Search Sex Offenders in Howard County
Howard County sex offender records are maintained by the Howard County Police Department Records Section and accessible through the Maryland statewide registry. You can search registered sex offenders in Howard County by name, ZIP code, or address using the free public tool run by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. This page covers how to use that registry, who to contact at the local level, what court records are available, and where victims in Howard County can find help.
Howard County Overview
Search Howard County Sex Offender Records
The Maryland sex offender registry is the primary tool for finding registered sex offenders in Howard County. The registry is free and requires no account or login. The Maryland DPSCS registry lets you filter results by county. Choose Howard County from the dropdown, and the results will show only offenders with a current registration there. Each result includes a photo, current address, tier level, offense description, and compliance status.
ZIP code searching is useful for checking specific neighborhoods in Columbia, Ellicott City, Laurel, or other Howard County communities. Enter a ZIP code and pick a search radius. The map view pins offender locations on an interactive map so you can see the distribution across an area. You can also filter by tier level if you want to see only higher-tier offenders. The system flags non-compliant individuals so you know who has not met their check-in obligations.
The Howard County government homepage is a good starting point for local public safety contacts and department links. The screenshot below was captured from howardcountymd.gov, which links to the Police Department and other county services.
The county homepage connects residents to the Police Department, the Sheriff's Office, courts, and victim services all in one place.
The Howard County Police Department website has more detail on registration contacts and records requests. The screenshot below shows the police department page at howardcountymd.gov/police.
The police site lists the Records Section contact, registration hours, and how to request reports under the Maryland Public Information Act.
Note: The Maryland Judiciary Case Search covers Circuit and District Court cases from Howard County at no cost and is available around the clock.
Howard County Police Department
The Howard County Police Department handles sex offender registration for all residents of Howard County. The registration unit operates out of the Records Section at the Northern District station. Offenders living anywhere in Howard County must complete their periodic check-ins at this location. Registration is by appointment or walk-in during posted hours, but calling ahead is recommended to confirm availability.
The Records Section is located at 3410 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043. The general records line is 410-313-2250, and the dedicated sex offender registration line is 410-313-2280. Registration hours run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The email for the Records Section is therecordssection@howardcountymd.gov. Acting Custodian of Records is Jaime Collins. For MPIA requests, the designated liaisons are Staff Sgt. Darrin Granger (dkgranger@howardcountymd.gov) and Cpl. Mark Verderaime (mverderaime@howardcountymd.gov).
Under CP § 11-705, anyone required to register must do so within three days of release from a correctional facility, the start of community supervision, or moving into Maryland. That three-day rule applies in Howard County. Any change in address, job, school, vehicle, phone number, or email must also be reported within three days under CP § 11-704.
| Records Section Address | 3410 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043 |
|---|---|
| Records Phone | 410-313-2250 |
| Registration Phone | 410-313-2280 |
| Registration Hours | Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
| Records Email | therecordssection@howardcountymd.gov |
| Records Custodian | Jaime Collins (Acting) |
Howard County Sheriff's Office
The Howard County Sheriff's Office handles civil process, courthouse security, and certain law enforcement functions that are separate from the Police Department. The Sheriff's Office is located at 9250 Judicial Way, Ellicott City, MD 21043, which is the same address as the Circuit Court. The main phone number is 410-313-2150. Sheriff Marcus Harris was elected in 2026. His email is maharris@howardcountymd.gov.
While sex offender registration itself runs through the Police Department's Records Section, the Sheriff's Office can answer questions about civil matters tied to sex offense cases, such as protective order service and court security. For MPIA requests directed to the Sheriff's Office, contact Sgt. Darrin Granger at dkgranger@howardcountymd.gov or Cpl. Mark Verderaime at mverderaime@howardcountymd.gov.
The Howard County Police Department also has district stations at three locations across the county. The Southern District station is at 11226 Scaggsville Road, Laurel, which serves the southern portion of the county near the Prince George's County line. The Community Outreach Office is at 10741 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia. Full police records services are available only at the Northern District station on Court House Drive.
The MPIA portal for records requests from Howard County is available at howardcountymd.gov/pia. The screenshot below shows that portal.
The portal guides requesters through the MPIA process online. Standard processing time is up to 30 days, with the first two hours of search time at no charge.
Note: Police report copies cost $10 per report and $0.25 per page. Victims of crime are exempt from these fees under Howard County policy.
Howard County Court Records
Howard County is served by both a Circuit Court and a District Court. The Circuit Court handles felony sex offense cases, including first and second degree rape and first and second degree sex offense. These are the cases that most often generate Tier III registrations. The District Court handles lower-level charges, misdemeanor sex offenses, and protective order applications. Court records from both courts are available through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search at no cost.
The Circuit Court for Howard County is located at 9250 Judicial Way, Ellicott City. Clerk Wayne A. Robey can be reached at 410-313-2111 or 410-313-2160. Standard copy fees are $0.50 per page, and certified copies run $5.00 each. The District Court is at 3451 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City, and can be reached at 410-480-7700. There is also a 24-hour Court Commissioner at 7311 Waterloo Road, Jessup, reachable at 410-313-5309. The Commissioner handles emergency protective orders and initial appearance hearings after hours.
Failing to register as required in Howard County is a criminal offense. Under CP § 11-721, a first failure-to-register charge is a misdemeanor with up to three years in jail and a $5,000 fine. A second offense is a felony carrying up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Those cases would be heard in Howard County's Circuit or District Court depending on the level of the charge.
Sex Offender Registration in Howard County
Maryland's three-tier classification system applies uniformly across all counties, including Howard. Tier I offenders register for 15 years and verify every six months. Tier II offenders register for 25 years with six-month check-ins. Tier III offenders register for life and must verify every three months. Under CP § 11-707, these requirements do not vary by county. Howard County Police enforces the same schedule statewide.
Each in-person check-in at the Records Section requires the offender to verify their current address, employment, vehicle information, internet identifiers, and any other registered details. Photo, fingerprints, and DNA are collected at initial registration. If any of that information changes, the offender has three days to report it. Homeless offenders must check in weekly at the Records Section for as long as they lack a fixed address.
Howard County residents can sign up for free alerts through the Maryland Sex Offender Alert Line at 1-866-559-8017. Call the line, enter your phone number and your ZIP code, and you will get a call when a registered offender moves into that area. The iCrimeWatch system also lets you monitor a specific address or radius by email. Under CP § 11-717, the registration statements are public record and must be made available to anyone who asks.
Registered sex offenders in Howard County cannot enter school or daycare property without the written permission of the principal or owner under CP § 11-722. This covers all licensed childcare facilities and public and private schools throughout the county, including those in Columbia, Ellicott City, and Laurel.
Victim Services in Howard County
HopeWorks is the primary victim services organization in Howard County. It was formerly known as the Domestic Violence Center of Howard County. HopeWorks operates out of 9770 Patuxent Woods Drive, Suite 300, Columbia, MD 21046. Their 24/7 helpline is 410-997-2272. The toll-free line is 1-800-752-0191. The organization's website is hopeworksofhc.org. Services include emergency shelter, crisis counseling, legal advocacy, hospital accompaniment, support groups, and youth programs. All services are confidential.
The Howard County Police Department also has dedicated victim support contacts. The Victim Assistance line is 410-313-3768, and the Domestic Violence Section can be reached at 410-313-3741. A Victims' Rights Advocate is available at 410-313-4214 to help people understand their rights in the criminal process. A Domestic Violence Advocate is at 410-313-4012. These contacts can help victims navigate protective orders, court appearances, and safety planning.
The Listening Place is a child-focused resource in Howard County. It provides child-friendly forensic interview services, on-site medical exams, and multi-agency collaboration for cases involving child victims of abuse or assault. Referrals typically come through law enforcement or the Department of Social Services.
VINE at VineLink lets any registered victim get notified when an incarcerated person's custody status changes. The service is free. Notifications go by phone call, text, or email whenever the offender's status in a Maryland correctional facility changes.
Note: HopeWorks accepts direct calls from anyone in Howard County who needs help, with no referral needed. Their helpline operates around the clock, every day of the year.
Cities in Howard County
Howard County includes several major communities. Residents of these cities fall under the Howard County Police Department for sex offender registration and records.
Nearby Counties
Howard County borders several other Maryland counties. Offenders who move across county lines must re-register with the new county's local law enforcement within three days.