Dundalk Divorce Records
Dundalk divorce records are filed at the Baltimore County Circuit Court in Towson. Dundalk is in Baltimore County, not Baltimore City, and all family law cases for Dundalk residents go through the Baltimore County court system.
Dundalk Court Overview
Where Dundalk Divorce Records Are Filed
Dundalk is a census-designated place in Baltimore County. It is not part of Baltimore City, even though the two share a name and border each other. This is an important distinction. Dundalk residents file for divorce at the Baltimore County Circuit Court in Towson, not at any Baltimore City court. The county and city are separate jurisdictions in Maryland, each with their own court system.
| Court | Baltimore County Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 401 Bosley Avenue, 2nd Floor, Towson, MD 21204 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 6754, Towson, MD 21285-6754 |
| Main Phone | 410-887-2601 |
| Family Law Division | 410-887-2614 |
| Judicial Records | 410-887-3494 |
| CCBaltCoClerkRecords@mdcourts.gov | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
Towson is about 10 miles northwest of Dundalk. You can reach the courthouse via I-695 and I-83. The building is on Bosley Avenue near the Baltimore County government center. Parking is available nearby. Bring a valid photo ID and arrive early if you need same-day certified copies of your Dundalk divorce records.
Note: Dundalk residents who mistakenly contact Baltimore City Circuit Court will be redirected. Make sure to contact Baltimore County Circuit Court in Towson for all divorce filings and records from Dundalk.
Baltimore County Court Records Portal
Baltimore County Circuit Court maintains an active records portal for divorce and family law cases. The clerk's office handles requests for Dundalk divorce records by phone, email, in person, or by mail. The Judicial Records line at 410-887-3494 handles copy requests and can confirm whether a specific case is on file.
For Dundalk divorce records, the fastest free search tool is the Maryland Judiciary Case Search at casesearch.courts.state.md.us. Search by name or case number. Filter by Baltimore County to narrow results. Divorce cases show under types DA and DL. The system shows party names, filing dates, and case status but does not display document images.
To get copies of the actual case file, contact the clerk's office. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $0.50 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. The office accepts cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, checks, and money orders. Mail requests are also accepted if you use the P.O. Box address above and include payment.
Dundalk Divorce Records Going Back to 1908
Baltimore County Circuit Court holds divorce records going back to 1908. That is over a century of family law cases covering Dundalk and all of Baltimore County. This depth of history matters if you are researching a relative's divorce, handling an estate, or need proof of a past marriage dissolution.
For older records, the Maryland State Archives is also a resource. The Archives at shop.msa.maryland.gov holds historical Maryland divorce records and charges $25 per certified copy. For divorces from 1992 forward, the Maryland Division of Vital Records issues divorce certificates for $12 per copy. Order at health.maryland.gov/vsa/pages/dvr.aspx.
Keep in mind that a vital records certificate only shows basic facts: names, county, and date. It does not include property division, custody terms, or any other court orders. For the full divorce decree with all terms, you need the case file from the Baltimore County clerk's office.
Filing for Divorce from Dundalk
Dundalk residents file for divorce at the Baltimore County Circuit Court in Towson. Maryland law governs the process. Under Maryland Family Law § 7-101, there are two types of divorce in Maryland: absolute divorce and limited divorce. Most people filing from Dundalk seek an absolute divorce, which ends the marriage fully.
You must meet Maryland's residency rule. At least one spouse must have lived in Maryland for at least six months before filing. If the grounds for divorce happened outside Maryland, the residency period may differ. The clerk's office can tell you what applies to your situation.
The filing fee at Baltimore County is $165 for a divorce without an attorney and $175 with one. After you file, your spouse must be served with the papers. You can use a private process server or the sheriff's office. Proof of service goes into the case file. For uncontested cases, a hearing may not be required. For contested cases, the court schedules a hearing after both sides exchange information.
Maryland Guide and File at courts.state.md.us/guideandfile helps you prepare divorce forms step by step. It is free and covers the most common divorce scenarios. For questions about the process, call the Courts Self-Help line at 410-260-1392. Staff can explain what forms to file and what to expect at each stage of a Dundalk divorce case.
Legal Help for Dundalk Divorce Cases
Free and low-cost legal help is available for Dundalk residents dealing with divorce. Maryland Legal Aid serves Baltimore County and can provide assistance to people who qualify based on income. Cases involving domestic violence or children often get priority.
The People's Law Library at peoples-law.org covers Maryland divorce law in plain language. It explains residency rules, grounds for divorce, property division, and child custody. The site is free and a good starting point before you file or before you hire an attorney.
Maryland Rule 16-902 sets the rules for public access to court records, including Dundalk divorce records. Rule 16-934 covers electronic access to those records. If you run into questions about what parts of a case file are public, the clerk's office at 410-887-2601 can help clarify what you can request and what may be restricted.
Note: Baltimore County has a Family Law Division at 410-887-2614 that handles questions specific to divorce, custody, and support cases. Calling this line directly can save time compared to calling the main clerk's number for family law questions.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Dundalk include Towson and Baltimore. Towson is where the Baltimore County courthouse is located. Baltimore City is a separate jurisdiction with its own courts and records system.
Baltimore County Divorce Records
Dundalk is part of Baltimore County. All divorce filings for Dundalk residents go through the Baltimore County Circuit Court in Towson. For a full overview of the county court, fee details, related records types, and other resources, visit the Baltimore County divorce records page.