About Saint Marys County
Saint Marys County is located in southern Maryland, forming part of the Western Shore region along the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River. Saint Marys County Seat is Leonardtown, a historic town that has served as the governmental center since Saint Marys County's establishment in 1637, making it one of Maryland's oldest counties. Saint Marys County includes approximately 373 square miles of land and water, with a population of around 114,000 residents as of recent estimates.
- The Land Records Office (Register of Deeds) operates within the Circuit Court building at 41605 Court House Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650.
Saint Marys County is renowned as the birthplace of Maryland, as the first colonial settlement was established at St. Mary's City in 1634. Major landmarks include Historic St.
Mary's City, a living history museum recreating Maryland's first capital; the Patuxent River Naval Air Station, one of the largest employers in Saint Marys County; and Point Lookout State Park, site of a Civil War prison camp. Saint Marys County's geography features extensive waterfront along the Chesapeake Bay, Patuxent River, and Potomac River, making it a hub for maritime activities and tourism. Saint Marys County Government Center is located at 41770 Baldridge Street in Leonardtown, MD 20650, housing various administrative offices.
The Department of Land Use & Growth Management serves as Saint Marys County's assessment and planning authority, located at 23115 Leonard Hall Drive in Leonardtown. Saint Marys County maintains a blend of rural character with growing suburban development, particularly in areas near the Patuxent River Naval Air Station.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Saint Marys County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency in Saint Marys County. It is responsible for patrolling the unincorporated areas, managing Saint Marys County jail, processing arrests, and maintaining criminal records. The office is also involved in community outreach programs and has specialized divisions such as narcotics enforcement and school resource officers. The Sheriff's Office is key to making sure of public safety and law enforcement across Saint Marys County.
Police Departments
In addition to Saint Marys County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement in Saint Marys County is also provided by municipal police departments. The Leonardtown Police Department and the Lexington Park Police Department serve their respective communities, focusing on local law enforcement and community policing. These agencies coordinate with the Sheriff's Office on major crimes and investigations, making sure of full coverage and response across Saint Marys County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Saint Marys County Sheriff's Office, led by an elected Sheriff, is the primary law enforcement agency for Saint Marys County, headquartered at 23150 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650 (phone: 301-475-8008). The agency's website at www.firstsheriff.com provides extensive public information, including a Detention and Rehabilitation Center inmate locator accessible through their online portal. Saint Marys County Detention and Rehabilitation Center, located at 41780 Baldridge Street, Leonardtown, MD 20650, houses inmates awaiting trial and serving sentences.
- Citizens can request arrest records by submitting a written request to the Sheriff's Office Records Division, either in person or by mail, with a processing fee typically charged for copies.
- Mugshots and booking photos are generally available through the online inmate locator or by contacting the Detention Center directly at 301-475-4200, extension 3450.
Citizens can search for current inmates by name through the Sheriff's Office website, which displays booking information, charges, and bond status. Municipal law enforcement in Saint Marys County is limited, as the Sheriff's Office provides primary coverage, but the Lexington Park area receives supplemental coverage, and the Maryland State Police Leonardtown Barrack (phone: 301-475-8955) assists with major investigations and highway patrol. Under the Maryland Public Information Act (Maryland Code, General Provisions Article, Title 4), arrest records are considered public information unless specifically exempted.
The Sheriff's Office maintains an online crime map and incident reporting system. The Patuxent River Naval Air Station maintains its own federal law enforcement presence through Naval Security Forces, which handle incidents on the military installation under federal jurisdiction.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records ecosystem in Saint Marys County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Saint Marys County Sheriff's Office and the Maryland State Police maintain these records. Residents can run background checks through the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, which provides full criminal history information. The Maryland Bureau of Investigation supports local law enforcement with resources and expertise in handling complex criminal cases.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Saint Marys County are maintained by Saint Marys County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and booking information. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. The Maryland Public Information Act governs the access to these records, for public access while protecting sensitive information. Arrest records typically include the individual's name, date of arrest, charges, and bond information.
Jail & Inmate Records
Saint Marys County Detention and Rehabilitation Center is the main jail facility in Saint Marys County. It handles the booking process for people arrested within Saint Marys County, where they are photographed and fingerprinted. Inmate lookup services are available through Saint Marys County's official website, allowing residents to find information about current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, with set hours and regulations that visitors must follow.
- The bond and bail process in Maryland allows for the release of detainees under certain conditions, and information on recently arrested individuals can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Saint Marys County are taken and retained by Saint Marys County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These photos are part of the arrest records and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office or online databases. While Maryland does not have specific mugshot removal laws, individuals can petition for removal if the charges are dropped or if they are acquitted. Mugshots are often used with arrest records for identification and public information purposes.
Courts & Case Records
Saint Marys County's judicial system operates under the Maryland Unified Court System. The Circuit Court for Saint Marys County is located at 41605 Court House Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650 (phone: 301-475-4567), and has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, major civil disputes exceeding $5,000, family law matters including divorce and child custody, juvenile cases, and appeals from the District Court.
- The Orphans' Court for Saint Marys County (phone: 301-475-4567) handles probate matters, estate administration, and guardianship cases, operating within the same courthouse complex.
- Fees for certified copies are typically $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page.
Saint Marys County Court of Maryland for Saint Marys County, also located at 41605 Court House Drive (phone: 301-475-4561), handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil cases up to $30,000, landlord-tenant disputes, and traffic violations. Maryland's Judiciary Case Search system, accessible at casesearch.courts.state.md.us, provides free online access to case information from both Circuit and District Courts, allowing searches by party name, case number, or attorney. The system displays dockets, case status, charges, dispositions, and scheduled hearings, though certain sensitive cases involving juveniles or protective orders may be restricted.
Court records access is governed by Maryland Rules 16-1001 through 16-1011, which establish public access policies while protecting certain confidential information. In-person record searches and certified copies can be obtained from the Clerk of the Circuit Court during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM). The Circuit Court Clerk's office maintains land records, marriage licenses, and civil case files, while criminal record searches may require fingerprint-based background checks through the Maryland Criminal Justice Information System.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Saint Marys County are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Land Records Division, at 41605 Court House Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650 (phone: 301-475-4567). The office maintains an extensive collection of documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, easements, subdivisions, plat maps, and various property related instruments dating back to the 1600s. Saint Marys County offers free online access to land records through the Maryland State Archives' Land Records website at mdlandrec.net, which provides searchable images of recorded documents.
- Saint Marys County also maintains a Geographic Information System (GIS) portal at gisweb.stmarysmd.com, which provides interactive mapping tools, parcel identification, zoning information, and property boundaries.
- Property tax records and assessments are managed by the Department of Finance, located at 23115 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650 (phone: 301-475-4200, extension 1600).
- Saint Marys County's tax assessment database is searchable online at www.stmarysmd.com/finance/propertytax, allowing searches by owner name, account number, or property address.
- Certified copies of land records can be obtained from the Circuit Court Clerk's office for $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page.
- Recording fees for new documents are $80 for the first page and $10 for each additional page.
Vital Records
Vital records for Saint Marys County are handled through multiple offices depending on the record type. Birth and death certificates are maintained by the Maryland Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, 6550 Reisterstown Road Plaza, Baltimore, MD 21215 (phone: 410-764-3038). Birth certificates for births occurring in Saint Marys County can be requested through the state office with a fee of $24 for the first copy and $18 for each additional copy of the same record ordered simultaneously. Death certificates cost $24 for the first copy and $18 for additional copies.
- Processing time typically ranges from 2-4 weeks for mail requests.
- Expedited service is available for an additional fee.
- Online ordering is available through the Maryland VitalChek service at www.vitalchek.com, though convenience fees apply.
- Marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Saint Marys County at 41605 Court House Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650 (phone: 301-475-4567).
- The marriage license fee is $85, and couples must apply together in person, with no waiting period before the ceremony.
Maryland law (Health-General Article, Title 4) restricts access to birth records for 100 years and death records for 20 years to qualified applicants who must provide valid photo identification and demonstrate direct and tangible interest. Maryland requires both parties to be at least 18 years old or have parental consent if 16-17 years old. Marriage records dating back decades are maintained by the Clerk's office and can be searched in person.
Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $5 for the first page. Divorce records are filed with the Circuit Court where the divorce was granted and can be accessed through the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Requests for certified vital records require valid government-issued photo identification and completion of the appropriate application form with specific information about the event and the requester's relationship to the persons named on the certificate.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Saint Marys County are distributed across several offices depending on the type of business activity. The Circuit Court Clerk's office at 41605 Court House Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650 (phone: 301-475-4567) handles Trade Name (Doing Business As) filings for businesses operating under an assumed name in Saint Marys County. The filing fee is typically $25, and these records are maintained in the land records system and can be searched online through mdlandrec.net.
- County-level business licenses and permits are managed by the Department of Economic Development at 46940 South Shangri-La Drive, Lexington Park, MD 20653 (phone: 301-863-6679).
- The office issues permits for new construction, renovations, electrical work, plumbing, and HVAC installations, with all permits searchable through Saint Marys County's online permit tracking system.
For formal business entity formation and registration, the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) Business Personal Property Division maintains the central registry of corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and other entities. Their online Business Entity Search portal at egov.maryland.gov/BusinessExpress allows free searches of all registered Maryland businesses by entity name, ID number, or agent name, displaying formation dates, status, registered agent information, and filing history. Specific business types may require additional licensing through the Department of Land Use & Growth Management for home occupation permits or the Department of Health for food service establishments.
Building permits, construction permits, and zoning approvals are handled by the Department of Land Use & Growth Management, Permit Services Division, at 23115 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650 (phone: 301-475-4200, extension 1600). The St. Mary's County Chamber of Commerce, located at 44200 Airport View Drive, Hollywood, MD 20636 (phone: 301-737-3001, website: www.smcchamber.com), provides business networking, advocacy, and information resources for local enterprises.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Saint Marys County are administered by Saint Marys County Board of Elections, located at 23115 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650 (phone: 301-475-4200, extension 1450, website: elections.maryland.gov/voting-locations/st-mary's-county.html). The office operates under the Maryland State Board of Elections while managing local election operations.
- Maryland law requires voters to register at least 21 days before an election to be eligible to vote in that election.
- In the November 2024 general election, Saint Marys County reported approximately 58% voter turnout among registered voters, slightly below the statewide Maryland average.
- Absentee and mail-in ballots are available to all registered voters in Maryland without requiring an excuse.
- Voters can request mail-in ballots through the online portal at elections.maryland.gov/voting/absentee.html or by contacting the local Board of Elections.
- Citizens can attend Board of Elections meetings, observe ballot canvassing, and request copies of election materials through Maryland Public Information Act requests submitted to the local elections office.
Voter registration in Saint Marys County can be completed online through the Maryland Online Voter Registration System at voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/OnlineVoterRegistration, in person at the local Board of Elections office, at the Motor Vehicle Administration during license transactions, or by mail using a paper application. Eligible voters must be U.S. Citizens, Maryland residents, at least 18 years old by the next general election, and not under guardianship for mental disability or convicted of a felony (unless voting rights have been restored).
Voters can verify their registration status, find their polling place, and view sample ballots through the Maryland Voter Lookup system at voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/VoterSearch. Saint Marys County operates approximately 30 polling places across various precincts, with locations at schools, community centers, and public buildings. Early voting is available at designated centers during the week preceding Election Day, typically at the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department and Lexington Park Library.
Election records available to the public include voter registration lists (available for purchase by qualified requesters under Maryland Election Law Article §3-506), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political committees (searchable at campaignfinance.maryland.gov), candidate filing information, and precinct-level election results published after certification. The next major election is November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House of Representatives races (Maryland's 5th Congressional District covers Saint Marys County), state constitutional offices including Governor, Maryland General Assembly seats, and various local offices including County Commissioner positions.
Applications must be submitted by the Tuesday before Election Day, though earlier submission is strongly recommended. Maryland law (Election Law Article, Title 10) establishes strong transparency requirements for election records, making most election related documents public except for individual voter ballot choices and certain security protocols.
Economy & Demographics
Saint Marys County's economy is heavily influenced by the federal government presence, particularly the Patuxent River Naval Air Station, which serves as Saint Marys County's largest employer with over 20,000 military and civilian personnel engaged in naval aviation research, development, testing, and evaluation. This military installation generates substantial economic activity through defense contracting, aerospace engineering, and related technology services.
- The median household income in Saint Marys County is approximately $95,000, significantly higher than the Maryland state median, reflecting the concentration of professional and technical jobs.
- The Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) provides reliable utility infrastructure supporting business operations.
Major economic sectors include defense contracting (companies like Lockheed Martin, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Leidos maintain significant presences), healthcare (MedStar St. Mary's Hospital is a major employer), education (College of Southern Maryland), and government services at Saint Marys County and state levels. Agriculture remains economically relevant, with tobacco historically significant though now largely replaced by soybeans, corn, and vineyards as Saint Marys County develops its agritourism sector.
Tourism contributes substantially to the local economy, driven by waterfront recreation, Historic St. Mary's City, fishing charters, marinas, and the growing wine trail featuring multiple wineries. Saint Marys County has experienced steady economic growth with unemployment rates typically below state and national averages, hovering around 3-4% in recent years.
Notable economic development projects include the expansion of the Maryland International Airport (formerly St. Mary's County Regional Airport), development of the Southern Maryland Technology Park adjacent to the naval air station, and waterfront revitalization efforts in Leonardtown. Real estate development, particularly residential construction serving military and federal employees, represents another significant economic component.
Saint Marys County government actively promotes economic development through tax incentive programs, workforce development initiatives in partnership with the College of Southern Maryland, and business attraction efforts focused on cybersecurity, unmanned systems, and maritime technology sectors aligned with the naval installation's mission.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online (Maryland Judiciary Case Search) | Property: Yes: Free Search (mdlandrec.net, county GIS) | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Online (Sheriff's inmate locator) | Vital Records: Limited: State Office Required | Business: Yes: Online (SDAT portal, local permits) | Elections: Yes: Online (voter lookup, results) | Overall Score: 8.5/10, Saint Marys County provides excellent digital access to most public records with online portals.
Official Government Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Saint Marys County
Explore public records for 29 cities and communities in Saint Marys County, Maryland.