Baltimore County Family Court Records
Baltimore County family court records are held by the Circuit Court for Baltimore County in Towson, which is distinct from the Baltimore City Circuit Court. The county handles divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, domestic violence, adoption, and guardianship cases for residents of the county. This page covers how to search records online, how to request copies, which records are public, and where to get legal help in Baltimore County.
Baltimore County Overview
Baltimore County Circuit Court and Clerk's Office
The Circuit Court for Baltimore County is located at 401 Bosley Ave, 2nd Floor, Towson, MD 21204. Julie L. Ensor serves as Clerk of the Circuit Court. The main phone line is (410) 887-2601, and the main fax is (410) 887-3062. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. For mailed documents, use the P.O. Box address: P.O. Box 6754, Towson, MD 21285-6754. Note that Maryland Rule 1-322 prohibits filing court documents by electronic transmission, so you cannot email filings to the court.
Baltimore County is entirely separate from Baltimore City. They are different jurisdictions with different court systems, different clerks, and different case files. If you are researching a case and are unsure which court handled it, the key question is where the parties lived when the case was filed. City residents file in Baltimore City; county residents file in Baltimore County. It is a common source of confusion, especially for people who moved between the two areas.
The courthouse in Towson serves as the county seat and handles all circuit court matters for the county. The building is in downtown Towson, not far from the county government offices.
Note: Baltimore County and Baltimore City are separate jurisdictions with different courts; confirm which area the parties lived in before searching for records.
Baltimore County Family Court Records Online
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal covers Baltimore County circuit court cases. It is free to use and requires no account. You can search by party name, case number, or date. Use the percent sign (%) as a wildcard if you are unsure of a spelling. Results include the case type, filing date, party names, and current status but do not show document text. To read actual filings, you must request copies from the clerk.
Case Search is the first step for most people. It confirms whether a case exists and gives you the case number, which you will need when requesting copies. The system covers both active and closed cases. If you are looking for an older case, it may still appear in the database even if it was resolved years ago.
Public access terminals are available at the Baltimore County courthouse in Towson. These provide the same search capability as the online portal, with staff nearby to help if you run into trouble finding a specific case. The terminals are free to use during court hours.
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal lets you look up Baltimore County family court cases for free by name or case number.
Case Search is the statewide public access tool and covers Baltimore County circuit court cases going back many years.
Family Court Case Types in Baltimore County
Baltimore County Circuit Court handles all types of family law matters. Divorce cases make up a large share of family court filings. Under Family Law Article Section 7-103, as revised effective October 1, 2023, Maryland recognizes three grounds for divorce: mutual consent, a six-month separation period, and irreconcilable differences. Parties who agree on all terms can file under mutual consent and potentially finalize the case faster than under the old one-year separation rule.
Child custody and visitation disputes are among the most common family court matters. Parents can seek sole or shared physical and legal custody. Courts use the best interest of the child standard when parents cannot agree. Child support cases often proceed alongside divorce or custody cases. Baltimore County uses the same statewide income guidelines as other Maryland counties to calculate support amounts.
Domestic violence protective orders are handled under Family Law Article Section 4-504. A person seeking a protective order can file at the circuit court or district court. The District Courts in Catonsville, Essex, and Towson also serve Baltimore County residents who need protective orders outside of regular circuit court hours. Final protective orders, after a contested hearing, are issued by the circuit court.
Adoption and guardianship cases are filed at the circuit court but those records are not public. Juvenile delinquency and CINA case files are also sealed. Financial statements submitted in child support proceedings are restricted even when other parts of the case file are open. These access rules are governed statewide by Maryland Rules 16-901 through 16-912.
How to Request Copies of Baltimore County Family Court Records
Baltimore County has made record requests more accessible than many Maryland counties by offering multiple email contacts for specific record types. For case documents generally, email ccbaltcoclerkrecords@mdcourts.gov. For divorce decrees specifically, use ccbaltcoclerkfamily@mdcourts.gov. For marriage certificates, email ccbaltcoclerklicensing@mdcourts.gov. Having separate addresses for each type of request helps route inquiries to the right team quickly. Additional details about the copy process are available at the Baltimore County Circuit Court records page.
You can also visit in person at 401 Bosley Ave, 2nd Floor, Towson during business hours. In-person requests are handled same day for available records in most cases. Standard copy fees are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 plus copy fees. Exemplified copies cost $10.00 plus copy fees. The court accepts cash, MasterCard, Visa, and Discover. Personal checks from out-of-state banks are not accepted. Note that debit cards are not accepted in the Criminal Division, though this typically does not affect family law copy requests.
Mail requests should go to P.O. Box 6754, Towson, MD 21285-6754. Include the full case number or both parties' names, the type of records you need, whether you want plain or certified copies, and your return address along with payment. Filing fees for new cases are $165 without an attorney and $175 with one. Motions to modify existing orders cost $31. Attorney appearances cost $10 per law firm.
Note: Baltimore County accepts credit cards for copy fees, which is different from some other Maryland counties that require cash or money orders only.
Specialized Courts and Departments in Baltimore County
Baltimore County has two specialized courts that handle family-related cases involving substance abuse and juveniles. The Family Recovery Court, reachable at (410) 887-6159, is designed for parents in family court cases who are dealing with substance abuse issues. It provides structured supervision and treatment resources as an alternative to standard litigation. Families dealing with these issues may find this court offers more support than traditional proceedings.
The Juvenile Drug Court, at (410) 887-2199, is a separate program for juveniles involved in the court system who have substance abuse issues. While juvenile records are sealed, the existence of these programs is worth knowing if you have a family member involved in juvenile court proceedings.
The clerk's office has a dedicated Adoption Department at (410) 887-3069 and an Expungement unit at (410) 887-3090. The Family Law direct line is (410) 887-2614. Child support inquiries go to (410) 887-7670. Criminal and civil records are handled by separate departments as well. If you call the main line, staff can direct you to the right department for your specific need.
Legal Help for Baltimore County Family Court Cases
Several organizations help Baltimore County residents navigate family court without paying full attorney rates. Maryland Legal Aid offers free representation and advice to those who qualify based on income. They handle divorce, custody, support, and protective order cases. Call or visit their website to check eligibility. Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service at (410) 539-6800 matches eligible clients with volunteer attorneys for civil legal matters.
The Maryland Court Help Center at (410) 260-1392 is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM, and handles questions from people in any Maryland county. Staff explain court procedures and help people understand their options. They do not give legal advice but can point you in the right direction. The Women's Law Center Family Law Hotline at 1-800-845-8550 is open weekdays from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM and focuses specifically on family law questions.
Court forms for family cases are available at courts.state.md.us/family/family-forms. The Maryland Guide and File tool walks you through filling out forms step by step. People's Law Library has plain-language guides on divorce, custody, support, and domestic violence topics specific to Maryland. Fee waivers are available through form CC-DC-089 for those who cannot pay filing costs.
The People's Law Library of Maryland provides free guides on family court procedures that apply to Baltimore County residents.
This library covers topics like how to file for divorce, what to expect in a custody hearing, and how support amounts are calculated under Maryland law.
Nearby Counties
Baltimore County borders several other Maryland counties. Cases involving parties who live near county lines are sometimes filed in the adjacent jurisdiction. These pages cover family court records access in those nearby areas.