Find Towson Public Records
Towson public records are maintained by Baltimore County because Towson is an unincorporated census-designated place (CDP), not an incorporated city. There is no Towson city government, no city clerk, and no municipal records office. All public records for the Towson area, including police reports, court filings, property data, and MPIA requests, run through Baltimore County agencies. Towson also serves as the county seat of Baltimore County, which means many county offices are physically located here, making in-person access more convenient than it would be in other parts of the county.
Towson Public Records Overview
Towson's Records Structure Under Baltimore County
Because Towson is unincorporated, every public record for the area is a Baltimore County record. There is no separate Towson city code, no Towson police department, and no Towson city budget. Baltimore County provides all services and maintains all records. This can feel counterintuitive given how large and well-known Towson is, but it is the practical reality of how records are stored and accessed here.
Baltimore County Government is headquartered at 400 Washington Avenue, Towson, MD 21204. The main number is (410) 887-3000, and offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The County Executive's office is in the Historic Courthouse at 400 Washington Avenue, Room 100. Most county agencies are within a few blocks of this central address, which makes Towson a convenient hub for in-person records searches.
If you need a county record and are not sure which agency holds it, the main Baltimore County government website at baltimorecountymd.gov is the best starting point. It lists every department with direct links to their records and contact information. The site also hosts the county's online MPIA request portal.
One practical note: when searching online databases such as SDAT or the Maryland Judiciary Case Search, always select "Baltimore County" rather than searching for "Towson" as a city. Towson does not appear as its own jurisdiction in most state databases. The county code for Baltimore County in SDAT is 04.
Court Records in Towson
The Baltimore County Circuit Court is the main court serving Towson and all of Baltimore County. It is located in the County Courts Building at 401 Bosley Avenue, Towson, MD 21204. The phone is (410) 887-2601, and the Clerk of the Circuit Court is Julie Ensor. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. This court handles major civil cases, felony criminal matters, family law, appeals from the District Court, and juvenile cases.
For certified copies of court documents, contact the clerk directly by phone or in writing. Mail requests can go to P.O. Box 6754, Towson, MD 21285-6754. The email for the court is CCBaltCoClerkRecords@mdcourts.gov. Copy fees are $0.50 per page, with an additional $5.00 certification fee for certified copies.
The Baltimore County District Court for the Towson area is at 120 East Chesapeake Avenue, Towson, MD 21286. The phone is (410) 512-2000. The District Court covers misdemeanors, traffic cases, civil claims under $30,000, and landlord-tenant disputes. Additional District Court locations in Baltimore County include Catonsville at 900 Walker Avenue (410-512-2500) and Essex at 8914 Kelso Drive (410-512-2300).
The Baltimore County Circuit Court clerk page has full contact details, filing instructions, and links to court forms for Towson area cases.
The Baltimore County Circuit Court clerk page lists division contacts, filing hours, and guidance for obtaining Towson-area court records in person or by mail.
For online searches, use the Maryland Judiciary Case Search at casesearch.courts.state.md.us. It is free and covers all Baltimore County Circuit and District Court cases. You can search by party name, case number, attorney, or business name. Results show case type, filing date, hearing dates, charges (in criminal cases), and final disposition. No account is required.
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search is the statewide tool for finding any Towson area court case filed in Circuit or District Court.
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search lets you look up Towson area civil and criminal cases by name or case number, showing filing dates, hearing schedules, and outcomes without requiring an account or any fee.
Probate matters for Towson residents are handled by the Orphans' Court, which shares the County Courts Building at 401 Bosley Avenue. The Register of Wills office is in Room 500 of the same building, reachable at (410) 887-6680. Estate records and will filings for Towson residents are searchable through the Register of Wills probate system online.
Baltimore County Police Records for Towson
The Baltimore County Police Department (BCoPD) serves Towson. The Records Division, formally called the Information and Records Management Unit, is at 700 East Joppa Road, Towson, MD 21286-5501. The direct line for the Records Division is (410) 887-2214. You can also reach the records office at (410) 887-2544 and the crime reports line at (410) 887-2390.
For MPIA requests related to police records, there are two contacts depending on your role. Media inquiries go to Joy Stewart at (410) 887-2210 or policepia@baltimorecountymd.gov. All other MPIA requests go to Melissa Garrett at (410) 887-2211 or mjgarrett@baltimorecountymd.gov.
To request a police report, complete a Police Report Request Form (available on the Baltimore County website) or write a request that includes: the full name and date of birth of the subject if requesting an arrest or criminal history, the incident date and location, the case number if known, the type of incident, your contact information, and a copy of valid government-issued photo ID. Send by mail to 700 East Joppa Road, Towson, MD 21286-5501, by email to bcopd@baltimorecountymd.gov, or deliver in person to the Records Management Unit.
Police reports cost $15 per report. Crime victims can get their own report at no charge. Accident reports are $15. Additional pages are $0.25 each. The first two hours of staff search time are free; beyond that, the rate is $25 to $50 per hour. Certified copies carry an extra $5.00 fee. Payment by check or money order is required for mail requests, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery.
Closed case incident reports, accident reports, crime statistics, and arrest logs are generally public. Active investigation materials, juvenile records, internal affairs files, personnel records, and victim information in sensitive crimes are restricted. Processing takes roughly two weeks for standard requests and up to 30 days or more for complex ones. Under MPIA, the department must respond in writing within 30 days.
MPIA Requests for Baltimore County Records
General MPIA requests for Baltimore County government records go to the Office of Law, 400 Washington Avenue, Room 219, Towson, MD 21204. The phone is (410) 887-4420. The county's MPIA information is at baltimorecountymd.gov/agencies/law/piarequests. Different departments within Baltimore County have their own contacts for specific record types, so routing your request to the right office first will get you a faster response.
When drafting an MPIA request, include a clear statement that you are making a request under the Maryland Public Information Act, your name and mailing address, a daytime phone number, and a specific description of the records you want, including any known dates, case numbers, or department names. You do not have to explain why you want the records. Baltimore County must provide an initial response within 10 working days and a full response within 30 days. If an extension is needed, the agency must notify you in writing.
Copy fees are $0.25 per page for paper records. Certified copies are $5.00 per document plus copy fees. Electronic records are provided at actual cost of production. Fee waivers are available if you can show indigency or that the disclosure serves a clear public interest. Request a waiver in your initial letter if you want to be considered.
Denials must be in writing and must cite the specific statutory exemption that applies. If your request is denied, you have the right to appeal to the Circuit Court or to the Office of the Attorney General's MPIA Compliance Board.
Property Records in Towson
Property records for Towson are in the SDAT Real Property database under Baltimore County, county code 04. Search by street address, account identifier, map reference, or owner name. Tax account numbers follow the format: 04 (county code) + district code + account number, such as 04-01-123456.
SDAT shows current and historical ownership, the property's legal description, parcel boundaries, assessment values, deed history, mortgage and lien information, plat references, and zoning information through Baltimore County Planning. The SDAT Real Property Search is free and does not require a login.
The SDAT Real Property Search shows ownership history, assessment values, and deed references for any Towson property when you select Baltimore County (code 04) from the dropdown menu.
For recorded deeds, mortgages, and other instruments, the Land Records Office is in the County Courts Building at 401 Bosley Avenue, Room 300, Towson, MD 21204. The phone is (410) 887-2601. Maryland Land Records at mdlandrec.net also provides online access to recorded documents statewide after free registration. This is the best way to pull the actual text of a deed or mortgage without visiting the courthouse. Property tax payment options are available through the Baltimore County Office of Budget and Finance at 400 Washington Avenue, Room 150, Towson, MD 21204, phone (410) 887-2404.
Vital Records for Towson Residents
Birth and death certificates for Towson residents are handled at the state level by the Maryland Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, at 6764 Reisterstown Road, Baltimore, MD 21215. The phone is (410) 764-3038, with a toll-free line at 1-800-832-3277. The web address is health.maryland.gov/vsa. Records for events from 1969 forward are typically available through this office.
Marriage licenses for new applications are issued at the Baltimore County Circuit Court Clerk's office, 401 Bosley Avenue, Room 500, Towson, MD 21204, phone (410) 887-2601. Both parties must appear with valid ID. For certified copies of existing marriage records, contact the same clerk's office or request through the state vital records office for more recent certificates.
Divorce decrees are filed at the Baltimore County Circuit Court. Mail requests for copies to P.O. Box 6754, Towson, MD 21285-6754, or email CCBaltCoClerkRecords@mdcourts.gov. The copy fee is $0.50 per page, plus $5.00 for certification. The Register of Wills at 401 Bosley Avenue, Room 500, phone (410) 887-6680, handles estate filings, will probate, and guardianship proceedings for all Baltimore County residents including those in Towson.
For records tied to Baltimore County as a whole, including procedures and contacts beyond what is listed here, the Baltimore County public records page has additional detail on all record types and offices serving the Towson area.
Nearby Maryland Cities
Towson is in Baltimore County in northern Maryland, close to several other cities with their own public records pages.