Howard County Court Records

Maryland court records consist of legal information regarding trial proceedings. These documents are needed for various legal reasons and play a significant role in the court system. Criminal and civil court records are used as evidence in legal disputes to assist attorneys in building their arguments. They are also vital for legal, historical, and genealogical studies and promote transparency and accountability.

Are Court Records Public in Howard County?

The Maryland Public Information Act (PIA) provides citizens and non-citizens with the general right of access to inspect public records while safeguarding lawful government interests and the citizens' privacy rights.

Furthermore, Title 16, Chapter 900 of the Maryland Rules lays out specific guidelines for the public to obtain copies of court records. However, the PIA and the Maryland Rules allow certain court records to be exempted or restricted from public disclosure.

Some court records that are exempted from public disclosure include:

• Juvenile records
• Adoption records
• Records related to the termination of parental rights
• Financial records filed in a spousal or child support case
• Child in need of assistance cases (CINA)
• Specific marriage license details
• Income tax records
• Social Security or federal tax identification numbers
• Name of victims of specific crimes
• Name of persons who requested Peace and Protective Orders
• Emergency mental health evaluations
• Physician reports evaluating the medical condition of an alleged disabled adult.

Howard County Court Records Search

When searching for court records in Howard County, requesters have the following options:

Case Search: This online platform allows users to view a summary of public court cases, including names and addresses of parties, hearing dates and times, and names of documents in court files. Case Search displays records of cases in the District and Circuit Courts in Maryland and the Appellate and Supreme Court of Maryland.

In-Person and Mail Requests: Howard County court records requests can be made in person or by mail to the Howard County Circuit Court Clerk. Regardless of the choice, information seekers must be prepared to show a photo ID for such documents.

Howard County Court Records Search by Name

To perform a name-based search on the Maryland Judiciary’s Case Search, record searchers must follow the steps below:

1. Visit the Maryland Judiciary Case Search page.
2. Review and accept the terms and conditions at the bottom of the page before searching can commence.
3. The website allows users to search by name, case number, or other identifying information.
4. Click on "party search" to reveal the "party name search" option. Next, select the "party type" option and choose "person" to input the first and last name of the individual.
5. Case Search name searches automatically find exact names only. For partial name searches, the requester must input at least the first character of the last name, followed by a % symbol.
6. The search will yield a list of cases that match the criteria selected by the requester. They can click on each case to get detailed information.

Alternatively, requesters may visit the Office of the Circuit Court's Clerk for a name-based search. However, they will have to provide the names of the persons involved or the case number to search for the records of interest.

Searchers must also possess a valid photo ID and pay for copies if necessary. Typically, making copies of court records costs $0.05 per page. Additional fees may apply for certified copies or other specific requests.

Persons wishing to submit in-person record requests at the Circuit Clerk's Office may visit the office at the following address:

Howard County Circuit Court
9250 Judicial Way
Ellicott City, MD 21043
Phone: (410) 313-2111

Howard County Courts

The Maryland trial court system includes Circuit Courts, District Courts, Orphan's Courts, and the Tax Courts. The following are the addresses of the many types of courts that comprise the Howard County court system:

Howard County Circuit Court
Howard County Courthouse
8360 Court Ave, Ellicott City, MD 21043
Phone: (410) 313-2111

Howard County District Court
District Court/Multi-Service Center
3451 Courthouse Dr, Ellicott City, MD 21043
Phone: (410) 480-7700

Howard County Orphans' Court
Howard County Courthouse
8360 Court Ave, Ellicott City, MD 21043
Phone: (410) 313-2133
Fax: (410) 313-3409

Howard County District Court Records

In Howard County, the district court's various court proceedings include landlord/tenant disputes, recovery of wrongfully taken or detained property, traffic violations, misdemeanors, certain felonies, and civil cases involving up to $30,000.

To access records specific to the District Court in Howard County, record searchers may avail themselves of the following options:

Maryland Judiciary Case Search: This search tool enables record seekers to search for district court records by name, case number, or other identifying information. On this platform, searchers can view a summary of public court cases, including names and addresses of parties, hearing dates and times, and names of documents in court files. They can also refine search results with advanced criteria such as court system, case and party types, and file date range.

In-Person Request: Applicants seeking district court records in person from the Clerk’s Office must supply valid identification cards and be ready to pay any applicable copying fees. Obtaining copies of district court records costs $0.50 per page for plain copies and $5.00 for each certified copy.

Howard County Criminal Records

Interested members of the public may obtain Howard County arrest and criminal records from the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS)–—the state's central repository for criminal history records.

Individuals residing within the state may visit an approved fingerprinting service to have their fingerprints taken. Those requesting a copy of their Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) criminal history must send their application directly to the FBI.

Applicants residing outside Maryland may request a fingerprint card by writing to the CJIS at the following address:

Criminal Justice Information System - Central Repository
P.O. Box 32708, Pikesville,
Maryland 21282-2708

They can also call the agency at (410) 764-4501 or via the toll-free number (888) 795-0011.

Subsequently, applicants should mail their fingerprints and necessary fees ($18.00 for mail-in requests and $38.00 for in-person requests) to the Criminal Justice Information System - Central at the address above. Applications may also be sent overnight to the Criminal Justice Information System - Central Repository at 6776 Reisterstown Road, Suite 217, Baltimore, Maryland 21215 - 2346.

The CJIS typically responds to applications within 10-15 days of receiving applicants’ fingerprint cards.

Howard County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Howard County residents can utilize Case Search on the Maryland Judiciary website to locate criminal court cases. To search, the user must specify the following criteria:

1. Choose the option to search by name or case number.
2. Click on "Party Name Search" to access the "Advanced Search" option.
3. Under Advanced Search, select "All Court" under the court system option and "Criminal" under case type, and click "Search" to access criminal case records in all Maryland trial courts.

The search will yield a list of cases that match the criteria selected by the requester. They can click on each case to get detailed information.

Individuals who want to check up on criminal court cases in Howard County can also contact the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court, which is the official record custodian for all criminal court proceedings.

Get Howard County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Howard County cover various legal processes, including property disputes such as foreclosures and liens. The court also oversees family law matters concerning divorces, child support and custody, and other civil issues like adoptions, guardianships, name changes, torts, and liens.

Inquirers seeking Howard County civil court documents can visit Maryland Judiciary's Case Search to access civil court records from the state's trial court system. They can search by name or case number. The platform provides information that includes parties' names, dates of birth, trial dates, and dispositions.

Requesters may also visit the Clerk's Office at 9250 Judicial Way, Ellicott City, MD 21043, to request their record during office hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They must also supply an ID for authentication.

Howard County Family Court Records

Howard County's trial court system does not have a distinct family court. As a result, the circuit court handles most domestic relations issues, such as child support, domestic violence, and divorce.

Record searchers seeking public Howard County family court records can visit the Office of the Circuit Clerk to inquire about such documents. The Office may restrict access to family court records related to juvenile and adoption cases. Interested persons may visit the Administrative Office of Courts’s website for information on family court-related matters.

Howard County Marriage and Divorce Records

Marriage Records

Requesters seeking Maryland marriage records from the Division of Vital Records (DVR) of the Maryland Department of Health (MDH). The DVR maintains records of marriages on or after January 1, 2007.

For marriages performed before January 1, 2007, record searchers should contact the Howard County Circuit Court Clerk's Office or the Maryland State Archives.

Eligible individuals who wish to acquire an existing Howard County marriage certificate must pay a non-refundable $12.00 fee for a certified copy, $13.00 for internet orders, and $20.00 for expedited shipping orders via the Internet.

Accepted payment methods for mail orders are checks or money orders payable to the DVR. Whether paying in the DVR Lobby or online, applicants can make payments with all major credit cards, such as Mastercard, VISA, and Discover.

Eligible applicants can request Howard County marriage certificates online, in person, or by mail. Applicants who have filled out a marriage certificate application form along with the required fee and a valid I.D. can submit their request packets to:

Division of Vital Records
P.O. Box 68760
Baltimore, MD 21215-0036.

Divorce Records

Individuals wishing to obtain copies of their divorce judgment must possess their case number. If they do not have the case number, they can call the Howard County Courthouse to ask a clerk’s office staff member for assistance in looking up the case number with their name.

Subsequently, the applicant may visit the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office to make their request in person. The Clerk’s Office requires requesters to show a valid photo ID. The Office allows records to be inspected for free, but record seekers must pay the necessary copies to obtain copies of their divorce judgment.

Howard Birth and Death Records

In Howard County, requesters can obtain certified copies of birth records of less than 100 years from the Division of Vital Records (DVR) of the Maryland Department of Health (MDH). Birth records older than 100 years are obtainable from the Maryland State Archives.

Similarly, the DVR issues certified copies of death certificates for persons who died in the state in 2012 or later. Requesters should contact the Maryland State Archives for death records before 2012.

To obtain a birth or death certificate, an applicant must provide detailed information such as the person's full name at birth or death, date of birth or death, gender, county/city of birth or death, hospital of birth or death, the complete names of the parents, applicant's name, authorization, relationship to the person whose certificate is being requested, mailing address, and daytime phone number.

In Howard County, birth certificates can be requested by the person identified on the certificate, their parents, court-appointed guardians, a surviving spouse, or a representative of the individual or parent named on the certificate, or the court-appointed guardian. However, death certificates can be requested by the surviving relatives or authorized representatives of the deceased, as well as funeral directors responsible for the final disposition.

Howard County birth certificates cost $10.00 per copy, while the fee for the first paid copy of a death certificate costs $10.00. Each additional copy of a death certificate costs $12.00.

Applicants seeking Howard County birth and death certificates may place their orders online, by mail, or in person. For further details on how to apply online or in person, they may visit the Vital Statistics Administration website at www.health.maryland.gov/vsa.

When ordering by mail, applicants must send a completed application, a readable copy of their identification, a self-addressed envelope, and a check or money order payable to the Division of Vital Records at the following address:

Division of Vital Records
P.O. Box 68760
Baltimore, Maryland
21215-0036

Birth and death records are essential documents that serve various legal purposes. They are vital for establishing identity, applying for passports, enrolling in school, and obtaining benefits. Additionally, they are valuable tools for genealogical research, providing information on family history and heritage. Death records, in particular, are critical for settling estates and conducting historical and epidemiological research.

Howard County Probate Court Records

In Maryland, the Orphans’ Court handles probate affairs, including estate administration. Howard County probate records encompass different estate cases, such as small and regular estates, foreign proceedings, motor vehicle transfers, non-probate property, and unprobated wills.

The court deals with various legal problems, such as estate administration, guardianship, conservatorship, adoption proceedings, name changes, and will disputes.

Individuals who wish to receive any of the records mentioned above should visit the Register of Wills' Office at the following address:

Register of Wills
9250 Judicial Way, Suite 1100
Ellicott City, MD 21043
Phone: (410) 313-2133
Email: HowardCountyROW@registers.maryland.gov

Hours of Operation - 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except legal holidays.

Alternatively, record searchers can use EstateSearch to look at estate records maintained by the Maryland Registers of Wills. This search tool provides the public internet access to information including the decedent's name, estate number and status, date of death, date of filing, personal representative, attorney, decedent alias, and docket history.

Howard County Property Records

Individuals seeking property records in Howard County may use the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) Real Property Data Search. This search tool allows users to look up property information by address, street name, account identifier, or map reference.

This database provides some property details, including information about property ownership, boundaries, transactions, property taxes, and geographic data.

Alternatively, requesters may wish to access property records through the Land Records Department of the Circuit Court Clerk's Office. They can inspect property records for free but must pay a fee to obtain copies.

The Land Records Department is located at:

9250 Judicial Way
Suite 1900
Ellicott City, MD 21043
Phone: (410) 313-5850

Howard County Court Records Online

Members of the public may be able to access records online by visiting the Howard County Clerk of Court website or the Maryland Judiciary's online portal. Alternatively, third-party online repositories such as marylandcourtrecords.us may offer seamless access to Howard County court records with an internet connection, saving time and effort for people who might not wish to visit the courthouse in person. These platforms usually have easy-to-use interfaces that enable users to quickly search for particular cases or persons. However, such sites operate independently of government agencies. As such, sought records may be inaccurate, unavailable, or incomplete.