Wicomico County Criminal History Records
Wicomico County criminal history records come from state and county agencies serving the largest city on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Salisbury is the county seat, and the Wicomico County Circuit Court holds public criminal case filings for the area. The Maryland CJIS Central Repository handles certified background checks, while the Sheriff's Office processes public records requests for incident reports and related documents. This page outlines how each source works, what fees apply, and how to submit your request.
Wicomico County Overview
Wicomico County Circuit Court Criminal Records
The Wicomico County Circuit Court is at 101 North Division Street, Room 104, Salisbury, MD 21801. Phone is 410-543-6551. The clerk's page is at courts.state.md.us/clerks/wicomico. The court handles felonies, serious misdemeanors, and civil cases for all of Wicomico County. Most records are public and available online at no cost.
The free Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal lets you search cases from 1989 forward. It shows charges, dispositions, and court dates. Sealed and expunged records are not visible. Copies at the clerk's counter cost $0.50 per page. For mail requests, include the case details and a check or money order for copy fees. The District Court at 201 Baptist Street, Salisbury (410-334-3325) handles misdemeanors and traffic cases.
Wicomico County Criminal History Background Checks
Certified criminal history checks in Wicomico County go through DPSCS and the CJIS Central Repository. This is the only route to an official certified record. The state fee is $18 for a Maryland-only check. An FBI check adds to the total, bringing it to $38 or more. Processing takes 10 to 15 business days. Instructions and Form 015 are at the DPSCS background check page.
Below is the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office, which handles public records requests for this Eastern Shore county and directs residents to CJIS for certified criminal history submissions.
The Sheriff processes Central Records Request forms and oversees the public information act process for Wicomico County.
Get fingerprinted on a Form 015 state card before submitting your request. Authorized providers serve the Salisbury area. Check the DPSCS fingerprinting page for current locations. Mail the card and payment to CJIS-CR, P.O. Box 32708, Pikesville, MD 21282-2708. Overnight delivery goes to 6776 Reisterstown Road, Suite 102, Baltimore, MD 21215. Call 1-888-795-0011 with questions.
Wicomico County Sheriff Records Request Process
The Wicomico County Sheriff's Office is at 401 Naylor Mill Road, Salisbury, MD 21801. Main number is 410-548-4891. Records Clerk direct line is 410-548-4892. Website is at wicomicosheriff.com. Reports cost $5 per report. The Corrections Center is at 411 Naylor Mill Road, Salisbury (410-548-4850) and is a separate facility.
To request records, complete a Central Records Request for Public Information form and submit it to the main address above. You must provide your full name, address, and phone number. You must also state your interest in the record, such as victim, witness, defendant, or media representative. Processing follows the Maryland Public Information Act timeline, which allows up to 30 days to fulfill a request. Payment and specific fees should be confirmed when submitting.
Wicomico County Criminal Records Contents
A CJIS criminal history record is statewide. It covers arrests and case activity in all Maryland counties, not just Wicomico. If a person was arrested in Salisbury and also had a case filed elsewhere, both may appear. The report includes arrest data, charges, case dispositions, and sentencing information. It is the only source for a certified background check.
Court records from the Circuit or District Court cover only filings in those specific courts. Use Maryland Judiciary Case Search for a free preview before requesting documents. Case Search data may lag a day or two behind actual court activity. Results from Case Search are not certified and should not be treated as a substitute for an official CJIS record. Expunged records are fully removed from public access once the process is complete.
Note: The Wicomico County Sheriff's Office requires requesters to state their interest in the record as part of the public records request process.
Expungement in Wicomico County
Maryland law allows eligible individuals to petition for expungement of certain criminal records. After a successful petition, the record is removed from court files and from CJIS. Arrests not resulting in conviction, dismissed charges, and acquittals are often eligible. Some completed probation cases may also qualify. Most convictions are not eligible unless they fall under specific newer provisions.
File the petition at the Circuit Court in Salisbury. The filing fee is $30. Courts may waive the fee in some cases. Free guides are at the People's Law Library and the Maryland courts clean record page.
Sex Offender Registry and Other Resources
The Maryland Sex Offender Registry is free and public. Search it at dpscs.maryland.gov for registered offenders in Wicomico County and statewide. No fee or account is required. Results include names, addresses, and offense details. The registry is maintained by DPSCS separately from the general criminal history database.
For statewide records questions, start at dpscs.maryland.gov. The Maryland State Police at mdsp.maryland.gov can also help with some records. Court records help is available at courts.state.md.us.
Cities in Wicomico County
No cities in Wicomico County meet the population threshold for individual pages on this site.
Communities in Wicomico County include Salisbury, Fruitland, Delmar, Mardela Springs, and Sharptown. All are served by the Circuit Court and Sheriff's Office in Salisbury.
Nearby Counties
Wicomico County borders Somerset, Worcester, and Dorchester counties on the Eastern Shore. Records from those areas may be relevant if a person has ties to more than one county.