Queen Annes County

Queen Annes County is located on Maryland's Eastern Shore, bordered by the Chesapeake Bay to the west and the Chester River to the north. Queen Annes County seat is Centreville, situated at 120 Broadway, Centreville, MD 21617. Established in 1706, Queen Annes County is named after Queen Anne of Great Britain and covers approximately 372 square miles of land and 149 square miles of water. Major towns include Stevensville, Chester, Grasonville, and Queenstown. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge connects Queen Annes County to the western shore at Stevensville, making it a path to the Eastern Shore region. Queen Annes County is home to significant landmarks including the Historic Centreville district, Wye Oak State Park (former site of Maryland's official state tree), and numerous working farms and marinas. Queen Annes County Recorder's office, officially the Land Records Division, operates within the Circuit Court Clerk's office at Queen Annes County Courthouse, 107 N. Liberty Street, Centreville, MD 21617. Queen Annes County Assessments office is located at 110 Vincit Street, Centreville, MD 21617, and handles property valuations and tax assessments. Queen Annes County maintains a blend of rural character with strategic economic development, preserving its maritime and agricultural traditions while accommodating residential growth from nearby Baltimore and Annapolis metropolitan areas.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

The Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement across the unincorporated areas of Queen Annes County. It manages Queen Annes County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is known for its community policing efforts and specialized divisions such as the Criminal Investigations Division and the Narcotics Task Force.

Police Departments

Law enforcement in Queen Anne's County is primarily handled by the Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office, which covers the unincorporated areas. The Centreville Police Department serves the town of Centreville, focusing on local ordinances and community safety. These agencies coordinate on major crimes and public safety initiatives, making sure of full coverage across Queen Annes County.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

Queen Annes County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 104 Powell Street, Centreville, MD 21617 (phone: 410-758-0770), is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Queen Annes County. Sheriff Gary Hofmann leads the office, which provides patrol services, criminal investigations, civil process service, and operates Queen Annes County Detention Center at the same Powell Street location. The detention facility houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates.

• Inmate searches and current custody information can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website at https://www.qac.org/191/Sheriffs-Office or by calling 410-758-2171.
• Arrest records requests should be submitted in writing to the Sheriff's Office Records Division, identifying the specific individual and approximate date of arrest.
• Maryland law requires reasonable fees for copies and processing.
• Mugshot photographs are considered public records once an arrest is processed and may be available through the detention center or by formal public records request.
• The Maryland State Police Centreville Barrack at 101 Trenton Avenue provides additional state-level law enforcement support, particularly for traffic enforcement on U.S.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Queen Annes County, MD are maintained by local law enforcement agencies and the court system. Background checks are typically obtained through state-level repositories or authorized vendors. For an authoritative source, see Queen Anne's County, Maryland - Records.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Queen Annes County, MD are public under most state public-records laws unless sealed or expunged by a court. They are maintained by the arresting agency, primarily the County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Queen Annes County jail is operated by the County Sheriff's Office and houses pretrial detainees and short-sentence inmates. Inmate locator tools allow public searches by name or booking number.

• Look up current inmates and booking information at Queen Anne's County, MD Detainee Lookup.
• Sheriff's Office: R. Gery Hofmann III, Sheriff, Queen Anne's County, Maryland.
• The bond and bail process allows for the release of detainees under conditions set by the court; inquiries about recently arrested individuals can be directed to the jail's administrative office.

The Circuit Court for Queen Annes County is located at 107 N. Liberty Street, Centreville, MD 21617 (phone: 410-758-1773). This court has general jurisdiction over civil cases exceeding $5,000, all criminal felonies, family law matters including divorce and custody, juvenile cases, and appeals from the District Court. The Honorable Chief Judge presides over the circuit bench.

• Maryland's judiciary operates a statewide case search system at http://casesearch.courts.state.md.us/, providing free public access to court records for both civil and criminal cases.
• Certified copies of court documents cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page, with a $10 certification fee.
• Online access through Maryland Case Search is free for viewing, though official certified copies must be requested in person or by mail with appropriate fees.
• The courts accept online payments for certain filing fees through the Maryland Judiciary's electronic payment system.

The Land Records Division of Queen Annes County Circuit Court Clerk's office, located at 107 N. Liberty Street, Centreville, MD 21617 (phone: 410-758-1773), is the official recorder of deeds and maintains all property related documents. Available records include warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, deeds of trust, mortgage documents, releases and satisfactions, mechanic's liens, judgment liens, UCC financing statements, subdivision plats, easements, and right-of-way documents dating back to Queen Annes County's founding in 1706.

• The Department of Assessments and Taxation maintains property assessment records at 110 Vincit Street, Centreville, MD 21617 (phone: 410-758-4093).
• Certified copies of land records cost $20 for documents up to five pages plus $1 per additional page.
• Same-day service is typically available for in-person requests.

Birth and death certificates for Queen Annes County are maintained by the Maryland Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, 6764-B Reisterstown Road, Baltimore, MD 21215. Birth certificates for events occurring in Queen Annes County can be requested through the state vital records office, with fees of $24 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously. Death certificates cost $24 for the first certified copy and $10 for additional copies. Processing time is typically 4-6 weeks for mail requests, with expedited service available for an additional fee.

• Liberty Street, Centreville, MD 21617 (phone: 410-758-1773).
• Couples must apply in person, with both parties present, and pay a $85 fee.
• Certified copies cost $10 plus $5 for the certificate and $1 per page for the decree.

Business licensing and registration in Queen Annes County involves both county and state-level processes. Queen Annes County Department of Business and Tourism at 425 Piney Narrows Road, Chester, MD 21619 (phone: 410-604-2100) provides information on local business requirements, economic development resources, and county-specific regulations. Trade name registrations (doing business as or DBA filings) are recorded with the Circuit Court Clerk at 107 N. Liberty Street, Centreville, MD 21617, with a filing fee of $25.

• Commerce Street, Centreville, MD 21617 (phone: 410-758-4088) handles building permits, certificates of occupancy, zoning approvals, and contractor registration for work performed in Queen Annes County.
• Queen Annes County Chamber of Commerce, located at 1561 Postal Road, Chester, MD 21619 (website: https://qacc.com/), provides business networking, advocacy, and member directories.

Explore public records for 12 cities and communities in Queen Annes County, Maryland.