Howard County, Maryland Court Records
Howard County court records are official documents created and maintained by the judicial system in connection with legal proceedings and recorded in the county's courts. These Court records may include case files, docket sheets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, sentencing records, transcripts, and exhibits. Court records are produced from court proceedings and are therefore maintained by the clerk of the court in which the case was filed. The agencies responsible for maintaining these records are the Circuit Court for Howard County, the District Court of Maryland for Howard County, and the Orphans' Court for Howard County, which treats probate and estate administration matters.
Are Howard County Court Records Public?
Howard County court records are presumptively open under Maryland law. The Maryland Public Information Act (§ 4-101 et seq. of the General Provisions Article) demonstrates the general right of the public to access government records. However, some judicial records are subject to specific exemptions, and the visibility and transparency of these records are subject to several laws. They may include cases involving juvenile records or sensitive information that may be sealed. The Maryland rules on Access to Judicial Recordsoutline the procedures for accessing court records, including requirements for a court order. The records that may be unavailable are sealed records by Court order, adoption records, and certain mental health and medical records submitted as exhibits.
What Information is Available in Howard County Court Records?
The following categories of court records are available to members of the public.
- Most civil case files, including complaints, answers, and supporting documents;
- Criminal case files following the filing of charges.
- Judgments and court orders;
- Docket sheets reflecting the procedural history of a case;
- Hearing schedules and calendars;
- Sentencing records in criminal matters.
Howard County Court Records Search
Interested persons who need directions on how to find court records in Howard County may utilize the following methods:
Online Access
To access online, visit the Maryland Judiciary case search website, the official portal for searching court records. Through this platform, you can search for case information by entering details such as names and case numbers.
- Navigate to the Maryland Judiciary Case Search website.
- Select the search type.
- Enter the relevant search terms and select "Howard County" as jurisdiction if filtering by county.
- Review the list of matching cases and select the appropriate case to view docket entries.
- Note that some documents may require an in- person visit to the clerk's office.
In-Person Access
For records that are not available online, you can visit the Howard County Circuit Court or the District Court.
- Identify the courts in which the case was filed, then visit the clerk's office at the appropriate courthouse during public counter hours.
- Then provide the case number, party name, or other identifying information to the clerk.
- Complete any required request forms provided by the clerk's office.
- Pay applicable copying or certification fees.
Mail and Phone Requests
Individuals who wish to request court records in Howard County via mail or phone may take the following steps:
- Make a request in writing, identifying the case name, number, and filing date.
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order for applicable fees.
- Mail the request to the clerk of the appropriate court.
Fees for Court Records in Howard County
Public court records in Howard County are free. Fees required for certified copies of court records follow the fee schedule provided under the state's court rules. Requesters are required to pay a fee of $0.50 per page for each copy that the clerk or any record seeker makes. Additionally, a $5 fee is charged for each certified copy. Furthermore, individuals seeking official court transcripts are required to pay a fee of $3 per page.
Howard County Courthouse Locations
Below is a list of courts operating in Howard County, along with their location and contact information
Howard County Circuit Court
Howard County Courthouse
8360 Court Avenue
Ellicott City, MD 21043
Phone: (410) 313-2111
Howard County District Court
District Court/Multi-Service Center
3451 Courthouse Drive
Ellicott City, MD 21043
Phone: (410) 480-7700
Howard County Orphans' Court
Howard County Courthouse
8360 Court Avenue
Ellicott City, MD 21043
Phone: (410) 313-2133
Fax: (410) 313-3409
Criminal Records Access in Howard County
The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services provides members of the public with criminal history check services through its Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Central Repository. To request a personal background check, submit the CJIS 015 Form to the CJIS - Central Repository, along with a check or money order for $18.00 for a request for an Individual Review Background Check. The result of the background check is mailed out in less than 10 working days from receipt of the initial approved application. Alternatively, members of the public may obtain criminal records of cases filed locally through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search or at the Clerk's Office.
Howard County Probate Records
The Howard County Register of Wills Office is primarily responsible for the maintenance of probate records filed within the county. Howard County probate records are files that record the legal process involved in settling a deceased person's estate. These records are available to the public and can be accessed through the Maryland Register of Wills website. Interested persons may conduct an Estate Search or a Claim Search online. The public has access to these records unless specific exemptions apply.
A will is a legal document in which a person states what should happen to their property after their death. A trust is an arrangement in which property is held and managed by a trustee for beneficiaries. A guardianship involves someone being legally appointed to manage the affairs of another person who cannot adequately manage them independently. A Conservatorship is generally concerned with the management of a person's financial and property affairs when that person cannot manage them adequately themselves.
Howard County Family Court Records
In Howard County, family law cases such as divorce, custody, and support are handled by the Family Law Office in the Circuit Court for Howard County. Records are available to the public online and by in-person visitation to the courthouse. Interested persons may utilize the Maryland Case Search portal for basic information such as dockets, hearing dates, and outcomes for cases that are not restricted from the public.
You can obtain full documents, including petitions and decrees, by contacting the courthouse in person, via phone, or via mail. Individuals who wish to request a record in person may access complete records through the public computer terminals or by requesting help from the staff. Those who wish to request certified copies may be required to fill out a form and pay a fee. To request via mail, provide a self-addressed stamped envelope to help quicken the delivery. However, it is important to note that access to sensitive records like adoption or certain custody details may require an order from the court.
Federal Court Records in Howard County.
In Howard County, federal court records are restricted to specific federal-related instruments like federal tax liens and federal district court judgments, which are recorded with the circuit county court clerk. Local county courts don't treat federal court records for Howard County. Rather, they are handled by theU.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. To access federal court records in Howard County, contact the Federal District Court Clerk's Office or utilize the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER). Registered users may log in to search for a case by specific court, national index, court opinions, and phone access to court records.
