Divorce records in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, can be accessed through several channels. AnneArundelCourt.us can help locate publicly available divorce record information. Beyond that, the Circuit Court that issued the divorce decree maintains the full case file, while the Clerk of the Circuit Court handles copy requests. The Maryland Division of Vital Records verifies divorces and annulments from 1992 onward. For historical records, the Maryland State Archives holds indexed divorce records by county.
Anne Arundel Divorce Records Search
In Maryland, divorce cases are heard exclusively by Circuit Courts. The Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Clerk's Office maintains all divorce case files originating in the county, including divorce decrees, settlement agreements, custody orders, property division orders, and related filings. The Division of Vital Records (DVR) within the Maryland Department of Health verifies divorces and annulments that occurred on or after January 1, 1992, though it does not issue copies of the actual decree.
You can search for case information online through Maryland Judiciary Case Search, which provides public access to case records from both Circuit Courts and District Courts. For older divorce records, the Maryland State Archives divorce index lists cases by the last name of the filing party.
Anne Arundel County Circuit Court — Clerk's Office
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Anne Arundel
All divorce and annulment cases in Anne Arundel County are filed in and decided by the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County. Maryland's District Courts do not handle divorce matters. Once a judge signs the divorce decree, it becomes part of the permanent case file held by the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Which office you contact depends on what you need:
- Full divorce case file (decree, pleadings, settlement agreements, custody orders) — request from the Circuit Court Clerk's Office.
- Divorce verification (confirmation that a divorce occurred, for use with government agencies or benefits) — request from the Maryland Division of Vital Records for divorces from 1992 forward.
- Historical divorce records (pre-1992 or archival research) — search the Maryland State Archives divorce index for Anne Arundel County.
Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County — Clerk's Office
Maryland Division of Vital Records
Paper court records are kept at the courthouse where the case was heard. You can visit the Clerk's Office in person to inspect the file or request copies. Some case information — such as party names, case number, filing dates, and disposition — is also available through Maryland Case Search online. Note that certain records in family law cases may be shielded from public inspection. Family law court forms are available on the Maryland Courts website if you need to request shielding or other actions related to a case.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Anne Arundel
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce verification letter (Division of Vital Records, 1992–present) | $10.00 | 4–6 weeks by mail |
| Court record copy (uncertified, per page) — Circuit Court Clerk | $0.50 | Same day if requested in person |
| Certified copy of court document — Circuit Court Clerk | $5.00 | Same day to several business days |
| Online case information search (Maryland Case Search) | Free | Immediate |