Criminal Statistics
The Maryland Department of State Police publishes an annual crime report as part of the nationwide UCR program. The 2017 report recorded a 15.8% spike in index crime offenses in Harford County within a 12-month span. Of the 3,389 index crimes reported in 2017, 84.1% were property crimes. The increase in reported crimes was accounted for by spikes in rape and robbery offenses. Reports of larceny dipped from 2,813 in 2016 to 2,290 in 2017, while breaking and entering offenses recorded a notable decline, going from 569 reported incidents in 2016 to 477 reported incidents in 2017. Also recorded were 342 incidents of aggravated assault, 84 motor vehicle thefts and 63 incidents of murder and rape.
Criminal Records
The Harford County Sheriff's Office is tasked with generating and retaining records and reports pertaining to criminal activity within county limits, as well as providing general law enforcement related services to county residents. However, the Maryland Department of Public Safety is the central repository of statewide criminal history information, and as such, processes requests for criminal records and background record checks. Thus, all requests for Harford County criminal records may be directed to the State Department.
How to Get Criminal Records
The Background Check Section of the Maryland DPS maintains and processes requests for criminal records of persons resident in Harford county. These records include arrest information, details of a statewide misdemeanor and felony charges as well as all current disposition information of the subject.
To obtain criminal records for employment and licensing purposes, the subject of the required record must obtain a fingerprint card and authorization number from the employer or the licensing agency. With the card, the subject is expected to visit any of the fingerprint vendors recommended by the DPS or schedule a fingerprinting appointment with the Harford County Sheriff's Office at (410) 838-6600.
Subsequent to the fingerprinting, the fingerprint card, along with a cheque or money order payment of $18 should be sent to:
CJIS-Central Repository
6776 Reisterstown Road,
Suite 102 - P.O. Box 32708
Baltimore Maryland 21215
How to Find Sex Offender Information
The Harford County Sheriffs Office maintains a public access Registry of Sex Offenders which features information regarding all sex offenders residing within county limits. Interested county residents may view offender addresses and their compliance status by searching the Registry using the offender’s name, address, their proximity to specific locations or the type of offense which the offender was convicted for. The Sheriffs Office also provides an Email Notification Service which is especially useful for county residents interested in receiving email alerts regarding noteworthy updates in sex offender location and compliance.
Where and How to Get Inmate and Jail Information
The Harford County Detention Center is primarily managed by the County Sheriff's Office. The office also processes queries relating to the facility and its detainees. All information regarding the jail and inmates, including housing, inmate welfare, and commissary, visitation guidelines and schedules, and various inmate programs can be obtained on the Detention Center Information Page. However, detainee-specific inquiries may be made using the VINE service provided by the Sheriff's Office. Using the VINE service, interested persons may obtain information regarding an inmate's custody status, their primary charges, their bail and bond conditions, and their prospective release dates.
Court Records
Where and How to Get Court Records
The Office of the Circuit Court Clerk of Harford County manages records of court cases heard by the court. Interested persons may obtain copies of non-confidential court records by querying the office via mail or in person.
To obtain a record, requestors will be required to provide information regarding the record of interest - including the names of the defendant, plaintiff and/or litigant, the approximate date of filing and the case file number of the record (if known).
Both in-person and mail requests should be made to:
Harford County Circuit Court Clerk
20 West Courtland Street,
Bel Air, MD 21014
Phone: (410) 838-4952
Alternatively, requesters may access court records remotely using the online Case Search Tool. Using the tool, records may be searched by case file number and the defendant, victim or witness names.
Additionally, the online tool can be used to retrieve real property and land records as well as judgment and liens.
Location of all Courts In County
Listed below are the addresses and contact information of all the courthouses in Harford County, Maryland:
Harford County Circuit Court
Harford County Courthouse
20 W Courtland St,
Bel Air, MD 21014
Phone: (410) 838-4952
Harford County District Court
Mary E. W. Risteau Multi-Service Center
2 S Bond St, #100,
Bel Air, MD 21014
Phone: (410) 836-4545
Harford County Orphans' Court
Mutual Fire Insurance Building
18 Office St,
Bel Air, MD 21014
Phone: (410) 638-3275
Fax: (410) 893-317
Vital Records
The Maryland Vital Statistics Administration is primarily responsible for maintaining and disseminating Maryland vital records. These records are also maintained at the county level and in Harford County are co-managed by the office of the Circuit Court Clerk and the County Health Department. Essentially, Harford county vital records may be obtained at state or county levels. But while the fees for accessing these records may vary with the issuing office, the eligibility requirements are the same across the board.
Where and How to Get Divorce Records
Records of divorces granted in Harford county are maintained by the office of the County Circuit Court Clerk Interested persons may obtain copies of these records by querying the office via mail or in person.
To obtain a record, the requesting party will be required to provide information regarding the divorce and the divorcees such as the names of the spouses (including any maiden names), the date and place of the divorce case file number of the record (if known).
Divorce record requests should be made to:
Harford County Circuit Court Clerk
20 West Courtland Street,
Bel Air, MD 21014
Phone: (410) 838-4952
Where and How to Get Marriage Records
The Harford County Circuit Court Clerk's Office issues marriage licenses to intending couples within county limits and retains records of marriages. Interested persons may obtain copies of marriage records by requesting the record in person, via mail or fax. Requests can be made by completing the Request for Certified Copy of Marriage License form. The application should be submitted along with a cash, cheque or money order payment of $5.50 either in person via mail or fax to:
Harford County Circuit Court Clerk
20 West Courtland Street,
Bel Air, MD 21014
Phone: (410) 838-4952
Fax: (410) 838-8540
Where and How to Get Birth and Death Records
The Harford County Health Department processes requests for records of births and deaths which occurred within county limits. In compliance with state laws, these records are only accessible to eligible persons who must either be the subject of the record, an immediate family member of the subject (with proof of relationship) and persons who are legally authorized to obtain the record.
To request either record, the requesting party must make in-person requests to the Department. Mail-in, phone or email applications are not accepted. Requests can be made by completing the Birth Certificate Application or the Death Certificate Application. The completed forms should then be submitted along with the stated fees and ID requirements to:
Harford County Health Department
120 S. Hays Street
P.O. Box 797
Bel Air, MD 21014-0797
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Are Property Records Open to the Public in Harford County?
Property records kept by Harford County government agencies fall under the umbrella of public records. Anyone who wishes to obtain copies of Harford County recorded property documents can contact the Land Record and licensing department of the Office of the Clerk of Court.
Where and How to Find Property Records in Harford County
The Office of the Harford County Clerk of Court is the custodian of property records in the county. The Register records and maintains Records available from 1773 to Present, Deeds, Deeds of Trust, Releases of Mortgages, Assignments of Mortgages, Leases over seven years, Easements, Rights of Ways, and Restrictions. Requesters can obtain copies of Harford County property records from the Clerk of Court's office at 50 cents per page and an additional $5 for certified copies. Below is the contact of the Harford County Clerk of Court:
West Courtland Street
Bel Air, MD 21014
Phone: (410) 838-4952
The Harford County Clerk of Court's office is open to the public during weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
How to Look Up Harford County Property Records
Anyone can view and obtain copies of deeds and liens recorded in Harford County from the Maryland state online lookup search tool. The site contains information on all verified land records in the state. Requesters may have to create an account with the Maryland State Archives to access the portal. People can also lookup information on all Plats recorded with the Land Office and the state of Maryland Circuit Courts on the online lookup tool developed and maintained by the Maryland Circuit Court Clerks, the Maryland State Archives, and the Administrative Office of the Courts. The office of the Harford County Clerk of Circuit Court is open to the public; Mondays to Fridays from the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and it is located at:
West Courtland Street
Bel Air, MD 21014
Phone: (410) 838-4952
Location of Harford County Township Property Assessors
West Preston Street
Baltimore, MD 21201 - 2395
Phone: (410) 767-117
(410) 767-1170
Fax: (410) 333-5512
(410) 333-7937
South Bond Street
Bel Air, MD 21014
Phone: (410) 836-4800
Fax: (410) 838-5914
E-mail: sdat.harf@maryland.gov
