Baltimore County Genealogy Records
Baltimore County genealogy records date from 1659 and are held at the Circuit Court in Towson, the Maryland State Archives, the Baltimore County Public Library, and the Historical Society of Baltimore County. Note that Baltimore County and Baltimore City are two entirely separate jurisdictions in Maryland: city residents file records in Baltimore City, not at the Towson courthouse, so confirm which jurisdiction applies before you begin your Baltimore County genealogy search.
Baltimore County Overview
Baltimore County vs. Baltimore City: Baltimore City is an independent jurisdiction, separate from Baltimore County. Records for Baltimore City residents are held at Baltimore City courts and offices, not at the Towson courthouse. The county seat for Baltimore County is Towson.
Baltimore County Circuit Court in Towson
The Circuit Court in Towson is the primary keeper of Baltimore County genealogy records including land documents, civil case files, marriage licenses, and business records. The courthouse is at 401 Bosley Avenue, Towson, MD 21204. The court has separate phone numbers for different functions: land records and licensing at 410-887-2651, civil matters at 410-887-2040, and criminal matters at 410-887-2698.
Marriage licenses are issued at the courthouse. Both parties need birth certificates and a photo ID to apply. There is a 48-hour waiting period after you apply before the license is valid, and licenses are valid for six months but only within Baltimore County. The marriage fee is $55. For genealogy researchers, marriage records from before 1951 are held at the county Circuit Court. Records from 1951 to 2011 moved to the state level. More information on the court is at courts.state.md.us/clerks/baltimorecounty. Regular court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
All Baltimore County land records including deeds, mortgages, and plats are available for free at MDLandRec.net at mdlandrec.net. You can search this system from home without any fee. For court case lookups across all Maryland counties, the state case search at casesearch.courts.state.md.us provides free online access.
| Address | 401 Bosley Avenue, Towson, MD 21204 |
|---|---|
| Land Records | 410-887-2651 |
| Civil Division | 410-887-2040 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm |
| Website | courts.state.md.us/clerks/baltimorecounty |
Birth and Death Records in Baltimore County
Baltimore County vital records are split between the Maryland State Archives and the Maryland Department of Health based on date. The MSA holds birth records from 1898 to 1922 for Baltimore County. Modern birth records created after 1924 are at the Department of Health. The DOH handles requests through the Vital Statistics Administration at health.maryland.gov/vsa, reachable by phone at 410-764-3038.
For death records, the Maryland State Archives has the death index from 1898 to 2011 for Baltimore County. After 2011, death records are at the Department of Health only. The MSA is at 350 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, and you can search their online holdings at msa.maryland.gov or call 410-260-6400 for research assistance. Maryland law under Md. Code, Health-General section 4-214 sets the rules for who may access death records. For older records where restrictions no longer apply, the MSA and FamilySearch are the main free sources.
Baltimore County Public Library
The Baltimore County Public Library system is one of the strongest genealogy resources in the region. The Maryland Room holds local history materials, microfilm collections of area newspapers, and reference books specific to Baltimore County genealogy records. Newspaper collections are particularly valuable for finding marriage announcements, death notices, and other family history information that does not appear in official records.
The library's Maryland Room at bcpl.info supports genealogy research with local history collections, microfilm readers, and access to genealogy databases for Baltimore County records.
Many library branches provide access to subscription databases including Ancestry Library Edition and other genealogy tools at no charge for cardholders. Call your local Baltimore County branch to confirm which branches have genealogy-focused collections before you visit. Librarians in the Maryland Room have specialized knowledge of Baltimore County and can point you toward less obvious record sets that many researchers overlook.
Historical Society of Baltimore County
The Historical Society of Baltimore County holds historical documents, photographs, and manuscript collections that cover Baltimore County families from the 1600s to the twentieth century. Their holdings include family papers, church records, and local organizational records not held anywhere else.
The Historical Society at hsobc.org holds unique manuscript collections and photographs that support Baltimore County genealogy records research beyond what courts and archives can provide.
The Baltimore County Genealogical Society at bcgsmd.org is another community resource worth contacting. Their resource availability may vary, so reach out before planning a visit. The society publishes genealogical materials on Baltimore County families and can connect you with local experts who have researched specific family lines in the area.
Maryland State Archives for Baltimore County Research
The Maryland State Archives holds the core historical record sets for Baltimore County genealogy records from the colonial period through the mid-twentieth century. Their collection covers land records, probate records, civil court files, vital records, and legislative records. The online research guide at guide.msa.maryland.gov helps researchers identify which records exist for Baltimore County and in what format. Many record sets are digitized and available to search from home at no cost.
The Archives of Maryland Online at aomol.msa.maryland.gov contains colonial-era documents relevant to Baltimore County. The Internet Archive also hosts a collection of Maryland State Archives materials at archive.org that is free to browse. For probate records, the statewide Register of Wills portal at registers.maryland.gov provides access to Baltimore County wills and estate filings. Maryland's public records law under General Provisions sections 4-101 and following makes most government records open to inspection, which simplifies research in Baltimore County significantly compared to states with more restrictive access rules.
Cities in Baltimore County
Baltimore County encompasses a large area surrounding but not including Baltimore City. All genealogy records and vital records for residents of these communities are handled at the Baltimore County Circuit Court in Towson, not at Baltimore City offices.
Other communities in Baltimore County include Catonsville, Essex, Parkville, Rosedale, Pikesville, Owings Mills, Reisterstown, and White Marsh. Records for all these areas are filed at the county level in Towson.
Nearby Counties
Baltimore County borders four other Maryland counties. Checking records in neighboring counties can reveal ancestors who moved across county lines or whose estates involved land in multiple jurisdictions.