Search Wicomico County Divorce Records
Wicomico County divorce records are filed and maintained at the Circuit Court in Salisbury, Maryland. The Circuit Court is the only court in Wicomico County that handles divorce cases, and all requests for records go through the Clerk's Office at 101 North Division Street.
Wicomico County Overview
Wicomico County Circuit Court
The Wicomico County Circuit Court is at 101 North Division Street, Room 105, in Salisbury. Clerk James B. McAllister oversees the office. The main phone is 410-543-6551, and the clerk can also be reached by email at james.mcallister@mdcourts.gov. All Wicomico County divorce cases are filed here, and the Clerk's Office handles requests for records, copies, and case status.
The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The court is closed on Maryland state holidays. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit in person. If you have the case number, bring it. Staff can also search by party name if you give them both spouses' full legal names.
| Court Address | 101 North Division Street, Room 105, Salisbury, MD 21801 |
|---|---|
| Circuit Court Clerk | James B. McAllister |
| Phone | 410-543-6551 |
| james.mcallister@mdcourts.gov | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| County Seat | Salisbury |
Wicomico County is home to Salisbury, the largest city on Maryland's Eastern Shore. The county seat serves as a regional hub for the lower Eastern Shore. All divorce cases in the county, including those from Salisbury residents, are filed and heard at this Circuit Court. There is one courthouse for the entire county.
Search Wicomico County Divorce Records Online
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search at casesearch.courts.state.md.us lets you look up Wicomico County divorce records at no cost. Select Civil Case as the case type. Then choose Circuit Court Only and select Wicomico County from the jurisdiction list. Enter one or both party names. Adding a date range helps if you have a rough idea of when the divorce was filed.
Results show only the basics: case number, party names, filing date, status, and hearings. The divorce decree and other case documents do not appear online. Case type DA is an absolute divorce. Case type DL is a limited divorce. If you need the actual decree or other court records, contact the Clerk's Office by phone at 410-543-6551, by email, or in person.
Search Wicomico County divorce cases for free at casesearch.courts.state.md.us. Select Civil, then Circuit Court Only, then Wicomico County to look up cases by name or case number.
Maryland Rule 16-902 makes most divorce records public. Under Maryland Rule 16-934, Social Security numbers, financial account details, and identifying information about minor children are redacted from public copies. Additional protections may apply in cases involving domestic violence or sealed proceedings.
How to Request Wicomico County Divorce Records
In-person requests are the fastest way to get Wicomico County divorce records. Go to the Clerk's Office at 101 North Division Street, Room 105, Salisbury. Bring photo ID and the case number if you have it. Staff locate the file, tell you the cost, and can usually provide copies the same day. Payment is accepted at the counter.
Mail requests are also accepted. Write to the Clerk of the Circuit Court, 101 North Division Street, Room 105, Salisbury, MD 21801. Include both spouses' full names, the approximate year the divorce was filed, and the case number if known. Include your return address and phone number. Do not send payment with your initial request. Staff will locate the file and contact you with the cost. After you confirm, send payment and staff will mail the copies back to you.
You can also reach the office by email at james.mcallister@mdcourts.gov with a written request. Include the same identifying information as a mail request. The office will follow up with the cost and payment instructions.
Note: If you need copies for a legal proceeding, insurance claim, or name change, ask for a certified copy. It costs more than a plain copy but is required by many agencies and courts.
Wicomico County Divorce Record Fees
Wicomico County follows Maryland's standard fee schedule for court records. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $0.50 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee per document. For exemplified or triple-seal copies needed for out-of-state legal matters, the certification fee is $10.00. Standard USPS mailing of your copies is free.
To file a new divorce case in Wicomico County, the fee is $165 without an attorney and $185 with one. If paying the filing fee is a hardship, you may be eligible for a fee waiver. Use form CC-DC-089. The waiver is for those whose income falls below 125% of the federal poverty level. Ask the Clerk's Office at 410-543-6551 or email james.mcallister@mdcourts.gov for more information on the waiver.
For Wicomico County divorces finalized since 1992, the Maryland Division of Vital Records at health.maryland.gov/vsa issues verifications for $12. Call 410-764-3038 or visit their site.
What Wicomico County Divorce Records Contain
A Wicomico County divorce case file starts with the complaint and can grow to include many documents before the case closes. Financial statements, property inventories, parenting plans, child support worksheets, and any settlement agreements become part of the record. The final Judgment of Absolute Divorce closes the case and is the document most requesters need.
The divorce decree lists both parties' names, the date and place of the marriage, the grounds for the divorce, and the final terms ordered by the court. Property division, alimony, custody, visitation, and support orders all appear in the decree. If the court granted a name change, that is included as well. Certified copies carry the judge's signature, court seal, case number, and the date the divorce became final.
Maryland Code Family Law section 7-103 covers the grounds recognized for divorce in Maryland. Mutual consent is a common ground for uncontested cases in Wicomico County. It does not require a waiting period, but both parties must have a written settlement agreement covering all issues. Section 7-101 covers residency: at least one spouse must reside in Maryland before filing a divorce case here. The Maryland Family Law title also covers related matters such as alimony, custody, and property rights.
Older Wicomico County Divorce Records
For divorces in Wicomico County finalized since January 1, 1992, the Maryland Division of Vital Records can provide a verification for $12. This confirms the divorce occurred but does not supply the full decree. Contact: 6550 Reisterstown Road, Baltimore, MD 21215, phone 410-764-3038, or visit health.maryland.gov/vsa.
For older Wicomico County divorce records, the Maryland State Archives holds records transferred from county circuit courts. Coverage varies but often goes back to the 1800s for many counties. Certified copies cost $25. Order at shop.msa.maryland.gov or call 410-260-6400. Archives location: 350 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD 21401. Research guide: guide.msa.maryland.gov.
The Maryland State Archives at shop.msa.maryland.gov supplies certified copies of older Wicomico County divorce decrees for $25 each. Located at 350 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis.
Legal Help for Divorce in Wicomico County
Free help is available for people handling their own divorce in Wicomico County. The Maryland Courts Self-Help Center at 410-260-1392 is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM. Staff can explain forms and court procedures. They do not represent you or advise you on the outcome of your specific case, but they can tell you what steps to take and what to expect.
The People's Law Library at peoples-law.org is a free online resource covering Maryland divorce law in plain language. Topics include residency, grounds, forms, and what happens when the other party does not respond. The Maryland Guide and File tool at courts.state.md.us/guideandfile guides you through completing court forms step by step and is available any time online.
Maryland Legal Aid serves Wicomico County residents who meet income and case-type guidelines. Call 410-539-5340 for intake. The Maryland State Bar Association can connect you with a private family law attorney at 800-492-1964 through its lawyer referral service.
Cities in Wicomico County
All residents of Wicomico County, including those in Salisbury, file divorce cases at the Circuit Court at 101 North Division Street. No cities in Wicomico County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Wicomico County on Maryland's Eastern Shore. File divorce in the county where you or your spouse lives. If you are unsure, call the Clerk's Office for guidance.