Rich in the tradition and history of Maryland, the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court is one of the oldest public institutions in the State. The Clerk of Court is a locally-elected State official with responsibilities established and regulated by the laws of Maryland and Rules of the Court of Appeals of Maryland. Since 1658, the Office of the Clerk of Court has provided the citizens of Maryland with a variety of essential services. Every resident of the State is a potential recipient of the services. The revenue collected by the clerks for these services is distributed to county and state governments. 

The records maintained by the Office of the Clerk of Court are available to the public for review. However, the records of juvenile or adoption cases may be restricted. Court records can be search on the Maryland Judiciary Web site.

The following is a partial list of the types of cases filed and processed by the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court at 8360 Court Avenue, Ellicott City, Maryland 21043: 

Civil

• Judicial Review of Administrative Agency Decisions
• Appeals from the District Court
• Matters which involve domestic relations including divorces, child support, and custody
• Matters which involve non-domestic issues including foreclosures, mechanics liens and injunctions
• Adoption and Paternity Matters
• Guardianships
• Name changes
• Motor torts and other torts

• Felony and certain misdemeanor charges filed by the Grand Jury or the State's Attorney
• Appeals from the District Court and requests for jury trials

• Juvenile cases may include any matter brought before the Court which involve persons under the age of eighteen years.

• Liens and judgments including encumbrances, State tax liens, hospital liens, Maryland tax liens, District Court liens, civil judgments, and United States District Court judgments are recorded in the Office of the Clerk. 

• Citizens are selected randomly for service on grand and petit juries in the manner prescribed by the Court of Appeals. Jury trials are available only in the Circuit Courts of Maryland. 

Public Official Commissions

• The Oaths of Office for elected and appointed local officials, as well as officials appointed by the Governor for certain boards and commissions, are administered by the Clerk.

LAND RECORDS 

• Deeds
• Mortgages and Deeds of Trust
• Leases
• Releases of Mortgages and Deeds of Trust
• Land Contracts

• Subdivision
• Condominium
• Highway

Miscellaneous Records 

• Financing Statements (prior to July 1, 1995)
• Military Discharges 
• Federal Liens

• Marriage Licenses 
• Civil Marriages 
• Business Licenses 
• Notary Public Commissions-An application for a notary public commission can be obtained by contacting the Secretary of State (www.sos.state.md.us) in Annapolis. Upon approval of this application, notary public commissions are issued by the Clerk. 

Please be advised that the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court is prohibited by law from rendering legal advice and from performing title searches.