Washington County Sex Offenders
Washington County sex offender records are kept by the Washington County Sheriff's Office and accessible through Maryland's statewide registry. You can search registered sex offenders in Washington County by name, address, or ZIP code at no cost using the tool maintained by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. This page covers how to search the registry, local registration contacts at the Sheriff's Office in Hagerstown, court resources, and victim services in Washington County.
Washington County Overview
Search Washington County Sex Offender Records
The Maryland sex offender registry is the central tool for searching registered sex offenders in Washington County. The registry is free and does not require any account or login. The Maryland DPSCS registry lets you search by county, name, ZIP code, or address. When you pick Washington County in the county filter, you get results for every registered offender currently listed with a Washington County address. Each result shows a photo, current home address, tier level, offense description, and compliance status.
ZIP code searches work well for checking neighborhoods in Hagerstown, Hagerstown's surrounding communities, or more rural parts of Washington County. Enter a ZIP code, choose a radius from 0.25 to five miles, and the system returns a list with a map. The map pins each offender's registered address. You can also use the filter to show only non-compliant offenders, which flags anyone who has not met their registration obligations.
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal lets you search court records tied to sex offense cases from Washington County. The screenshot below shows that portal, which covers both Circuit and District Court records.
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search is available free of charge and accessible around the clock. Search by name or case number to pull charge details, hearing dates, and disposition records from Washington County courts. This tool is separate from the sex offender registry and covers a wider range of criminal case data.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office also maintains a public records portal through GovQuest. You can access it at records.govquest.com/washington-county-sheriff/publicportal for certain types of county law enforcement records. This portal is useful for incident reports and related documents that fall under the Maryland Public Information Act.
The Maryland DPSCS registry shown below covers Washington County data and is updated as offenders report changes to their registration information.
The statewide registry reflects current data because registrants must report any change within three days. Compliance with that deadline is enforced through the Washington County Sheriff's Office.
Washington County Sheriff's Office
The Washington County Sheriff's Office is the local registration unit for sex offenders in the county. All registered sex offenders with a Washington County address must register and complete their periodic check-ins at the Sheriff's headquarters in Hagerstown. Registration is handled through the Criminal Investigations Division. Contact CID directly to ask about appointment requirements, which may change over time.
Under CP § 11-705, all new registrants must appear within three days of being released from a correctional facility, starting community supervision, or moving into Maryland. This three-day window applies in Washington County the same as in any other Maryland county. Changes to address, employment, school, vehicle registration, phone number, or email address must also be reported within three days of the change.
The Sheriff's headquarters is at 500 Western Maryland Parkway, Hagerstown, MD 21740. The main number is 240-313-2100. For records and registration inquiries, call the records unit at 240-313-2180. The county government website at washco-md.net links to department contacts and public safety resources.
| Sheriff's Office Address | 500 Western Maryland Parkway, Hagerstown, MD 21740 |
|---|---|
| Main Phone | 240-313-2100 |
| Records Line | 240-313-2180 |
| Registration Contact | Criminal Investigations Division (CID) |
Washington County Court Records
Washington County is served by a Circuit Court and a District Court, both of which handle cases connected to sex offender registrations. The Circuit Court processes felony-level sex offense cases, including first and second degree rape, first and second degree sex offense, and other Tier III charges. The District Court handles misdemeanor offenses, preliminary hearings for felony cases, and protective order matters. Records from both courts can be searched for free through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system.
The Circuit Court for Washington County is located in Hagerstown and can be reached at 240-313-3310. The District Court uses the same phone number. Copy fees are $0.50 per page for standard copies and $5.00 for certified copies. You can appear in person at the clerk's office in Hagerstown to request access to specific case files. Most records are public unless sealed by court order.
Under CP § 11-721, failing to register as a sex offender in Washington County is a criminal matter. A first offense is a misdemeanor with up to three years in jail and a $5,000 fine. A second or later offense is a felony with up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. These cases are prosecuted in Washington County's Circuit and District Courts depending on the charge severity.
Sex Offender Registration in Washington County
Maryland's three-tier system governs how long each offender must remain registered and how often they must appear in person for verification. Tier I offenders register for 15 years and verify every six months. Tier II requires 25 years of registration with six-month check-ins. Tier III offenders register for life and must appear every three months. Under CP § 11-707, these requirements apply uniformly across Maryland, including Washington County. Sexually violent predators register for life and verify every 90 days.
Offenders without a fixed address in Washington County must register once per week for the duration of their homelessness. Weekly check-ins happen at the Sheriff's Office in Hagerstown. Even when homeless, any change in where a person is staying must still be reported within three days. This weekly requirement helps law enforcement maintain current information on offenders who do not have a stable home.
Washington County residents can monitor their neighborhood for free through the Maryland Sex Offender Alert Line at 1-866-559-8017. Call the line, provide your phone number, and enter the ZIP code you want to watch. The system calls you when a registered offender moves into that monitored area. This service works for any Maryland ZIP code and costs nothing to use.
Under CP § 11-722, registered sex offenders in Washington County are prohibited from entering school or daycare property without the permission of the principal or owner. Violations of this restriction carry criminal charges separate from any registration offense. This applies to all public and private schools and licensed childcare facilities in the county.
Under CP § 11-717, registration statements are public records. You can request a copy of a specific person's statement in writing from SORU at P.O. Box 5743, Pikesville, MD 21282-5743. SORU can also be reached at 410-585-3600 or by fax at 410-653-5690. The unit has up to 30 working days to respond under state law.
Victim Services in Washington County
REACH, the primary victim services organization for Washington County, provides crisis support, counseling, and advocacy for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. Their 24-hour hotline is 301-791-8007. REACH serves residents throughout Washington County, including Hagerstown and surrounding communities. All calls are confidential. You do not need to report to law enforcement to receive services from REACH.
VINE at VineLink provides free custody status notifications for anyone who wants to track when an offender is released from a Maryland correctional facility. Register by phone, text, or email and receive alerts any time an offender's custody status changes. This service is fully automated and available around the clock.
The National Sex Offender Public Website lets you check registries across all 50 states in a single search. This is useful when you need to look up someone who has lived in multiple states or who may have a registration in another jurisdiction. NSOPW pulls data directly from each state's official registry, including Maryland's.
Note: REACH's 24-hour crisis line at 301-791-8007 serves all of Washington County and is confidential. You do not need to file a police report to reach out for support.
Nearby Counties
Washington County borders several other Maryland counties in the western part of the state. Sex offenders who move across county lines must re-register with the new county's law enforcement within three days.