St. Mary's County Genealogy Records

St. Mary's County holds the oldest genealogy records in Maryland, with documents going back to 1637 when it became the state's first county. If you need to search family history, find ancestors who lived in southern Maryland, or access birth, death, marriage, land, or probate records tied to St. Mary's County, this guide covers every major source and explains how to reach each one.

St. Mary's County Circuit Court

The Circuit Court Clerk in Leonardtown holds the primary set of civil records, land records, and marriage licenses for St. Mary's County genealogy research. Because St. Mary's County was established in 1637, its records reach further back than any other Maryland county. Land records, marriage licenses, and court case files are all maintained at this office. The clerk can help you locate records and explain what is available for your research period.

The courthouse is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. You can call 301-475-4561 to ask about records before making the trip to Leonardtown. Marriage licenses are issued at the clerk's office, and standard Maryland requirements apply: both parties must provide copies of government-issued birth certificates, and a 48-hour waiting period follows issuance. The license is valid for six months and only in St. Mary's County.

The St. Mary's County Circuit Court website lists current contact information and services for those researching St. Mary's County genealogy records.

The Circuit Court page shows contact details and current services for St. Mary's County genealogy research.

Birth and Death Records in St. Mary's County

Vital records in St. Mary's County are split between the Maryland State Archives and the Maryland Department of Health based on the date. The MSA is the key source for older records. The Department of Health handles modern records after 1921 for births and after 2011 for deaths.

Birth records from before 1922 and death records from before 2012 are held at the Maryland State Archives at 350 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis. You can call the MSA at 410-260-6400 or search their holdings online at msa.maryland.gov. For deaths in St. Mary's County, the Maryland Death Index covering 1898 to 2010 is searchable through the MSA's online tools. Deaths compiled between 1634 and 1900 appear in the resource "Marriages and Deaths, St. Mary's County," which covers the earliest period of the county's history. The 1898 to 1923 Death Index of St. Mary's, Charles and Calvert Counties is a shared index available at the MSA.

Another unique resource is the St. Mary's County Coroners Inquest records from 1821 to 1921, which document suspicious deaths over a full century. These inquest files can contain names, dates, and cause of death not found in standard vital records. For births and deaths after the cutoff dates, contact the Maryland Department of Health Division of Vital Records at 410-764-3038 or visit health.maryland.gov/vsa.

Marriage Records in St. Mary's County

St. Mary's County marriage records go back to 1637, making them among the earliest civil marriage records in the United States. The Circuit Court Clerk maintains original marriage license records. For historical research, the Maryland State Archives holds a statewide marriage index that covers St. Mary's County entries from the earliest years forward.

Early marriage records also appear in church registers. St. Mary's County had a strong Catholic presence from its founding, and church records sometimes predate civil registration by decades. The resource "Marriages and Deaths, St. Mary's County 1634-1900" is a compiled source that covers the colonial and early state period. The MSA marriage index at msa.maryland.gov is a useful online starting point for any marriage search in St. Mary's County.

Wills and Probate Records

The Register of Wills office handles probate matters in St. Mary's County. Because this is Maryland's oldest county, probate records start in the colonial period and extend through the present day. Colonial probate files from St. Mary's County are among the first created in Maryland and are held at the Maryland State Archives.

The Archives of Maryland Online collection at aomol.msa.maryland.gov contains hundreds of thousands of pages from colonial-era government records, including many from St. Mary's County. Testamentary proceedings from the Provincial Court, which sat in St. Mary's City for much of the colonial period, are part of this collection. The statewide Register of Wills portal at registers.maryland.gov lets you search probate filings across all Maryland counties including St. Mary's.

Land Records and Property Documents

All St. Mary's County land records are available free through MDLandRec.net at mdlandrec.net. Maryland is the only state in the country with all land records available free online. This system gives researchers direct access to recorded deeds, mortgages, plats, and other instruments from St. Mary's County without any cost. Free account registration is required. For colonial-era land patents and early grants dating back to the 1630s, the Maryland State Archives holds the original documents and indexes.

Land records in St. Mary's County start with the earliest land grants issued to the first settlers in 1634 and 1635. These patent records are at the MSA and many are included in the Archives of Maryland Online. They can help researchers trace family land ownership back to the founding of the colony.

Research Resources for St. Mary's County Genealogy

Several local organizations maintain records and research tools for St. Mary's County family history. The St. Mary's County Historical Society holds local manuscripts, family papers, and materials specific to the county's long history. St. Mary's City, the original colonial capital, is now an archaeological site and museum with records related to the earliest Maryland settlers.

The St. Mary's County Library in Leonardtown has a local history section with resources for genealogical research. The branch address is 23250 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown. The Maryland Historical Society in Baltimore at mdhistory.org holds broader collections that include St. Mary's County materials, including family papers, photographs, and manuscripts from southern Maryland families.

Note: The Reclaim The Records collection on the Internet Archive at archive.org has over 5 million free Maryland vital records including death certificates from 1898 to 2012 and marriage indexes, all accessible without any account or payment.

Using the Maryland State Archives for St. Mary's County Research

The Maryland State Archives at 350 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, is the central repository for St. Mary's County genealogy records from the colonial period through the mid-20th century. Call 410-260-6400 or use the online search tools at msa.maryland.gov. The MSA research guide at guide.msa.maryland.gov lists the most requested records by county and type. Because St. Mary's County is the oldest county in Maryland, its holdings at the MSA are especially deep and go back to the very start of English settlement in the state.

Under Maryland Code, General Provisions sections 4-101 and following, most public records in Maryland are open to inspection. Death records are legally public after 10 years. Birth records are restricted for 100 years. Marriage records are public with no time restriction. Land records are fully public. Most of the genealogy records you need in St. Mary's County can be accessed without restriction through the MSA or the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Leonardtown.

Cities in St. Mary's County

St. Mary's County does not have any incorporated cities that meet the qualifying population threshold for individual pages. Leonardtown is the county seat. All genealogy records for cities and communities throughout St. Mary's County are held at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Leonardtown and at the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis.

Nearby Counties

St. Mary's County is bordered by Calvert County to the north and Charles County to the northwest. Ancestors often moved between these three southern Maryland counties, so checking neighboring records can fill gaps in your St. Mary's County genealogy research.