Search Anne Arundel County Probate Court Records
Anne Arundel County probate court records are managed by the Register of Wills at the Circuit Courthouse in Annapolis. As one of Maryland's original counties, Anne Arundel has estate records dating back to 1777. The county seat is also the state capital, and the courthouse sits at 8 Church Circle in the heart of the city. Whether you need to search for a will, track down an estate filing, or request copies of probate documents, the Anne Arundel County Register of Wills can help you find what you need.
Anne Arundel County Overview
Anne Arundel County Register of Wills Office
Hon. Jasmine M. Jackson was appointed Register of Wills for Anne Arundel County on June 11, 2024. The office is in Suite 403 of the Circuit Courthouse at 8 Church Circle in Annapolis. Staff are committed to serving the public with knowledge, compassion, and integrity during what can be a difficult time. They handle estate openings, will filings, inventory processing, and account reviews for all probate matters in Anne Arundel County.
The Orphans' Court for Anne Arundel County is at the same address. This court oversees judicial probate, which covers contested wills and disputes about estate administration. The Register of Wills serves as clerk to the Orphans' Court and maintains all records from its hearings. Most routine probate matters in Anne Arundel County go through administrative probate, which the Register handles without a court hearing.
Call before you visit to make sure you have all the right documents. This saves a wasted trip and helps the staff prepare for your visit.
| Address |
Circuit Courthouse 8 Church Circle, Suite 403 Annapolis, MD 21401 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (410) 222-1430 | Toll-Free: (800) 679-6665 |
| Fax | (410) 222-1467 |
| Orphans' Court | (410) 222-1418 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM |
How to Search Probate Court Records in Anne Arundel County
The Maryland Register of Wills Estate Search is the best place to start looking for probate court records in Anne Arundel County. This free online tool has estate data from 1998 to the present. You can search by name, estate number, or filing date. Results show the estate number, status, date of death, personal representative, and attorney. The docket history is also viewable for each case. Data updates at the end of each business day.
For a broader search, use the Maryland Judiciary Case Search. This system covers civil cases from all trial courts, which includes Orphans' Court matters in Anne Arundel County. Cases dating back to 1965 are in the database. Enter at least the first letter of a last name followed by % for a partial search. The first name field is optional.
Anne Arundel County uses the MDEC system for electronic filing. Attorneys and personal representatives can file estate documents online through this portal. Case information is also available through MDEC. For in-person searches, go to Suite 403 at the courthouse in Annapolis. Staff can pull up estate files and make copies for you.
Note: When using Estate Search, a 12-character estate number is required for number-based searches; add leading zeros if your number is shorter.
Anne Arundel County Probate Records
Anne Arundel County was created on April 9, 1650, making it one of Maryland's oldest counties. Probate records at the Register of Wills office begin in 1777, after the colonial Prerogative Court was abolished. Wills on file span from 1777 to 1912 in the historical collection. Administrator bonds and accounts cover 1777 to 1857. Guardian bonds, accounts, and dockets date from 1791 to 1947. Inventories run from 1777 to 1941, and court records cover 1784 to 1852.
Records from before 1777 are held at the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis. The Archives has colonial-era wills and probate documents from the Prerogative Court that once governed all of Maryland. Since Annapolis is both the county seat and the state capital, the Archives is just a short drive from the courthouse. Their Guide to Government Records at guide.msa.maryland.gov can help you find specific Allegany County collections.
Modern probate records in Anne Arundel County include wills, petitions for probate, inventories, information reports, accounts, bonds, and letters of administration. Under Md. Code, Estates and Trusts § 4-202, a will must be filed with the Register of Wills after the person who made it dies. The inventory is due within three months per § 7-101.
Probate Court Records and Estate Fees
Opening an estate in Anne Arundel County starts with a visit or call to the Register of Wills. Bring the original death certificate, the original will if there is one, a funeral contract or bill, and bank account statements. You also need stock info, vehicle titles, real property details, and a list of all interested persons with their addresses. The staff will walk you through the forms.
Probate fees in Maryland are based on estate value. Estates worth $50,000 or less have no fee. Estates from $50,000 to $100,000 cost $100. The fee is $200 for estates up to $500,000, and $1,000 for estates between $500,000 and $1,000,000. Larger estates pay up to $10,000 plus a small percentage of the excess over $10,000,000. Small estates under $50,000 qualify for a simpler process under Md. Code, Estates and Trusts § 5-601. If the sole heir is the surviving spouse, the limit goes up to $100,000.
The personal representative must publish a notice to creditors in a local Anne Arundel County newspaper. Creditors then have six months from the date of death to file claims per § 8-103. A first account is due within nine months. Most estates in Anne Arundel County are completed within 9 to 18 months, though complex cases can take longer.
The Anne Arundel County Register of Wills page provides contact details, office hours, and links to the Estate Search tool.
From this page you can access estate forms, find the office phone number, and link directly to the online estate search for Anne Arundel County cases.
Legal Resources for Anne Arundel County Estates
The People's Law Library from the Maryland Judiciary is a solid starting point for anyone handling an estate in Anne Arundel County. It covers the steps to open an estate, what forms to file, and how to manage the process from start to finish. The site is free and written in plain language.
The Legal Aid Bureau serves Anne Arundel County residents who qualify based on income. Call (800) 999-8904 to ask about help with probate matters. The Maryland State Bar Association has a lawyer referral service at (800) 492-1964. The Volunteer Lawyers Service at (800) 510-0050 connects low-income residents with attorneys who can help with estate cases at no charge. For estate tax questions, call the Comptroller of Maryland at (410) 260-7850 or the IRS at (800) 829-1040.
Cities in Anne Arundel County
Anne Arundel County has many communities, and all of them file probate cases through the Register of Wills in Annapolis. The same courthouse handles every estate, no matter which part of the county you live in.
Other places in Anne Arundel County include Annapolis, Crofton, Odenton, Pasadena, and Severna Park. All estate filings go through the Anne Arundel County Register of Wills.
Nearby Counties
Anne Arundel County shares borders with several other jurisdictions. Make sure you file in the county where the person who died lived. Each county has its own Register of Wills.