Worcester County, Maryland Public Records

Worcester County offices and records

Sheriff & Law Enforcement. Worcester County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Worcester County. This office patrols rural regions, executes warrants, and provides security for Worcester County Circuit Court.

Police Departments. Worcester County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including Worcester County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments.

Law Enforcement & Arrests. Worcester County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 6300 Worcester Highway (Route 113) in Newark, Maryland 21841, provides primary law enforcement services for unincorporated areas of Worcester County and operates Worcester County Jail. Inmate lookup for Worcester County Detention Center is available through the Sheriff's website, where the public can search current inmates by name or booking number. The detention facility houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates serving terms up to 18 months. Municipal police departments operate independently in Ocean City (Ocean City Police Department, 6501 Coastal Highway, 410-723-6610) and Berlin (Berlin Police Department, 129 West Market Street, 410-641-2186). Pocomoke City maintains its own police department at 1410 Market Street (410-957-1600). Arrest records in Worcester County are subject to Maryland's Public Information Act (Maryland Code, General Provisions Article § 4-101 et seq.), which provides public access to most law enforcement records unless specifically exempted.

Criminal Records. For an authoritative source, see Worcester County Arrest, Court, and Public Records .

Arrest Records. They are maintained by the arresting agency, primarily the County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments.

Professional and occupational licenses (contractors, health professionals, etc.) are generally regulated at the state level through respective Maryland licensing boards. Worcester County Chamber of Commerce, headquartered in Ocean City (www.oceancity.org, 410-213-0552), offers business networking and advocacy services. Trading licenses (general business licenses) are required in some Worcester County municipalities; the Town of Ocean City requires business licenses through their Finance Department (410-289-8833), while Berlin and Snow Hill have separate licensing requirements. Worcester County Health Department, located at 6040 Public Landing Road, Snow Hill, MD 21863 (410-632-1100), can provide information and assistance with vital records requests but does not issue certified copies. Property tax records are managed by Worcester County Department of Finance, Tax Division, located in Worcester County Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863 (phone: 410-632-1194). Worcester County Department of Development Review and Permitting, located at One West Market Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863 (410-632-1200), issues building permits, zoning approvals, and certain business related permits. Elections in Worcester County, Maryland are administered by Worcester County Board of Elections, located at 1 West Market Street, Room 19, Snow Hill, MD 21863 (phone: 410-632-1320, website: elections.maryland.gov). Worcester County Tourism and Economic Development office (410-632-3617) provides resources for new businesses. The Circuit Court for Worcester County, located at 1 West Market Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863 (phone: 410-632-5500), is the court of general jurisdiction handling felony criminal cases, major civil litigation (over $5,000), family law matters, and appeals from the District Court. Property and land records for Worcester County are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Land Records Division, located at 1 West Market Street, Room 104, Snow Hill, MD 21863 (phone: 410-632-5515). Birth and death certificates for Worcester County residents are available through the Maryland Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, 6764-B Reisterstown Road Plaza, Baltimore, MD 21215 (phone: 410-764-3038).