Baltimore County Court Records

Baltimore County court records are documents and materials pertaining to legal proceedings conducted within the jurisdiction of Baltimore County, Maryland. These records serve as vital documentation of judicial actions, providing insight into various legal matters that have transpired within the county's courts. They help to maintain transparency, preserve legal history, and facilitate access to information pertinent to past and ongoing cases (Maryland Rules of Procedure 16-901(e)).

Court records typically contain a diverse array of information, including but not limited to:

• Case filings and documents related to civil, criminal, family, and probate proceedings
• Court orders, judgments, and rulings issued by judges
• Litigants' names, legal representatives, and parties involved in the case
• Dates and details of hearings, trials, and other court proceedings
• Evidence, exhibits, and pleadings submitted by parties to the case
• Transcripts or recordings of court proceedings
• Financial and property-related information relevant to the case, such as fines, fees, or asset disclosures.

Are Court Records Public in Baltimore County?

Yes. Court records in Baltimore County are generally considered public records. The Maryland Rules of Procedure outline the guidelines for accessing court records. While court records are generally open to the public, certain restrictions or limitations may apply to accessing specific types of information within these records. For instance:

• Personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and certain contact details may be redacted or shielded from public view to protect individuals' privacy.
• Information related to certain sensitive cases, such as those involving domestic violence, juvenile delinquency, or victims of crime, may be subject to additional restrictions on public access to safeguard the interests and safety of individuals involved.

Additionally, individuals seeking access to court records may need to follow specific procedures or obtain court orders for certain types of information, especially when dealing with sensitive or confidential matters.

Baltimore County Court Records Search

Baltimore County court records general search can be performed using the following options:

• Circuit Court Clerk's Offices
• District Court Clerk's Offices
• Searchable Online databases provided by the court
• Maryland State Archives
• Appellate Court of Maryland Judicial Records Requests
• Supreme Court of Maryland Judicial Records Requests
• Third-party websites.

Baltimore County Court Records Search by Name

To conduct a name-based search for court records in Baltimore County, individuals can utilize the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system. This system enables users to search for court records by entering the name of the person of interest. The process for conducting a name-based search with the case search system is as follows:

• Enter Name: Input the name of the person being searched into the designated search fields. Users can refine their search by providing additional information such as the birthdate if known.
• Search Results: After entering the name and any additional details, click on the search button. The system will generate a list of court cases associated with the name provided.
• View Details: Select the specific case of interest from the search results to access more detailed information about the court record.

While the Maryland Judiciary Case Search is typically free for searching and viewing court records, there may be fees associated with obtaining copies of specific documents or records from the court clerk's office.

If individuals require more detailed information or physical copies of court records, they may need to visit the courthouse where the case was heard. Contact the courthouse directly for information regarding fees and procedures for obtaining court records in person.

Baltimore County Courts

The Baltimore County court system comprises two types of trial courts: Circuit Court and District Court. The following are the contact details for the courthouses in Baltimore County:

Baltimore County Circuit Court
Baltimore County Courts Building
401 Bosley Avenue
Towson, MD 21204
Phone: (410) 887-2601
Fax: (410) 887-3062

District Courts in Baltimore County
Baltimore County District Court - Catonsville
900 Walker Avenue
Catonsville, MD 21228
Phone: (410) 512-2500

Baltimore County District Court - Essex
8914 Kelso Drive
Essex, MD 21221
Phone: (410) 512-2300

Baltimore County District Court - Towson
120 East Chesapeake Avenue
Towson, MD 21286
Phone: (410) 512-2000

Baltimore County Orphans' Court
Baltimore County Courts Building
401 Bosley Avenue
Towson, MD 21204
Phone: (410) 887-6680
Fax: (410) 583-2517

Baltimore County Circuit Court Case Search

The Baltimore Circuit Court is a court of general jurisdiction and adjudicates criminal and civil cases. Individuals can use the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system to search Circuit court records. This online database enables users to search for court cases using various criteria, including case number, party name, attorney name, or specific case details.

Baltimore County District Court Records

The District Court of Baltimore County adjudicates civil and criminal cases, including landlord-tenant disputes, replevin actions, motor vehicle violations, misdemeanors, and specific felony cases. In civil matters, the District Court has exclusive jurisdiction over claims of $5,000 or less and concurrent jurisdiction with circuit courts for claims between $5,000 and $30,000. For criminal cases, the District Court shares jurisdiction with circuit courts for offenses that may result in confinement of 3 years or more or a fine of $2,500 or more, as well as certain felonies. Notably, the District Court does not conduct jury trials.

To view or obtain copies of judicial records, individuals should contact the Clerk's Office at the courthouse where the case was filed or the hearing or trial occurred. Certain case records may not be physically housed at the court location, as determined by the District Court's Records Retention and Disposal Schedule. The CaseSearch portal, managed by the Administrative Office of the Courts, also offers remote access to judicial records.

Baltimore County Criminal Records

Interested members of the public can also obtain a Maryland criminal record through the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) maintained by the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS). This search is fingerprint-based and only limited to the subjects of the criminal records. In other words, third parties may not obtain criminal history records on someone else without authorization. The DPSCS charges $18 for this service. Inquirers may also access Baltimore County Arrest records through county and state law enforcement offices.

Baltimore County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Criminal court case information is accessible through the Baltimore Circuit Court's online daily docket system. This system provides detailed records of criminal cases, including case numbers, parties involved, assigned judges, and scheduled court dates. By utilizing the court's docket search feature, individuals can obtain essential information about specific criminal cases within the jurisdiction.

Get Baltimore County Civil Court Records

The process of accessing civil court records in Baltimore County is as follows:

• Identify the Custodian: Civil court records are typically maintained by the Clerk's office at the courthouse where the case was filed or heard.
• Contact the Clerk's Office: Contact the Clerk's office of the Circuit Court in Baltimore County to inquire about accessing civil court records. Provide relevant details such as case numbers, parties involved, or specific information related to the records.
• Submit a Request: Submit a formal request to the Clerk's office indicating the specific civil court records needed. The request may require specific details about the case to facilitate the search process.
• Review the Records: Once the request is processed, individuals may review the civil court records either in person at the courthouse or by obtaining copies of the documents.

The following are the types of Civil Court Records that may be found in Baltimore County:

• Civil lawsuits
• Family law cases (e.g., divorce, child custody)
• Small claims disputes
• Landlord-tenant disputes
• Probate and estate matters
• Contract disputes
• Personal injury cases.

Baltimore County Family Court Records

In Baltimore County, family law cases are typically heard in the Circuit Court. These cases encompass various aspects of family law, including divorce, child custody and visitation, child support, adoption, guardianship, domestic violence, and other related matters. Baltimore County does not have a separate family court but handles family law cases within the Circuit Court system.

To obtain family court records in Baltimore County, visit the Clerk's office to submit a request. The request should include relevant details such as case numbers, parties involved, or specific information related to the records sought.

Generally, family court records are open to the public for viewing. However, certain records may have restrictions based on confidentiality or sensitive information. Eligibility to access these records may depend on the nature of the case and the relationship of the requester to the parties involved.

Baltimore Dissolution of Marriage Records

Accessing records related to the dissolution of marriage in Baltimore County requires contacting the Clerk of the Court for Baltimore County; specifically, the Circuit Court where these records are maintained.

Baltimore County Marriage and Divorce Records

To obtain marriage or divorce records in Baltimore County, contact the Clerk of the Court that issued the marriage license or processed the divorce petition. To request a marriage certificate by mail or email, applicants must provide the full names of the couple, date of marriage, and acceptable payment for the $5.50 fee.

To request divorce decrees or annulments by mail or email, include the case number (if available) or full names of both parties, specify divorce decree or annulment, and enclose a check or money order for $.50 per page (plus an additional $5 for a certified copy) payable to the Clerk of the Court.

Payment for records can be made via cash, check, money order (payable to Clerk of the Court), VISA, MasterCard, or Discover credit card. Debit cards are not accepted. The request can be mailed to the Clerk's Office using the address given below:

Baltimore County Clerk's Office
P.O. Box 6754
Towson, Maryland 21285-6754

The Maryland Vital Statistics Administration also offers divorce or annulment verification for $12 plus processing fees. The verification includes the names of the persons divorced, the type of divorce action, the county, and the date of the decree but does not provide the official divorce decree or annulment of marriage.

Baltimore County Birth and Death Records

Accessing birth and death records in Baltimore County is facilitated through the Division of Vital Records of the Maryland Department of Health. The Division's lobby operates by appointment only, and individuals can also order certificates by mail or through designated local health departments.

Eligible applicants for birth certificates include the individual themselves, the parents listed on the certificate, court-appointed guardians, surviving spouses, or authorized representatives with a notarized letter of permission. For death certificates, only surviving relatives, authorized representatives of the deceased, or funeral directors may access them.

Access to these records is subject to state laws, often requiring proof of relationship or appropriate authorization. Requests can be submitted in person by appointment, via mail, or at local health departments.

Baltimore County Probate Court Records

Probate court records in Baltimore County pertain to wills and estate administration and related matters. The Register of Wills Office is the custodian of Baltimore County probate records:

County Courts Building
401 Bosley Avenue
Room 500
Towson, Maryland 21204
Phone: (410) 887-6680

To obtain probate records, visit or call the Register of Wills Office to inquire about accessing probate court records. Requestors must provide specific details about the case or estate, including the decedent's name and case number if known. In addition, requestors may have to pay search and copying fees.

Certain probate court records may be subject to privacy laws or restrictions, and not all information may be readily accessible to the public.

Baltimore County Property Records

Accessing property records in Baltimore County involves visiting the Land Records Division of the Circuit Court Clerk's Office or using the property data system maintained by the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation.

These offices maintain comprehensive records related to real property within the county. Property records contain a wealth of information, including details about property ownership, transfers, liens, mortgages, deeds, and related legal documents.

Baltimore County Court Records Online

Members of the public may also obtain Baltimore County Court Records online using official government portals and third-party online resources like Marylandcourtrecords.us. These platforms enable individuals to conveniently search for court information using criteria such as case numbers or party names. Third-party online resources offer benefits like user-friendly interfaces, efficiency, and additional features, including advanced search filters and document retrieval services.

However, the use of third-party online resources is not without limitations. They may not always provide current or accurate information compared to official court databases. Furthermore, accessing detailed court records or specific features on these platforms may necessitate payment or subscription fees. Users are advised to exercise caution regarding privacy policies and data security measures on third-party websites to protect sensitive information. Additionally, certain court records, particularly those that are sealed, confidential, or restricted by law, may not be available through online resources.