Find Harford County Court Records
Harford County court records are filed and maintained at the Circuit Court in Bel Air, where Clerk Michelle L. Karczeski handles civil, criminal, family, juvenile, land, and licensing matters. The county holds land records going back to 1773 and runs two specialty courts: an Adult Opiate Recovery Court and a Mental Health Court. You can search Harford County court records for free through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search, or visit the courthouse at 20 West Courtland Street during business hours. This page explains how to find records, what they contain, and how to get copies.
Harford County Court Records Overview
Harford County Circuit Court Clerk
Michelle L. Karczeski is the Circuit Court Clerk for Harford County. The main courthouse is at 20 West Courtland Street, Bel Air, MD 21014. Phone: 410-838-4952 or 410-638-3426. Toll-free: 1-800-989-8296. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The Licensing Department is at a separate address: 24 Office Street, Bel Air, which is just down the street from the main courthouse.
Each department has its own direct line. Accounting: 410-638-3246. Courtroom Clerks: 410-638-3040. Criminal: 410-638-3472. Family and Civil: 410-638-3430. Juvenile: 410-638-3469. Land Records: 410-638-3474. License: 410-638-3248 or 410-638-3586. Notary: 410-638-3489. Harford County is in the 3rd Judicial Circuit with Baltimore County. The Harford County Clerk's page on the Maryland court site has current contact information. The county's circuit court page on the Maryland Judiciary site also provides resources for filers.
Note: Prohibited items in the Harford County courthouse include guns, scissors, pepper spray, knives, sharp objects, and hazardous items; check before visiting to avoid delays at security.
Harford County District Court
The Harford County District Court is at 2 South Bond Street, Bel Air, MD 21014. You can reach it at 410-836-4545. The District Court handles lower-level civil and criminal cases, small claims, traffic violations, and peace orders. District Court records are separate from Circuit Court files but can be searched through the same Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal. If you are not sure which court handles your type of case, call the Self-Help Legal Assistance line at 410-621-7582, which is available for Harford County residents.
Specialty Courts in Harford County
Harford County operates two problem-solving courts. The Adult Opiate Recovery Court focuses on cases involving opioid dependency and works to connect defendants with treatment programs as an alternative to traditional sentencing. The Mental Health Court handles cases where mental illness is a significant factor and aims to route individuals toward treatment rather than incarceration. These courts generate their own records within the Circuit Court system, though access to specific case details may be limited.
How to Search Harford County Records Online
Use the free Maryland Judiciary Case Search to look up Harford County court records. Criminal records in the system go back to 1989. You can search by name, case number, or citation. Adding a percent sign after a name broadens partial name searches. Filter by court type, county, case type, date range, or status.
Results include case numbers, party names, filing dates, docket entries, hearing schedules, and dispositions. Document images and transcripts are not included. As of 2024, cases ending in dismissal, nolle prosequi, or acquittal no longer appear in public search results statewide. Stet cases three years or older were also removed. The physical files for these cases still exist at the Bel Air courthouse. Call 410-638-3472 for criminal records or 410-638-3430 for civil and family matters to confirm availability before visiting.
What Harford County Court Records Include
The Harford County Circuit Court holds records covering criminal charges, civil lawsuits, family law matters, juvenile filings, land transactions, and licensing records. Criminal files document charges, hearings, verdicts, and sentences. Civil records cover lawsuits, contract disputes, and other non-criminal disputes between parties. Family records include divorces, custody orders, child and spousal support agreements, and protective orders. Juvenile records are sealed. Land records in Harford County go back to 1773, making them among the older county land archives in Maryland.
Notary bond filings are also kept by the clerk's office and can be accessed through the Notary line at 410-638-3489. For estate and probate matters, the Orphans' Court handles those separately. The Maryland Register of Wills provides statewide access to probate search. Land records online are available through Maryland Land Records after free registration.
Copy Fees and How to Request Records
Standard copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies run $5.00 plus $0.50 per page. Exemplified copies with triple certification are $10.00 plus $0.50 per page. Marriage record certified copies cost $5.50 each. Audio recordings are $25 per CD or USB. Transcripts cost $3.00 per page. Mailing adds $2.00 unless you include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
In-person requests are handled at 20 West Courtland Street. Mail requests go to the same address. Include the case number or full names of the parties, the record type, your contact information, and payment by money order or credit card. Cash is accepted in person. For licensing-related records, visit the separate Licensing Department at 24 Office Street, Bel Air. The Accounting line at 410-638-3246 handles payment questions.
Legal Help in Harford County
The Self-Help Legal Assistance line at 410-621-7582 serves Harford County residents who need help with family law and other civil matters. The Maryland Courts Self-Help Center is also available statewide at 410-260-1392, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM, with chat at mdcourts.gov. Maryland Legal Aid provides free civil legal services to qualifying residents. The People's Law Library has free guides on Maryland legal issues. Court forms are available at the Maryland Courts forms page.
Harford County Clerk Portal
The Harford County clerk page on the Maryland courts website lists all department contacts, record request guidance, and an overview of services for residents and legal professionals in the county.
This page provides direct contact details for each clerk department, including Criminal, Family and Civil, Land Records, and Licensing, along with record request instructions for the Bel Air courthouse.
The Harford County circuit court page on the Maryland Judiciary site provides resources for those who need court-related information specific to the 3rd Circuit and Harford County's court programs.
The Maryland Judiciary's Harford circuit page links to court forms, the case search tool, and information about the Adult Opiate Recovery Court and Mental Health Court programs operating in Harford County.
Cities in Harford County
One qualifying city in Harford County has its own court records page.
Nearby Counties
Harford County borders Baltimore County and Cecil County. Use these links to find court records for neighboring areas.