Caroline County Divorce Records
Caroline County divorce records are filed at the Circuit Court in Denton, Maryland, on the Eastern Shore. The Clerk's Office at the courthouse is where you go to search for divorce cases, request copies of records, and get information about how to file a new divorce case in Caroline County.
Caroline County Overview
Caroline County Circuit Court
The Caroline County Circuit Court is at 109 Market Street in Denton. The Clerk of Court is Terry Lord. The main phone number is 410-479-1811. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, except on Maryland state holidays. Denton is the county seat and the hub for all court business in Caroline County, including divorce filings, hearings, and record requests. If you are traveling from another part of the county, call ahead to confirm the documents you need are ready before making the drive.
All divorce cases in Caroline County are handled by the Circuit Court. There is no city court or district court that takes divorce filings. The Circuit Court is the only option. The Clerk's Office processes civil filings, including domestic relations cases such as absolute divorce and limited divorce. Staff can answer questions about how to file, what forms to use, and how to get copies of records. They cannot give you legal advice, but they can explain how the court process works in Caroline County.
| Court Address | 109 Market Street, Denton, MD 21629 |
|---|---|
| Clerk of Court | Terry Lord |
| Phone | 410-479-1811 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| County Seat | Denton |
Searching Caroline County Divorce Records Online
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search at casesearch.courts.state.md.us lets you search Caroline County divorce records for free at any time. The screenshot below shows the portal you will use. To search, go to the site and select Civil Case as the type. Choose Circuit Court Only and then pick Caroline County. Enter one or both party names in the search fields. If the name is common, include a date range to narrow results. Divorce cases show up as case type DA for absolute divorce or DL for limited divorce.
Case Search results include party names, the case number, the filing date, and the case status. You will not see any documents through this tool. The actual divorce decree, financial records, and other case documents stay at the courthouse. To get copies, contact the Clerk's Office at 410-479-1811. Note the case number from your search before you call. It makes the process faster and ensures you get the right file. The free online search covers all cases filed at the Caroline County Circuit Court since the system was established.
Note: Case Search data updates overnight, so a divorce decree entered that day may not appear in results until the next business morning.
How to Request Caroline County Divorce Records
You can get Caroline County divorce records in person or by mail. Coming in person to the courthouse at 109 Market Street in Denton is the most direct way. Bring photo ID. If you have the case number, bring that too. Staff will pull the file and provide copies. You pay the copy fees at the window. Ask for the plain copy rate if you only need the documents for your own use, or the certified copy rate if you need official documentation for a legal purpose. Certified copies cost $0.50 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee.
Mail requests work well if you cannot make the trip to Denton. Write a letter to the Caroline County Circuit Court, 109 Market Street, Denton, MD 21629. Include the names of both parties, the approximate date of the divorce, and the case number if you have it. Give your return address and a daytime phone number. Do not send payment with the letter. The Clerk's Office will locate the file and let you know the total cost. You send payment after they confirm the amount, and they mail the copies back. Standard USPS is the default. If you need faster delivery, include a pre-paid return envelope with your request.
Most Caroline County divorce records are open to the public under Maryland Rule 16-902. Anyone can request them, not just the parties involved. Some information is protected under Maryland Rule 16-934, including Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and certain details involving minor children.
Caroline County Divorce Record Fees
Copy fees at Caroline County Circuit Court follow the standard Maryland schedule. Plain copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $0.50 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee per document. New divorce filings cost $165 without a lawyer or $185 with one. The initial filing fee covers the Complaint for Absolute Divorce. Other filings during the case may have separate fees.
If fees are a barrier, a waiver is available. Use form CC-DC-089 and file it with the court. Eligibility is based on income below 125% of the federal poverty level. The Clerk's Office can provide the form at no charge. The Maryland Courts Self-Help Center at 410-260-1392 can help you understand the waiver process if you need guidance. All standard divorce forms are free to download or pick up at the courthouse. You do not need to purchase forms from any outside source.
What Caroline County Divorce Records Include
A complete Caroline County divorce case file contains documents from the start of the case to the final order. The Complaint for Absolute Divorce opens the case. Both parties file financial statements. If there is shared property, a Joint Statement of Marital and Non-Marital Property is included. When children are involved, the file has a Parenting Plan and a Child Support Worksheet. A Marital Settlement Agreement is in the file when both parties reached a written deal before the hearing.
The Judgment of Absolute Divorce is the key document. It lists the names of both parties, where and when they were married, and the grounds for the divorce. Under Md. Code, Family Law § 7-103, Maryland allows three grounds for divorce: a six-month separation, irreconcilable differences, or mutual consent. The final decree also covers division of property, alimony terms, custody and visitation, child support, and any name restoration orders. Certified copies carry the judge's signature and the court seal. That is what most agencies require for official uses like name changes or remarriage applications.
Historical Caroline County Divorce Records
For divorces finalized in Caroline County on or after January 1, 1992, the Maryland Division of Vital Records holds a statewide index. Their portal, shown in the image below, lets you request a verification online. Go to health.maryland.gov/vsa/pages/dvr.aspx. The fee is $12. A verification confirms that the divorce occurred and provides basic details. It is not a full copy of the decree. Contact Vital Records at 6550 Reisterstown Road, Baltimore, MD 21215, phone 410-764-3038.
Older Caroline County divorce records are held by the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis. The Archives has records transferred from county courts, including some dating back to the 1800s. Certified copies cost $25 each. Order through the online form at shop.msa.maryland.gov. You will need both parties' full names, the county, and the approximate year. The Archives address is 350 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD 21401, phone 410-260-6400. If you are not sure which office to contact, start with the Circuit Court Clerk at 410-479-1811 and ask whether the records are still at the courthouse or have been transferred.
Note: 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 happened outside the state.
Legal Help for Divorce in Caroline County
Free resources are available for Caroline County residents who are handling their own divorce case. The Maryland Courts Self-Help Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM, at 410-260-1392. They answer procedural questions and can point you to the right forms. The People's Law Library at peoples-law.org has a plain-language guide to Maryland divorce law, covering grounds, procedures, and what to expect during a case on the Eastern Shore and across the state.
The Maryland Guide and File tool at courts.state.md.us/guideandfile walks you through filling out the forms needed for an uncontested divorce. The tool is free, and so are the forms it generates. You do not need to buy forms anywhere. Maryland Legal Aid serves Caroline County through its Eastern Shore offices. If you qualify based on income and the type of case, they can provide free legal representation. Call to ask about eligibility. For private attorney referrals, the Maryland State Bar Association can help connect you with a family law attorney who handles cases in Caroline County.
Nearby Counties
These counties are on the Eastern Shore near Caroline County. Divorce cases are filed in the county where you or your spouse lives. If you are not sure which county applies, check the home address of either party at the time of filing.