowie Police Department, College Park Police Department, and Greenbelt Police Department. Each agency has jurisdiction over its respective area, handling local law enforcement duties and coordinating on major crimes with other agencies.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

The Prince George's County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 5303 Chrysler Way, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 (phone: 301-952-1100), serves civil process, provides courthouse security, and operates warrant services under Sheriff Melvin C. High. The agency website is www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/sheriff. The Prince George's County Police Department (PGPD) is the primary law enforcement agency, operating from headquarters at 7600 Barlowe Road, Palmer Park, MD 20785 (phone: 301-352-1200, website: www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/police).

• PGPD provides law enforcement services county-wide and is one of the largest police departments in Maryland with over 1,800 sworn officers.
• Inmate lookup is available online at www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/corrections through their Inmate Locator system, providing booking information, charges, bond amounts, and projected release dates.
• Arrest records and incident reports may be requested under the Maryland Public Information Act (State Government Article §10-611 et seq.).
• Written requests should be submitted to the PGPD Records Division at 7600 Barlowe Road.
• Mugshots and booking photos are generally available through the Department of Corrections inmate search portal and may also be obtained through formal public records requests.

Criminal Records

The criminal records ecosystem in Prince George's County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. These records are maintained by the Prince George's County Police Department, the Sheriff's Office, and the Maryland Judiciary. Residents can run background checks through the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, which provides access to statewide criminal history information.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Prince George's County are maintained by the Prince George's County Police Department and the Sheriff's Office. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting these agencies directly, often requiring a formal request under the Maryland Public Information Act. An arrest record typically includes the individual's personal details, the nature of the charges, and the arresting agency. The Maryland Public Information Act governs the accessibility of these records, for public access and public access to government documents.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Prince George's County Correctional Center, located in Upper Marlboro, is the primary detention facility for Prince Georges County. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the detainees. Inmate lookup is available through Prince Georges County's online portal, allowing residents to find information about individuals currently held in custody. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, requiring visitors to adhere to scheduled times and security protocols.

• The bond and bail process in Maryland allows for the release of detainees pending trial, with information available through Prince Georges County's resources.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Mugshots in Prince George's County are taken and retained by the Prince George's County Correctional Center during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office or online databases. While Maryland does not have specific mugshot removal laws, individuals may petition for removal or sealing of records under certain circumstances. The availability of mugshots is subject to the state's public records law, which balances transparency with privacy concerns.

Prince George's County Circuit Court, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 (phone: 301-952-3318), has general jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, major civil cases exceeding $5,000, family law matters including divorce and custody, probate and estate administration, and appeals from the District Court. The court's website is www.courts.state.md.us/courts/circuit/princegeorges.

• District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, landlord-tenant disputes, and civil cases up to $5,000.
• Maryland Judiciary Case Search is available free online at casesearch.courts.state.md.us, providing access to case information from all Maryland courts including civil, criminal, traffic, and family case types.
• Remote access is provided at no charge, though certified copies require fees: $5 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page.

The Land Records Division of the Circuit Court Clerk's Office for Prince George's County, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 (phone: 301-952-3790), maintains all recorded instruments affecting real property including deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, easements, assignments, plats, subdivisions, and condominium documents dating back to Prince Georges County's founding in 1696. Online property record searching is available through the Maryland State Archives Land Records website at mdlandrec.net, providing free access to scanned images of recorded documents for Prince George's County from 1696 forward, indexed by grantor, grantee, and liber-folio reference.

• Recording fees are established by state law: $40 for the first page and $5 for each additional page for most instruments.
• Property tax records and assessment information are maintained by the Assessment Office within the Department of Finance at 1301 McCormick Drive, Suite 2100, Largo, MD 20774 (phone: 301-952-2649).
• Certified copies of recorded documents are available for $5 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page, plus a $5 certification fee.
• Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or online through the clerk's office.

Birth and death certificates for Prince George's County are maintained by the Maryland Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, 6550 Reisterstown Road Plaza, Baltimore, MD 21215 (phone: 410-764-3038, website: health.maryland.gov/vsa). Birth certificates cost $24 for the first copy and $13 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously; death certificates cost $24 for the first copy and $13 for additional copies. Processing time for mail requests is typically 4-6 weeks, while in-person requests at the Baltimore office are processed same-day or within 24 hours.

• Online ordering is available through VitalChek at www.vitalchek.com with expedited processing options and additional service fees.
• Marriage licenses are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk's Office for Prince George's County at 14735 Main Street, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 (phone: 301-952-3779).
• The marriage license fee is $85, with a 48-hour waiting period that may be waived for an additional $100 fee.
• Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $10.
• Divorce records and judgments are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk and may be searched through Maryland Judiciary Case Search or requested in person.

Business licensing in Prince George's County is administered by the Office of Central Services, Licensing and Permits Division, located at 1301 McCormick Drive, Suite 1100, Largo, MD 20774 (phone: 301-883-3840, website: www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/business). Prince Georges County requires most businesses operating within its boundaries to obtain a business license, with fees varying by business type and location. Applications may be submitted online through Prince Georges County's e-Government portal.

• Fictitious name registrations (trade names/DBAs) are filed with the Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 14735 Main Street, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772, with fees of $25 for initial filing and $5 per year for renewals.
• Permit records and inspection reports are available through Prince Georges County's online permit portal.
• The Prince George's County Chamber of Commerce, located at 1400 McCormick Drive, Suite 150, Largo, MD 20774 (www.pgcoc.org), provides business resources, networking, and advocacy for county businesses.