Access Severn Divorce Decree Records
Divorce decree records for Severn are filed and kept at the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court in Annapolis, about 12 miles from Severn. Severn is a census-designated place in Anne Arundel County with no local courthouse. The Circuit Court Clerk at 8 Church Circle in Annapolis holds all final divorce decrees, and you can request copies in person, by mail, or through the court's Family Division. Maryland law under Family Law § 7-106 requires clerks to permanently record every final divorce decree, which means records from decades past are still accessible today.
Severn Overview
Anne Arundel County Circuit Court
All Severn divorce cases go through the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court. The courthouse address is 8 Church Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401. The Circuit Court Clerk is Scott Poyer. You can reach the main clerk line at 410-222-1397. The Family Division has a direct line at 410-222-1431. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Call before you visit since hours can change for holidays and court closures.
| Court | Anne Arundel County Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Scott Poyer |
| Address | 8 Church Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401 |
| Phone (General) | 410-222-1397 |
| Phone (Family) | 410-222-1431 |
| Website | courts.state.md.us/clerks/annearundel |
From Severn, you can reach Annapolis by taking MD Route 175 east to I-97 south. The drive is about 20 to 25 minutes in normal traffic. Anne Arundel County Transit (ATC) also has bus routes connecting Severn and Annapolis if you prefer public transit. The Church Circle courthouse is in historic downtown Annapolis, which can be busy on weekdays. Parking is available nearby but can be limited. Arrive early if you plan to get copies of a divorce decree the same day.
Family Law Self-Help Center
The Anne Arundel County Circuit Court has a Family Law Self-Help Center located in Room 303 of the courthouse. You can reach them at 410-222-1153. This center helps people who are handling their own divorce case without a lawyer. Staff can help you find the right forms, explain court procedures, and point you to resources. They do not give legal advice, but they can be very helpful for people filing a Severn divorce case on their own for the first time.
Court forms for divorce are free at mdcourts.gov/courtforms. The self-help page at mdcourts.gov/selfhelp walks through the divorce process step by step. If you are new to the court system and not sure what to file, start with these two sites before calling the courthouse. They cover most common questions about filing a divorce in Maryland, including in Anne Arundel County.
Note: The Self-Help Center in Room 303 can only assist with procedural questions. Any questions about what the law says or how it applies to your case require a licensed attorney.
Getting a Copy of a Severn Divorce Decree
Start with the free Maryland Judiciary Case Search at casesearch.courts.state.md.us. Search by party name or case number to confirm the case exists in Anne Arundel County. The system shows filing dates and case status but not the full decree text. Once you have the case number, you can request the actual copy.
To request a certified copy of a divorce decree, you can go in person to the Circuit Court clerk's office at 8 Church Circle in Annapolis. Bring valid photo ID and, if possible, the case number. Staff can make copies at the counter. Payment methods and exact fees should be confirmed by calling 410-222-1397 before you go. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies add a $5.00 certification fee. Exemplification (the highest level of authentication) costs $10.00. If you don't know the case number, the clerk can search the records for a $12.00 search fee per five-year period.
Mail requests are also accepted. Write a letter to the Circuit Court Clerk, 8 Church Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401. Include the full names of both parties, an approximate year for the divorce, and your contact information. Include a check or money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Turnaround times vary, but mailed requests generally take one to three weeks depending on workload at the court.
For older cases or when you need a certified copy quickly without traveling, the Maryland State Archives at 350 Rowe Blvd, Annapolis, MD 21401 is another option. The Archives charges $25 for a certified copy and accepts online orders at shop.msa.maryland.gov. Their divorce guide at guide.msa.maryland.gov explains what records they hold and how to search them.
For divorces since January 1992, the Maryland Division of Vital Records at health.maryland.gov/vsa can provide a $12 divorce verification. This is a summary document, not the full decree. Use it only when a full copy is not needed.
Maryland State Archives and Divorce Records
The Maryland State Archives is an important resource for Severn divorce decree records, especially for older cases. The screenshot below shows the Archives divorce records search page, which Severn residents can use to find cases going back decades.
The Archives holds court records transferred from circuit courts across Maryland, including Anne Arundel County. Cases from before the digital era are often only available through the Archives. Their online ordering system means you do not have to travel to Annapolis to request a copy, though the Archives is located in the same city as the Anne Arundel County courthouse. If you are going to the courthouse anyway, you can also visit the Archives at 350 Rowe Blvd on the same trip.
Filing for Divorce in Severn
Severn residents file for divorce at the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court in Annapolis. Maryland's residency rule under Family Law § 7-101 requires at least one spouse to have lived in Maryland for six months before filing. If you have been in Severn for six months or more, you can file in Anne Arundel County.
As of October 1, 2023, Maryland divorce law under § 7-103 has three grounds: mutual consent, six-month separation, and irreconcilable differences. Mutual consent applies when both spouses agree in writing on all issues. Six-month separation means the parties have lived apart for at least six months. Irreconcilable differences is available when neither party wants to establish the separation period. All three are no-fault grounds. Fault grounds were removed from Maryland law when this reform took effect. If your Severn case was filed before that date, older grounds may apply.
The filing fee is $165 for self-represented parties. If an attorney files on your behalf, the fee is $185. Under § 7-105, you can include a name change request in the divorce decree itself, or you can file a separate petition within 18 months of the final decree. The decree becomes a permanent public record once the judge signs it, and it remains accessible through the courthouse and online case search system.
The People's Law Library at peoples-law.org gives a plain-language overview of Maryland divorce law. The legal help page at mdcourts.gov/legalhelp/family/divorce is also worth reviewing before you file.
Nearby Cities
Glen Burnie is the other qualifying city in Anne Arundel County. It uses the same Circuit Court in Annapolis for all divorce decree records:
Anne Arundel County Divorce Decree Records
Severn is in Anne Arundel County, and the county page covers the full range of divorce decree information for the area. It includes courthouse details, fee schedules, related records, and additional resources. If you are looking for a divorce decree from anywhere in Anne Arundel County, the county page is a useful reference alongside this Severn page.