Baltimore County Court Records

Baltimore County court records are the documents generated or filed during official proceedings in any court of record within Baltimore County, Maryland. Their primary purpose is to provide a transparent and accurate account of criminal and civil proceedings by recording court events and processes. In addition to promoting fairness and accountability, these records ensure that authorized parties can review and understand what occurred in the courtroom at any time, regardless of whether they were present during the proceedings.

The Baltimore County circuit and district courts are the primary custodians of court records at the trial level. The clerks of these courts are responsible for creating and maintaining these records and ensuring dissemination in compliance with Maryland's Public Information Act and the Maryland Rules of Court.

It is worth noting that while Baltimore County court records are essential documents in the county's legal system, they interplay with other public records, such as law enforcement records. Access to public records gives members of the public a comprehensive view of official matters at all levels of government.

Are Baltimore County Court Records Public?

Yes. The Maryland Public Information Act (PIA) regulates the disclosure of court records in the state and generally interprets its policy in favor of public access. Specifically, Chapter 2 of the Maryland Public Information Act highlights the Maryland Code, General Provisions (GP) § 4-103 (a), which grants the right of access to judicial records to "all persons". Per the Act, members of the public can inspect and copy court records at any reasonable time, regardless of residency or personal interest in the matter.

Individuals should note, however, that Maryland balances its public records policy with protecting legitimate government interests and individual privacy rights. Consequently, records that tip the scale against this balance, such as those highlighted in GP § 4-103 through GP § 4-357, are not subject to disclosure. Standard exceptions to public disclosure include:

• Adoption and welfare records
• Arrest warrants issued pursuant to a grand jury indictment
• An individual's medical information
• Personal financial details
• Juvenile case records
• Records containing investigatory information
• Trade secrets
• Certain marriage license information

What Information is Available in Baltimore County Court Records?

The contents of a typical Baltimore County court record include:

• Case information (court system, location, case number, title, case type, filing date, case status)
• Parties' information (the case parties' full names)
• Judgment information (judgment event type, judge's name)
• Document information (file date, document type, and title)

Baltimore County Court Records Search

Baltimore County courts provide online and in-person access to public court records through these platforms:

• Online Access: Baltimore County integrates with the state's centralized online portal for court records, the Maryland Judiciary Case Search. This system allows Circuit and District Court records to be accessed online by searching with a case number or party name. Searchers should note that the case search platform provides access to selected information, not the complete court records.

Individuals can also access online daily dockets to view scheduled events of cases on the circuit court or weekly dockets on the Baltimore County District Courts website for hearings and proceedings in the county's district courts.

• In-Person Access: Physical access to Baltimore County court records is available through the court clerk (where the case was heard or tried). Interested individuals may obtain comprehensive case records by visiting the clerk's office during official business hours. Requesters are expected to provide some information about the sought records, such as a case number, to facilitate the search.

The official address of the Baltimore County Clerk of Circuit Court is available on the clerk's general information page. At the same time, individuals can search district court locations in Baltimore County by navigating to the directory on the courts' website.

• Mail and Phone Requests: Interested parties can obtain case information from the court clerks through designated mail and phone channels listed on the respective court's official website. For example, requesters can get information about digital recordings and transcripts from the Baltimore County Circuit Court by dialing (410) 887-4873or sending an email to BaltCoDigRec@mdcourts.gov. Alternatively, written requests for transcripts or court audio can be made by filling out and submitting an online request form on the court's Request Written Transcripts or Court Audio page.

Fees for Court Records in Baltimore County

The costs for obtaining court records in Baltimore County are as follows:

• Copies of records: 50 cents per page
• Certified copies of documents: $5 each plus 50 cents per page
• Exemplified (triple-seal) copies: $10 each plus 50 cents per page
• Original transcript: $3 per page
• First additional copy of transcript: 50 cents per page
• Second additional copy of transcript: 25 cents per page

For the Baltimore County District Court, the applicable fees for obtaining court records include

• $15 per case for audio recordings
• $10 per case for electronic delivery of recordings by email

Note: Copies of marriage and divorce records can also be obtained at 50 cents per page and $5 for certification.

For more information on applicable court fees, individuals can review the Circuit Court Fee Schedule, Circuit Court Fee Summary Chart, and the Maryland Judiciary's Court Reporting Manual.

Baltimore County Courthouse Locations

Baltimore County's judicial system comprises the district, circuit, and orphans' courts. The district court hears matters without a jury and maintains jurisdiction over claims up to $30,000, landlord/tenant disputes, domestic violence cases, replevin actions, misdemeanors, and limited felonies. Most appeals from the district court go to the circuit court, the trial court of general jurisdiction.

Major felony and civil cases of over $30,000 are handled by the Baltimore County Circuit Court. The court also presides over all jury trials, juvenile, and family law cases. Meanwhile, the orphans' court in Baltimore County is a court of limited jurisdiction, with specialization in matters involving the administration of estates, wills, and guardianships.

Note: The circuit court for Baltimore County shares jurisdiction with the district court over matters where the disputed amount is between $10,000 and $20,000, as well as domestic violence petitions.

The locations of courts in Baltimore County are as follows:

Criminal Records Access in Baltimore County

Baltimore County criminal records are accessible through the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. However, per the Code of Maryland Annotated Regulations (COMAR), criminal background checks in Maryland are not open to the public without proper authorization or consent. Consequently, criminal records from the CJIS are limited to a few authorized parties, such as the subject of the record, certain employers, licensing bodies, and law enforcement agencies.

Where permitted, obtaining a person's criminal records through the CJIS includes submitting an application, obtaining a fingerprint card from an authorized location, and paying the applicable service fees. Applicants can also verify the status of criminal background checks by calling CJIS customer service at (410) 764-4501.

Meanwhile, local criminal case records remain available to members of the public through the court that heard the case. As earlier discussed, interested parties can query the clerk of the relevant court in person, electronically, or online through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search. PIA requests can also be sent to local law enforcement agencies such as the Baltimore County Sheriff's Office, Baltimore County Police Department, and Baltimore County Detention Center.

Baltimore County Probate Records

Baltimore County probate matters are judicially presided over by the Baltimore County Orphans' Court and include cases regarding the legal administration of a person's estate after death, as well as the appointment and supervision of guardians and conservators. The Baltimore County Register of Wills serves as the administrative custodian of probate records, such as wills, trusts, estate inventories, and letters of administration.

Generally, documents filed in probate estates are accessible to members of the public subject to exemptions laid out in Maryland Rules 16-900 and other extant laws. For example, only testators and authorized parties can access last wills and testaments filed by living persons for safekeeping.

Public probate files are available on-site at the Register of Wills office. However, per information from the Baltimore County Register of Wills website, individuals are encouraged to request copies of documents using the online Estate Search platform or by telephone to (410) 887-6680.

Records of all estates filed with the Register of Wills from 1998 to the present are available on Estate Search. Information obtainable from this platform includes a decedent's name, estate number, status, personal representative, docket history, date of filing, and date of death.

Baltimore County Family Court Records

In Baltimore County, family court cases are heard by the Baltimore County Circuit Court and include matters pertaining to adoption, alimony/spousal support, annulment of marriage, child support, divorce, and domestic violence. While family court records are generally public information, certain files, such as those relating to adoption and juvenile cases, are restricted from public view.

Publicly accessible family court records are available through the Baltimore County Circuit Court Clerk in person, via the Maryland Judiciary Case Search, by mail, or by telephone. However, obtaining copies of specific documents, such as marriage certificates and death decrees, requires a different procedure.

For marriage certificates, applicants are to send a mail application to the clerk's office or email ccbaltcoclerklicensing@mdcourts.gov with the following details:

• Couple's full maiden name
• Couple's first, middle, and last names
• Date of marriage
• A $5.50 fee
• Applicant's mailing address

Requests for certified marriage certificate copies should be emailed to ccbaltcoclerkmarriages@mdcourts.gov or by completing and submitting a request form to ccbaltcoclerklicensing@mdcourts.gov.

On the other hand, divorce decrees and annulments are obtainable via mail to the clerk's office or email to ccbaltcoclerkrecords@mdcourts.gov. Details needed for this request include:

• Case number (if known)
• Full names of both parties
• Applicant's mailing address

Copies of documents cost 50 cents for each page, and certified copies cost an additional $5. Applicants can also request a certified copy of a divorce record online.

Federal Court Records in Baltimore County

Federal court records for Baltimore County are maintained by the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, which has a courthouse located at:

The U.S. District Court in Baltimore County has general trial jurisdiction over federal civil and criminal cases, such as constitutional matters, bankruptcy (through a specialized unit), and disputes from interstate residents exceeding $75,000.

The United States District Court Clerk of Court in Baltimore maintains federal court records and can be queried in person (public terminals are available at the clerk's office) or by telephone at (410) 962-2600 during regular business hours. Certified and exemplified copies of court records are obtainable through a copy work request sent to the clerk's office.

Access to federal case information is also available online via PACER (the federal Public Access to Court Electronic Records system).

More information on accessing federal court case records can be found on the United States District Court District of Maryland's Court Records Request page.