Find Calvert County Divorce Records
Calvert County divorce records are maintained at the Circuit Court in Prince Frederick, Maryland. All divorces filed by Calvert County residents go through this court, and the Clerk's Office handles public requests for records, certified copies, and case information.
Calvert County Overview
Calvert County Circuit Court
The Calvert County Circuit Court is located at 175 Main Street in Prince Frederick. The Clerk of Court is Kathy P. Smith, who can be reached by email at kathy.smith@mdcourts.gov. The main phone number is 410-535-1600. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The court closes on Maryland state holidays. If you plan to come in person, bring a valid photo ID. Having your case number ready speeds up the process, but Clerk staff can search by party name if you don't have it.
The Calvert County Circuit Court handles all divorce cases for people who live in Calvert County. Whether you are filing a new divorce case or looking up records from a case that has already been decided, the Clerk's Office is where you start. The Civil Department processes domestic relations filings, which include absolute divorce, limited divorce, and related family matters. Call ahead if you are coming to review a case file that is several years old, since some older files may require advance retrieval.
| Court Address | 175 Main Street, Prince Frederick, MD 20678 |
|---|---|
| Clerk of Court | Kathy P. Smith kathy.smith@mdcourts.gov |
| Phone | 410-535-1600 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| County Seat | Prince Frederick |
Searching Calvert County Divorce Records Online
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search at casesearch.courts.state.md.us is the free online portal for Calvert County divorce records. The screenshot below shows the interface you will use to search. Access is available around the clock, seven days a week. To search Calvert County cases, go to the site, select Civil Case as the case type, then choose Circuit Court Only and select Calvert as the county. Type in one or both party names. If the name is common, add a date range to reduce the number of results. Divorce cases use code DA for absolute divorce and DL for limited divorce.
Search results show basic case data: party names, case number, filing date, and status. The tool does not show documents. You cannot view the actual divorce decree or case file through Case Search. For copies of documents, contact the Calvert County Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 410-535-1600. Write down the case number before you call or visit. It helps staff find the file faster and reduces any chance of pulling the wrong case. A public access terminal is also available at the courthouse for in-person searches if you prefer that option.
How to Request Calvert County Divorce Records
There are two main ways to get Calvert County divorce records: in person at the courthouse or by mail. In person is the most direct. Go to the Clerk's Office at 175 Main Street in Prince Frederick during regular business hours. Bring photo ID and your case number if you have it. Staff will locate the record and provide copies. Plain copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $0.50 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. Ask specifically whether you need a certified copy, since most legal uses require certification.
For mail requests, write to the Calvert County Circuit Court, 175 Main Street, Prince Frederick, MD 20678. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate date of the divorce, and the case number if known. Include your mailing address and a daytime phone number. Do not send payment until the Clerk's Office confirms the file and gives you the total cost. After that, send a check or money order. The court will mail copies back to you. Processing time for mail requests varies depending on the volume of requests at the time.
Calvert County divorce records are public under Maryland law. Maryland Rule 16-902 establishes public access to court records, and most divorce case documents can be viewed and copied by anyone. Some items are restricted under Maryland Rule 16-934, which shields Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and certain details about minor children.
Note: If you need a certified copy for a name change or remarriage, confirm with the receiving agency which certification format they accept before requesting from the court.
Calvert County Divorce Record Fees
Calvert County follows the standard Maryland fee schedule for court records. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $0.50 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee per document. Filing a new divorce case costs $165 without an attorney or $185 with one. These are the initial filing fees. Other fees may apply as the case progresses.
Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford court costs. Use form CC-DC-089 and file it with the court. You qualify if your income is below 125% of the federal poverty level. The Clerk's Office can provide the form. The Maryland Courts Self-Help Center at 410-260-1392 can help you understand the waiver process. Always ask about fee waivers before you assume you cannot afford to file or request records. In-person payments at the Calvert County courthouse can typically be made by cash, check, or money order.
What Calvert County Divorce Records Include
A Calvert County divorce case file holds several documents from start to finish. The Complaint for Absolute Divorce opens the case. Financial statements from both spouses follow. Property cases add a Joint Statement of Marital and Non-Marital Property. Cases with children include a Parenting Plan and Child Support Worksheet. If both parties reached a deal, a Marital Settlement Agreement is also in the file. The full case file is available at the courthouse.
The final Judgment of Absolute Divorce is what most people are looking for. It contains both parties' names, the date and place of the marriage, the grounds for divorce, and the court's orders on property, alimony, and child-related matters. Maryland allows three grounds for divorce under Md. Code, Family Law § 7-103: six-month separation, irreconcilable differences, and mutual consent. If one party asked for a name change, that order is in the decree as well. Certified copies carry the judge's signature and the court seal, which is what official uses require.
Historical Calvert County Divorce Records
Two agencies hold Calvert County divorce records outside the Circuit Court. The image below shows the Maryland Division of Vital Records portal, which holds a statewide index of divorces finalized on or after January 1, 1992. Visit health.maryland.gov/vsa/pages/dvr.aspx to request a verification. The fee is $12. They issue a certificate that confirms the divorce happened; they do not provide a copy of the full decree. Contact them at 6550 Reisterstown Road, Baltimore, MD 21215, phone 410-764-3038.
For older Calvert County cases, the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis holds records transferred from county courts. Some go back to the 1800s. Certified copies from the Archives cost $25 each. Order through their online form at shop.msa.maryland.gov. You will need both parties' names, the county, the approximate year, and the case number if you have it. The Archives address is 350 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD 21401. Phone: 410-260-6400. Under Md. Code, Family Law § 7-101, at least one party must have lived in Maryland for six months before filing if the grounds for divorce occurred outside the state.
Legal Help for Divorce in Calvert County
If you are handling your own divorce case in Calvert County, several free resources can help. The Maryland Courts Self-Help Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM, at 410-260-1392. Staff answer procedural questions about how the court process works. The People's Law Library at peoples-law.org covers Maryland divorce law in plain language, including grounds, procedures, and what to expect at hearings.
Maryland Guide and File at courts.state.md.us/guideandfile helps you complete court forms online with step-by-step instructions. All standard divorce forms are free. Do not pay a third-party website for forms you can get at no cost from the court. Maryland Legal Aid serves Calvert County residents who qualify based on income and the type of case. Call the Southern Maryland office to ask about eligibility. For people who need an attorney, the Calvert County Bar Association can provide referrals.
Nearby Counties
Calvert County borders several other Maryland counties. If you are unsure which county has your divorce case on file, check where you or your spouse lived when the case was filed. You file in the county where either party lives in Maryland.