Howard County Divorce Decree Records
Howard County divorce decree records are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk in Ellicott City and can be searched online through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system or requested in person at the courthouse on Court Avenue. The Circuit Court for Howard County handles all divorce filings and maintains the official record of every final decree issued in the county.
Howard County Overview
Howard County Circuit Court Clerk
The Circuit Court Clerk for Howard County is Wayne A. Robey. His office keeps all divorce decree records filed in the county. Staff can look up cases, make copies, and certify documents. The clerk office serves both residents of the county and parties from outside who have cases on file here.
The physical courthouse is at 8360 Court Avenue in Ellicott City. The mailing address differs from the walk-in address. For mail requests, send to 9250 Judicial Way, Ellicott City, MD 21043. In-person visits go to the Court Avenue address. The general phone line is 410-313-2111. For civil matters, including divorce cases, call 410-313-3844. The clerk's direct line is 410-313-2160. A toll-free number is available at 1-888-313-0197. You can also reach the office by email at howardcircuitinfo@mdcourts.gov. The official clerk website is at courts.state.md.us/clerks/howard.
Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office is closed on state holidays. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before closing if you need copies made the same day.
| Clerk | Wayne A. Robey |
|---|---|
| Walk-In Address | 8360 Court Avenue, Ellicott City, MD 21043 |
| Mailing Address | 9250 Judicial Way, Ellicott City, MD 21043 |
| General Phone | 410-313-2111 |
| Civil/Divorce | 410-313-3844 |
| Toll-Free | 1-888-313-0197 |
| howardcircuitinfo@mdcourts.gov | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
How to Search Howard County Divorce Decrees
The fastest way to search Howard County divorce decree records is the Maryland Judiciary Case Search at casesearch.courts.state.md.us. This is a free tool. You can search by name or case number. Look for case type "DA" which stands for absolute divorce. Results show the case number, parties, filing date, and status. The online system covers cases filed in Howard County going back many years.
When you search by name, enter the last name first. You can search with just a last name or add a first name to narrow results. The system does not show document images, so you cannot read the actual divorce decree online. What you get is the case index. From there, you take the case number to the clerk office to request copies of the actual divorce decree from Howard County.
Mail requests are accepted. Send a written letter to the mailing address with the names of both parties, the year of the divorce, and the case number if you have it. Include a check or money order for the copy fee. The clerk will contact you if the fee amount is off. Do not send cash by mail.
Note: Howard County does not accept credit or debit cards for records requests. Payment must be by cash, money order, or personal check.
Fees for Howard County Divorce Decree Records
The Maryland courts have set standard copy and certification fees that apply in Howard County. Copies cost $0.50 per page. Certification of a document costs $5.00 per document. So a certified copy of a one-page divorce decree costs $5.50 total. If the decree runs longer, add $0.50 for each extra page. Exemplification (triple seal) costs $10.00.
Filing a new divorce case in Howard County costs $165 if you file without an attorney. With an attorney, the filing fee is $185. These fees are set by Maryland court rules and apply statewide. A $12 search fee covers each five-year period searched for older records. Some public records requests also carry a $25 record access fee depending on the type of request.
Fee waivers are available for people who receive Medicaid, TANF, SNAP, or SSI, or who are experiencing homelessness. Ask the clerk for the waiver form. The Maryland Courts Self-Help line at 410-260-1392 can help you understand fee waiver options if you need guidance.
| Copy Fee | $0.50 per page |
|---|---|
| Certification | $5.00 per document |
| Exemplification | $10.00 |
| Search Fee | $12.00 per 5-year period |
| Filing (no attorney) | $165.00 |
| Filing (with attorney) | $185.00 |
| Payment | Cash, money order, or personal check only |
Filing for Divorce in Howard County
All divorce cases in Howard County go through the Circuit Court. The court applies Maryland Family Law to every case. Under Maryland Family Law § 7-101, at least one spouse must meet the residency rule before filing. If the grounds for divorce happened outside Maryland, the filing spouse must have lived in Maryland for six months before the filing date.
Maryland updated its divorce grounds law in October 2023. Under Maryland Family Law § 7-103, you can now file based on a six-month separation, irreconcilable differences, or mutual consent. Mutual consent is the simplest route when both spouses agree on all terms. There is no waiting period for mutual consent divorces once all paperwork is filed and complete. The court reviews the agreement and, if it finds the terms fair, signs the final divorce decree.
The divorce decree is the court order that ends the marriage. Under Maryland Family Law § 7-106, the Circuit Clerk in Howard County must permanently record every final divorce decree. The decree sets out all terms, including any name change, property division, custody arrangement, support, and alimony. If you want to restore a former name, that can happen in the decree itself or up to 18 months after the decree is signed, as set out in Maryland Family Law § 7-105.
Court forms for Howard County divorces are available free at mdcourts.gov/courtforms. The self-help center at mdcourts.gov/selfhelp has guides for filing without an attorney.
What a Howard County Divorce Decree Contains
A divorce decree from Howard County is a court order signed by a circuit court judge. It is the official document that ends the marriage. The decree includes the full names of both spouses, the date the marriage ended, and the judge's signature with the court seal. It also sets out the terms the parties agreed to or that the court ordered after a hearing.
Most decrees cover property division, telling each party what assets and debts they keep. If children are involved, the decree includes a custody arrangement and a visitation schedule. Child support amounts, if any, appear in the decree or in an attached child support order. Alimony terms are included if one party asked for it and the court granted it. A name restoration, if requested, is written directly into the decree.
Note: The divorce complaint, any motions, financial disclosures, and hearing transcripts are also part of the court file and can be requested from the clerk separately.
Other Sources for Divorce Records in Howard County
The Maryland State Archives in Annapolis holds historical divorce decree records and can be a good backup source. Their address is 350 Rowe Blvd, Annapolis, MD 21401, and the phone is 410-260-6400. A certified copy ordered through the Archives costs $25. You can order online at the Maryland State Archives shop at shop.msa.maryland.gov. A research guide on what the Archives holds is at guide.msa.maryland.gov.
The Maryland Division of Vital Records provides divorce verifications for cases from January 1, 1992 onward. A verification is not the full decree. It confirms the divorce happened and shows basic facts. The fee is $12. Visit health.maryland.gov/vsa for more on how to order a verification. For the full decree with all terms, the Circuit Court Clerk in Howard County is the right place to go.
The Maryland Courts website at mdcourts.gov has general information on divorce law and court records access. The People's Law Library at peoples-law.org explains Maryland divorce law in plain terms.
The Maryland Courts homepage at mdcourts.gov provides access to the case search tool and court forms used in Howard County divorce proceedings.
Use the Maryland Judiciary Case Search link on this page to look up Howard County divorce cases by name or case number at no cost.
Legal Help for Divorce in Howard County
Howard County residents can get free or low-cost legal help for divorce matters from several sources. The Maryland Courts Self-Help Center information line is 410-260-1392. The legal help page at mdcourts.gov/legalhelp/family/divorce has guides and forms for people filing without a lawyer. Court staff can answer procedural questions but cannot give legal advice.
Maryland Legal Aid serves Howard County and can help people with low income who need help with a divorce case. Call their main line to find out if you qualify. The People's Law Library online has free self-help guides for divorce in Maryland. Community Legal Services of Prince George's County is nearby and sometimes serves Howard County residents as well. For general legal questions, the Maryland State Bar Association referral service can connect you with a local attorney.
Note: Fee waivers for court costs are available at the Howard County Circuit Court for people who receive public benefits or meet low-income guidelines. Ask the clerk or call 410-260-1392 for details.
Cities in Howard County
All cities and communities in Howard County file divorce cases at the Howard County Circuit Court in Ellicott City. The two largest places in the county with pages on this site are linked below.
Other communities in Howard County include Jessup, Savage, Laurel (the Howard County portion), Fulton, and Clarksville. All divorce cases from these areas go to the Circuit Court Clerk at 9250 Judicial Way in Ellicott City.
Nearby Counties
Howard County borders several Maryland counties. Divorce cases must be filed in the county where one of the spouses lives. If you are unsure which county applies to your case, check with the Circuit Court Clerk.