Allegany County Criminal History Records
Allegany County criminal history records are maintained by several agencies across western Maryland, and knowing where to look can save you a lot of time. The Allegany County Circuit Court in Cumberland holds filings dating back decades, while the Maryland Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) is the proper source for official background checks. Whether you need court records for a legal matter or a certified criminal history for another purpose, this guide walks you through the available options, costs, and contact details for each source in Allegany County.
Allegany County Overview
Allegany County Circuit Court Records
The Allegany County Circuit Court handles felony cases, serious misdemeanors, and civil matters in western Maryland. Court records here are public by default, though some filings may be sealed by court order. You can search case records free of charge through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal, which covers most cases filed since 1989. The online system shows case numbers, charges, dispositions, and court dates. It does not show expunged records.
To get paper copies of court documents, contact the clerk's office directly. Copy fees are $0.50 per page. The office does not accept personal checks, so bring cash or a money order. Staff cannot perform criminal record checks on your behalf. That service must go through CJIS.
| Address | 30 Washington Street, Cumberland, MD 21502 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 301-777-5924 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM |
| Website | courts.state.md.us/clerks/allegany |
The clerk of court is Dawne Lindsey. If you need records by mail, send a written request with a check or money order for the copy fee to the address above. Include as much detail as you can: full name, date of birth, approximate filing year, and case number if known.
CJIS Background Checks in Allegany County
For an official Allegany County criminal history background check, you must go through the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) Central Repository, run by the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS). This is the only source that produces a certified criminal history record in Maryland.
The process starts with fingerprinting. Get fingerprinted on a Form 015 state fingerprint card at an authorized location. You can do this at the Allegany County Detention Center or through a private fingerprint vendor. Once printed, send the card to CJIS overnight at 6776 Reisterstown Road, Suite 102, Baltimore, MD 21215, or by regular mail to CJIS-CR, P.O. Box 32708, Pikesville, Maryland 21282-2708. The fee is $18 for a state-only check, or $38 and up for a combined state and FBI check. Processing typically takes 10 to 15 business days.
You can also call CJIS directly at 1-888-795-0011 or 410-764-4501 with questions about the process. More detail on fees and forms is on the DPSCS background check page.
The screenshot below shows the official DPSCS background check portal where requests are managed for all Maryland counties, including Allegany.
This portal is the starting point for anyone submitting a formal criminal history request in Maryland.
What Allegany County Criminal Records Contain
A full criminal history record from CJIS covers arrests, charges, and dispositions across all Maryland jurisdictions, not just Allegany County. That means if someone was arrested in Cumberland and later charged in a different county, both records may appear. The report includes case numbers, offense descriptions, court dispositions, and sentence information where available.
Court records from the Circuit Court or District Court are more narrow. They cover only cases filed in that specific court. Use the Maryland Judiciary Case Search at casesearch.courts.state.md.us to check what is available online before requesting paper copies. Keep in mind that case search results are not official background checks and should not be used as a substitute for a CJIS-certified record.
Note: Expunged records do not appear in Maryland Judiciary Case Search or in public records requests.
Allegany County Sheriff and Local Law Enforcement
The Allegany County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement in unincorporated parts of the county. Cumberland City Police covers the county seat. Neither office is authorized to release criminal history record information (CHRI) to the general public. That function belongs exclusively to CJIS.
The Sheriff's Office can help with incident reports, crash reports, and other records related to specific calls for service. Contact the Sheriff at 695 Kelly Road, Cumberland, MD 21502, or call (301) 777-1585. Their website at alleganygov.org has more information about available services.
For fingerprinting services in western Maryland, check with the Sheriff's office or local detention facilities about available dates and times. Some require an appointment. Bring a valid, unexpired photo ID.
Maryland Sex Offender Registry
The Maryland Sex Offender Registry is a public database maintained by DPSCS. It is separate from the general criminal history system. You can search it for free at dpscs.maryland.gov. The registry includes registered offenders in Allegany County and across the state. Results show names, addresses, and offense details for listed individuals.
Registration is required under Maryland law for certain sexual offenses. The registry is updated regularly and is free to search. It does not require a formal records request or payment.
Expungement in Allegany County
If you have a criminal record in Allegany County and want to clear eligible charges, Maryland law allows expungement in certain cases. Under Maryland Code, eligible charges can be removed from the public record, including from the Circuit Court files and CJIS records. After expungement, those charges will not appear in standard searches.
The People's Law Library has free guides on Maryland expungement eligibility and the process. You can also check the Maryland courts expungement page at courts.state.md.us. Eligibility depends on the charge type, the outcome of the case, and how much time has passed. Filing an expungement petition in Allegany County costs $30, though the fee may be waived in some cases.
Important: Charges that resulted in a guilty verdict are generally not eligible for expungement unless the offense falls under specific newer provisions in Maryland law.
District Court and Other Allegany County Records
The District Court in Allegany County handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, and lower-level criminal cases. District Court records are also searchable through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal. These records are public. You can request certified copies from the District Court clerk the same way you would from the Circuit Court.
Land records in Allegany County are available through MDLandRec.net, the statewide land records portal. While not criminal records, property and deed records are sometimes useful when verifying identities or looking into background details. The DPSCS main website at dpscs.maryland.gov is a good starting point for any statewide records question.
The Maryland State Police also maintains some records and offers background check services in certain situations. Reach them at mdsp.maryland.gov. Their non-emergency line can direct you to the right unit for your specific need.
Cities in Allegany County
Cumberland is the county seat and largest city in Allegany County. No cities in Allegany County meet the population threshold for individual pages on this site.
Other communities in Allegany County include Frostburg, LaVale, Westernport, and Lonaconing. These areas are served by the same Circuit Court and Sheriff's Office in Cumberland.
Nearby Counties
Allegany County borders several counties in western Maryland and Pennsylvania. Records from neighboring jurisdictions may be relevant if an individual has ties to multiple areas.