| Clerk of the Circuit Court | Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City |
|---|---|
| Clerk address | Circuit Court Clerk: Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Courthouse, 100 N. Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. Register of Wills: Courthouse East, 111 North Calvert Street, 3rd Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202. District Court (North Calvert St.): 500 N. Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202-3651 |
| Phone | Circuit Court Clerk (410) 333-3722; Register of Wills (410) 752-5131; District Court, North Calvert St. (410) 878-8900 |
| Hours | Circuit Court Clerk, District Court, and Register of Wills all 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday, except legal holidays |
| Earliest records noted | Varies by court — older files may be on paper or microfilm |
| Plain copy fee | $0.50 per page (circuit court clerks) |
| Certified copy fee | $5.00 per document plus $0.50 per page; exemplified (triple-seal) copy $10.00 |
Baltimore City is an independent city, not a county — it separated from Baltimore County in 1851 and has been treated on a par with Maryland's counties under the state constitution ever since. This page uses the same "County" labels the rest of the site uses for consistency, but there is no Baltimore County government involved; Baltimore City runs its own Circuit Court, District Court locations, and Register of Wills exactly as a county would.
The Clerk of the Circuit Court, Xavier A. Conaway, keeps felony, civil, family, and most probate-related filings at the Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Courthouse downtown. The Register of Wills, a separate elected office, handles estate administration and serves as clerk to the Orphans' Court, whose judges in Baltimore City must be members of the Maryland bar.
The District Court of Maryland, District 1, is the busiest district in the state and has four separate locations across the city — Wabash Avenue, Patapsco Avenue, North Avenue, and North Calvert Street (which replaced the former East Fayette Street location in October 2025) — each handling a different mix of civil, criminal, and traffic matters, so confirm which location has a given case before visiting.
Search Baltimore City court records online
Clerk of the Circuit Court
Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City
- Cost
- Free to search Maryland Judiciary Case Search; fees for copies
- Coverage
- Circuit Court felony criminal, civil, and family case records for Baltimore City
- Records
- Civil, Criminal, Family
The Circuit Court also maintains its own site at baltimorecitycourt.org with clerk's office information; case search itself runs through the statewide Maryland Judiciary Case Search.
Other courts
District Court of Maryland, District 1, North Calvert Street (Baltimore City)
- Cost
- Free to search Maryland Judiciary Case Search; fees for copies
- Coverage
- One of four Baltimore City District Court locations; this one replaced the former East Fayette Street courthouse in October 2025
- Records
- Civil, Criminal, Traffic
Baltimore City District Court also has locations on Wabash Avenue, Patapsco Avenue, and North Avenue; confirm which location has a given case before visiting.
Other courts
Register of Wills for Baltimore City
- Cost
- Free to review; fees for copies
- Coverage
- Estate administration and probate filings for Baltimore City
- Records
- Probate
Orphans' Court judges in Baltimore City must be members of the Maryland bar.
What is available online
Circuit Court, District Court, and appellate case information for Baltimore City is searched through the statewide Maryland Judiciary Case Search & Record Portal. Because Baltimore City's District Court is split across four separate physical locations by case type and neighborhood, use Case Search to confirm the correct courthouse before appearing in person. Land records are searched separately through the statewide mdlandrec.net system.
Which clerk has your record
In Maryland, the clerk who keeps a file depends on which court heard the case. Check the court name on the case notice, citation, or order, then use the office and coverage details above to identify the record holder. Court names and responsibilities differ by state; a county clerk may not keep court case files. For federal cases, see the PACER guide. The full court structure is on the Maryland page.
| Court | Typical cases | Records kept by |
|---|---|---|
| Appellate Court of Maryland | Civil and criminal appeals as of right from the circuit courts; Appeals from certain administrative agencies | Clerk of the Appellate Court of Maryland |
| Circuit Courts (one per county and Baltimore City, 8 judicial circuits) | Felony criminal cases; Divorce, custody, and other family cases; Civil cases above the District Court's monetary limit | Clerk of the Circuit Court for the county or Baltimore City |
| District Court of Maryland (statewide, 12 numbered districts) | Landlord-tenant and eviction cases; Civil claims up to $30,000; Misdemeanors and certain felonies | District Court Clerk's Office for that district location (Judiciary employees, not an elected county clerk) |
| Orphans' Court | Probate of wills; Estate administration disputes; Guardianship of property in some cases | Register of Wills, who serves as Clerk to the Orphans' Court |
Request records in person or by mail
Baltimore City clerk offices
Circuit Court Clerk: Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Courthouse, 100 N. Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. Register of Wills: Courthouse East, 111 North Calvert Street, 3rd Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202. District Court (North Calvert St.): 500 N. Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202-3651
Phone: Circuit Court Clerk (410) 333-3722; Register of Wills (410) 752-5131; District Court, North Calvert St. (410) 878-8900
Hours: Circuit Court Clerk, District Court, and Register of Wills all 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday, except legal holidays
Circuit Court records. Request copies from the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Courthouse, 100 N. Calvert Street, in person or by mail. Include the case number if known, the party names and approximate filing year if not, exactly which document is needed, and whether it must be certified.
Estate and probate records. Contact the Register of Wills at Courthouse East, 111 North Calvert Street, 3rd Floor. Ask for the specific document, such as letters testamentary or the order admitting a will to probate.
District Court records. Baltimore City's District Court has four locations; contact the specific location that heard the case, since each covers a different mix of case types and neighborhoods.
Fees
| Item | Typical cost in Maryland |
|---|---|
| Plain copy | $0.50 per page (circuit court clerks) |
| Certified copy | $5.00 per document plus $0.50 per page; exemplified (triple-seal) copy $10.00 |
From the Judiciary's Summary of Charges, Costs, and Fees of the Clerks of the Circuit Court effective October 1, 2025 (Schedule II I 1 and I 3; Courts Article §§ 2-201(b) and 7-202). No fee for mailing copies. Certain copies are free to former and active armed forces members and beneficiaries. This schedule applies to circuit court clerks only; District Court and Register of Wills copy fees are set separately, so confirm with those offices.
Need a copy an agency will accept? See how to get certified copies of court records.
Sealed and restricted records
Maryland court records are open to the public by default under the Maryland Rules on access to court records (Rules 16-901 through 16-912, "Access to Court Records," Title 16, Chapter 900), but several categories are removed from public view:
The Maryland guide lists every category of sealed and restricted record, and our guide to expunging or sealing a criminal record explains how to remove one from public view.
Frequently asked questions
Is Baltimore City part of Baltimore County?
No. Baltimore City has been an independent jurisdiction since 1851 and has never been part of Baltimore County. It has its own Circuit Court, District Court locations, and Register of Wills.
Which District Court location handles my Baltimore City case?
Baltimore City's District Court, District 1, has four locations — Wabash Avenue, Patapsco Avenue, North Avenue, and North Calvert Street. Use Maryland Judiciary Case Search to confirm which one has your case before visiting in person.
How do I search Baltimore City court records?
Use the statewide Maryland Judiciary Case Search & Record Portal, which covers the Circuit Court and District Court records for Baltimore City along with every other Maryland jurisdiction.
Who keeps probate records in Baltimore City?
The Register of Wills for Baltimore City, based at Courthouse East, 111 North Calvert Street. Orphans' Court judges here must be members of the Maryland bar.
Did a Baltimore City District Court location recently move?
Yes. The former East Fayette Street District Court location was replaced by a new courthouse at 500 N. Calvert Street in October 2025.
Sources
- Maryland Courts — Baltimore City Directory — https://www.mdcourts.gov/courtsdirectory/baltimorecity
- Circuit Court for Baltimore City — https://www.baltimorecitycourt.org/
- Register of Wills for Baltimore City — https://registers.maryland.gov/main/baltimorecity.html
- Maryland Courts — District Court, North Calvert Street (District 1) — https://www.mdcourts.gov/district/directories/baltimorecityHUBBARD
- Maryland State Archives — Baltimore City Government (Maryland Manual On-Line) — https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/36loc/bcity/html/bcity.html
- Maryland Courts — Courts Directory — https://www.mdcourts.gov/courtsdirectory/appellate
- Maryland Courts — District Court of Maryland — https://www.mdcourts.gov/district
- Maryland Courts — Orphans' Court — https://www.mdcourts.gov/orphanscourt
- Maryland Judiciary Case Search & Record Portal — https://www.mdcourts.gov/casesearch
- Maryland Courts — Court Records — https://www.mdcourts.gov/courts/courtrecords
- DPSCS — Criminal History Background Checks — https://dpscs.maryland.gov/publicservs/bgchecks.shtml
- Maryland Register of Wills — Directory of Offices — https://registers.maryland.gov/main/directory.html
- Maryland Courts — Circuit Court Fee Schedule — https://www.mdcourts.gov/circuit/feeschedule
- Summary of Charges, Costs, and Fees of the Clerks of the Circuit Court (effective October 1, 2025) [PDF] — https://www.mdcourts.gov/sites/default/files/import/circuit/feesummaryschedule.pdf
- Maryland Courts — Expungement (Adult) — https://www.mdcourts.gov/legalhelp/expungement
- Md. Code, Criminal Procedure § 10-105 — https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcp§ion=10-105&enactments=false
See also: all Maryland counties.