Baltimore County MD Divorce Records

Thank you for visiting. We aim to give you the best help for your Baltimore County Divorce Records search. This page has key details for you. We want to make your search easy.

If you want to start a Baltimore County Divorce Records search right now, visit https://marylandofficialrecords.com/baltimore-county-divorce-records/. This site allows you to begin searching for records quickly. It can be a good place to start your search for Baltimore County Divorce Records if you need immediate access to search tools and want to check availability online without delay.

Where to Find Baltimore County Divorce Records

Divorce records in Maryland are primarily court records. Most recent Baltimore County Divorce Records are held by the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore County. Older records may be transferred to the Maryland State Archives. It is key to know where to look based on the date.

Baltimore County Circuit Court

The Circuit Court handles divorce cases. The Clerk's office maintains these case files. This includes the final divorce decree. They also keep other papers filed in the case. You can ask for copies here. The court is the main source for recent divorce files. It holds the official record of the divorce judgment. This office provides access to public case files. Some data may be private by law.

The Clerk's Office is located in the Baltimore County Courts Building. Address: 401 Bosley Avenue, Towson, Maryland 21204. The main phone number is 410-887-2139. For records specifically, call 410-887-3494. General email is baltcocc@mdcourts.gov. For records email: ccbaltcoclerkrecords@mdcourts.gov. Hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Check the court website for holiday closings or weather alerts.

Maryland State Archives

Older court records are often sent to the Maryland State Archives. This is for long term keeping. If the divorce is old, check here. The Archives holds many court files from past years. You must know the county and rough date. They have specific forms to order records. There may be a search fee. They need good details to find a case. It is best to check with the Circuit Court first. They can tell you if the file was sent to the Archives.

Contact the Maryland State Archives for older Baltimore County Divorce Records. Address: 350 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD 21401. Phone: 410-260-6400 or MD toll-free 800-235-4045. Email: msa.helpdesk@maryland.gov. Website: http://msa.maryland.gov. Check their site for visitor hours and specific search request details. They have online order forms too. A non-refundable fee applies even if no record is found.

How to Search for Baltimore County Divorce Records

You can search for records in a few ways. Online searches give basic case data. In-person visits let you see full files. Mail requests are also an option. Each way has its own steps.

Maryland Judiciary Case Search (Online)

The Maryland Judiciary Case Search is a useful tool. It is found online at https://casesearch.courts.state.md.us/casesearch/. This site lets you search court cases statewide. You can find case numbers here. It shows names of parties. It lists dates and case type. This search shows a summary of the case. It is not the full official record. Some data might be hidden for privacy. This applies to sealed or expunged records. It is good for finding general case information. Use this info to request full copies. Knowing the case number helps the clerk find the file faster. Some older criminal case details might not show online. Divorce cases are civil, not criminal. Most divorce case data should be visible unless sealed.

Searching In Person

You can visit the Baltimore County Circuit Court Clerk's office. Their address is 401 Bosley Avenue in Towson. Go to the Clerk's Office, Judicial Records department. Court records are usually open to the public. You can view most case files there. Tell the clerk the case number if you have it. If not, give the names of the persons divorced. They may find the file with names. Viewing files is free. You must pay for copies. The office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Call 410-887-3494 for the records section. This direct access lets you see all public documents in the file. You can review the full decree. You can see related filings. Plan your visit during business hours. Bring ID if needed. Pay fees with cash, check, money order, or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover).

Requesting Records by Mail

You can ask for divorce records by mail. Send a request to the Clerk's Office. The mailing address is P.O. Box 6754, Towson, Maryland 21285-6754. You need to give key details. Include the full names of both parties. Provide the case number if you know it. State if you want the divorce decree. Note the date of divorce or a year range. Specify if you need a certified copy. Certified copies have a gold seal. Include payment for copies. Copies cost $0.50 per page. Certification costs an extra $5.00 per document. Checks or money orders should be payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Include your name and mailing address. A phone number is helpful. You can use the official Request for Copy of Divorce Decree form. Find this form on the Baltimore County government website (www.baltimorecountymd.gov). Emailing the form to CCBaltCoClerkRecords@mdcourts.gov might be faster. For email requests with card payment, provide the last four digits of the card. A clerk will call for full card details. Mail requests take time to process and return. Ensure all data is clear.

Information Needed for a Search

To find Baltimore County Divorce Records, you need specific details. The more information you have, the better. This helps the clerk locate the correct file.

• Full Names: Provide the full names of both persons who were divorced. Include first, middle, and last names. Maiden names are helpful too.

• Date of Divorce: Give the exact date the divorce was finalized if known. If not, provide the year or a range of years.

• Case Number: The court case number is very useful. If you searched online first, include this number. It speeds up the search a lot.

• County: Confirm the divorce was granted in Baltimore County. Records are kept by the county where the divorce occurred.

Obtaining Certified Copies

You might need a certified copy of a divorce decree. Agencies often require this for official proof. A certified copy has a special seal. It confirms the document is a true copy. The Baltimore County Circuit Court Clerk provides these. You must request certification specifically. There is an extra fee for this service. The fee is $5.00 for certification. This is in addition to the per-page copy cost ($0.50 per page). You can request certified copies in person, by mail, or via email using the request form. Be sure to mark the option for certification.

Fees and Costs

There are costs to get copies of Baltimore County Divorce Records.

• Viewing: Viewing records in person at the clerk's office is usually free.

• Copies: Paper copies cost $0.50 per page. A divorce decree can be many pages long.

• Certification: A certified copy costs an extra $5.00 per document. This is a flat fee for the seal.

• Maryland State Archives: If records are at the Archives, fees may differ. Their standard fee for a divorce decree copy order is $25.00. This fee is non-refundable. It covers the search effort. Check their site for current fees.

• Payment Methods: The Circuit Court accepts cash, check, money order, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. Checks/money orders should be payable to "Clerk of the Circuit Court". The Archives accepts credit cards, checks, or money orders.

Relevant Maryland Laws and Rules

Access to court records is governed by Maryland law. The Maryland Rules on Access to Court Records outline what is public. Rules 16-901 through 16-914 cover this. Generally, court records are public. But some records are kept private by law or court order. Examples include juvenile records or adoption records. Some information in public records might be hidden. This includes Social Security numbers or financial account numbers. Maryland Family Law Article, Title 7, covers divorce (https://govt.westlaw.com/mdc/Browse/Home/Maryland/MarylandCodeCourtRules?guid=N4A6323809CEA11DB9BCF9DAC283765C6&originationContext=documenttoc&transitionType=Default&contextData=(sc.Default)). Subtitle 1 specifically addresses divorce provisions. These laws define the process and what makes up the official record. Understanding these rules helps know your rights to access records.