This page helps users find court records in Harford County, Maryland, including online case information, courthouse record access, and official contacts for follow-up questions.
Maryland Judiciary Case Search is the main public tool for case information from Maryland courts, while complete court files are handled by the courthouse where the case record is kept.
Maryland Judiciary Case Search
Use search Maryland Judiciary case records to look up public case information from the Maryland Judiciary. The site requires users to accept its access agreement before continuing.
Case Search can include details such as party names, city and state, case number, date of birth, trial date, charge, and case disposition.
- First and last name, with exact-name searching as the default
- Partial last name using the first character followed by the % symbol
- Case number, when available
- Filing date range, court, or case type to narrow large result sets
After opening the portal, use the search fields that best match the record you need.
- Open Case Search and review the public access notice.
- Accept the agreement to continue into the search system.
- Enter the name, case number, court, date range, or case type details you have.
- Open the matching result and review the case summary for dates, parties, and disposition details.
If a search returns more than 500 records, narrow it with additional details such as a first name, filing date range, court, or case type.
Case Search coverage and limits
Case Search provides public access to case records from Maryland District Court and Circuit Courts. It also includes certain appellate records, including Supreme Court of Maryland petitions and appeals, Appellate Court of Maryland appeals, applications for leave to appeal, and miscellaneous cases.
Some records are not available for public inspection. Examples include juvenile case records, cases involving trade secrets, and records ordered shielded by a judge. Records that are expunged, sealed, or shielded are not available to the public.
For Harford County Circuit Court, Case Search historical coverage is listed as civil records beginning May 4, 1998, and criminal records beginning June 21, 1999.
Do not use Case Search for criminal background checks. Maryland directs background checks to the Criminal Justice Information System of the Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services.
Complete court records and courthouse access
Online case information is a summary and is not the official case file. For a complete record, use the clerk’s office at the courthouse where the case was heard.
Paper court records are kept at the courthouse where the case was heard. With limited exceptions, the public may view records in person at the clerk’s office. A case number helps the clerk locate the file, but names of the people involved may also help when the case number is unknown.
Requests for additional case information must be made in person or in writing. The clerk’s office cannot accept telephone requests for additional case information.
For statewide guidance on public access, electronic records, sealed records, shielding, and expungement, review Maryland court records access guidance.
Harford County Circuit and District Court records
The Circuit Court for Harford County is a trial court of general jurisdiction located in Bel Air. The Clerk’s Office for the Circuit Court handles local court record services for records kept by that court.
The District Court of Maryland for Harford County hears landlord and tenant cases, replevin actions, traffic violations, misdemeanors, certain felonies, and civil cases in the amount of $30,000 or less. The District Court does not conduct jury trials.
If an online result is missing, unclear, or incomplete, send written notice to the court where the original record was created or filed if you believe the information is inaccurate.
Other Maryland court record tools
Maryland provides separate tools for certain record categories that are related to court records but not always part of the standard case search path.
- Search Maryland estate records for estate case information maintained by Maryland Register of Wills offices.
- View public cases created by MDEC courts for reports of public cases created in the previous 5 days.
- Review Maryland electronic court record options for Case Search, land records, plats, and other statewide resources.
Estate Search records are updated daily at the end of the business day. Estate records are available from 1998 to present for all jurisdictions, with some counties having older estate records entered.
Harford County court contacts
Use these public court contacts for Harford County court record questions, courthouse access, and office-specific next steps.
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Clerk’s Office, Circuit Court for Harford County, 20 West Courtland Street, Bel Air, MD 21014
Phone: (410) 638-3426
Open: 8:30 AM–4:30 PM -
District Court of Maryland for Harford County, 2 South Bond Street, Suite 100, Bel Air, MD 21014-3737
Phone: (410) 836-4545
Toll-free in Maryland: 1-800-943-6344
Open: 8:30 AM-4:30 PM Monday-Friday except legal holidays -
Orphans' Court, Court House, Room 304, 20 W. Courtland St, Bel Air, MD 21014
Phone: (410) 638-3275
Fax: (410) 893-3177
Common questions
Where can I search Harford County court records online?
Use Maryland Judiciary Case Search for public case information from Maryland courts, including District Court and Circuit Court case records.
Is Case Search the official court record?
No. Case Search provides informational case data from computerized Judiciary records. For a complete official case file, view the record through the clerk’s office at the courthouse where the case was heard.
Why can’t I find a case in Case Search?
The case may not be public, may be shielded, sealed, expunged, or may not be subject to electronic inspection. A broad search may also exceed the 500-record limit, so narrow the search with more details.
How do I request additional case information?
Additional case information is available at the courthouse where the case record is on file. Requests must be made in person or in writing, and the clerk’s office cannot accept telephone requests.
Can I use Case Search for a criminal background check?
No. Maryland states that Case Search should not be used for criminal background checks. Background checks should go through the Criminal Justice Information System of the Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services.
How far back do Harford County Circuit Court records go online?
Harford County Circuit Court civil records are listed from May 4, 1998, and criminal records are listed from June 21, 1999, in the Case Search historical coverage information.