Introduction to Maryland Divorce Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a Maryland Divorce certificate.  Divorce Certificates are a bit more difficult to obtain than Divorce Certificates and Death Certificates.  The main difficulty in obtaining Divorce Certificates is that states have not been registering Divorces for as long as other vital records.  There are some states that still do not register Divorces.  Due to this lack of centralization it is common to contact the county in which the Divorce took place.

Counter to common belief, not everything is a few clicks away on the Internet.  Divorce Certificates are one of the items that you can’t just click some links and get a copy of your Divorce Certificate; this is probably a good thing.  You do not want your Divorce certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your Divorce certificate by following the correct procedure.  

Maryland Divorce certificates have been maintained by the Division of Vital Records of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for individuals divorced in the state of Maryland since since January, 1992. Certified divorce decrees may be obtained through the Clerk of Circuit Court in the city/county where the divorce was granted. Some items may be verified.

Maryland Divorce Certificate Authorized Persons

By Maryland state law, Maryland Divorce certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Bride named on the Maryland Divorce certificate
• Groom named on the Maryland Divorce certificate
• Representative of the bride or groom (The representative must show a letter stating that s/he has permission to obtain a copy of the Divorce certificate. The letter must be signed by the bride or groom and certified by a notary public.)
• Attorney representing the bride or groom (The attorney must present proof that s/he represents the bride or groom.)
  Court of law

Maryland Divorce Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

Need to meet the requirements above.

Maryland Divorce Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Maryland Divorce Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Maryland Divorce Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Maryland Divorce Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order Maryland Divorce Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Maryland Divorce certificate online.  It usually takes 1-2 weeks upon receipt of request to be sent to you:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the Maryland Divorce certificate:

• Full name of husband on the Maryland Divorce certificate
• Full maiden name of wife on the Maryland Divorce certificate
• Date of Divorce on the Maryland Divorce certificate
• County (or city) of Divorce on the Maryland Divorce certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Maryland Divorce certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Maryland Divorce certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

Division of Vital Records

P.O. Box 68760

Baltimore, Maryland 21215-0036

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in Maryland: You may go to any county health department in the State of Maryland to obtain a certified copy of a Maryland Divorce certificate. Most Maryland Divorce certificates can be issued while you wait.

Maryland Divorce Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a Maryland Divorce certificate is $12.00, which includes one certified copy of the Maryland Divorce certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Maryland Divorce certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $12.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "Division of Vital Records." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.