Request for Records and Public Information

New Procedure starting May 24, 2023.  Please read carefully as the system for filing a Public Information Act Request has changed.

Please be advised the Harford County Sheriff’s Office is now utilizing an online system enabling you to search for, or submit requests for, records online. This system will make the process of submitting requests for, and receiving public records easier, enabling you to pay for and receive your records electronically.

Please submit your requests for records at app.govquest.com .  You will be able to search for existing records in the system or request a copy if the records are not currently available in the system.

If the requested records are not currently available in the system, you will be asked to submit your request electronically, and create your account (there is no charge for creating an account) by providing contact information and creating a secure password. This will enable you to:

  • Receive notifications regarding the status of your request as it is being processed;
  • Communicate directly with the agency regarding questions about your request;
  • Submit supplemental request information that may be needed;
  • Download your requested records and save them in your account;
  • Review your purchase history;
  • Pay for your records online.

Requests will be completed within 30 days. If the request is denied or if more information is needed, the PIA Liaison will contact the requestor within 10 business days of the date that the office receives the request.

Juvenile arrest records are not releasable without a court order signed by a judge. In addition, records of child abuse or neglect are not releasable without a court order unless allowed by Maryland law.

If you would like more information on the MPIA for the State of Maryland, you may go to the Attorney General’s website. https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/Pages/OpenGov/pia.aspx

PIA Fee List

  • All requests, Incident reports, Accident reports, Calls for Service (CAD) reports, photos, and Digital Media
    • $10.00 per request – sent electronically
    • Upon receipt of your MPIA Request for Digital Media, the Video Management Team will prepare an estimate of the costs of your request.
    • Once processing is completed, you will be provided the Final Amount Due.
    • No video will be released until receipt of the Final Amount Due payment.
    • Non-payment after 60 days from receiving the Final Amount Due will result in your request being cancelled.
  • $35.00 per hour charge will be added to any request that exceeds the 2 free hours of search required by the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA)**
  • Fees are waived for victims of domestic violence.
  • A $3.00 credit card processing fee will be added to each request

** Special note regarding fees for requests for misconduct records pursuant to the Maryland Public Information Act, Md. Code Ann., Gen. Prov. §§ 4.101., either individual deputy or mass request**

For security reasons, misconduct records are accessed and reviewed only by the members of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Office of Professional Standards (OPS). Accordingly, members of OPS will perform the search, review, and preparation for production of records in response to any request for misconduct records. The response to those requests will then have to be reviewed and approved by Command Staff and/or legal counsel. The hourly fee for responding to those documents after the first two free hours will be greater than those fees charged for routine records requests which are handled by Records Management Staff. The rate for misconduct records requests is assessed as listed below: 

Requestor will pay the Harford County Sheriff’s Office the full amount of the regular wage/FICA payment of the OPS member(s) and Command Staff assigned to the request for each hour of time assigned to fulfilling request over two hours, and if overtime is required to respond to the request, to pay the applicable overtime rate.  The regular hourly rate for OPS and Command Staff members will range between $56.30 and $84.90.

**To submit a request in writing, you may obtain a copy of our request form at the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Headquarters building located at 45 S. Main St., Bel Air, MD 21014.  We will no longer accept request forms via email.