Severn Divorce Records
Severn divorce records are kept at the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court in Annapolis, where all divorce cases for this census-designated place in Anne Arundel County are filed and maintained.
Severn Court Overview
Find Severn Divorce Records at This Court
Severn is a census-designated place. It has no city hall and no local court. All divorce cases for Severn residents are handled by the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, located at 8 Church Circle in Annapolis. The clerk's office has divorce files going back to 1870. You can request Severn divorce records in person, by mail, or by calling the Family and Civil Division at 410-222-1431.
| Court | Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County |
|---|---|
| Address | 8 Church Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401 |
| Main Phone | 410-222-1397 |
| Family & Civil | 410-222-1431 |
| Toll-Free | 888-246-0615 |
| Clerk | Scott A. Poyer |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (copies accepted until 4:20 PM) |
Severn sits in the northern part of Anne Arundel County. From most parts of Severn, the drive to the Annapolis courthouse takes about 25 to 35 minutes depending on traffic. If you go in person, bring a photo ID and know the name of at least one party in the divorce case you are searching.
How Severn Divorce Records Are Split by Year
Maryland keeps divorce records in two places based on when the divorce happened. Knowing which agency holds the record you need will save time when you search for Severn divorce records.
If the divorce was final before 1992, the only place to find it is the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court clerk's office in Annapolis. These older records go back to 1870 and exist only in the court file. You can request them in person at 8 Church Circle or by mailing a written request to the clerk. Include the names of both parties and the approximate year if you know it. The search fee is $12 and is not refunded even if the record is not found.
For divorces finalized in 1992 and later, the Maryland Department of Health also has a certified divorce record. You can order it through the Vital Statistics Administration for $12. This is a short abstract, not the full court file. It shows the names, date, and county but not the specific terms of the decree. Many people who need simple proof of a Severn divorce use Vital Records for the speed and convenience it offers.
The court always holds the full case file regardless of year. If you need the actual divorce decree with all the terms, property division, or custody orders, you need to get that from the Anne Arundel Circuit Court and not from Vital Records.
Search Severn Divorce Records Online
Maryland Case Search is the state's free public court records tool. It includes the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court and lets you look up Severn divorce cases without a trip to Annapolis. Visit casesearch.courts.state.md.us, choose Anne Arundel County, and enter the name of either spouse to start.
Search results show two access levels. Cases marked "DA" are fully public and include case details. Cases marked "DL" have limited display, which typically means the court restricted part of the record. Most Severn divorce cases that do not involve a protective order or sealed filing will show as DA. You can see party names, case numbers, and key dates in these results.
Once you find the case number, use it to request copies from the clerk. Call 410-222-1431 or visit in person. The online system does not let you download or print documents directly, but it gives you enough information to complete a records request. For older Severn divorces not in the online system, a mail request or in-person visit is the only option.
The Maryland State Archives also has a paid lookup service for older divorce decrees at shop.msa.maryland.gov for $25. This can reach records not easily found through the court's own search tools.
Divorce Records Fees in Severn
The Anne Arundel County Circuit Court applies these fees when you request Severn divorce records at the Annapolis courthouse. The amounts below reflect the current schedule.
- Record search: $12.00 (non-refundable)
- Plain copy: $0.50 per page
- Certified copy: $5.00 plus $0.50 per page
- New divorce filing: $197.00
In-person payment is cash, check, or money order only. Credit and debit cards are not accepted at the clerk's counter. If you are mailing a request for Severn divorce records, send a check or money order made out to the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope so the clerk can return your copies.
For Vital Records orders, the Maryland Department of Health charges a separate $12 fee paid directly online or by mail to that agency. That fee is independent of anything you pay at the circuit court.
Note: The $12 search fee applies whether or not a record is found. Always confirm you have the right county before paying, since a Severn divorce filed under a wrong county name may not appear in this court's index.
Filing for Divorce as a Severn Resident
To file for divorce in Severn, you go to the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court in Annapolis. Maryland law governs the whole process. The case file you create at the clerk's window becomes a permanent Severn divorce record once accepted.
Maryland's 2023 divorce reform changed how the process works. The old requirement of a 12-month separation still exists as one option, but couples who both agree on all terms can now file for a mutual consent absolute divorce without waiting. Both spouses must sign a written settlement agreement covering property, support, and any children. This change made uncontested Severn divorces faster and simpler than before.
Under Maryland Family Law § 7-101, the law sets out which grounds allow an absolute divorce. Common grounds include mutual consent, a 6-month separation when there are no minor children, or irreconcilable differences. Limited divorce is also an option if you need court-ordered support while living apart but are not yet ready for an absolute divorce.
You file the complaint at the clerk's office, pay the $197 fee, and then arrange service on your spouse. After service is confirmed, the case moves toward a hearing or waiting period depending on whether both sides agree. The final decree becomes part of the permanent Anne Arundel County divorce record for Severn cases and is available to the public once entered.
The free filing guide at Maryland Guide and File walks you through each step if you plan to file on your own. The People's Law Library at peoples-law.org also has plain-language explanations of Maryland divorce law that apply to Severn residents.
Self-Help and Legal Aid for Severn Divorce Cases
The Anne Arundel County Circuit Court has a Family Law Self-Help Center at Suite 301 inside 8 Church Circle, Annapolis. Severn residents can walk in without an appointment during open hours. Call 410-260-1392 to confirm current availability before making the drive.
Center staff can help you find the right forms, explain what each document is for, and point you to other resources. They cannot give legal advice or tell you what to do in your case. But for someone filing their first Severn divorce on their own, the center is often the most useful free resource available in Anne Arundel County.
Maryland courts also offer self-help support by phone at 410-260-1392, the statewide courts line. You can ask general questions about divorce procedures and form requirements for Severn cases. If your income qualifies, legal aid programs in Anne Arundel County may provide a free attorney or at least help with forms. Call the intake line for the local legal aid office to ask about eligibility.
The People's Law Library covers every stage of the Maryland divorce process in plain language. It is a good starting point if you are not sure how Severn divorce filings work or what to expect at a hearing.
Nearby Cities
Other Anne Arundel County communities also file divorce cases at the same Annapolis circuit court. Records for these areas are searchable through the same systems.
Anne Arundel County Divorce Records
All Severn divorce cases go through Anne Arundel County. The county page covers full court details, fee schedules, related records, and access options for the entire county, including Severn and surrounding communities.