To get a copy of your divorce decree in Maryland, contact the Circuit Court in the county where the divorce was granted. That court holds the original decree for any divorce finalized in 1992 or later. For divorces finalized before January 1, 1992, the original decrees have been transferred to the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis, and you order copies from the Archives instead. Circuit Courts charge roughly $0.50 per page plus $5.00 for certification; the Archives charges a flat $25.00 per certified copy.
Which Office Holds Your Decree
Three different Maryland agencies deal with divorce records, and only two of them can give you the actual decree.
- Circuit Court (1992 and later). The Circuit Court clerk in the county that granted the divorce keeps the original on file and is the only source for a full copy of a post-1992 decree.
- Maryland State Archives (before 1992). Older original decrees have been moved to the Archives in Annapolis. Requests go directly to the Archives, not the court.
- Division of Vital Records (verification only). The Maryland Department of Health can issue a divorce verification for divorces from 1992 onward, but a verification is not the decree. It confirms only the parties’ names, the county, the date, and the type of action. Some agencies accept it; many legal and financial transactions require the decree itself.1Maryland Department of Health. Divorce Verification
What You Need Before You Request
The case number makes every request faster. If you don’t have it, the free Maryland Judiciary Case Search at casesearch.courts.state.md.us will find it. Search by name and narrow by approximate year. For partial names, enter at least the first letter of the last name followed by a percent sign.2Maryland Courts. Case Search – Frequently Asked Questions You can also call the clerk’s office and ask them to look it up.
Have the full legal names of both parties as they appeared in the case, along with the county where the divorce was granted.
Requesting a Copy from the Circuit Court
There is no statewide form. Each county’s Circuit Court handles its own records, so check that clerk’s website or call before you go.
In Person
Visit the Circuit Court clerk’s office in the county that granted the divorce. This is the fastest option, and you can usually walk out with the copy the same day. Clerks generally accept cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards.
By Mail
Send a written request to the clerk’s office in the correct county. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return. Mail payment is usually limited to a check or money order made out to the clerk of the court.
Fees
Expect $0.50 per page for copies plus an additional $5.00 certification fee if you need a certified copy.3Montgomery County Government. Viewing Cases and Making Copies Exact amounts vary slightly between counties. Confirm with the specific office before mailing payment.
Certified Copy or Plain Copy
A plain copy is a photocopy. A certified copy carries the clerk’s seal and signature confirming it is a true and accurate reproduction of the original. Most institutions that ask you to prove your divorce want the certified version.
Situations that typically require a certified copy include applying for a remarriage license, dividing pension or retirement benefits, updating property titles, and legal name changes. The Maryland State Retirement and Pension System, for example, will not process a domestic relations order without a certified or true-test copy obtained directly from the court.4Maryland State Retirement and Pension System. Domestic Relations Orders If you’re not sure, pay the extra $5.00 and get the certified copy. It’s cheaper than a second trip.
Pre-1992 Divorces: The Maryland State Archives
For divorces finalized before January 1, 1992, the Maryland State Archives holds the originals. The fee is a flat $25.00 per certified copy, and it’s non-refundable.5Maryland State Archives. Divorce Decree Order Form Orders can go through the online form, by mail, or by phone.
If you don’t know the exact year, the Archives will run a name search through their index for the same $25.00 fee. That fee covers one certified copy if a match is found, or a letter stating no match was located.6Maryland State Archives. Fee and Charges Not every county has transferred its older files to the Archives. If your search turns up nothing, call the Archives at 410-260-6487 to confirm whether records from that county are available there.7Maryland State Archives. Divorce Decree Documents
Verification Instead of a Decree
The Division of Vital Records issues verifications for divorces and annulments that occurred on or after January 1, 1992.8Maryland Department of Health. Vital Statistics Administration A verification is a one-page document showing the parties’ names, county, date, and type of action. It will not show the terms of your settlement, custody arrangement, or property division. Ask whoever needs proof of your divorce whether a verification will do; if the answer is unclear, request the certified decree instead.
Using Your Decree in Another Country
If a foreign government needs to accept the decree, you’ll likely need an apostille from the Maryland Secretary of State. That certificate authenticates the document for use in countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention. The fee is $5.00 per document.9Maryland Secretary of State. Certifications and Authentication
Get a certified copy first, from the Circuit Court or the Archives. Then bring or mail it to the Secretary of State’s office in Annapolis. Mailed requests should include a check or money order made out to the Secretary of State, a note naming the country where the document will be used, and a prepaid return envelope. Once the apostille is attached, the decree is ready for use abroad without further authentication from the U.S. State Department.