Maryland Divorce Records

Divorce Records in Maryland

Divorce records are commonly sought to verify that a divorce has taken place or for genealogical reasons. The states maintain their own records since the states regulate the granting of divorces. In Maryland, the State office has and maintains divorce records since January 1961. However, certified copies are not available at the state level and must instead be requested from the county where the divorce was filed and finalized.

Since fees for searches and copies of divorce records varies across counties, the following number is available to acquire the cost in a particular county: 410) 764-3069 or (800) 832-3277. This number may also be used to request fees for other types of official record searches and copies. Fees are usually nominal or small amounts.

In Maryland, written requests for divorce records should be made to the Clerk of the county where the divorce was filed. All divorce records are filed by the husband�s last name. Therefore, you must be able to provide that information. If you don�t have it, then you can conduct a search of past and present spouses to get that name. Additionally, this type of search will also locate the name of the county since the addresses of all spouses is listed along with his or her name.

Most searches for official records take between two to ten days depending upon the amount of information that is provided with the request. Genealogical searches usually take longer for a variety of reasons including the availability of pertinent information, the lack of urgency of the request, and the availability of courthouse resources and staff.

Follow the guidelines here to produce a more efficient search.

1. Print or type each name and address clearly to avoid confusion. This includes the full name of both the husband and the wife. The maiden name should be included for the wife.
2. Keep your request brief and to the point.
3. Limit your request to one document.
4. Include the full names of the individuals, including nicknames and alternate spellings that may have been used.
5. Include the full address of the individual at the time of the divorce, including street, city or town, and state. If you know the county in which the divorce took place, include that as well.
6. Include the date that the divorce was finalized. If you do not have this piece of information available, include a time frame for the search. Generally, it is best to specify a short span of years for an unknown year search. You can always expand the number of years that you search, and a shorter span will lead to a shorter search. You can expect to pay an additional fee for searches such as this that require more effort.
7. Include contact information where you can be reached in the event that more information is required. Include a daytime telephone number, as well as, an evening telephone number. You may also include a fax number or an e-mail address.
8. You should include your relationship to the individual�s listed in your search request.
9. You should include the purpose of your request.
10. Print your name clearly and sign your request. Some states may also require additional identifying information on you as well, including a driver�s license number.
11. Include a SASE, or self addressed stamped envelope with your request for a speedier delivery.
12. Include the date that you mail your request with your correspondence.

A list of the local county courthouses for Maryland is provided below in alphabetical order.

State of Maryland
Maryland Division of Vital Records
6550 Reisterstown Rd.
Baltimore, MD 21215
Telephone: (410) 764-3069 or (800) 832-3277
Fax: (410) 358-0738

Allegany County
Allegany County Clerk
3 Pershing Street
Cumberland, MD 21502-3043
Telephone: (301) 777-5911

Anne Arundel County
Anne Arundel County Clerk
44 Calvert St.
Annapolis, MD 21401-1930
Telephone: (410) 318-6119

Baltimore County
Baltimore County Clerk
401 Bosley Avenue
Towson, MD 21204
Telephone: (410) 887-2601

Baltimore City
Baltimore City County Clerk
6550 Reisterstown Plaza
Baltimore, MD 21202-3417
Telephone: (410) 764-3038

Calvert County
Calvert County Clerk
175 Main St.
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Telephone: (410) 535-1600

Caroline County
Caroline County Clerk
P.O. Box 207
Denton, MD 21629-0207
Telephone: (410) 479-1811

Carroll County
Carroll County Clerk
225 N. Court St.
Westminster, MD 21157-5107
Telephone: (410) 876-2085

Cecil County
Cecil County Clerk of the Circuit Court
129 E. Main Street, Room 108
Elkton, MD 21921
Telephone: (410) 996-5376

Charles County
Charles County Clerk
P.O. Box B
La Plata, MD 20646-0167
Telephone: (301) 645-0500

Dorchester County
Dorchester County Clerk
P.O. Box 26
Cambridge, MD 21613-0026
Telephone: (410) 228-0480

Frederick County
Frederick County Clerk
100 W. Patrick St.
Frederick, MD 21701
Telephone: (301) 694-1976

Garrett County
Garrett County Clerk
203 South Fourth Street
Oakland, MD 21550-1535
Telephone: (301) 334-8970

Harford County
Harford County Clerk
20 W. Courtland St.
Bel Air, MD 21014-3833
Telephone: (410) 838-6000

Howard County
Howard County Clerk
3430 Courthouse Drive
Ellicott City, MD 21043-4300
Telephone: (410) 992-2025

Kent County
Kent County Clerk
103 N. Cross St.
Chestertown, MD 21620-1512
Telephone: (410) 778-4600

Montgomery County
Montgomery County Clerk
101 Monroe Street
Rockville, MD 20850-2540
Telephone: (240) 777-9460

Prince George's County
Prince George's County Clerk
Administration Building
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772-3050
Telephone: (301) 952-4576

Queen Anne's County
Queen Anne's County Clerk
107 North Liberty Street
Centreville, MD 21617
Telephone: (410) 758-0322

St. Mary's County
St. Mary's County Health Department
P.O. Box 316 Peabody Street
Leonardtown, MD 20650
Telephone: (301) 475-475-4427

Somerset County
Somerset County Clerk
P.O. Box 99
Princess Ann, MD 21853
Telephone: (410) 651-1555

Talbot County
Talbot County Clerk
Courthouse
Easton, MD 21601
Telephone: (410) 822-2401

Washington County
Washington County Clerk
Summit Avenue
Hagerstown, MD 21740
Telephone: (301) 790-7991

Wicomico County
Wicomico County Clerk
P.O. Box 198
Salisbury, MD 21801
Telephone: (410) 548-4801

Worcester County
Worcester County Clerk
Courthouse
Snow Hill, MD 21863
Telephone: (410) 632-1194
 
 

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