Divorce Records in Carroll County
Carroll County divorce records are kept at the Circuit Court in Westminster, Maryland, and you can search cases online for free or visit the courthouse to get copies of decrees and filed documents. The court handles all divorce filings for Carroll County and gives the public access to most case records during regular business hours.
Carroll County Overview
Carroll County Circuit Court Divorce Records
The Carroll County Circuit Court is located at 55 North Court Street in Westminster, MD 21157. This is the only court in Carroll County that handles divorce cases. The Clerk of the Circuit Court is Heather S. DeWees, who has served in that role since December 4, 2018. The general office number is 410-386-8710. For divorce and family law matters specifically, you can reach the Civil and Pro Se division at 410-386-8720. The toll-free line is 888-786-0039, and Maryland Relay TTY users can dial 711.
Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The court is closed on Maryland state holidays. If you need to drop off documents after hours, a drop box is at the front of the Circuit Court Annex at 55 North Court Street. Do not put payment in the drop box. Staff will follow up with you on any fees due after they process your request. You can also reach the court by email at carrollcountycases@mdcourts.gov for general case questions. Family law matters have a direct email line at carrollcountyfamilylaw@mdcourts.gov or by phone at 410-386-2751.
The Carroll County Circuit Court also maintains its own site at circuitcourt.carrollcountymd.gov, where you can find local forms and court announcements.
The clerk's office page for Carroll County is the starting point for most divorce record requests. The screenshot below shows the Maryland Courts site for the Carroll County clerk, which lists contact details, hours, and links to court forms.
This page is available at courts.state.md.us/clerks/carroll and is the best place to confirm current contact details before submitting a records request.
| Court Address | 55 North Court Street, Westminster, MD 21157 |
|---|---|
| Clerk of Court | Heather S. DeWees (since December 4, 2018) Direct: 410-386-8715 | heather.dewees@mdcourts.gov |
| General Info | 410-386-8710 | carrollcountycases@mdcourts.gov |
| Civil / Pro Se | 410-386-8720 |
| Family Law | carrollcountyfamilylaw@mdcourts.gov | 410-386-2751 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Toll-Free | 888-786-0039 | TTY: Maryland Relay 711 |
Searching Carroll County Divorce Records Online
The free online tool for Carroll County divorce records is the Maryland Judiciary Case Search at casesearch.courts.state.md.us. It runs 24 hours a day. To find Carroll County divorce cases, set the case type to Civil, the court level to Circuit Court Only, and the jurisdiction to Carroll County. Enter one or both party names and a date range if you have a rough idea when the case was filed. Look for case type DA (absolute divorce) or DL (limited divorce) in the results.
Case Search shows basic public information only. You get party names, the case number, the filing date, current status, and any scheduled hearings. It does not display the actual decree or the documents inside the case file. If you need copies of filed documents or a certified copy of the divorce decree, you have to contact the clerk's office directly. Having the case number in hand before you call or visit will save time. The case number also speeds up mail requests considerably.
Note: Case Search is maintained by the Maryland Judiciary and is updated regularly, but some older Carroll County records may not appear online and require a direct request to the clerk's office.
How to Request Carroll County Divorce Records
You can request Carroll County divorce records in person, by mail, or by email. In person is the fastest method for same-day copies. Go to the clerk's office at 55 North Court Street in Westminster during business hours. Bring the case number if you have it. Staff will pull the file and copy the documents you need. You pay at the window when the copies are ready.
For mail requests, write to the Carroll County Circuit Court at 55 North Court Street, Westminster, MD 21157. Include both parties' full names, the approximate date of the divorce, and the case number if you know it. Add your mailing address and a phone number where staff can reach you. Do not send payment with a mail request. The clerk's office will contact you with the exact cost once they find the file. After you confirm, send payment and they will mail your copies back. If you need them quickly, include a pre-paid return envelope for faster delivery.
The court has a Copy Request Form you can download and submit with your request. Using this form helps ensure your request has all the information the clerk needs to locate the record.
The general information page for the Carroll County clerk's office shows procedures for submitting copy requests and lists accepted payment methods. The screenshot below is from that page.
That page is available at courts.state.md.us/clerks/carroll/general and is worth reviewing before you submit a request to avoid delays.
Note: The after-hours drop box at 55 North Court Street accepts filings but not payment, so never include a check or cash in a drop box submission.
Carroll County Divorce Record Fees and Payment
Plain copy fees at the Carroll County Circuit Court are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $0.50 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee per document. Carroll County uses a Gold Seal certification, which means the certified copy carries a raised embossed seal, a judge's signature, a court stamp, and a statement confirming it is a true copy. This is what most courts, agencies, and foreign embassies will accept as proof of a final divorce. Exemplification, a higher-level authentication needed for some international purposes, costs $10.00. Mailing adds $2.00 to the total.
One thing that sets Carroll County apart from most Maryland courts: all payments must be made payable to "Heather S. DeWees, Clerk," not to the Carroll County Circuit Court or any other entity. This is specific to Carroll County and is worth noting before you write a check or money order. If you make a check out incorrectly, it will be returned and your request delayed.
Accepted payment methods vary by how you submit your request. In person, you can pay with cash, check, money order, or credit card with proper ID. Credit card payments over the phone are not accepted. Mail requests require a check or money order made out to Heather S. DeWees, Clerk. The filing fee to start a new divorce case in Carroll County is $185 with an attorney and $165 without one.
Note: Credit card payments are not accepted over the phone at the Carroll County Circuit Court, so in-person or check by mail are your only options for credit card and non-cash transactions respectively.
What Carroll County Divorce Records Include
A Carroll County divorce case file typically contains the Complaint for Absolute Divorce filed to start the case, financial statements from both parties, any property settlement agreements, parenting plans when children are involved, child support worksheets, and the final Judgment of Absolute Divorce. The judgment is the document most people are after. It names both parties, states the grounds for the divorce, covers property and debt division, includes any alimony terms, and sets out child custody and support arrangements. If either party requested a name change, that appears in the decree as well.
Under Maryland Rule 16-902, most Carroll County divorce records are public. However, Maryland Rule 16-934 allows certain information to be shielded from public copies. The following items are not available in public versions of Carroll County divorce records:
- Social Security numbers
- Financial account numbers
- Medical and psychological records
- Child custody evaluation details
- Income tax returns
- Domestic violence victim information
Redacted versions are what the public receives. Parties to the case and their attorneys can access the full unredacted file. If you need information that is shielded, you may need to file a motion with the court to request access, and the judge will decide whether to unseal any portion of the record.
Maryland Divorce Laws and Carroll County Filings
Carroll County divorce cases are governed by Maryland family law statutes. Md. Code, Family Law § 7-101 sets the residency rule. At least one spouse must have lived in Maryland for at least six months before filing. If the grounds for the divorce happened outside Maryland, the residency period is one year. Carroll County is where you file if you or your spouse lives there at the time of the filing.
Md. Code, Family Law § 7-103 covers the grounds for divorce in Maryland. Maryland moved to a simplified divorce law effective October 2023, replacing the older fault-based and separation-based grounds with two main options: a six-month separation or a mutual consent divorce when the parties have a signed settlement agreement covering property, alimony, and, if there are children, custody and support. Carroll County cases follow the same state grounds rules as every other county. The clerk's office does not determine which grounds apply to your case; that is a legal question for you or your attorney.
Public access to Carroll County court records is governed by Maryland Rule 16-902, which presumes that court records are open to the public. Maryland Rule 16-934 creates the shielding process for sensitive information. These rules apply uniformly across all Maryland circuit courts, including the Carroll County Circuit Court in Westminster.
Historical Carroll County Divorce Records
For older Carroll County divorce cases, the Maryland State Archives holds Carroll County Divorce Decrees (series CM281) covering cases from 1966 through 1998 on microfilm. You can order certified copies through the Archives at shop.msa.maryland.gov. Certified copies cost $25. You will need both parties' names, the county, an approximate date, and the case number if known. The Archives is at 350 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD 21401, phone 410-260-6400.
For divorces finalized on or after January 1, 1992, the Maryland Division of Vital Records at health.maryland.gov/vsa/pages/dvr.aspx can issue a verification of the divorce for $12. This is not a full copy of the decree but rather a certificate confirming the divorce occurred. Contact Vital Records at 6550 Reisterstown Road, Baltimore, MD 21215, or call 410-764-3038. For free online case searching going back several years, the Maryland Judiciary Case Search at casesearch.courts.state.md.us is the best starting point.
Note: Carroll County divorce records from before 1966 are held at the Circuit Court itself or may require a direct archives inquiry, as they predate the state microfilm collection.
Free Legal Help for Carroll County Divorce Cases
Carroll County offers several free resources for people handling their own divorce cases. The Family Law Public Seminars run on the first Wednesday of each month and cover general divorce procedures, what to expect in court, and how the process works. These are open to the public at no cost. The Family Law Legal Advice Clinics go a step further and give you direct access to a volunteer attorney. Clinics run on Wednesdays from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM and Thursdays from 9:00 AM to Noon. You do not need an appointment, but you should arrive early since slots fill up.
The Family Law Hotline at 1-800-845-8550 is a statewide resource that handles calls from Carroll County residents. You can ask general questions about Maryland divorce law and get guidance on your options. The Maryland Court Help Center at 410-260-1392 is also available statewide and connects you with staff who can explain court procedures. For a written overview of Maryland divorce law, the People's Law Library at peoples-law.org covers residency rules, grounds, property division, and child custody in plain language.
These resources are for information and general guidance only. They do not substitute for a licensed attorney if your case is contested or involves significant assets, children, or domestic issues.
Cities in Carroll County
All cities and communities in Carroll County file divorce cases at the Circuit Court in Westminster. No cities in Carroll County currently have dedicated divorce records pages, but the clerk's office at 55 North Court Street serves all Carroll County residents regardless of which town or community they live in.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Carroll County. You file for divorce in the county where you or your spouse currently lives in Maryland. If you are not sure which county applies to your case, check the residence address and use the county where at least one party lives.