Divorce records in St. Mary's County, Maryland, are available through several channels. StMarysCourt.us allows you to quickly find publicly available information about divorce records in this county. Additionally, the full court records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk's Office, and divorce verification can be obtained from the Maryland Division of Vital Records. Online case search is also available through the Maryland Courts portal.
St. Mary's Divorce Records Search
In the state of Maryland, divorce cases are exclusively handled by the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court for St. Mary's County Clerk's Office maintains and stores all civil cases, including divorce records. The collection of records includes:
- Divorce decrees
- Settlement agreements
- Custody orders
- Associated procedural documents — motions, responses, court orders
Separately, the Division of Vital Records at the Maryland Department of Health maintains records of divorce verifications and annulments. This agency does not issue copies of court decrees — it only confirms the fact of divorce.
Circuit Court Clerk's Office
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in St. Mary's
When a judge signs a divorce decree, the Circuit Court Clerk's Office files it in the case records. This office is the primary repository of the complete court file — from the complaint to the final decree. If you need a certified copy of the court decree or any procedural document from the case, contact the Clerk's Office directly.
The state Division of Vital Records performs a different function. This agency receives notification from the court about the completion of the case and can issue a verification letter confirming that the divorce took place. It does not provide the full text of the decree.
Where to contact depending on the need:
- Full copy of the court decree, property settlement, custody order — Circuit Court Clerk's Office.
- Verification of divorce (verification) — Division of Vital Records, Maryland Department of Health.
- Online case information search — Case Search on the Maryland Courts portal.
Circuit Court for St. Mary's County — Clerk's Office
Maryland Division of Vital Records
For historical records of St. Mary's County, including archival court materials, a useful resource is the Maryland State Archives, where government documents of the county are stored in electronic, microfilm, and original formats.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in St. Mary's
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of court document — Circuit Court Clerk | $6.00 for the first 5 pages; $0.50 for each additional page | Usually on the day of request for in-person visits; by mail — 5–10 business days |
| Uncertified copy of document — Circuit Court Clerk | $0.50 per page | On the day of request for in-person visits |
| Divorce Verification Letter — Division of Vital Records | $10.00 | 4–6 weeks for standard processing |