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Cecil County, Maryland public records

In Cecil County, deeds are recorded by the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Cecil County - Land Records Department; property values come from the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation - Cecil County Assessment Office.

Last checked against official sources on .

On this page
  1. Where to get each record
  2. Deeds and land records
  3. Property values, owners and tax bills
  4. Court records: which clerk keeps which case
  5. Marriage records
  6. Divorce records
  7. Birth certificates
  8. Death certificates
  9. Probate records and wills
  10. Business names (DBA)
  11. Voter records
  12. Historical records
  13. Good to know about Cecil County records
  14. Office addresses, phones and hours
  15. Questions people ask
  16. Official copies vs look-alike sites
  17. Sources

Where to get each record

RecordOfficeSearch onlineFee
Deeds and land recordsClerk of the Circuit Court for Cecil County - Land Records Department4Search deeds2Free search$0.50 per page3
Property values and ownersMaryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation - Cecil County Assessment Office5Property search6—
Property tax billsCecil County Department of Finance7Tax bill search7—
Court cases—Circuit Court for Cecil County6Circuit Court copies $0.50/page; certification $5 + $0.50/page. District Court certification $5 per request plus photocopy fee8
Marriage recordsClerk of the Circuit Court for Cecil County - Land Records Department4——
Divorce recordsClerk of the Circuit Court for Cecil County4—Certified copy fee: $5.50 each (Civil Department, in person, mail, email or fax)3
Birth certificatesCecil County Health Department - Office of Vital Records9——
Death certificatesCecil County Health Department - Office of Vital Records9——
Probate and willsRegister of Wills for Cecil County12Search probate cases10Free search, fee for copiesStatutory: photocopies $0.50 per page11
Business names (DBA)Trade names are filed statewide with SDAT, not with the county13——

Deeds and land records

Deeds, mortgages and other land documents for property in Cecil County are recorded by the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Cecil County - Land Records Department.4

Online search
landrec.msa.maryland.gov2Free search
About this search
MDLANDREC - statewide land records portal of the Judiciary and Maryland State Archives; free with an account2
Copy fee
$0.50 per page3
Certified copy fee
$5.50 each (Cecil Clerk); statewide schedule: $5 per certification plus $0.50 per page3
How to order
Online at MDLandrec (free registration), or from the Land Records Department in person, by mail, email or fax3
Plats
Plats.net (plats.msa.maryland.gov) - Maryland State Archives plat images by county14

How deeds work in Maryland

Property values, owners and tax bills

The Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) - Cecil County Assessment Office sets property values5; the Cecil County Department of Finance (property tax billing and collection) bills and collects the tax7.

Property search
SDAT Real Property Search (sdat.dat.maryland.gov/…); covers every parcel in Maryland6
Tax bill search
Cecil County Property Tax page cecilcountymd.gov/369/Property-Tax (county Finance Office)7
Appealing a value
Appeal assessments to SDAT within 45 days of the notice, then the Property Tax Assessment Appeals Board, then the Maryland Tax Court15

How property tax works in Maryland

Court records: which clerk keeps which case

CourtCasesRecords kept byCase search
Circuit Court for Cecil County (2nd Judicial Circuit)Jury trials, serious criminal cases, major civil cases, divorce/family, juvenile, land records and licenses—casesearch.courts.state.md.us/casesearch Maryland Judiciary Case Search6
District Court of Maryland, Cecil County (3rd District), ElktonLandlord-tenant, traffic, misdemeanors, civil claims up to $5,000 exclusively11— Maryland Judiciary Case Search6
Fees
Circuit Court copies $0.50/page; certification $5 + $0.50/page. District Court certification $5 per request plus photocopy fee8
Records request
Clerk of the Circuit Court, 129 E. Main Street, Elkton, MD 21921; 410-996-102116

Criminal records and background checks

Which court
Circuit Court Criminal Department 410-996-5373; statewide Case Search17
Jail
Cecil County Detention Center, 500 Landing Lane, Elkton, MD 21921; www.cecilcountymd.gov/829/Detention-Center18
State repository
Statewide criminal history checks: Maryland DPSCS Criminal Justice Information System19

How Maryland courts keep their files

Marriage records

Kept by the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Cecil County - Land Records Department.4

Marriage license
Clerk of the Circuit Court - Marriage Licenses, 410-996-537617
Marriage license fee
$30.0020
Ceremony fee
Civil ceremony by the clerk or a judge in Cecil County: $3021
Certified copy
Cecil Clerk Licensing Department: $5.50 each. Marriages on/after Jan 1, 2007 also from MDH Division of Vital Records ($12); earlier: Circuit Court clerk or Maryland State Archives3
License hours
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., except holidays20

Divorce records

Kept by the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Cecil County (Civil Domestic/Equity, Nondomestic/Law & Juvenile Department).4

Decree
Copy of the decree only from the Circuit Court that granted it (Cecil County Circuit Court clerk)22
Verification
MDH Division of Vital Records issues a Verification of Divorce ($12)22
Certified copy fee
$5.50 each (Civil Department, in person, mail, email or fax)3

Birth certificates

Kept by the Cecil County Health Department - Office of Vital Records.9

Local
Cecil County Health Department issues certified copies of Maryland birth certificates for 1939 to present; fee $25 at the Cecil County Health Department; issued to the person, parents, or guardians9
Older
Births before 1939: Division of Vital Records in Baltimore9
Same day ID
Same-day service requires valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID9
Payment
Cash: exact amount; no bills larger than $209
State
MDH Division of Vital Records: $10 per certified copy23

Ordering a Maryland birth certificate

Death certificates

Kept by the Cecil County Health Department - Office of Vital Records.9

Local
Deaths filed in Cecil County, within 30 days of filing: $25 first copy, $20 each additional copy9
State
MDH Division of Vital Records for deaths in 2012 or later; earlier deaths at the Maryland State Archives24

Ordering a Maryland death certificate

Probate records and wills

Kept by the Register of Wills for Cecil County (clerk to the Orphans' Court).12

Online search
registers.maryland.gov/main/search.html10Free search, fee for copies
About this search
Register of Wills Estate Search : basic estate information and dockets free; downloaded records $0.50 per page10
Will safekeeping
Original wills may be deposited for safekeeping: $5.00 per will or codicil12
Copy fee
Statutory: photocopies $0.50 per page11

Finding a will or probate case in Maryland

Business names (DBA)

Trade names are filed statewide with SDAT, not with the county13

Voter records

Kept by the Cecil County Board of Elections.25

List
Voter list for a single county: $75 (to Maryland registered voters, non-commercial use, via State Board of Elections)26

Historical records

Maryland State Archives holds Cecil County government records in electronic, microfilm and original formats27

Good to know about Cecil County records

  • Cecil County was created in 1674 from Baltimore and Kent counties by proclamation of the Governor4
  • The SDAT Cecil County Assessment Office shares the District Court/Multi-Service Center building at 170 East Main St., Elkton5
  • Cecil County sets a higher civil-ceremony fee ($30) than the general $25 statewide clerk/judge fee21
  • Charter government since December 3, 20124

Office addresses, phones and hours

Clerk of the Circuit Court for Cecil County - Land Records Department

Address
Courthouse, 129 East Main St., Elkton, MD 2192118
Phone
Land Record Department 410-996-5375; Clerk's Office main 410-996-102117
Hours
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.17

Clerk of the Circuit Court for Cecil County (Civil Domestic/Equity, Nondomestic/Law & Juvenile Department)

Address
Courthouse, 129 East Main St., Elkton, MD 2192118
Mail
Clerk of the Circuit Court for Cecil County, Attn: Civil Department, 129 East Main Street, Elkton, MD 219213
Phone
Civil/Domestic Department 410-996-5377 or 410-996-5378; Juvenile Department 410-996-5374; main 410-996-102117
Hours
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.17

Clerk of the Circuit Court for Cecil County - Criminal Department

Address
Courthouse, 129 East Main St., Elkton, MD 2192118
Mail
Clerk of the Circuit Court for Cecil County, Attn: Criminal Department, 129 East Main Street, Elkton, MD 219213
Hours
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.17

District Court of Maryland - Cecil County (District Court/Multi-Service Center)

Address
District Court/Multi-Service Center, 170 East Main St., Elkton, MD 21921-594318
Hours
8:30 AM-4:30 PM Monday-Friday (except legal holidays)28

Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) - Cecil County Assessment Office

Address
District Court/Multi-Service Center, 170 East Main St., Elkton, MD 219215

Cecil County Department of Finance (property tax billing and collection)

Address
Cecil County Finance Office, 200 Chesapeake Blvd., Suite 1100, Elkton, MD 219217

Register of Wills for Cecil County (clerk to the Orphans' Court)

Address
Circuit Courthouse, 129 East Main Street, Suite 102, Elkton, Maryland 2192112
Mail
Orphans' Court mailing address: P. O. Box 468, Elkton, MD 21922-046818
Phone
410-996-5330 (main); 888-398-0301 (toll free); fax 410-996-103912
Hours
8:30am - 4:30pm Monday to Friday; closed weekends and State holidays12

Cecil County Health Department - Office of Vital Records

Address
John M. Byers Center, 401 Bow Street, Elkton, MD 219219
Phone
(410) 996-5550; fax (410) 996-51799
Hours
By appointment: Monday, Wednesday, Friday (limited Tuesday/Thursday); first appointment 8:30 am, last 4:00 pm9

Cecil County Board of Elections

Address
200 Chesapeake Blvd. Suite 1900, Elkton, MD 21921-639525
Phone
410-996-5310; fax 888-979-818325

Cecil County Sheriff's Office

Address
107 Chesapeake Blvd., Suite 112, Elkton, MD 2192118
Phone
(410) 996-5500; fax (410) 996-551818

Questions people ask

How do I get a copy of a deed in Cecil County?

The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Cecil County - Land Records Department keeps deed records. To order copies: Online at MDLandrec (free registration), or from the Land Records Department in person, by mail, email or fax. Plain copies: $0.50 per page. Certified copies: $5.50 each (Cecil Clerk); statewide schedule: $5 per certification plus $0.50 per page.43

How much does a marriage license cost in Cecil County?

The marriage license fee is $30.00.20

How do I look up who owns a property in Cecil County?

Use the property search of the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) - Cecil County Assessment Office: sdat.dat.maryland.gov/…6

Official copies vs look-alike sites

A certified copy comes only from the office that holds the record; reports and "research copies" sold by commercial sites are not issued by any Cecil County office. How to tell an official record source from a paid look-alike.

Other counties and independent cities in Maryland with a full guide: Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Calvert County, Carroll County, Charles County, Frederick County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Prince George's County, St. Mary's County, Washington County, Wicomico County. Every county and independent city in the state: Maryland county and independent city list.

Sources

Every fact above links to the official page it comes from; all 30 sources were checked on November 4, 2026. Fees and rules change, so check the office's own page before you pay or travel.

  1. Government Units List 2026US Census Bureau
  2. Land Records (Court Help)Maryland Judiciary
  3. Circuit Court for Cecil County - RecordsMaryland Judiciary
  4. Maryland Manual On-Line: Cecil County, Maryland - GovernmentMaryland State Archives
  5. Maryland Manual On-Line: State Department of Assessments & TaxationMaryland State Archives
  6. Court Records (Case Search)Maryland Judiciary
  7. Local Tax Billing/Collection OfficesMaryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT)
  8. District Court of Maryland Cost Schedule (DCA-109)Maryland Judiciary
  9. Birth and Death CertificatesCecil County Health Department
  10. Register of Wills FAQMaryland Register of Wills
  11. Md. Code, Estates and Trusts § 2-206 (Register of Wills fees)Maryland General Assembly (Department of Legislative Services)
  12. Register of Wills for Cecil CountyMaryland Register of Wills
  13. Md. Code, Corporations and Associations § 1-406 (trade names)Maryland General Assembly (Department of Legislative Services)
  14. Plats.net (Maryland State Archives / Judiciary)Maryland State Archives
  15. Assessment Appeal ProcessMaryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT)
  16. Circuit Court for Cecil County - Judicial Records RequestsMaryland Judiciary
  17. Circuit Court for Cecil County - General InformationMaryland Judiciary
  18. Maryland Manual On-Line: Cecil County Judicial BranchMaryland State Archives
  19. Background Check ServicesMaryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS)
  20. Circuit Court for Cecil County - Marriage License InformationMaryland Judiciary
  21. Summary of Charges, Costs, and Fees of the Clerks of the Circuit CourtMaryland Judiciary
  22. Divorce VerificationMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  23. Md. Code, Health-General § 4-217 (copies of vital records; fees)Maryland General Assembly (Department of Legislative Services)
  24. Request Death and Fetal Death CertificatesMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  25. Local Boards of ElectionsMaryland State Board of Elections
  26. Voter Registration Data / list requestsMaryland State Board of Elections
  27. Maryland Manual On-Line: Cecil County RecordsMaryland State Archives
  28. District Court of Maryland, Cecil County directoryMaryland Judiciary
  29. Maryland Manual On-Line: Cecil County Executive BranchMaryland State Archives
  30. County population totals: Vintage 2025 (July 1, 2025)US Census Bureau