Find Bowie Divorce Records
Bowie divorce records are filed at the Prince George's County Circuit Court in Upper Marlboro. Bowie is an incorporated city in Prince George's County, and all family law cases including divorce go through the county court system.
Bowie Court Overview
Where Bowie Divorce Records Are Filed
Bowie is an incorporated city in Prince George's County. All divorce cases for Bowie residents are filed and maintained at the Prince George's County Circuit Court in Upper Marlboro. Upper Marlboro is the county seat, located about 12 miles southwest of Bowie via US-301 or MD-4. The courthouse on Main Street handles all civil and family law filings for the county, including every Bowie divorce case.
| Court | Prince George's County Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 14735 Main Street, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 |
| Main Phone | 301-952-3655 |
| Toll-Free | 1-800-937-1335 |
| Clerk Direct | 301-952-3318 |
| Family Division Info Center | 301-780-8000 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
Parking is available at the courthouse complex in Upper Marlboro. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. Security screens all visitors at the entrance. If you are picking up certified copies of Bowie divorce records, arrive before 4:00 PM to allow time for processing before the office closes.
Prince George's County Court Access for Bowie Divorce Records
The Prince George's County courts website at princegeorgescourts.org provides information about the circuit court, clerk's office, and family division. You can find court schedules, forms, and contact information there. For searching case records online, use the Maryland Judiciary Case Search at casesearch.courts.state.md.us. It is free and covers all Maryland courts including Prince George's County.
To search Bowie divorce records online, go to the case search tool and enter a name or case number. Select Prince George's County in the court filter. Divorce cases appear under types DA (divorce absolute) and DL (limited divorce). You can see party names, filing dates, and current case status. Document images are not available online. To get the actual case papers, you need to contact the clerk's office in person, by phone, or by mail.
Copy fees at Prince George's County are $0.50 per page for plain copies and $5.00 plus $0.50 per page for certified copies. Payment must be made by check or money order payable to "Clerk of the Circuit Court." The court does not accept credit cards for records requests. Confirm the exact amount before submitting payment.
Prince George's Family Division Services for Bowie Cases
The Prince George's County Circuit Court has a dedicated Family Division for divorce and domestic relations cases. Bowie residents filing for divorce or looking up divorce records will deal with this division for most family law matters.
The Family Division Information Center at 301-780-8000 can answer questions about your Bowie divorce case, hearing schedules, and what to expect at each stage. The Self-Help Center in Room M0159 is open to the public and can be reached at 301-780-2000. Staff there help self-represented filers complete forms and understand the process. It is not legal advice, but it covers the basics well.
The court also offers free Family Law Orientation sessions in both English and Spanish. These sessions explain how the divorce process works in Prince George's County and what Bowie residents need to file. Ask the Family Division about the next available orientation session when you call.
Note: The Self-Help Center in Room M0159 is one of the better resources in the region for people filing without an attorney. If you are handling your own Bowie divorce case, visiting the Self-Help Center before you file can prevent costly mistakes.
Filing for Divorce from Bowie
Bowie residents file for divorce at the Prince George's County Circuit Court in Upper Marlboro. Under Maryland Family Law § 7-101, Maryland has two types of divorce: absolute and limited. Most Bowie residents seek an absolute divorce, which permanently ends the marriage. A limited divorce is a legal separation that does not fully dissolve the marriage bond.
At least one spouse must have lived in Maryland for six months before filing. If the grounds for divorce happened outside Maryland, different rules may apply. The clerk's office can clarify residency requirements for your specific situation. Under Maryland Family Law, grounds for divorce include a 12-month separation, mutual consent, adultery, desertion, cruelty, and other listed causes.
The filing fee in Prince George's County is $165 for a divorce without an attorney and $175 with an attorney. After filing, your spouse must be served with the papers. Payment for filing must be by check or money order payable to "Clerk of the Circuit Court." Once both parties have been served and any required waiting periods have passed, the case moves toward a hearing or final agreement.
Maryland Guide and File at courts.state.md.us/guideandfile helps you prepare forms before you go to Upper Marlboro. Complete them at home, then bring them to the courthouse. The People's Law Library at peoples-law.org also covers the full process in plain language, from filing to final decree.
Bowie Divorce Filing and Copy Fees
The key fees that Bowie residents should know when dealing with Prince George's County divorce records and new filings are:
- Divorce complaint without attorney: $165
- Divorce complaint with attorney: $175
- Plain copies: $0.50 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00 plus $0.50 per page
- Payment: check or money order to "Clerk of the Circuit Court"
Call 301-952-3655 or 1-800-937-1335 before you visit to confirm the current fee schedule. Fees can be updated, and it is worth checking ahead. If you qualify based on income, ask about filing fee waivers. Maryland courts have a waiver process for people who cannot afford upfront court costs. The Self-Help Center at 301-780-2000 can explain how to apply.
Historical Bowie Divorce Records
Prince George's County has a long court history. The Maryland State Archives holds divorce records for the county going back to 1815. These historical records go far beyond what is available at the courthouse itself. If you are researching an ancestor's divorce or need records from many decades ago, the Archives is the right place to look.
Order certified copies of historical divorce records at shop.msa.maryland.gov. The fee is $25 per certified copy. For divorces from 1992 to the present, the Maryland Division of Vital Records issues divorce certificates for $12 per copy. Order those at health.maryland.gov/vsa/pages/dvr.aspx. Remember that a certificate only shows basic facts. The full divorce decree with all court orders comes from the Prince George's County clerk's office.
Maryland Rule 16-902 sets the rules for access to court records, including Bowie divorce records. Rule 16-934 covers electronic access. Both rules define what is public and what may be restricted. If you run into questions about access to a specific case file, call the clerk's office at 301-952-3318 for guidance.
Legal Help for Bowie Divorce Cases
Several resources can help Bowie residents with divorce cases. The Courts Self-Help line at 410-260-1392 answers general questions about Maryland divorce law. It is free. Staff explain the process and direct you to the right forms without giving legal advice.
Maryland Legal Aid serves Prince George's County and may be able to help Bowie residents who qualify based on income. Family law cases with safety concerns or children often get priority. The Prince George's County Bar Association offers attorney referrals for those who need full legal representation for their Bowie divorce case.
The People's Law Library at peoples-law.org is a strong free resource covering grounds for divorce, the separation period requirement, property division, and alimony. It is written in plain language and covers the specifics of Maryland divorce law including provisions under Maryland Family Law § 7-101.
For Bowie residents handling their own case, the combination of Maryland Guide and File, the Self-Help Center at the courthouse, and the Family Law Orientation sessions covers most of what you need to get through an uncontested divorce without hiring an attorney.
Prince George's County Divorce Records
Bowie is an incorporated city in Prince George's County. The Prince George's County Circuit Court in Upper Marlboro handles all divorce filings and records for Bowie residents. For a full overview of the court, fee schedule, and county resources, visit the Prince George's County divorce records page.