Find Wicomico County Genealogy Records
Wicomico County was formed in 1867 from portions of Somerset and Worcester counties, so genealogy research here often requires checking those neighboring counties for records before that date. The Circuit Court in Salisbury holds land records, marriage licenses, and civil documents since the county's founding. This guide covers where to find birth, death, marriage, probate, and land records for Wicomico County family history research.
Wicomico County Overview
Wicomico County Circuit Court
The Circuit Court Clerk in Salisbury handles land records, marriage licenses, civil case files, and other recorded documents for Wicomico County. The office has maintained these records since the county was established in 1867. Staff are available during regular business hours to assist with lookups and copies. All recorded land documents from Wicomico County are accessible free online through MDLandRec.net.
Marriage licenses are issued at the clerk's office in Salisbury. Both parties must provide copies of a government-issued birth certificate. A 48-hour waiting period applies after the license is issued, and the license is valid for six months and only in Wicomico County. Documentation of any prior marriages ending in divorce or death is also required. Call 410-543-6551 before visiting to confirm what you need to bring.
Because Wicomico was carved from Somerset and Worcester in 1867, researchers looking for records of families living in this area before that year need to check Somerset County and Worcester County records, not Wicomico County records.
The Wicomico County Circuit Court page lists current contact information and services for genealogy researchers.
| Address | 101 N. Division Street, Salisbury, MD 21801 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 410-543-6551 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm |
| Website | courts.state.md.us/clerks/wicomico |
Birth and Death Records in Wicomico County
Vital records in Wicomico County follow the same statewide structure as other Maryland counties. The Maryland State Archives holds birth records from 1898 to 1921 and death records from 1898 to 2011. The Maryland Department of Health handles records after those dates. Because the county was only established in 1867, the earliest records here are relatively recent compared to older Maryland counties.
The Maryland Death Index at the MSA covers deaths statewide from 1898 to 2010 and is searchable at msa.maryland.gov. FamilySearch has Maryland Deaths and Burials from 1877 to 1992, which includes Wicomico County entries. For births and deaths in this area before 1867, you will need to search Somerset County and Worcester County records at the Maryland State Archives. Church records from Eastern Shore congregations can provide birth and death information going back well before civil registration. For recent vital records, contact the Maryland Department of Health at 410-764-3038 or visit health.maryland.gov/vsa.
Marriage Records in Wicomico County
Marriage records for Wicomico County date from 1867 when the county was created. The Circuit Court Clerk in Salisbury maintains original marriage license records. The Maryland State Archives holds a statewide marriage index that includes Wicomico County entries from 1867 forward, searchable at msa.maryland.gov.
For families in this area before 1867, marriage records are found in Somerset County or Worcester County depending on where the family lived. Church registers from Eastern Shore congregations are also a strong source for pre-civil-registration marriages. The Reclaim The Records collection at archive.org includes marriage indexes and some marriage certificates for Maryland counties including the lower Eastern Shore, all accessible free without a login. This can be a useful supplement to what the MSA holds.
Wills and Probate Records
The Register of Wills office in Salisbury handles probate matters for Wicomico County. Probate records go back to 1867. Wills, inventories, accounts, and guardianship files from Wicomico County are indexed at the Maryland State Archives and accessible through the MSA's online research tools. The statewide Register of Wills portal at registers.maryland.gov provides online access to current probate filings across all Maryland counties including Wicomico.
For probate records from this area before 1867, check Somerset County and Worcester County holdings at the Maryland State Archives. The Archives of Maryland Online at aomol.msa.maryland.gov includes colonial-era estate records for the counties from which Wicomico was formed. These records are free to search and view online and can help trace early families on the lower Eastern Shore.
Land Records in Wicomico County
All Wicomico County land records are free online through MDLandRec.net at mdlandrec.net. This system covers recorded deeds, mortgages, plats, and other instruments from the county. Free account registration is required. For older records from before 1867, the land records are in Somerset County or Worcester County depending on location. Maryland is the only state in the country with all its land records available free online.
The Wicomico County government website at wicomicocounty.org provides additional local services and property-related contact information. For colonial land patents and early grants in this part of Maryland, the Maryland State Archives holds the original documents and indexes for Somerset and Worcester counties going back to the 17th century.
Research Resources for Wicomico County Genealogy
The Wicomico Public Library in Salisbury maintains local history and genealogy materials for the county. Their collection includes books, periodicals, and other resources specific to the lower Eastern Shore. The Salisbury branch is the primary location for in-person genealogy research in the county.
The Wicomico Public Library in Salisbury holds local history materials and genealogy resources for researchers working on Eastern Shore family history.
The Maryland Historical Society in Baltimore at mdhistory.org holds broader manuscript collections that include Eastern Shore family materials. The Nabb Research Center at Salisbury University at nabbresearchcenter.org focuses specifically on Delmarva Peninsula history and genealogy, making it a particularly useful resource for Wicomico County researchers. The Nabb Center holds a strong collection of local materials not found at state-level repositories.
Using the Maryland State Archives for Wicomico County Research
The Maryland State Archives at 350 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, is the primary repository for Wicomico County genealogy records. Call 410-260-6400 or search online at msa.maryland.gov. The research guide at guide.msa.maryland.gov lists the most requested records by county and type. Because Wicomico is a younger county, researchers often need to also consult Somerset County and Worcester County holdings at the MSA for pre-1867 records.
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 open. Most genealogy records you need from Wicomico County can be accessed through the MSA, MDLandRec.net, or the Circuit Court Clerk in Salisbury.
Cities in Wicomico County
Wicomico County does not have any incorporated cities that meet the qualifying population threshold for individual pages. Salisbury is the county seat. All genealogy records for communities throughout Wicomico County are held at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Salisbury and at the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis.
Nearby Counties
Wicomico County was formed from Somerset and Worcester counties in 1867. It also borders Dorchester County to the north and Caroline County to the northeast. Researchers working on lower Eastern Shore families often need to check records across all these counties, particularly for pre-1867 research.