Common Questions About Howard County Court Records
How do I search Howard County court records?
The main tool is Maryland Judiciary Case Search. It gives free public access to case records from both the Circuit Court and the District Court in Howard County. Start with the person's last name and first name. Since December 7, 2021, Case Search defaults to exact-name matching. If you are unsure of the spelling, type the first letter of the last name followed by a percent sign, like Smi%. You can also filter by county and select Howard to narrow results. If you have a case number from a citation or notice, use that instead for a faster, exact match. More detail on the search fields is on the court records page.
What court handles felonies in Howard County?
The Circuit Court for Howard County handles serious criminal matters, including felonies and jury trials. The District Court may handle misdemeanors and certain felonies at early or limited stages, but jury trials and major criminal cases move to the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court is at 9250 Judicial Way, Ellicott City. If a case starts in District Court and a party requests a jury trial, the matter can transfer to the Circuit Court under Maryland procedure. Both courts post their public case records through Case Search.
What court handles traffic tickets in Howard County?
The District Court of Maryland for Howard County handles traffic violations. The District Court is at 3451 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043-4377, and the main phone is 410-480-7700. Traffic records from that court show the citation number, the charge, the statute, the hearing date, the plea, and the disposition. DUI and DWI matters can move into criminal territory and may be handled by the Circuit Court. For more on traffic court records, including how to pay or contest a ticket, see the traffic court records page. The Maryland Judiciary also provides a traffic help resource at mdcourts.gov/legalhelp/traffic.
Can I search divorce records online?
Divorce cases are Circuit Court family records and may show up in Maryland Case Search when they are public. The Circuit Court is the only court in Howard County that handles divorce, custody, child support, and related family matters. Some portions of family files, such as financial statements and information about minors, may be restricted and will not appear. If you need a certified copy of a divorce decree, request it from the Clerk of the Circuit Court, not from Case Search. More information on how to find and request these files is on the marriage and divorce records page.
Where do I get a marriage license in Howard County?
The Clerk of the Circuit Court issues marriage licenses in Howard County. The office is at 9250 Judicial Way, Ellicott City, MD 21043. For marriage license questions, contact the Land Records and Licensing department at 410-313-5850. Both parties must apply in person and bring government-issued ID. The Clerk also performs civil marriage ceremonies. If you were previously married, bring proof of the divorce or death. The Clerk page at mdcourts.gov/clerks/howard links to the current requirements and forms. Call ahead to confirm the current fee and whether an appointment is needed.
Where are Howard County probate records?
Probate and estate records are held by the Register of Wills and the Orphans' Court for Howard County. The office is in the Circuit Courthouse at 9250 Judicial Way, Suite 1100, Ellicott City, MD 21043. The Register of Wills is Hon. Byron E. Macfarlane. To search estate records online, use the Register of Wills Estate Search. You can also find claim records at the Register of Wills claim search portal. The local Howard County Register page at registers.maryland.gov/main/howard.html lists hours, forms, and local guides. More detail on the probate process is on the Orphans' Court page.
Is there a Howard County jail roster I can search online?
No official public roster was found in accessible official sources for the Howard County Detention Center. If you need to verify whether someone is currently held at the local jail, contact the Howard County Department of Corrections directly. The facility is at 7301 Waterloo Road, Jessup, MD 20794. For state-sentenced inmates held elsewhere in Maryland, use the Maryland DPSCS inmate locator. For federal inmates, use the Bureau of Prisons inmate locator. More about searching custody records is on the inmate records page.
What is the Howard County Detention Center's capacity?
The Howard County Department of Corrections page states a rated capacity of 475 and a staffing level of 153 employees. The current facility at 7301 Waterloo Road in Jessup replaced the original Ellicott City jail, which opened in 1878 and held 12 inmates. The Jessup facility opened in 1983 with a rated capacity of 108, then expanded in 1994 to 361. The current rated capacity of 475 reflects the most recent official figure. The facility houses pretrial, pre-sentenced, and sentenced adult male and female residents. Howard County Corrections has maintained 100% compliance with Maryland Commission on Correctional Standards since 1980. More data is on the inmate population page.
How do I find out if someone was released from Howard County jail?
For local jail releases, contact the Howard County Department of Corrections. For custody status notifications, register with VINELink, which sends alerts by phone, email, or text when a person's custody status changes in participating facilities. For state inmates, check the Maryland DPSCS inmate locator. For federal inmates released after 1982, use the BOP inmate locator. A full guide to release verification, reentry resources, and the sex offender registry is on the released inmates page.
Are juvenile records public in Howard County?
Juvenile matters are heard in the Circuit Court, but they are not treated like adult public criminal records. Access to juvenile delinquency and child welfare records is limited. Parties, attorneys, agencies, and court-authorized persons may see these files. The general public cannot search juvenile records through Case Search the same way adult criminal records appear. Adoption records are generally confidential. If you have a question about a specific juvenile case, contact the Circuit Court's criminal and juvenile department at 410-313-3824. For adult records and the distinction between sealed, expunged, and public files, see the court records page.
How do I expunge a Maryland criminal record?
To start the expungement process, file a petition in the court where the case was heard. Eligibility depends on the disposition, any waiting period, and whether you have other pending or subsequent criminal matters. Common qualifying outcomes include acquittal, dismissal, nolle prosequi, certain stet dispositions, probation before judgment after the applicable waiting period, and some enumerated nonviolent convictions. The State's Attorney and law enforcement may object. If the court grants the petition, the record is removed from public view. Maryland Judiciary provides self-help resources at mdcourts.gov/legalhelp/expungement. The full eligibility rules are in Criminal Procedure Title 10.
What is shielding and how is it different from expungement?
Shielding is a Maryland process that hides certain eligible court and police records from public view without fully removing them from the system. Expungement removes records from public access and directs courts and agencies to destroy or return the files. Shielded records may still be visible to justice agencies, employers with specific legal access, and others authorized by statute. Expunged records are gone from public inspection entirely. Both processes require a petition. Eligibility rules for shielding are in Criminal Procedure ยง 10-110. For either process, the Maryland Judiciary expungement page covers forms, steps, and timelines. See the arrest records page for more on how these processes work in practice.
Where is the Howard County Circuit Court located?
The Circuit Court for Howard County is at 9250 Judicial Way, Ellicott City, MD 21043. The main phone number is 410-313-2111. The court information line is 410-313-4851, and the jury line is 410-313-3804. The same building at 9250 Judicial Way houses the Clerk of the Circuit Court, the Register of Wills, and the Orphans' Court offices. Parking in the courthouse garage is free according to the Register of Wills page. All visitors pass through security scanners. RTA Route 403 provides public transit service to the courthouse area.
Where is the Howard County District Court?
The District Court of Maryland for Howard County is at 3451 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043-4377. The main phone is 410-480-7700. There is also a toll-free Maryland number at 1-800-944-8107 and Maryland Relay at 711. Court hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, except legal holidays. Parking is next to the building. Directions from the official page: from I-695, take Exit 15 toward Ellicott City, follow Route 40 West to Route 99/Rogers Avenue, and turn left onto Rogers Avenue. The courthouse is on the left. The District Court is formally listed as District 10-01 within the Maryland court system.
What cases does the District Court handle?
The District Court of Maryland for Howard County hears landlord/tenant cases, replevin actions, traffic violations, criminal misdemeanors and certain felonies, and civil cases of $30,000 or less. It does not conduct jury trials. If a party in a qualifying District Court case wants a jury trial, they may have the case transferred to the Circuit Court under Maryland procedure. The District Court is the first stop for most traffic and small civil matters in Howard County. See the traffic court records page for traffic-specific guidance and the court records page for how to search all Howard County court files online.
What cases does the Circuit Court handle?
The Circuit Court for Howard County is the general-jurisdiction trial court. It hears jury trials, juvenile matters, family law cases such as divorce and custody, serious criminal matters including felonies, and complex civil cases. It also hears appeals from the District Court, the Orphans' Court, and administrative agencies. The Circuit Court is the only court in Howard County that can conduct a jury trial. Most family, probate, and felony cases begin and end in the Circuit Court. Civil cases above $30,000 go to the Circuit Court as well. Land records, marriage licenses, and business licenses are all handled through the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the same address.
Can the Clerk give me legal advice?
No. Clerks and court staff cannot give legal advice. This applies to the Clerk of the Circuit Court and to the Register of Wills staff as well. The Register of Wills page states explicitly that the office cannot provide legal advice or notary services, though it does maintain a community attorney referral list. If you need guidance on your case or options, contact the Maryland Office of the Public Defender for criminal matters if you are financially eligible, or a private attorney for civil and family issues. The Maryland Court Help Center at mdcourts.gov/helpcenter provides free civil legal information but not representation.
Are land records part of Maryland Case Search?
No. Land records are not included in Maryland Case Search. To search deeds, mortgages, and other land documents recorded by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, use MdLandRec at landrec.msa.maryland.gov. For survey plats, subdivision plats, and condominium plats, use Plats.net at plats.msa.maryland.gov. Both systems are run through the Maryland State Archives and cover documents recorded in Howard County. Probate and estate records are also separate from Case Search and are searched through the Register of Wills Estate Search. The court records page explains the full breakdown of which system covers which record type.
How do I request public county records in Howard County?
For executive and local government records held by Howard County agencies, submit a request under the Maryland Public Information Act through the Howard County PIA page. The PIA is in the General Provisions Article, Title 4, and gives the public a right to inspect government records unless an exception applies. Fees may be charged for search time and copying. Court case records follow a different track. Those are governed by Maryland Rules on judicial records and are requested from the Clerk of the Circuit Court or the District Court. More about both processes is on the public records page.
What if the Howard County court closes for weather?
Check the Maryland Judiciary Closings and Delays page when bad weather is expected. The Circuit Court page notes a specific rule for protective-order hearings: if the court is closed on the date of a scheduled final protective-order hearing, that hearing will be rescheduled to the second day the court reopens, at 8:30 AM, without new notice to the parties. For delayed openings, scheduled hearings will take place when the court opens that day, and this rule covers both remote and in-person hearings. The District Court may follow separate guidance. Remote hearing guidelines were issued in 2021 and remain a local operational reference. Always confirm your court date by calling 410-313-2111 before travel.
Is parking free at the Howard County courthouse?
Parking in the courthouse garage at 9250 Judicial Way is free, according to the Register of Wills page. That garage serves the Circuit Courthouse, the Clerk's Office, and the Register of Wills. District Court parking at 3451 Courthouse Drive is next to the building. If you are traveling by bus, RTA Route 403 serves the courthouse area per the Register of Wills page, and the District Court page references Howard Transit bus service. All visitors to the Circuit Courthouse must pass through security scanners. The Register of Wills page recommends calling before you visit so staff can explain what documents you need to bring.
Who is the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Howard County?
Wayne A. Robey is the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Howard County. The Clerk is a locally elected state official in the judicial branch, with duties set by Maryland law and the rules of the Supreme Court of Maryland. The office at 9250 Judicial Way handles civil filings, criminal and juvenile records, land records, marriage licenses, business licenses, notary oaths, and records requests. Department phone numbers are: Civil at 410-313-3844; Criminal and Juvenile at 410-313-3824; Land Records and Licensing at 410-313-5850. The main courthouse line is 410-313-2111. More about the office and its services is on the Clerk of the Circuit Court page.
Who is the Register of Wills for Howard County?
Hon. Byron E. Macfarlane is the Register of Wills for Howard County. He is the 18th Register and was first elected in 2010. His office is in the Circuit Courthouse at 9250 Judicial Way, Suite 1100, Ellicott City, MD 21043. Office hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. The fax number is 410-313-3409. The office handles estate filings, wills, letters of administration, inventories, accountings, and probate forms. The Register page at registers.maryland.gov/main/howard.html lists local guides, forms, and a community attorney referral list. For estate disputes and judicial probate matters, see the Orphans' Court page.
Still Have Questions?
For the right office, see the Clerk of the Circuit Court page. For broader access rules, see public records. For records by topic, browse court records, arrest records, inmate records, warrant records, marriage and divorce, or Orphans' Court.