Court records in Howard County, Maryland can be searched through several channels. HowardCourt.us can help you find publicly available information about court cases in the county. You can also access records through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system, by visiting the clerk's offices at the Circuit Court or District Court in person, or by using public terminals available at the courthouses in Ellicott City.
Howard Court System & Jurisdictions
Howard County is served by two main trial courts, plus a specialized probate court. Each handles different case types, so knowing which court to search is essential.
Circuit Court
The Howard County Circuit Court is the court of general jurisdiction. It handles:
- Felony criminal cases
- Major civil cases (claims exceeding $30,000)
- Family law matters — divorce, custody, child support, adoption
- Juvenile cases
- Land and equity disputes
- Appeals from the District Court
District Court
The Howard County District Court handles a high volume of cases, including:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases
- Traffic violations
- Small claims (up to $5,000)
- Civil cases up to $30,000
- Landlord-tenant disputes
- Peace and protective orders
Orphans' Court
The Orphans' Court handles probate and estate matters — wills, guardianships of property, and estate administration. The Register of Wills estate search tool provides online access to estate case records statewide, including Howard County.
Howard Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find today's, tomorrow's, or this week's court schedule in Howard County, you have several options:
- Maryland Judiciary Case Search — Search by party name or case number through the Maryland Courts case records portal. Individual case records typically display upcoming hearing dates and courtroom assignments.
- Circuit Court Clerk's Office — Call 410-313-2111 to ask about scheduled hearings for a specific case. The clerk's office can confirm dates, courtroom assignments, and judge assignments.
- District Court — Contact the District Court at 410-480-7700 for traffic, criminal, and civil hearing schedules. You can also use District Court forms to request to view case records in person.
- Public terminals — Both courthouses in Ellicott City have public access terminals where you can look up scheduled hearings and case information during business hours.
Maryland does not publish a single, downloadable daily court calendar for public browsing. Hearing information is tied to individual case records rather than posted as a consolidated daily list.
How to Get a Copy of a Howard Court Document
Whether you need a court order, judgment, divorce decree, or case filing, the process depends on which court holds the record and whether you need a certified or uncertified copy.
Circuit Court Records
To request a public record from the Howard County Circuit Court, contact the Clerk's judicial records representative. You can request copies:
- In person — Visit the Clerk's Office at 9250 Judicial Way, Ellicott City, MD 21043. Bring the case number or party names to help staff locate the file.
- By mail — Send a written request with the case number, document description, and a check or money order for applicable fees to:
- Online — Case information (not full documents) is available through Maryland Judiciary Case Search. For certified copies of specific documents, you will generally need to contact the Clerk's Office directly.
District Court Records
District Court records can be viewed in person at the courthouse. To request copies, contact the District Court at 410-480-7700. A records request form is available through the District Court forms page.
Certified vs. Uncertified Copies
- Certified copies bear the court's official seal and clerk's signature. These are typically required for legal proceedings, real estate transactions, and filings with other agencies.
- Uncertified copies are plain reproductions and are usually sufficient for personal reference.
Older and Archived Records
Some older Howard County court records have been transferred to the Maryland State Archives. Divorce decrees and equity records from transferred case files can be ordered through the Archives divorce decree order form.
Restricted Records
Certain records are not publicly accessible, including:
- Sealed juvenile proceedings
- Adoption records
- Cases expunged or shielded under Maryland law
- Certain domestic violence case details
Ask the clerk whether a specific record is available before making a trip to the courthouse.
Howard Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court record copies in Maryland are set by statute and court rule. The following table reflects standard fees charged by Maryland Circuit Court and District Court clerks' offices. Confirm current amounts with the Howard County Clerk's Office, as fees may be updated by administrative order.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certification of a document | $5.00 |
| Court record search (per name) | $20.00 |
| Apostille or authentication | $5.00 |
| Marriage license copy (certified) | $5.00 |
| Land record copy (per page, via MDLandRec) | Varies by subscription |
Payment methods: The Circuit Court Clerk's Office generally accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Some services may accept credit or debit cards — confirm with the clerk before your visit. Mail-in requests should include a check or money order payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Online access: Searching case information through Maryland Judiciary Case Search is free. However, obtaining copies of actual documents — especially certified copies — requires contacting the clerk and paying the applicable fees. Maryland Land Records (MDLandRec) provides online access to recorded land documents but requires a subscription for full document retrieval.
For government records outside the court system, such as police reports or public information requests, visit the Howard County Public Records page or submit a request under the Maryland Public Information Act.