Find Divorce Decree Records in Anne Arundel County

Divorce decree records in Anne Arundel County are held at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Annapolis, where filings date back to 1905. The clerk's office handles certified copy requests in person, by mail, and can point you toward state archives for older cases. Whether you need a recent decree or a historical record, this page walks you through each step.

Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Clerk

Clerk Scott Poyer runs the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County. The office is at 8 Church Circle in Annapolis, in Suite 200. This office keeps divorce records from 1905 to the present day. That is one of the longest spans of any county in the state, and it makes Anne Arundel a useful reference for genealogical and legal research alike. Staff can pull records by case number or by name, and same-day service is available for in-person visitors when the record is on hand.

The Family Division at this office, reachable at 410-222-1431, handles divorce-related requests directly. If you are not sure which number to call, the main line at 410-222-1397 can route you to the right person. Walk-in visits work well if you are nearby. Mail requests take five to ten business days after the office receives your request. Always include a self-addressed stamped envelope when mailing so the clerk can send documents back to you.

Requesting a Certified Copy of the Divorce Decree

Most people who contact the Anne Arundel County clerk are looking for a certified copy of a divorce decree. This is the document with the court seal and the judge's signature. It proves the divorce happened and shows the terms, including property division, custody orders, and any name change. Many legal transactions require the certified version rather than a plain copy. The circuit court is the only place in Anne Arundel County that can issue a certified copy of the actual decree.

Fees follow the statewide schedule. Certification is $5.00 per document. Copies cost $0.50 per page. If you do not have the case number and the clerk must search by name, expect a $12 search fee for each five-year period covered. The total for a short decree typically runs between $5.50 and $10.00. If you are mailing the request, include the exact amount plus a self-addressed stamped envelope. No personal checks. The office takes money orders for mail requests.

For in-person requests, bring a valid photo ID. The clerk may ask for it before issuing a certified copy. This is standard practice. If you need to request records for someone else, you may need to show proof of your legal authority to do so, such as a power of attorney or court order. Call the Family Division at 410-222-1431 if you have questions about what ID or documents to bring.

Note: Use Maryland Judiciary Case Search before contacting the clerk. Finding your case number first avoids the $12 search fee and speeds up your request considerably.

Searching Anne Arundel County Divorce Records Online

The free Maryland Judiciary Case Search tool covers all circuit courts statewide, including Anne Arundel County. Search by name or case number. Divorce cases show up with a "DA" code for absolute divorce. You can see the filing date, parties, and case status. This helps you confirm a divorce exists and find the case number before you contact the clerk. It is available at any hour and costs nothing to use.

The screenshot below is from the Maryland State Archives, which holds older divorce records from Anne Arundel County and across the state.

The State Archives research guide lists what records are available by county and time period, which helps you know whether to contact the circuit court or the archives for older Anne Arundel County divorce records.

Case Search shows case information but not document images. To get the actual divorce decree, you need to request a copy from the clerk. If the divorce is old enough that the circuit court has transferred the file to storage or to the Maryland State Archives, the clerk can tell you where to direct your request. The Archives hold historical divorce records and can provide certified copies through their online shop at shop.msa.maryland.gov for $25.

Family Law Self-Help in Anne Arundel County

Anne Arundel County has a dedicated Family Law Self-Help Center at the courthouse. It is in Room 303 at 8 Church Circle and is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The phone number is 410-222-1153. Staff there can help you understand what forms you need, how to fill them out, and what to expect at court. They don't give legal advice, but they can answer procedural questions about filing for divorce or getting copies of a divorce decree in Anne Arundel County.

Court forms are free to download at mdcourts.gov/courtforms. Key forms include CC-DR-020 (the divorce complaint), CC-DR-030 and CC-DR-031 (financial statements), CC-DR-033 (property disposition), and CC-DR-109 (parenting plan). These cover most divorce situations. The People's Law Library has free plain-language guides that explain how Maryland divorce law works, including the three current grounds under Maryland Family Law § 7-103: six-month separation, irreconcilable differences, and mutual consent.

Family Support Services are also available through Anne Arundel County for child support and custody matters connected to divorce cases. Contact the clerk's family division for referrals. The Maryland Courts legal help page covers the full process from filing to final decree. If your income is limited, ask the clerk about form CC-DC-089, which is the fee waiver application for circuit court fees.

Maryland Divorce Law and Anne Arundel County

Anne Arundel County Circuit Court applies the same Maryland statutes that govern divorce statewide. Residency is covered by Maryland Family Law § 7-101. At least one spouse must be a Maryland resident when the case is filed. If the events that led to the divorce happened outside Maryland, the filing spouse must have lived in Maryland for six months beforehand. If the grounds occurred inside Maryland, current residence is sufficient.

The final divorce decree in any Anne Arundel County case may include a name restoration under Maryland Family Law § 7-105. A spouse can ask to have a former name restored either in the decree itself or within 18 months after the divorce is final. If you need to confirm whether a name change was included in a decree, the certified copy from the clerk's office will show it. This is often needed for updating government identification and financial accounts after divorce in Anne Arundel County.

All final divorce decrees are permanent public records. Maryland Family Law § 7-106 requires every circuit court clerk to permanently record and maintain access to final divorce decrees. Public access rules are set by Maryland Rule 16-901 through 16-912. Anyone can ask for a copy. You do not need to be a party to the case. Some financial details may be redacted in public copies, but the core record is open.

Vital Records and Divorce Verification

If you only need to confirm that a divorce took place rather than obtain the full decree, the Maryland Division of Vital Records is another option. They have divorce records from January 1, 1992 onward. The verification fee is $12, and their office is at 6550 Reisterstown Road, Baltimore, MD 21215. Phone: 410-764-3038. Website: health.maryland.gov/vsa. This is useful when you just need to confirm the fact of a divorce for a simple administrative purpose. The document they provide is not a certified copy of the decree and does not include terms.

For anything more detailed, go to the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Clerk. The clerk's records go back to 1905, which is far earlier than the vital records office. If you need a decree from before 1992 and it is not easily found through the circuit court, the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis at 350 Rowe Boulevard are your best resource. Their collection is organized by county and time period. Because the archives are located in Annapolis, visiting in person is convenient for Anne Arundel County residents.

Cities in Anne Arundel County

All cities and communities in Anne Arundel County file divorce cases with the Circuit Court in Annapolis. Two qualifying cities in Anne Arundel County have dedicated pages on this site.

Annapolis is the county seat and state capital. Other communities in Anne Arundel County, including Odenton, Crofton, Pasadena, and Arnold, all use the same Circuit Court Clerk's office for divorce records.

Nearby Counties

Anne Arundel County borders four other Maryland counties. Divorce cases must be filed in the county where you or your spouse lives. If you are not sure which county applies to your case, check your current address before you file.