Howard County Family Court Records
Howard County family court records are maintained by the Circuit Court for Howard County at 9250 Judicial Way in Ellicott City, Maryland. The Circuit Court handles all domestic relations matters including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and domestic violence cases. There is no separate family court in Howard County; all family law filings go through the Circuit Court's Civil Department. Records are searchable online through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal and can be requested in person or by mail at the clerk's office in Ellicott City.
Howard County Overview
Circuit Court for Howard County
The Circuit Court for Howard County is located at 9250 Judicial Way, Ellicott City, MD 21043. The main phone is (410) 313-2111. A toll-free number, 1-888-313-0197, is also available. Court Clerk Wayne A. Robey oversees the office. Hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
The court has specific departments for different case types. The Civil Department at (410) 313-3844 handles family law filings. Criminal and juvenile matters go to (410) 313-3822. Land Records and Licensing, including marriage licenses, are at (410) 313-5850. The Trust Department is at (410) 313-2160.
For questions about family law cases specifically, you can email the Family Law Office at hoefamilylawoffice@mdcourts.gov. Transcript requests go to a separate email at transcriptrequests@mdcourts.gov. Audio recordings of proceedings cost $25.00 per proceeding. Written transcripts cost $3.00 per page.
The District Court for Howard County is at 3451 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043. Call (410) 313-3060 for District Court matters. The District Court handles minor civil cases and initial protective orders, but most family law matters ultimately come before Circuit Court.
The Maryland Courts website has full contact details for the Howard County Circuit Court clerk's office, including department phone numbers and email addresses.
The page lists all departments, fee schedules, and links to online tools for searching and filing family court records in Howard County.
Family Magistrates and Support Services
Howard County has three family magistrates who hear family law matters: Elizabeth J. Case, Sara L. Schwartzman, and Yolanda F. Sonnier. All three are reached through the magistrate office at (410) 313-3635. Magistrates hear child support, custody, and visitation cases and make written recommendations to the Circuit Court judge. Either party can object to a magistrate's recommendation, and the judge will then hold a new hearing.
Domestic mediation services are available in Howard County. Mediation lets parties work out custody and support agreements without a contested hearing. The court may require mediation before scheduling certain types of hearings. Ask the Civil Department if your case type involves mandatory mediation.
Howard County Circuit Court judges also sit as the Orphans' Court, which is the court that handles estates, wills, and guardianship of adults. Contact the Register of Wills office at (410) 313-2133 or toll-free at 1-888-848-0136. Register Byron E. Macfarlane oversees that office.
How to Search Howard County Family Court Records
Start your search online. The Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal is free and available any time. You can search by party name, case number, or date range.
Maryland Judiciary Case Search is the official portal for finding Howard County family court cases online without a fee.
Results include the case type, status, filing date, and names of all parties. This is useful for confirming a case exists before requesting copies.
For full documents, contact the Civil Department at (410) 313-3844 or visit the clerk's office in person. Public kiosk terminals at the courthouse let you view scanned case documents on-site at no charge. You only pay if you want a printed copy to take with you.
Mail requests are accepted. Send your written request to 9250 Judicial Way, Ellicott City, MD 21043. State the case number, the names of the parties, and the specific documents you need. Include payment for the applicable fees. Allow processing time before your documents arrive by mail.
Howard County also participates in the Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) e-filing system. Attorneys with active accounts have remote access to case documents. Parties to a case may request remote electronic access through Maryland Courts E-filing if they are not represented by counsel.
Family Law Case Types in Howard County
Howard County Circuit Court handles divorce cases of all types. Absolute divorce ends the marriage. Grounds under Maryland law include mutual consent of both parties, a six-month separation, and irreconcilable differences. When both spouses agree on all issues, a consent divorce can often be resolved faster than a contested case.
Custody and visitation cases decide how children divide time between parents. The court considers the best interest of the child above all else. Physical custody covers where the child lives day to day. Legal custody covers who makes major decisions about education, health, and religion. Joint custody arrangements are common in Howard County.
Child support orders set the amount each parent contributes to the child's expenses. Maryland uses an income-based formula. Either parent can ask the court to modify a support order if income, custody, or the child's needs change significantly. Modification motions cost $31 to file.
Paternity actions establish legal fatherhood for children born outside of marriage. Once a paternity judgment is entered, the court can address child support and custody. Genetic testing is available when paternity is disputed.
Protective order cases for domestic violence are filed in both District Court and Circuit Court. Initial interim orders come from the District Court; final protective orders are issued by Circuit Court after a hearing. These orders can restrict contact, require the respondent to leave a shared home, and address temporary custody of children.
Name changes for adults and minors are processed through the Circuit Court. Guardianship of a minor child can be established when parents cannot care for the child and a relative or other adult assumes that role. Adoption records are maintained by the Circuit Court but are sealed by law and not accessible to the public.
Copy Fees and Request Procedures
Howard County follows Maryland's standard fee schedule for court record copies. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 plus the per-page fee. Exemplification copies carry two court seals and cost $10.00 plus copy fees. These are used when an out-of-state court or agency requires an official certified document.
Filing fees for civil cases without an attorney start at $165. Cases filed with an attorney of record can run between $165 and $210 depending on the type of action. A motion to modify an existing order costs $31 to file. Audio recordings of court proceedings are $25.00 per proceeding. Written transcripts are $3.00 per page.
Fee waivers are available for parties who cannot afford the filing fee. File form CC-DC-089 with your petition and show proof of income or participation in a public benefits program. The clerk's office will tell you whether your application was approved before you proceed with filing.
Download Howard County family law forms from the Maryland Courts website, including the fee waiver form and standard family law petitions.
Forms are available in fillable PDF format, which makes it easier to complete them accurately before printing and submitting.
Help Centers and Legal Resources
Howard County has one of the more accessible court help systems in Maryland. The Court Help Center is at 9250 Judicial Way, Ellicott City, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM. The extended evening hours make it one of the few centers open after standard business hours. Call (410) 260-1392 to reach the help center line.
The Family Law Assistance Program (FLAP) operates at two locations in Howard County. The first is at the courthouse at 9250 Judicial Way, Ellicott City. The second is at 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia. Both locations are open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00 AM to noon by appointment. Call (410) 313-2135 to schedule a visit. FLAP provides free legal consultations to help people understand their options before filing or responding to a case.
Maryland Legal Aid serves low-income Howard County residents with free legal help on family law matters. Visit mdlab.org to check eligibility and find contact information for the local office.
The People's Law Library of Maryland offers free plain-language guides on divorce, custody, support, and protective orders for Howard County residents.
These guides are written for people without legal training and explain each step of common family law procedures.
The Family Law Hotline at 1-800-845-8550 connects callers with legal information and can refer you to attorneys and legal aid organizations in Howard County. The Maryland Courts public information line is (410) 260-1392.
Records That Are Not Public
Maryland law restricts public access to certain family court records. Adoption files are sealed and cannot be viewed without a court order. Juvenile delinquency records and CINA cases are confidential. Financial statements submitted in child support cases are not available to the public under Maryland Rules 16-901 through 16-912.
Some records may be restricted by court order in specific cases. If you cannot find a record online and believe it exists, contact the Civil Department at (410) 313-3844. Staff can tell you if a case has been sealed or if the record is simply not indexed in the online system.
Cities in Howard County
Howard County has two communities with populations over the qualifying threshold. Both are served by the Circuit Court for Howard County in Ellicott City.
Residents of all Howard County communities, whether listed here or not, file family court cases at the Circuit Court building on Judicial Way in Ellicott City.
Nearby Counties
Howard County shares borders with three neighboring Maryland counties, each with its own Circuit Court for family law matters.
- Anne Arundel County - Circuit Court in Annapolis, MD
- Baltimore County - Circuit Court in Towson, MD
- Montgomery County - Circuit Court in Rockville, MD
If a family case involves parties from more than one county, the case is generally filed in the county where the minor children reside or where the existing court order was entered.