Find Dissolution of Marriage Records in Anne Arundel County
Anne Arundel County dissolution of marriage records are filed and stored at the Circuit Court in Annapolis, Maryland. The court holds divorce cases going back to the early 1800s, with marriage records reaching back to the 1770s. Whether you need a copy of a final decree, want to check a case status, or are researching an old filing, the clerk's office handles all of these requests. This page covers what you need to know to search and obtain Anne Arundel County dissolution of marriage records.
Anne Arundel County Overview
Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Clerk
Scott Poyer serves as the Circuit Court Clerk for Anne Arundel County. His office is located at 8 Church Circle in Annapolis and handles all dissolution of marriage filings for the county. The main phone number is 410-222-1397. A toll-free line at 888-246-0615 is available for those calling from within Maryland. The office also accepts calls through Maryland Relay 711 for TTY users. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
This is the court that handles absolute divorce cases filed by Anne Arundel County residents. The Circuit Court is the only court in Maryland that can grant a dissolution of marriage. The District Court in Glen Burnie at 7500 Ritchie Highway is nearby, but it cannot process divorce filings. All dissolution of marriage cases must go to the Circuit Court at 8 Church Circle in Annapolis.
The Anne Arundel County Circuit Court website shows contact details, clerk services, and how to access records for dissolution of marriage cases in the county.
The Circuit Court website at circuitcourt.org covers services for Anne Arundel County and includes information on how to request dissolution of marriage records.
| Clerk | Scott Poyer |
|---|---|
| Address | 8 Church Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401 |
| Phone | 410-222-1397 |
| Toll-Free (MD only) | 888-246-0615 |
| TTY | Maryland Relay 711 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | circuitcourt.org |
Searching Anne Arundel County Dissolution of Marriage Cases
There are two main ways to search for Anne Arundel County dissolution of marriage records. The first is the Maryland Judiciary Case Search at casesearch.courts.state.md.us. This free online portal covers all circuit courts in Maryland including Anne Arundel. You can search by name or case number. Results show case status, filing dates, and docket entries but do not include images of the actual documents. The system is available around the clock and requires no login.
The second method is to contact the clerk's office directly. You can visit in person, call, or check the resources at annearundelrecords.us/divorce-records for more detail on how Anne Arundel County handles these requests. When searching by name, try the percent sign (%) as a wildcard character in the Case Search system. This helps when you are not sure of the exact spelling of a name. The system returns both plaintiffs and defendants, so one party name is enough to find a case filed in Anne Arundel County.
Pre-1992 records are held at the Circuit Court itself. The Maryland State Archives has indexes going back to around 1800 that can help you locate older Anne Arundel County dissolution of marriage cases. For recent cases, the Case Search portal is the fastest starting point.
The Maryland Courts directory page for Anne Arundel County lists contact information and helps you find the right office for dissolution of marriage matters.
The Maryland courts directory for Anne Arundel County provides office locations, phone numbers, and links to clerk services for dissolution of marriage cases.
Note: The clerk charges a $12 non-refundable search fee for each name searched. Have the approximate filing year ready to help narrow the search.
Anne Arundel County Dissolution of Marriage Fees
The Circuit Court in Anne Arundel County charges a $12 non-refundable search fee for each name you ask staff to look up. This covers the time it takes to locate the record. Copy fees are $0.50 per page for plain copies and $5.00 per document for certified copies, plus the per-page rate. So a ten-page certified divorce decree costs $10.00 total: $5.00 for certification plus $5.00 for pages.
Filing a new dissolution of marriage case costs $165 without an attorney or $175 with one. These rates apply statewide under Maryland law. Payment at the Anne Arundel County clerk's office can be made by cash, check, or money order. The office may also accept credit cards in some cases, so it is worth calling ahead to confirm. Maryland Vital Records at health.maryland.gov/vsa/Pages/divorce.aspx offers divorce verifications for $12, which is different from and separate from the clerk's search fee.
Note: The $12 search fee at Anne Arundel County is non-refundable even if the record is not found. Provide as much detail as you can before requesting a search.
What Anne Arundel County Dissolution of Marriage Records Contain
A dissolution of marriage file in Anne Arundel County begins with the complaint. This document names both parties, states the grounds for divorce, and asks the court for specific relief. Maryland recognizes absolute divorce on several grounds. The most common is a six-month separation, which is defined under Family Law § 7-103(b). Other grounds include mutual consent and irreconcilable differences. All of these appear in the complaint and become part of the public file in Anne Arundel County.
Settlement agreements, property division orders, custody plans, and support amounts are also in the file. Under Family Law § 8-205, Maryland divides marital property through equitable distribution. This means the court looks at what is fair, not necessarily equal. The settlement terms and any court orders on property become part of the final decree. The final decree is the closing document in the case. It ends the marriage and lays out all the terms the judge approved.
Most of what is in a dissolution of marriage file is public in Anne Arundel County. Some financial details and information about minor children may be redacted in copies provided to the public, but the core documents including the complaint and the final decree are accessible to anyone who asks.
Note: Certified copies of the final decree are often required for name changes, property deeds, and remarriage applications. The Anne Arundel County clerk can certify copies on request.
Filing for Dissolution of Marriage in Anne Arundel County
To start a dissolution of marriage case in Anne Arundel County, you file a complaint with the Circuit Court Clerk at 8 Church Circle in Annapolis. You pay the $165 or $175 filing fee at that time. Under Maryland Family Law § 7-101, at least one spouse must be a Maryland resident before filing. You file in the county where you or your spouse currently lives.
After filing, you must serve your spouse with the divorce papers. Common methods include the sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail. Proof of service goes into the case file. If both parties agree on all terms, the case can often move quickly once the six-month separation period has passed. Contested cases may involve mediation or a trial. The Family Law Self-Help Center at the Anne Arundel County courthouse can help you understand what forms to use and how to proceed if you do not have a lawyer.
The Maryland Guide and File system at courts.state.md.us/guideandfile walks you through filling out divorce forms online before you file. This tool is available for free and covers uncontested dissolution of marriage cases in Anne Arundel County and throughout the state.
The Anne Arundel County divorce records resource page provides additional detail on filing requirements and how to get copies of completed cases.
This resource page covers how to search and obtain Anne Arundel County dissolution of marriage records, with details on fees and what to bring when you visit the clerk.
Legal Help in Anne Arundel County
The Family Law Self-Help Center at the Circuit Court is available to people who represent themselves in dissolution of marriage cases. Staff there can point you to the right forms and help you understand what each one requires. They do not give legal advice but they can help you find what you need within the courthouse. The center is at 8 Church Circle in Annapolis.
If you need more help, the Maryland Courts website at mdcourts.gov/legalhelp/family/divorce has a full section on divorce and dissolution of marriage. It covers how the process works, what forms to use, and links to free legal aid. Family law forms for Anne Arundel County and all Maryland counties are available at courts.state.md.us/family/family-forms. These forms are the official ones used in court and are kept current by the Maryland Judiciary.
Cities in Anne Arundel County
Anne Arundel County includes a number of large communities, all of which file dissolution of marriage cases at the Circuit Court in Annapolis. The county is home to several cities that have individual pages on this site. Residents of smaller towns and unincorporated areas within Anne Arundel County also file at the same Annapolis courthouse.
Other communities in Anne Arundel County include Annapolis, Pasadena, Odenton, Crofton, Millersville, and Arnold. All dissolution of marriage cases for these areas are filed at the Circuit Court in Annapolis.
Nearby Counties
Anne Arundel County shares borders with several neighboring counties. If you are unsure which county to file in, use the address where you currently live. Maryland law requires you to file in the county where you or your spouse resides at the time of filing.