Court Records in Baltimore County
Baltimore County court records are filed with the Circuit Court Clerk in Towson and cover civil, criminal, family, juvenile, land, and licensing matters. The county has one of the most active court systems in Maryland, with multiple District Court locations across the county in addition to the Circuit Court. You can search Baltimore County court records free through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search, or visit the Towson courthouse in person. This page explains how to find records, what they include, and how to get copies.
Baltimore County Court Records Overview
Baltimore County Circuit Court Clerk
Julie L. Ensor is the Circuit Court Clerk for Baltimore County. The courthouse is at 401 Bosley Avenue, Towson, MD 21204. For mail, use P.O. Box 6754, Towson, MD 21285-6754. The main number is 410-887-2601. Toll-free callers can reach the office at 1-800-938-5802. Fax is 410-887-3062. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Baltimore County has one of the most specialized clerk setups in Maryland. Many departments have their own direct numbers. Civil matters: 410-887-2622. Criminal: 410-887-2625. Family Law: 410-887-2614. Juvenile: 410-887-3836. Land Records Recording: 410-887-2651. Land Records Indexing: 410-887-3088. Expungement: 410-887-3090. Adoption: 410-887-3069. Appeals: 410-887-2657. Child Support: 410-887-7670. Foreclosure: 410-887-2652. Judicial Records: 410-887-3494. Licenses: 410-887-2607.
The office also accepts email for specific record requests. For case documents, send to ccbaltcoclerkrecords@mdcourts.gov. For marriage certificate questions, use ccbaltcoclerklicensing@mdcourts.gov. Baltimore County is its own judicial circuit, designated the 3rd, along with Harford County. The Baltimore County Clerk's page on the Maryland Judiciary site lists all departments and contact details.
District Courts in Baltimore County
Three District Court locations serve Baltimore County. The Towson District Court is at 120 East Chesapeake Avenue and can be reached at 410-512-2121. Catonsville District Court is at 1 Rolling Cross Road. The Essex location at 8914 Kelso Drive operates a 24/7 commissioner station and can be reached at 410-512-2300. Each location handles lower-level civil and criminal matters. Their records are separate from Circuit Court files but are searchable through the same statewide Maryland Judiciary Case Search.
Searching Baltimore County Court Records Online
Use the Maryland Judiciary Case Search to look up Baltimore County court records for free. Criminal records in the system go back to 1984 for this county. Civil records date to 1995. You can search by name, case number, or citation. The system updates overnight, so very recent filings may not appear immediately. Partial name searches work by adding a percent sign after a name.
Search results show case numbers, party names, filing dates, docket entries, hearing dates, and dispositions. The system does not provide document images or transcripts, and sealed or expunged cases do not appear. As of 2024, cases ending in dismissal, nolle prosequi, or acquittal were removed from public view statewide. Stet cases three or more years old were also taken down. The physical records still exist at the courthouse and can be accessed in person.
Note: Personal out-of-state checks, debit cards at the criminal division, and personal checks for criminal fines or costs are not accepted at the Baltimore County Circuit Court.
What Baltimore County Court Records Contain
The range of court records in Baltimore County is wide. Criminal files include charges, hearing records, verdicts, and sentencing details. Civil records cover lawsuits, contract disputes, property damage claims, and debt collection cases. Family law records document divorces, custody agreements, support orders, and protective orders. Land records include deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and foreclosure filings. Adoption records exist but are sealed. Juvenile records are also restricted under Maryland law.
Foreclosure files have their own department at the clerk's office. Given the volume of foreclosure cases in a large county like Baltimore, the dedicated line at 410-887-2652 handles those requests separately. Expungement filings also have a direct line at 410-887-3090. These specialized departments reflect how large and varied the court record system is in Baltimore County compared to smaller jurisdictions in the state.
Getting Copies of Baltimore County Records
Standard copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies run $5.00 to $5.50 per document plus $0.50 per page. Exemplified copies with a triple seal cost $10.00 plus $0.50 per page. Audio recordings cost $25 per CD or USB. Transcripts are $3.00 per page. Mail requests add $2.00 unless you include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Payment can be made by cash, money order, or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover). American Express is not accepted. Personal checks from out of state are not accepted. At the criminal division, debit cards are not accepted and personal checks for criminal fines or costs are also not allowed. Plan accordingly before visiting or sending a mail request. The Judicial Records department at 410-887-3494 handles requests for court case records specifically.
Legal Resources for Baltimore County
The Maryland Courts Self-Help Center at 410-260-1392 is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM, and offers chat support at mdcourts.gov. They can explain court procedures and help you find forms, but they do not give legal advice. Maryland Legal Aid provides free civil legal services to low-income residents in Baltimore County. The People's Law Library has free self-help guides on Maryland civil law topics. For legal research, the Thurgood Marshall State Law Library at 361 Rowe Boulevard in Annapolis is open to the public.
Baltimore County Court Records Reference
The Maryland Judiciary homepage serves as the central hub for all court-related services in the state, including links to the Case Search portal, MDEC e-filing, forms, and court directories.
From this page, you can navigate to the Case Search tool, court forms, and the directory for Baltimore County courts and clerk contact information.
Cities in Baltimore County
Two qualifying cities in Baltimore County have their own court records pages.
Nearby Counties
Baltimore County borders several other Maryland counties. Use these links to find court records information for neighboring jurisdictions.