The Office of Clerk of the Circuit Court is one of the oldest public institutions in the State. Since 1658, the Office of Clerk of the Court has provided citizens of Maryland with a variety of services essential to the the State’s Judicial System. Revenue collected for these services is distributed to city, county and state governments.
The Clerk of the Court is a locally elected state official who oversees the many varied processes and procedures integral to the efficient operation of the judicial branch of government. In Howard County, the Clerk is entrusted with a $3 million yearly operating budget for the office and with the fiduciary responsibility of overseeing the collection of a yearly revenue stream that exceeds $55 million. Additionally, the Office maintains custody of approximately $2 million in trust funds.
The Office of the Clerk of the Court performs a variety of functions for the public, including:
- filing, docketing and maintaining various legal records
- recording documents involving title to real estate such as land deeds, mortgages, and plats
- collecting related fees, commissions, and taxes
- issuing business and marriage licenses
- filing, processing and maintaining civil, criminal and juvenile actions
- administering oaths to county officials, judges, and governor appointees
- performing marriage ceremonies