Baltimore City Divorce Decree Records
Baltimore City divorce decree records are filed at the Baltimore City Circuit Court, which operates independently from any Maryland county. If you need to search, copy, or verify a divorce decree in Baltimore, the Circuit Court clerk's office is your starting point for all records requests.
Baltimore City Overview
Baltimore City Circuit Court
Baltimore City is an independent city. It does not belong to any Maryland county. All divorce decree filings in Baltimore City go through the Baltimore City Circuit Court, not a county court. The clerk for this court is Xavier A. Conaway. The court has two main building locations downtown, and the Family Division is in a specific one of them.
The main courthouse is the Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Courthouse at 100 N. Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. The Family Division, however, handles divorce cases out of the Elijah Cummings Building at 111 N. Calvert Street. When you come in to file or pick up records, go to Room 109 in Courthouse East at 111 N. Calvert. That is where Family Division staff handle divorce decree requests in person. The clerk's main office is in Room 412 of the same building.
| Court | Baltimore City Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Family Division (in-person) | Room 109, Courthouse East, 111 N. Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 |
| Clerk's Office | Room 412, Elijah Cummings Building, 111 N. Calvert Street |
| General Phone | 410-333-3722 |
| Family Division | 410-333-4100 / 410-333-3709 |
| Civil Records | 410-333-3708 |
| TTY | Maryland Relay 711 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Website | courts.state.md.us/clerks/baltimorecity |
The two courthouse buildings sit close to each other on N. Calvert Street. Multiple MTA bus routes stop nearby. The Metro and Light Rail also serve downtown Baltimore, making it easy to reach without a car. Paid parking garages are available in the area. Bring a valid photo ID to enter the courthouse.
How to Search Baltimore Divorce Decrees
The fastest free option is the Maryland Judiciary Case Search at casesearch.courts.state.md.us. This tool covers Baltimore City cases going back many years. You can search by party name or case number. In the case type field, look for cases filed as "DA" which stands for absolute divorce. The system shows case status, filing dates, and hearing history. It does not give you the full text of the decree itself, but it confirms a case exists and tells you the case number you would need to order a copy.
To request a copy of a divorce decree from the Baltimore City Circuit Court, you can go in person to Room 109, Courthouse East at 111 N. Calvert Street. Call the Family Division at 410-333-4100 before your visit to confirm what you need to bring. You can also mail a written request to the same address. Include the names of both spouses, the approximate year of divorce, the case number if you have it, your contact information, and a copy of a valid photo ID. The court will contact you with the fee total before processing your request.
Standard copy fees at the Baltimore City Circuit Court are $0.50 per page for plain copies, $5.00 for certification, and $10.00 for exemplification. Payment can be made in cash, money order, or personal check. The check name must match your driver's license. Credit and debit cards are not always accepted for records, so confirm payment options when you call. If cost is a concern, ask about a fee waiver using Form CC-DC-089.
The Maryland State Archives in Annapolis holds older divorce records and can also provide certified copies. Their fee is $25 per certified copy. You can order through their online shop at shop.msa.maryland.gov. The archives guide at guide.msa.maryland.gov explains what records are available and how far back they go. For divorce records since January 1, 1992, the Division of Vital Records at the Maryland Department of Health can provide a verification letter for $12. Visit health.maryland.gov/vsa for details on that service.
The Maryland Courts website at mdcourts.gov has a general court records page and explains what is public and what is sealed. Most divorce decrees are public records under Maryland law, though certain attachments like financial statements may be restricted.
Filing for Divorce in Baltimore City
Baltimore City residents file for divorce at the Baltimore City Circuit Court. Maryland law sets the rules for all divorces in the state. Under Maryland Family Law § 7-101, at least one spouse must meet the residency requirement before filing. You or your spouse must have lived in Maryland for a set period before you can use a Maryland court.
Maryland updated its divorce law on October 1, 2023. Under § 7-103, the grounds for divorce now include a 6-month separation, irreconcilable differences, and mutual consent. Mutual consent is the most common path for uncontested divorces in Baltimore. Both spouses must sign a written settlement agreement that covers property, debt, and any children involved. There is no waiting period once the agreement is signed and all documents are in order. The court can grant the divorce without a hearing in many uncontested cases.
The filing fee is $165 if you file without an attorney. If you file with an attorney representing you, the fee is $185. These fees apply at the Baltimore City Circuit Court. There are additional costs for service of process and other steps along the way. Call the clerk at 410-333-3722 for a full breakdown of what your case may cost.
Under § 7-106, the clerk is required to permanently record all final divorce decrees. This means your decree will remain on file at the Baltimore City Circuit Court indefinitely. If you need a copy years later, it should still be available. Note: Section 7-105 also allows either spouse to request a name change in the divorce decree itself, or to file for a name change within 18 months after the divorce is final.
Court forms for divorce are available free at mdcourts.gov/courtforms. The Maryland Courts self-help page at mdcourts.gov/selfhelp walks through the process step by step. You can also call the self-help line at 410-260-1392 for guidance.
The Maryland Courts website also has a family law section at mdcourts.gov/legalhelp/family/divorce that covers what to expect during each stage of a divorce in Baltimore. The People's Law Library at peoples-law.org offers a plain-language overview of Maryland divorce law.
Maryland Courts Online Search
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal is the primary free tool for looking up divorce decrees filed in Baltimore City and across Maryland. The screenshot below shows the Maryland Courts homepage at mdcourts.gov, which links to the case search system and court records resources.
From the Maryland Courts homepage you can reach the case search tool, court forms, and self-help resources all in one place. Use it as your first stop when searching for a Baltimore divorce decree online.
Fee Waivers and Legal Aid
If you cannot afford court fees, the Baltimore City Circuit Court accepts fee waiver requests. File Form CC-DC-089 with your divorce papers. You must show that you receive public benefits or that your income falls below a certain level. The judge reviews the form and decides whether to waive the fees. This applies to filing fees as well as some copy fees for divorce decrees.
The Maryland Courts self-help center at mdcourts.gov/selfhelp can help you find legal aid organizations in Baltimore. The Maryland Legal Aid Bureau serves low-income residents in Baltimore City and can assist with divorce cases in some situations. The self-help line at 410-260-1392 is a good first call if you are not sure where to start. Maryland legal help information is also at mdcourts.gov/legalhelp/courtrecords for records questions specifically.
Note: Fee waiver eligibility is reviewed by a judge and is not guaranteed. File the waiver request at the same time as your divorce complaint for the fastest review.
Nearby Cities
Baltimore City borders several qualifying Maryland communities. If you are looking for divorce records in nearby areas, these cities also have dedicated pages with court and records information.