Towson Divorce Records
Towson divorce records are held at the Baltimore County Circuit Court, which is located right in Towson at 401 Bosley Avenue. As the county seat of Baltimore County, Towson is home to the courthouse that handles all divorce filings and records for the county.
Towson Court Overview
The Courthouse Is Right Here in Towson
Towson has a real advantage over many other Maryland communities: the Baltimore County Circuit Court sits directly in Towson at 401 Bosley Avenue. Towson residents do not need to drive to another city to file for divorce or get copies of divorce records. The courthouse is local. This makes it easier to drop off forms, attend hearings, and pick up certified copies on short notice.
| Court | Baltimore County Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 401 Bosley Avenue, 2nd Floor, Towson, MD 21204 |
| 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 |
The clerk's office is on the second floor of the courthouse building. Parking is available near the courthouse on Bosley Avenue and in nearby lots. Security checks all visitors at the entrance. Bring a photo ID. The Family Law Division at 410-887-2614 handles specific questions about divorce cases and can confirm what documents are in a particular file.
Search Towson Divorce Records Online
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search at casesearch.courts.state.md.us is the free online tool for finding Towson divorce records. Search by name or case number. Select Baltimore County to filter results. Divorce cases appear under case types DA (divorce absolute) and DL (limited divorce). You can see filing dates, party names, hearing dates, and current case status without visiting the courthouse.
The online system shows case index data only, not document images. If you need to read the actual papers in a Towson divorce file, you have to contact the clerk's office. The Judicial Records line at 410-887-3494 handles copy requests. You can also email CCBaltCoClerkRecords@mdcourts.gov with your request. Include the case number if you have it, as it speeds up the process.
Copy fees at Baltimore County Circuit Court are $0.50 per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost $0.50 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. The office accepts cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, checks, and money orders. If you are mailing a request, use the P.O. Box address: P.O. Box 6754, Towson, MD 21285-6754.
Towson Divorce Records Back to 1908
Baltimore County Circuit Court holds divorce records going back to 1908. For Towson residents researching older cases, the clerk's office is the first place to check. Staff can search by name or case number and confirm whether a case is still on site or has been archived.
For very old records or certified copies of historical divorces, the Maryland State Archives is a useful option. The Archives charges $25 per certified copy and can be accessed at shop.msa.maryland.gov. For divorces from 1992 to the present, the Maryland Division of Vital Records issues official divorce certificates for $12. Order at health.maryland.gov/vsa/pages/dvr.aspx.
A divorce certificate only shows names, date, and county. It does not show any of the court-ordered terms. For property division, custody, child support, or alimony details, you need the full decree from the Baltimore County clerk's office. The decree is the actual court order.
Note: If a Towson-area divorce case was filed before 1908, records may exist only in physical archives or may not have survived. Contact the Maryland State Archives for guidance on very early records.
How to File for Divorce in Towson
Towson residents file for divorce at the Baltimore County Circuit Court on Bosley Avenue. Maryland law governs the process. Under Maryland Family Law § 7-101, Maryland offers two types of divorce: absolute divorce and limited divorce. An absolute divorce fully ends the marriage. A limited divorce is a legal separation but does not dissolve the marriage.
To file, at least one spouse must have lived in Maryland for six months before filing. You bring your completed forms to the clerk's office on the second floor. The filing fee is $165 without an attorney or $175 with one. The clerk stamps the papers and assigns a case number. Your Towson divorce records start at that moment.
After filing, your spouse must receive formal notice of the case. You can use a private process server or the sheriff's office. Service documents go into the case file. If your spouse agrees to all terms, the case is uncontested. If not, the court will schedule hearings to resolve disputes. Either way, the process creates a set of public records that remain on file at the Towson courthouse.
Maryland Guide and File at courts.state.md.us/guideandfile is a free online tool to help you fill out your divorce forms correctly. It walks you through each field and flags missing information. Since the courthouse is in Towson, you can complete the forms at home, then walk in and file without a long drive.
Divorce Record and Filing Fees at Baltimore County Court
Filing and copy fees at the Baltimore County Circuit Court are set by state and county rules. The main fees that affect Towson divorce records are:
- Filing a divorce complaint without attorney: $165
- Filing a divorce complaint with attorney: $175
- Plain copies: $0.50 per page
- Certified copies: $0.50 per page plus $5.00 certification fee
- Payment: cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, check, or money order
Call 410-887-2601 before you visit to confirm current fees. The clerk's office can tell you the exact amount due for any copy request. If you have a low income and cannot pay the filing fee, ask about a fee waiver form. Maryland courts have a process for that, and qualifying residents can file without paying upfront.
Legal Help for Towson Divorce Cases
Towson residents have several options for legal assistance with divorce cases. The Courts Self-Help Center at 410-260-1392 answers general questions about Maryland divorce law and court procedures. Calls are free. Staff cannot give legal advice, but they explain the steps and tell you what forms to file.
The People's Law Library at peoples-law.org covers Maryland divorce law in plain language. Topics include grounds for divorce under Maryland Family Law, property division, alimony, and child custody. It is a solid free resource for anyone starting to research a Towson divorce case.
Maryland Legal Aid serves Baltimore County and can help residents who qualify based on income. Cases involving domestic violence or children often get priority. The Baltimore County Bar Association also offers attorney referral services for people who need full legal representation for their Towson divorce case.
Maryland Rule 16-902 governs public access to court records. Rule 16-934 addresses electronic access. These rules affect what parts of a Towson divorce file are available to the public and how you can request them. If a case has restricted access, the clerk can explain what you can and cannot see.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Towson include Dundalk and Baltimore. Dundalk is also in Baltimore County and uses the same courthouse in Towson. Baltimore City is a separate jurisdiction with its own courts.
Baltimore County Divorce Records
Towson is the county seat of Baltimore County. The Baltimore County Circuit Court, located right in Towson, handles all divorce filings and records for the county. For a full overview of county court resources, fees, and related records, visit the Baltimore County divorce records page.