Washington County

As Ordered by Chief Judge Barbera on December 22, 2020, our Court will remain in Phase II (2) of the re-opening plan. Public access to our building will be restricted to parties for hearings, emergency filings or by specific appointment until March 14, 2021.

• All courtroom related access is controlled by various Administrative Orders:
  • SEVENTH ADMINSTRATIVE ORDER RESTRICTING STATEWIDE JUDICIARY OPERATION DUE TO THE COVID-19 EMERGENCY
  • FIFTH ADMINSTRATIVE ORDER CLARIFYING COVID-19 HEALTH MEASURE IN COURTHOUSES
  • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER FOR PHASE III NOVEMBER 16, 2020 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2020
• The Clerk’s Offices will continue to operate with reduced staffing, but will be available by phone between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding State Holidays (December 31, January 1, January 18 & February 15)

301-733-8660     301-790-7941     301-790-4972     301-790-7413
Licensing:  option #1
Civil:  option #2
Criminal:   option #3
Land Records:  option #4

• Many of the services of the Clerk’s Office can be conducted by e-filing, courthouse drop-box or mail --- the courthouse drop-box is located at 24 Summit Ave and is available from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except for State Holidays
• Virtual Courtroom information can be found here: https://mdcourts.gov/virtualcourtrooms
• The following business will continue to be conducted remotely as necessary, and if applicable, per specific Executive Order, as signed by Governor Hogan:

Marriage Licenses/Civil Ceremonies (Executive Order #2020-05-13-02):

• Applications can be made by appointment, mail or courthouse drop-box
• Civil Ceremonies will be performed remotely through March 12, 2021 by using the Skype platform:
  • By appointment, 9:00 am – 11:40 am and 1:00 pm and 2:40 pm, Tuesday through Friday
  • $25.00 fee, payable in advance, by cashier’s check or money order (NO CASH), by mail or drop-box

Business Licenses:

• Renewals can be submitted by mail
• Questions can be answered by the Licensing Department (number listed above)

Recordation:

• Can be submitted by SimpliFile, mail or courthouse drop-box
• Questions can be answered by the Licensing Department (number listed above)

Record Searches:

• Requests can be made by email to:  washcocc_landrecordsrequest@mdcourts.gov, applicable copy fees will be assessed
• By appointment (2-hour daily limit) – call Land Records (number listed above)

Oaths of Office:

• Notaries extended for 30 days past state of emergency termination (Executive Order #03-12-20)
• Appointees can contact the Licensing Department (number listed above) to make an appointment to be sworn (Executive Order #20-03-31-03)

Jury Duty:

• All trial juries are suspended until April 26, 2021 FIFTH ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER- SUSPENSION OF JURY TRIALS
• Qualification Summonses will be mailed approximately 6-weeks prior to April 26, 2021
• Jury Announcement:  call 301-739-3440 or click here (updated after 4:00 pm daily M-F)

Family/Civil/Juvenile/Criminal:

• Inquiries can be made by phone by providing your case number, if applicable (see numbers listed above)
• Pleadings can be submitted by File and Serve, mail or courthouse drop-box
  • Forms are available in the building entry or at https://mdcourts.gov/COURTFORMS
  • Any emergency filings should be brought to the attention of the appropriate department (see numbers listed above)
• Statement on Matters Concerning Children & Families

Legal Assistance:

• Maryland Legal Aid – 301-694-7414
• https://www.mdlab.org/

Family Law Self-Help Clinic:

• The Circuit Court for Washington County’s Family Law Self-Help Clinic is available by appointment only
• **NEW TEMPORARY LOCATION** County Administration Building, 100 West Washington Street, Room 1301, Hagerstown, MD
• Please click here for detailed information

24 Summit Avenue
Hagerstown, MD 21740

District Court

Orphans' Court

100 W. Washington Street
Suite 3400
Hagerstown, MD 21740