Court records of Prince George's County, Maryland, are available through several channels. PrinceGeorgesCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about court cases in the county. Additionally, the official online tools of the Maryland state court system, the Clerk's Office, and public terminals in court buildings provide access to case materials, hearing schedules, and court documents.
Prince George's Court System & Jurisdictions
There are two main court branches in the county: Circuit Court and District Court. Each handles different categories of cases, and the type of case determines where to look for records.
Circuit Court is a court of general jurisdiction where jury trials are held. It handles:
- Serious criminal cases (felonies)
- Large civil claims (amounts over $30,000)
- Family cases — divorce, child custody, adoption
- Equity cases: foreclosure, name changes
- Appeals from District Court
Additionally, the Circuit Court has a Land Records department that maintains deeds, mortgage documents, and plot maps.
District Court handles the everyday flow of cases. This includes traffic violations, minor criminal cases (misdemeanors), civil claims up to $30,000, and small claims cases up to $5,000. There is no separate small claims court in Maryland — it is a simplified procedure within the District Court.
Probate cases are handled by the Register of Wills of Prince George's County. The Orphans' Court, composed of elected judges, oversees contested probate matters.
Contact Information for the Courts
Circuit Court for Prince George's County
District Court — Hyattsville
A complete list of District Court locations in the county is available on the Prince George's County page on the Maryland Courts website. Maryland Relay 711 is available for TTY users.
Prince George's Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out which hearings are scheduled for today, tomorrow, or the week, use the Case Search system on the Maryland Courts portal. It displays case information for both Circuit Court and District Court, including hearing dates.
Search procedure:
- Go to the Case Search page and select search by party name or case number.
- In the results, open the desired case — future hearing dates are listed in the details.
- If you need a complete schedule for a specific courtroom for the day, contact the Circuit Court or District Court Clerk's Office by phone.
Public terminals in the Circuit Court building in Upper Marlboro also provide access to the schedule. Note: Some family and juvenile cases may not appear in the public search due to privacy restrictions under Maryland Rules 16-900 et seq.
How to Get a Copy of a Prince George's Court Document
Copies of court documents come in two types: regular (uncertified) and certified. A certified copy bears the court's seal and the clerk's signature — it is usually required for submission to other government agencies or courts.
How to Order a Copy
Online: Through Case Search, you can view case details, but downloading full documents is not always available. To obtain copies, you typically need to contact the Clerk's Office.
In person: Visit the Clerk's Office in the Circuit Court or District Court. Bring the case number or sufficient identifying information (party names, approximate date). The clerk will prepare the copy on-site.
By mail: Send a written request specifying the case number, party names, document type, and return address. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
For probate cases, request copies from the Register of Wills. Divorce records after January 1, 1992, can also be verified through the Division of Vital Records of the Maryland Department of Health.
Historical records — microfilms and original documents — are stored at the Maryland State Archives.
Prince George's Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees are set according to the Maryland Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, and administrative orders. Below are typical fees — confirm current amounts with the Clerk's Office, as they may change.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Search in court records (by name) | $0 (online via Case Search) |
| Regular copy of a document (per page) | $0.50 – $1.00 |
| Certified copy (certification fee) | $5.00 – $6.00 per document |
| Certified copy of a divorce decree | $6.00 |
| Search in land records (Land Records) | Free at the court terminal; online access may require registration |
| Copy of a probate case (Register of Wills) | $5.00 – $6.00 per certified copy |
Payment is accepted in cash, money order, or check payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Some District Court locations also accept credit and debit cards — confirm in advance by phone. For mail requests, be sure to include prepayment; without it, the request will not be processed.