Find Civil Court Records in Howard County
Howard County civil court records are handled by the Circuit Court at 9250 Judicial Way in Ellicott City. The clerk's office manages civil filings, case records, copies, and related documents for this central Maryland county. You can search for civil cases going back to April 1997 through the state's free online portal, or visit the courthouse in person during regular business hours. This page covers the search process, clerk office details, fees for copies and transcripts, and local resources available at the Howard County courthouse.
Howard County Overview
Searching Howard County Civil Court Records Online
The free Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal covers Howard County civil court records going back to April 23, 1997. This statewide system is updated nightly and lets you search by party name, case number, or attorney. Civil case types you might find include CT (civil tort), CC (civil contract), CJ (civil judgment), and others. The portal shows docket entries and case summaries, not full document images.
To run a search, go to the Case Search site and enter the last name of a party. By default, it looks for an exact match. Add a percent sign (%) after the last name if you want a broader search, for example "Mitch%" to catch Mitchell, Mitchem, and similar entries. This partial match option is helpful when you suspect a name may have been entered differently in the system. For very old cases that predate the April 1997 start date, you will need to contact the clerk or the Maryland State Archives. The new Maryland Courts portal that launched on March 14, 2026 may look slightly different from what you have used before, but the search functions are the same.
The Howard County Circuit Court Clerk page lists department contacts and frequently asked questions about courthouse policies that are specific to Howard County.
That page includes answers to common questions, such as whether there is a night drop box (there is not) and whether the clerk's office notarizes documents (it does not), which can save you a trip if you have specific needs.
Howard County Circuit Court Clerk Contact
The Circuit Court clerk for Howard County is Wayne A. Robey. The courthouse is at 9250 Judicial Way, Ellicott City, MD 21043. The main phone number is 410-313-2111, with a toll-free option at 1-888-313-0197. You can also email wayne.robey@mdcourts.gov for direct correspondence. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The clerk's office has separate departments for different case types. Civil matters go to 410-313-3844. Criminal and Juvenile cases are handled at 410-313-3822. Land Records and Licenses share a line at 410-313-5850. The Trust Department is at 410-313-2160. Accounting is at 410-313-3210. The Chief Deputy can be reached at 410-313-3803. There is no night drop box at the Howard County courthouse, and the clerk's office does not offer notary services. The office also cannot provide space for depositions. All court proceedings in Howard County are digitally recorded using the FTR (For the Record) system.
Payment at Howard County is flexible. The clerk's office accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, and Discover). Business credit cards must have the user's name printed on the card.
Copies, Audio, and Transcripts in Howard County
Standard copy fees for Howard County civil court records follow the Maryland schedule: $0.50 per page for plain copies, $5.00 plus $0.50 per page for certified copies, and $10.00 plus $0.50 per page for exemplification copies. These fees apply whether you pick up copies in person or request them by mail.
If you need an audio recording of a court proceeding, the Howard County clerk's office handles those through a written request process. You cannot request audio recordings by phone. Submit your request in writing and file it with the clerk. The office will prepare a CD or flash drive within two to three business days. The fee is $25.00 per proceeding, payable to the Howard County Director of Finance. For transcript requests, the same written-only rule applies. No phone requests are accepted. Once the clerk receives a written request, they will respond within seven days with an estimated cost, deposit requirements, and a delivery date. Work does not start until the deposit is received, and the transcript is not released until paid in full. Transcript rates are $3.00 per page for an original, $0.50 per page for a first copy, $0.25 per page for a second copy, and $3.75 per page for an original combined with an electronic copy. Expedited requests carry higher rates.
Note: Howard County will not accept audio recording or transcript requests by phone; all requests must be submitted in writing to the clerk.
Self-Help and Legal Resources at Howard County Court
Howard County offers a civil law self-help center at the courthouse. This is a useful resource if you are handling a civil case without an attorney. The Family Law Assistance Program is also available through the courthouse for matters involving family-related civil cases. These programs provide guidance on forms, procedures, and how the court process works, but they do not provide legal advice.
If language is a barrier, the Howard County Circuit Court can arrange for a spoken language interpreter. Use the court's Request for Spoken Language Interpreter form when you file your case or when you need an interpreter for a hearing. Court dockets for the next day are posted on the court's website each weekday between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., so you can confirm your case is scheduled before you travel to the courthouse. For legal aid resources in Howard County, the Maryland Courts legal help page lists organizations that serve the area.
Land Records and Archived Civil Cases
Howard County land records are handled through the Land Records and License Department at 410-313-5850. You can also search many recorded instruments through the statewide Maryland Land Records site. These records include deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded documents and are separate from civil court case files. For very old civil cases that predate the April 1997 online index, the Maryland State Archives is the best starting point. Call (410) 260-6400 or search the Archives guide online. The fee for a full archived case is $50, or $35 for a partial case file.
Attorneys in Maryland have automatic remote access to Case Search for cases they are involved in. Other parties to a case may request remote access through the Maryland Courts E-filing system, known as MDEC. Learn more at the MDEC page.