Find Criminal Records in Washington County

Washington County criminal history records are available through state and local agencies in western Maryland, near the Appalachian Mountains. The Maryland CJIS Central Repository is the source for certified background checks covering Washington County and all Maryland jurisdictions. The Circuit Court in Hagerstown holds public case filings, and the Sheriff's Office processes public records requests under state law. This page explains the fees, contacts, and steps for each type of records request.

Washington County Circuit Court Records

The Washington County Circuit Court is at 24 Summit Avenue, Hagerstown, MD 21740. Phone is 301-733-8660. The clerk's page is at courts.state.md.us/clerks/washington. The court handles felonies, serious misdemeanors, and civil cases for Washington County. Most criminal case records are public and accessible online at no cost.

The free Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal covers cases from 1989 forward and shows charges, court dates, and dispositions. Sealed and expunged records are not visible. Copy fees at the clerk's counter are $0.50 per page. For mail requests, send the case details and copy fee by check or money order to the clerk at the address above.

The clerk does not perform background checks. That service is only available through CJIS. Staff can help with questions about specific case filings but cannot run criminal history searches for requesters.

Washington County Criminal History Background Checks

Certified criminal history background checks in Washington County go through DPSCS and the CJIS Central Repository. The state fee is $18 for a Maryland-only search. Adding an FBI check brings the cost to $38 or more. Processing takes 10 to 15 business days. Full details and Form 015 are on the DPSCS background check page.

Shown below is the Washington County Sheriff's Office, the primary law enforcement agency handling public records requests for this western Maryland county.

The Sheriff's Records Division is open weekdays and handles public information act requests for incident reports and related documents.

Before submitting a background check request, get fingerprinted on a Form 015 state card. Authorized fingerprint providers serve the Hagerstown area. Check the DPSCS fingerprinting page for current provider locations. Mail the completed card and payment to CJIS-CR, P.O. Box 32708, Pikesville, MD 21282-2708. Overnight: 6776 Reisterstown Road, Suite 102, Baltimore, MD 21215. Call 1-888-795-0011 with questions.

Washington County Sheriff Records Division

The Washington County Sheriff's Office is at 500 Western Maryland Parkway, Hagerstown, MD 21740. Main number is 240-313-2100. Fax is 240-313-2105. Email is bkalbert@washco-md.net. Website is at washcosheriff.com. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, reachable at 240-313-2100.

Washington County also has a Detention Center at the same address. Detention Center records are at 240-313-2133. The Records unit within the Detention Center is 240-313-2125. These offices handle records related to inmate processing and facility operations. They are separate from the Sheriff's general records function.

Records requests from the Sheriff's Office go through the Maryland Public Information Act process. Submit a written request by mail or in person during business hours. Processing typically takes up to 30 days. Payment and fee details should be confirmed when your request is submitted.

Washington County Criminal Records Access

A CJIS criminal history record is statewide. It is not limited to Washington County cases. If someone was arrested in Hagerstown and had a separate case in another county, both entries may appear. The report covers arrests, charges, dispositions, and sentencing information. It draws from all Maryland jurisdictions and may include FBI data if requested.

Court records from the Circuit or District Court cover only what was filed in those specific courts. Case Search is free and a good first look before requesting certified documents. It is not a certified record and should not be used in place of a CJIS check. Expunged records are removed from public view after the process is complete.

Expungement in Washington County

Eligible individuals can petition to expunge certain criminal records under Maryland law. Once approved, the record is removed from court files and from CJIS. Arrests not resulting in conviction, dismissed charges, and acquittals are often eligible. Completed probation cases may also qualify in some circumstances. Most convictions are not eligible unless specific newer provisions of Maryland law apply.

File the petition at the Circuit Court in Hagerstown. The cost is $30 to file. Courts may waive the fee in appropriate cases. Free guides are available at the People's Law Library and through the Maryland courts clean record page.

Sex Offender Registry and Other Washington County Sources

The Maryland Sex Offender Registry is public and free to search at dpscs.maryland.gov. It covers registered offenders in Washington County and statewide. No account or fee is required. Results show names, addresses, and offense details. The registry is maintained by DPSCS separately from the general criminal history system.

For broader records needs, start at dpscs.maryland.gov. The Maryland State Police at mdsp.maryland.gov can also assist with certain records. Court records help is at courts.state.md.us.

Cities in Washington County

No cities in Washington County meet the population threshold for individual pages on this site.

Communities in Washington County include Hagerstown, Boonsboro, Funkstown, Smithsburg, Clear Spring, and Williamsport. All are served by the Circuit Court and Sheriff's Office in Hagerstown.

Nearby Counties

Washington County borders Allegany, Frederick, and Carroll counties in western and central Maryland. Records from those areas may be relevant for individuals with ties to more than one jurisdiction.