St. Mary's County Dissolution of Marriage
St. Mary's County dissolution of marriage records are filed and maintained at the Circuit Court in Leonardtown. Residents who need to search for a divorce case or obtain a copy of a final decree can do so in person at the courthouse on Courthouse Drive or by mail. The clerk's office can search records by party name, approximate date, or case number, and it offers in-person assistance most weekdays during regular hours.
St. Mary's County Overview
Circuit Court Clerk in St. Mary's County
The Circuit Court Clerk for St. Mary's County is Debra J. "Debbie" Burch. The office is at 41605 Courthouse Drive in Leonardtown, which is the county seat. Mail should go to the P.O. Box at P.O. Box 676, Leonardtown, MD 20650. The main phone is 301-475-7844. Civil, paternity, and child support matters go through extensions 74562 and 74568. Maryland residents can also call toll-free at 800-988-5052. TTY users connect through Maryland Relay at 711. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. On days with bad weather, call 301-475-4200 ext. *4656 to confirm the office is open before you drive in.
The St. Mary's County Circuit Court contact page lists all current phone numbers, addresses, and extension details. This is the best place to confirm hours or find the right contact for your specific request.
| Clerk | Debra J. "Debbie" Burch |
|---|---|
| Address | 41605 Courthouse Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650 |
| Mailing | P.O. Box 676, Leonardtown, MD 20650 |
| Main Phone | 301-475-7844 |
| Civil/Paternity | Ext. 74562 / 74568 |
| Toll-Free (MD) | 800-988-5052 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
How to Search St. Mary's County Dissolution Records
Start with the free Maryland Judiciary Case Search at casesearch.courts.state.md.us. This tool searches across all Maryland Circuit Courts, including St. Mary's County. You can enter the names of both parties or just one, and filter by county and case type. Using the percent sign (%) as a wildcard helps when you are not sure of a full spelling. The system shows filing dates, case numbers, and current status, which is often enough to confirm a case exists before you request copies.
In-person searches at the Leonardtown courthouse are handled during regular hours. Bring the full names of both spouses as they appeared at the time of the divorce, the approximate date of the filing, and a case number if you have one. Show a valid ID when you request copies. The clerk charges a search fee of $12 for a five-year period search. Copies cost $0.50 per page, and certified copies of a dissolution of marriage decree cost $5.00 on top of the per-page fee.
Mail requests require a written letter or form that includes full names, the date or approximate year, the case number if known, a copy of your ID, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check or money order. Allow two to three weeks for mail requests. Divorce verification for records from 1992 onward is also available from the state's Vital Statistics Administration at health.maryland.gov/vsa/Pages/divorce.aspx for $12.
The St. Mary's County clerk contact page shows the current addresses, extensions, and contact options for reaching the civil division about dissolution of marriage cases.
Note: Divorce verifications are restricted to the divorced parties, their legal counsel, or authorized agents. The full dissolution of marriage decree from the Circuit Court is available to the public once the case is closed.
Forms Used in St. Mary's County Divorce Cases
Standard Maryland court forms are what you use to start a dissolution of marriage case in St. Mary's County. The main form is CC-DR-020, which is the Complaint for Absolute Divorce. If the other party wants to respond, they use CC-DR-050 (Answer) or CC-DR-094 (Counter-Claim). If a name restoration is part of the case, that is CC-DR-097. All of these forms are available at no cost at courts.state.md.us/family/family-forms.
St. Mary's County does not have a separate family court. All dissolution of marriage matters go through the Circuit Court. Remote proceedings are allowed under form CC-DC-110, which lets parties request to appear by video in certain situations. If you are not represented by an attorney, the Guide and File tool at courts.state.md.us/guideandfile is a helpful starting point. It walks you through the forms you need based on your answers to plain-language questions.
Under Family Law Article, Section 7-103, which covers the grounds for absolute divorce in Maryland, the filing must state the basis for ending the marriage. The court in Leonardtown applies these same state statutes to all St. Mary's County cases. The family services page for St. Mary's County has additional guidance on local resources tied to family law matters.
Legal Help and Clinics in St. Mary's County
St. Mary's County offers a strong network of free legal clinics at the courthouse and nearby. The Family Law Court Help Legal Clinic meets every Wednesday and on the first and last Friday of each month from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the courthouse in Leonardtown. These clinics serve people who are handling dissolution of marriage cases without an attorney. Staff can help you understand the process, review forms, and answer general legal questions about divorce in St. Mary's County.
A Guardianship Clinic meets on the third Wednesday of each month from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the courthouse. Evening clinics run on the last two Wednesdays of each month from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the Lexington Park Library. These are open to anyone who needs help with family law matters, including dissolution of marriage. You do not need to schedule an appointment for most clinic sessions.
The Maryland Courts directory entry for St. Mary's County lists contact information for the Circuit Court and all related offices. For a broader view of Maryland divorce law and your rights, the Maryland Courts legal help page covers the full dissolution of marriage process in plain terms. Property division rules under Family Law Article, Section 8-205 apply to all cases handled by the St. Mary's County Circuit Court.
What St. Mary's County Dissolution of Marriage Records Include
A dissolution of marriage case file in St. Mary's County holds all the court documents from start to finish. The initial complaint names both parties and states the grounds for the divorce under Family Law Article, Section 7-101. From there, the file grows with answers, motions, financial statements, agreements, and any court orders issued along the way.
The final decree is the most commonly requested document. It is the judge's signed order that ends the marriage. If the case involved children, the decree or attached orders will address custody, visitation, and child support. Property and debt division terms also appear in the final order or in a separate settlement agreement that is incorporated into the decree. These terms become part of the public record once the case closes. Most people who request copies from the St. Mary's County clerk need either the full decree or a certified copy of it for a specific legal purpose.
Cities in St. Mary's County
St. Mary's County includes communities like Leonardtown, Lexington Park, California, and Mechanicsville. None of these cities meet the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site. All residents of St. Mary's County file dissolution of marriage cases at the Circuit Court on Courthouse Drive in Leonardtown.
Nearby Counties
St. Mary's County is in the southern part of Maryland. It borders two other counties. If you live near the county line, confirm your address falls within St. Mary's County before filing your dissolution of marriage case here.