Find Somerset County Divorce Records
Somerset County divorce records are held at the Circuit Court in Princess Anne, Maryland. The Circuit Court handles all divorce filings for the county, and the Clerk's Office is where you go to search cases, request copies, or get a certified divorce decree.
Somerset County Overview
Somerset County Circuit Court
The Somerset County Circuit Court is located at 30512 Prince William Street in Princess Anne. Clerk Charles Horner oversees the office. The main phone number is 410-845-4840. The Circuit Court is the only court in Somerset County with authority to grant divorces, and all case records remain with the Clerk's Office.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The court is closed on Maryland state holidays. If you plan to visit in person, bring a valid photo ID. Having the case number ready will save time, but staff can also search by party name. You will need the full legal names of both spouses to get useful results.
| Court Address | 30512 Prince William Street, Princess Anne, MD 21853 |
|---|---|
| Circuit Court Clerk | Charles Horner |
| Phone | 410-845-4840 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| County Seat | Princess Anne |
Somerset County is on Maryland's Eastern Shore, bordered by the Chesapeake Bay to the west and Delaware to the east. It is one of Maryland's smaller counties by population. All divorce cases filed in the county are heard at this courthouse in Princess Anne. There is one Circuit Court for the entire county.
Searching Somerset County Divorce Records Online
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search at casesearch.courts.state.md.us is the free tool for finding Somerset County divorce records online. Select Civil Case as the case type. Then choose Circuit Court Only and select Somerset County as the jurisdiction. Enter one or both party names. You can add a date range to narrow the search if you know roughly when the divorce was filed.
Case Search shows limited information. You can see the case number, party names, filing date, case status, and any scheduled hearings. It does not show the divorce decree or any other documents in the case file. Case type DA is an absolute divorce. Case type DL is a limited divorce. To get copies of actual records, you must contact the Clerk's Office by phone, in person, or by mail.
Use the free search tool at casesearch.courts.state.md.us to look up Somerset County divorce cases. Select Civil, Circuit Court Only, then Somerset County.
Most Somerset County divorce records are public under Maryland Rule 16-902. However, certain details are withheld from public copies under Maryland Rule 16-934. SSNs, financial account numbers, and details about minor children are redacted. If a case involves domestic violence, additional protections may apply.
Requesting Somerset County Divorce Records
You have two main ways to get Somerset County divorce records: in person or by mail. The in-person option is faster. Go to the Clerk's Office at 30512 Prince William Street, Princess Anne. Bring photo ID. If you have the case number, bring that too. Staff can pull the file, tell you the copy cost, and give you copies the same day if you pay at the window. Cash, check, and money order are standard payment methods.
For a mail request, write to the Clerk's Office at the same address. Include the full names of both spouses, the approximate filing date, and the case number if you know it. Add your return address and a phone number where staff can reach you. Do not send payment with your first letter. The office will contact you with the exact cost after locating the file. After you confirm, send a check or money order and staff will mail the copies.
Note: For certified copies needed for legal use, such as remarriage or updating legal records, ask specifically for a certified copy when you make your request. Plain copies cost less but may not be accepted by government agencies or courts.
Somerset County Divorce Record Fees
Fees at the Somerset County Circuit Court follow the Maryland standard schedule. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $0.50 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee per document. If you need an exemplified copy for out-of-state legal use, the certification fee is $10.00. Standard USPS mailing of copies is free.
If you are filing a new divorce case, the fee is $165 without an attorney and $185 with one. A fee waiver is available if you qualify. Use form CC-DC-089. The waiver is for people whose income is below 125% of the federal poverty level. Ask the Clerk's Office for help with the waiver form when you come in or call 410-845-4840.
The Maryland Division of Vital Records at health.maryland.gov/vsa issues divorce verifications for Somerset County cases finalized since January 1, 1992. The fee is $12. Phone: 410-764-3038.
What Somerset County Divorce Records Contain
A full Somerset County divorce case file includes the original complaint, financial disclosure forms, property division documents, and any agreements or court orders entered during the case. When children are involved, parenting plans and child support worksheets are part of the file as well. The final Judgment of Absolute Divorce is the key document that closes the case.
The divorce decree names both parties, states the date and place of the marriage, identifies the grounds for divorce, and sets out the final terms. Property division, alimony, custody, and support orders are all included. If a name change was granted, it is in the decree. Certified copies carry the judge's signature and the court seal. The case number and the date the divorce took effect appear on the face of the document.
Maryland Code Family Law section 7-103 lists the grounds for divorce in Maryland. These include adultery, desertion, conviction of a crime, cruelty, and mutual consent. The mutual consent ground is commonly used in Somerset County for uncontested divorces. It does not require a waiting period, but both parties must sign a settlement agreement that covers all issues before the court will grant the divorce. Residency rules under section 7-101 require that at least one spouse live in Maryland before filing.
Note: Financial account numbers, Social Security numbers, and minor children's personal details are redacted from public copies per Maryland Rule 16-934. Parties who need unredacted records for legal proceedings should inquire with the Clerk's Office.
Older Somerset County Divorce Records
The Maryland Division of Vital Records holds divorce verifications for cases finalized since January 1, 1992. The fee is $12 per verification. This does not give you the full decree, only confirmation that a divorce occurred. Reach them at 6550 Reisterstown Road, Baltimore, MD 21215, or call 410-764-3038. Their website is at health.maryland.gov/vsa.
For older Somerset County divorce records, contact the Maryland State Archives. The Archives holds records transferred from county circuit courts across Maryland, some going back to the 1800s. Certified copies cost $25. You can order at shop.msa.maryland.gov. The Archives is at 350 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD 21401. Phone: 410-260-6400. A research guide for divorce records is at guide.msa.maryland.gov.
Order certified copies of older Somerset County divorce records through the Maryland State Archives at shop.msa.maryland.gov. Cost is $25 per certified copy.
Legal Help for Divorce in Somerset County
Free help is available for people who handle their own divorce in Somerset County. The Maryland Courts Self-Help Center can be reached at 410-260-1392. Staff are there Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM. They answer questions about court forms and procedures but do not represent you or provide legal advice specific to your case.
The People's Law Library at peoples-law.org explains Maryland divorce law in plain language. It covers grounds, residency requirements, and what to expect when you file. The Maryland Guide and File tool at courts.state.md.us/guideandfile helps you fill out forms step by step. Both are free to use.
Maryland Legal Aid serves Somerset County residents who meet income guidelines. Call the statewide intake line at 410-539-5340. For a private attorney referral, the Maryland State Bar Association referral service is at 800-492-1964.
Cities in Somerset County
All residents of Somerset County file divorce cases at the Circuit Court in Princess Anne. No cities in Somerset County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page, but the courthouse at 30512 Prince William Street serves all county residents.
Nearby Counties
Somerset County borders these counties on Maryland's Eastern Shore. You file divorce in the county where you or your spouse lives, so confirm the address before you choose a courthouse.