Search Bowie Criminal History Records
Bowie criminal history records come from two main sources: the Bowie Police Department for local incident reports and the Maryland CJIS Central Repository for official background checks. Bowie is one of the few Prince George's County communities with its own municipal police force. That means you contact city police for local reports and the state CJIS office for full criminal history checks. This page covers both processes in detail for Bowie residents and those looking up Bowie records.
Bowie Overview
Bowie Has Its Own Police Department
Bowie is an incorporated city with a municipal government. Unlike many suburban communities in Maryland, Bowie has its own police department. The Bowie Police Department handles law enforcement within city limits and maintains records for incidents that occur in the city. This is different from places like Bethesda or Dundalk, where county police handle everything.
If an incident happened inside Bowie city limits, you contact the Bowie Police Department for reports. If it happened in the surrounding Prince George's County area but outside the city, you would contact the Prince George's County Police instead. When searching court records, select Prince George's County as the jurisdiction, since Bowie is in that county regardless of which police agency handled the case.
State Criminal History Background Checks
Official criminal history background checks go through the Maryland CJIS Central Repository. The Bowie Police Department does not issue full criminal history reports to the general public. For a complete official criminal history check, you must use the state CJIS system.
To get your own record, submit Form 015 along with a fingerprint card and the required fee. A Maryland state-only check is $18. Adding an FBI check brings the total to $38 or more. Mail to: CJIS Central Repository, P.O. Box 32708, Pikesville, MD 21282-2708. The Help Desk is at 1-888-795-0011 or 410-764-4501. Processing takes 10 to 15 business days from the date CJIS receives your materials.
The DPSCS background check page has the current version of Form 015 and detailed instructions. For fingerprinting locations near Bowie, check the DPSCS fingerprinting page.
The DPSCS main site is the official portal for Bowie criminal history background check submissions and status inquiries.
Bowie Police Department Records
The Bowie Police Department handles records for incidents that took place within Bowie city limits. The Records Office is part of the police department at City Hall. You can request incident reports and other public records through the Records Office during normal business hours.
| Address | 15901 Excalibur Road, Bowie, MD 20716 |
|---|---|
| Records Phone | 240-544-5700 |
| Fax | 240-544-5718 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Website | Bowie Police Department |
For Maryland Public Information Act requests for police records, mail your written request to: Bowie Police Department, 15901 Fred Robinson Way, Bowie, MD 20716. You can also reach the Records contact, Sgt. Samuel Hernandez, at 240-544-5723 or 240-882-2080.
The department will respond to your request within 30 days. You will be notified within 10 working days if the records you requested do not exist. Non-disclosable records, including those involving active investigations or juvenile suspects, will not be released.
Prince George's County Circuit Court
Criminal cases from Bowie are heard in Prince George's County courts. The Circuit Court handles felony and serious criminal matters. The District Court handles misdemeanors and minor offenses.
| Circuit Court Address | 14735 Main Street, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 |
|---|---|
| Circuit Court Phone | 301-952-3318 |
Court records for Bowie cases are searchable for free at the Maryland Judiciary Case Search. Select Prince George's County as the jurisdiction. You can search by name, case number, or party. Results include charges, court dates, and case status. This is a useful research tool, but it does not substitute for an official criminal history record from CJIS.
City Clerk Records and General Records Requests
General City of Bowie records, as opposed to police records, go through the City Clerk's office. The City Clerk for Bowie is Awilda Hernandez. You can reach the Clerk's office at 301-809-3029 or by email at ahernandez@cityofbowie.org.
Most requests related to criminal history, arrests, and police incidents should go through the police department rather than the City Clerk. The Clerk handles general municipal records like meeting minutes, ordinances, and city contracts. If you are not sure which office to contact, calling the main city number at 240-544-5777 is a good first step.
Sex Offender Registry
Maryland DPSCS maintains a free, searchable sex offender registry. You can search by name or address to find registered offenders in the Bowie area. Visit the DPSCS Sex Offender Registry to run a search. The registry includes current addresses, photos, and offense information for all registered offenders in Prince George's County and across Maryland.
Expungement in Prince George's County
Maryland allows expungement of certain criminal records. Eligibility depends on the type of charge, the case outcome, and elapsed time. Dismissed charges and acquittals often qualify right away. Convictions have stricter rules and longer waiting periods.
The Maryland People's Law Library has a free guide that walks through the eligibility rules and filing process. Bowie residents file expungement petitions with the Prince George's County Circuit Court at 14735 Main Street, Upper Marlboro. The clerk's office can provide forms. A licensed attorney can help if your case involves multiple charges or other complications.
Nearby Maryland Cities
These communities near Bowie have their own criminal history record pages with local agency details.
Prince George's County Records
Bowie is part of Prince George's County. The county page has courthouse details, county agency contacts, and additional record sources for the area.