About Secretary
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement in Secretary
Dorchester County Sheriff's Office
The Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for protecting and serving our citizens by enforcing federal, state, and local laws, while holding ourselves to the highest standards of performance and ethics. Our agency will serve the citizens of Dorchester County, Maryland by placing a strong emphasis on effective law enforcement strategies.
⚖️ Courts & Case Records in Secretary
Records | Maryland Courts
PLATS.NET (Maryland Archives Plat Imaging Application - access can be granted with the username: plato and the password: plato#). An application for a notary public commission can be obtained by contacting the Secretary of State in Annapolis. Upon approval of this application, notary public commissions are issued by the Clerk. Please be advised that the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
🏠 Property & Public Records in Secretary
Dorchester County or Independent City Clerk of the Circuit Court (Land Records Division)
Property records for Secretary, Maryland are maintained by the Dorchester County or Independent City Clerk of the Circuit Court (Land Records Division). This office maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements for properties in Dorchester County or Independent City, including Secretary.
About Secretary — In Depth
Jail & Inmate Records
Cambridge houses the Dorchester County Detention Center, which is the main jail facility for everyone arrested in Dorchester County, including Secretary residents. When someone gets booked, they go through the standard process: fingerprinting, photographing, and recording of personal details. Families and attorneys looking for information about someone in custody can use the inmate lookup services provided through the Sheriff's Office. The facility enforces strict visitation rules with designated hours and security protocols that must be followed.
Arrest Records
The Dorchester County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for the entire county, including Secretary. These documents contain specifics like when and where the arrest happened, what charges were filed, and personal information about the person arrested. Anyone needing to access these records - whether residents conducting research or attorneys preparing cases - must submit a formal request to the Sheriff's Office following the Maryland Public Information Act guidelines.
That state law balances public transparency with privacy protections, determining what information can be released and under what circumstances. These records become crucial for legal proceedings and when employers or others conduct background checks.
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Dorchester County covers various types of records, including felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and sex offender registry information. Residents can conduct background checks through the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, which provides access to statewide criminal history information.
The Maryland State Police also helps with supporting local law enforcement with investigative resources and data analysis, enhancing Dorchester County's ability to manage and use criminal records effectively.
Vital Records
Vital records in Secretary, Maryland, are managed by the Maryland Department of Health's Vital Statistics Administration (https://health.maryland.gov/vsa/Pages/home.aspx). Residents can obtain birth, marriage, and death certificates by submitting requests online, by mail, or in person. The Dorchester County Health Department (https://health.maryland.gov/dorcheser/Pages/default.aspx) also maintains some vital records and can assist with obtaining copies of these documents.
Business & Licensing Records
Business records and support for Secretary entrepreneurs flow through the Dorchester County Department of Economic Development at https://www.choosedorchester.org/. The department oversees business licenses, permits, and zoning information for the area. Anyone starting or expanding a business can tap into resources available through the department's website and local office, where staff understand the particular challenges and opportunities of operating on the Eastern Shore.
The Dorchester Chamber of Commerce at https://www.dorchesterchamber.org/ provides another layer of support, connecting business owners with networking opportunities and advocacy. Both organizations work to strengthen the economic fabric of Secretary and surrounding communities.
Economy & Demographics
The economy of Secretary, Maryland, is largely driven by its agricultural and tourism industries. The Dorchester County Economic Development Office (https://www.choosedorchester.org/) provides information on the county's major employers, industries, and economic initiatives. Residents can also find data on the town's median household income, employment rates, and other economic indicators through the U.S. Census Bureau (https://www.census.gov/) and other government sources.
Elections & Voter Records
Secretary residents rely on the Dorchester County Board of Elections for all voting services, operating from 501 Court Lane, Suite 105, Cambridge, MD 21613. Reach them at (410) 228-4360 or visit www.elections.maryland.gov/elections_boards/dorchester. The office handles voter registration, assigns polling places, administers early voting and absentee ballots, and runs elections for this unincorporated community. Maryland makes online registration simple through voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/OnlineVoterRegistration if you have a Maryland driver's license or MVA ID.
The deadline comes 21 days before any election. Traditional paper registration remains available by mail or in person at the Dorchester County elections office, MVA locations, or various state agencies. Because Secretary has no municipal government, residents don't vote for city council or mayor. Instead, they participate in Dorchester County Council races - five districts with staggered four-year terms - plus county executive elections and state and federal contests. Polling locations for Secretary voters depend on which precinct you're assigned to. Look up your specific polling place, view a sample ballot, and check your districts using the Maryland Voter Lookup tool at voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/VoterSearch by entering your name and birth date or address. Early voting happens at designated Cambridge locations, typically running eight days before Election Day. Maryland's Senate seat isn't up that year, but the Governor and Lieutenant Governor race comes around (four-year term), along with 47 Maryland Senate seats (four-year terms for certain districts), all 141 House of Delegates seats (four-year terms), Dorchester County Council members depending on district cycle, County Executive, and various county offices including Sheriff, State's Attorney, Register of Wills, and Clerk of the Circuit Court. Secretary falls within Maryland State Senate District 37 and House of Delegates District 37C. Maryland offers no-excuse absentee voting - any registered voter can request a mail-in ballot through the state's online portal or by contacting the Dorchester County elections office. Applications get accepted starting 90 days before an election, with ballots mailed 45 days out. Public election records in Maryland include voter registration lists, available for purchase for legitimate purposes, and campaign finance reports filed with the Maryland State Board of Elections at campaignfinance.maryland.gov showing who contributed whto candidates and political committees. Candidate filing documents and precinct-level results are also public. The voter registration database isn't freely searchable online for privacy reasons, but campaigns and researchers can obtain voter files. Election results appear on the State Board of Elections website by precinct shortly after certification.
Public Records Resources for Secretary, Maryland
Official government websites for Secretary, Maryland and the surrounding area. We prioritize official government sources (.gov, .us, or .mil) and supplement with verified municipal, county, or statewide portals (.org or .com) where the agency uses a non-government domain.
- Maryland Criminal Background RecordsRequest criminal history background check.
- Maryland Judiciary Criminal Case SearchPublic access to the criminal records of the Maryland Judiciary
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Baltimore OfficeRequest FBI records, find crime statistics, crime alerts, most wanted terrorists and more.
- Maryland Inmates and Offender SearchFind the location and release information of individuals incarcerated with the Maryland Dept. of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
- Maryland Sex OffendersSearch the MD Dept. of Public Safety and Correctional Services Sex Offender Registry for registered offenders by name or location.
- Maryland Most WantedCurrent posting of fugitives and absconders from Maryland State's Most Wanted.
- Maryland State Police DepartmentLaw enforcement, traffic, criminal investigations and more
- Maryland Department of Natural ResourcesLicenses, permits, information and more
- Maryland Attorney GeneralCivil, criminal and appellate courts
- Maryland Business Entity SearchFind active and inactive corporations by name or department identification.
- Maryland Lawyer LookupVerify an attorney's licensing status with the State Bar.
- Maryland Real Property RecordsSearch Maryland real estate property records by county, street address, map or property sales.
Nearby Cities in Dorchester County, Maryland
Search public records in neighboring cities within the same county:
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register to vote in Secretary, Maryland?
To register to vote in Secretary, Maryland, residents can register online through the Maryland State Board of Elections website, by mail, or in person at the Dorchester County elections office. Maryland requires voters to be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of the state. The registration deadline is typically 30 days before an election. Voters can verify their registration status and find polling locations through the Maryland State Board of Elections voter lookup tool. For local municipal elections in Secretary, contact the Dorchester County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
How do I look up property records in Secretary, Maryland?
Property records for Secretary, Maryland are maintained by the Dorchester Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation's Office and the Dorchester County Clerk of the Circuit Court. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Dorchester County, including parcels in Secretary. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Dorchester County Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Many Maryland counties provide online property record searches through their county websites. The Dorchester County Treasurer handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
How do I get a birth or death certificate in Secretary, Maryland?
Birth, death, and marriage records for Secretary, Maryland residents are available through both county and state offices. The Maryland Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, located in Baltimore, maintains statewide vital records and can issue certified copies of birth and death certificates for events occurring anywhere in Maryland. Orders can be placed online, by mail, or in person. Locally, the Dorchester County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Dorchester County. Birth and death certificates may also be available through local vital records offices. Requestors typically need to provide valid photo identification and proof of their relationship to the person named on the record. Processing times and fees vary by office and record type.