Harford County Criminal History Records
Harford County criminal history records come from several sources in northeastern Maryland, and the right one depends on what you need. The Maryland Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) is the official source for certified background checks, while the Harford County Circuit Court in Bel Air holds public case filings going back many years. Local law enforcement also maintains incident reports and arrest records. This page covers each source, how to access records, what fees apply, and where to submit your request.
Harford County Overview
Harford County Circuit Court Criminal Records
The Harford County Circuit Court in Bel Air handles felony cases, serious misdemeanors, and appeals from the District Court. Court records are public by default unless sealed by a judge. You can search cases at no cost through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal. That system covers most cases filed since 1989 and shows charges, dispositions, and court dates. Sealed and expunged records do not appear.
Paper copies cost $0.50 per page at the clerk's office. Staff cannot run criminal background checks for you. That is handled separately by CJIS. If you need copies by mail, send a written request to the clerk with the case number, full name, and approximate filing date. Include a check or money order for the copy fee.
| Address | 20 West Courtland Street, Bel Air, MD 21014 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 410-638-3426 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM |
| Website | courts.state.md.us/clerks/harford |
The clerk of court is Michelle Karczeski. The District Court at 2 South Bond Street, Bel Air (410-836-4545) handles misdemeanors, traffic matters, and lower-level cases. Both courts are searchable through the same Case Search portal.
CJIS Background Checks in Harford County
An official Harford County criminal history background check must go through DPSCS and the CJIS Central Repository. This is the only path to a certified criminal history record in Maryland. The fee is $18 for a state-only check. Adding an FBI check brings the total to $38 or more. Processing takes 10 to 15 business days in most cases.
Start with fingerprinting on a Form 015 state card. Authorized fingerprint locations in Harford County include the Sheriff's Office and private vendors. Once printed, mail the card and payment to CJIS-CR, P.O. Box 32708, Pikesville, MD 21282-2708. Overnight delivery goes to 6776 Reisterstown Road, Suite 102, Baltimore, MD 21215. Call 1-888-795-0011 with questions about status or processing. Details are on the DPSCS background check page.
The image below shows the DPSCS online portal where Harford County residents can initiate and manage criminal history background check requests.
This state portal handles certified background check requests from all Maryland counties, including Harford.
Harford County Sheriff Records and PIA Requests
The Harford County Sheriff's Office processes public records requests under the Maryland Public Information Act. You can submit a request through the online GovQuest portal or by mail. Written requests go to the PIA Liaison at 45 South Main Street, P.O. Box 150, Bel Air, MD 21014. The PIA Liaison is Michelle Hanks. Reach her at hanksm@harfordsheriff.org or 443-409-3403.
Fees took effect January 1, 2026. GovQuest portal submissions cost $10 per item. Other submissions run $15 per item. If a record includes video on CD, DVD, or thumb drive, add $20 for each media item. The Sheriff's Office can also release crash reports. Those are available through a separate portal. Crash reports are typically ready 5 to 10 business days after the incident date.
The office is required to notify you within 10 working days of receiving a request. Completed records must be delivered within 30 days. Arrest reports are kept for 75 years. Felony investigation files are kept permanently. Booking records are also retained for 75 years.
| Address | 45 South Main Street, Bel Air, MD 21014 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 410-838-6600 |
| Records Portal | records.govquest.com/harford-county-sheriff |
| Website | harfordsheriff.org |
Crash reports can be accessed through crashdocs.org. You must be a party to the crash, an insurer, or a legal representative to obtain that type of report.
What Harford County Criminal History Records Include
A CJIS criminal history record covers arrests, charges, and dispositions statewide. It is not limited to Harford County cases. If someone was arrested in Bel Air and charged in another county, both events can appear. The record shows case numbers, offense descriptions, court outcomes, and sentencing information where recorded.
Court records from the Circuit or District Court are narrower. They cover only what was filed in that specific court. Use Maryland Judiciary Case Search to preview what exists online. That tool is free and does not require a login. However, those results are not certified and cannot substitute for an official CJIS record. Records accessed through Case Search may lag behind actual court activity by a few days.
Note: Expunged records are removed from public view and will not appear in Case Search or in standard records requests.
Fingerprinting and Identity Verification
Fingerprinting is required for certified background checks in Maryland. Harford County residents can get fingerprinted at authorized locations near Bel Air. Some law enforcement offices offer ink fingerprinting, while private vendors provide live scan digital services. Check the DPSCS fingerprinting page for a current list of providers. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID to any fingerprinting appointment.
Live scan submissions are faster and less prone to rejection than ink cards. Both methods are accepted by CJIS. The Form 015 fingerprint card is the standard document for mail-in submissions. That form is available through the Sheriff's Office or from DPSCS directly.
Expungement of Harford County Criminal Records
Maryland law allows eligible individuals to have certain criminal records expunged. After a successful expungement, those records are removed from public view, including from Circuit Court files and CJIS records. What qualifies depends on the charge type, the outcome, and the time that has passed since the case closed.
Free guides are available through the People's Law Library and the Maryland courts expungement page. Petitions are filed at the Circuit Court in Bel Air. The filing fee is $30, though courts may waive it in some circumstances. Cases that ended in a guilty verdict on most charges are not eligible unless they fall under specific newer provisions in state law.
Important: An expungement petition does not guarantee removal. The court reviews each case individually before approving or denying the request.
Maryland Sex Offender Registry in Harford County
The Maryland Sex Offender Registry is a public database run by DPSCS. It is entirely separate from the CJIS criminal history system. You can search it for free at dpscs.maryland.gov. Results show registered offenders in Harford County and across the state, including names, addresses, and offense details. No account or payment is needed.
Registration is required under Maryland law for convictions involving certain sexual offenses. The database is updated on a regular basis. If you believe information is inaccurate, contact DPSCS directly. The Maryland State Police also has records in some cases. Reach them at mdsp.maryland.gov.
Cities in Harford County
One community in Harford County meets the population threshold for an individual page on this site.
Other communities in Harford County include Aberdeen, Havre de Grace, Edgewood, Abingdon, and Joppatowne. These areas are all served by the same Circuit Court and Sheriff's Office based in Bel Air.
Nearby Counties
Harford County borders Cecil and Baltimore County. Criminal records from those jurisdictions may be relevant if someone has ties to multiple areas.