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How to get Maryland divorce records

In Maryland, get a certified copy of the divorce decree from the Clerk of the Circuit Court that granted the decree (decree copies). MDH Division of Vital Records issues Verification of Divorce only.1 Decree copies come only from the circuit court; MDH issues a verification (names, county, date, type of action).1 You can order at a local office. A verification letter from the state costs $122 and can be ordered online, by mail or in person; it confirms the event but is not a certified copy.

Last checked against official sources.

On this page
  1. Ways to order
  2. Verification letters from the state
  3. What Maryland divorce records cost
  4. Who can order Maryland divorce records
  5. ID you need
  6. What the application asks for
  7. Decree or certificate
  8. Forms
  9. Years held and older records
  10. Warnings from the office
  11. Questions people ask
  12. Sources

Ways to order

HowCost per copyProcessing timePayment
At a local office$53 a document to certify, plus the copy charge––

At a local office

Run by
Clerk of the Circuit Court that granted the decree1
Fees
  • Fee for each certification of a copy $53
  • Fee for exemplifying a copy $103

Find a local office3

Verification letters from the state

Decree copies come only from the circuit court; MDH issues a verification (names, county, date, type of action).1 A verification letter confirms that the event is on file. Agencies that ask for a certified copy usually will not accept it, so check what the office receiving it wants.

HowCostProcessing timePayment
Online through VitalChek Network, Inc.$122 per verification letter5 weeks with regular shipping; 3 weeks with expedited shipping4Card5
By mail$126 per verification letterUp to 6 weeks4Check and money order2
In person$122 per verification letterSame day4Card2

Online through VitalChek Network, Inc.: verification letter

Vendor
VitalChek Network, Inc.5
Vendor status
The state's only authorized vendor7
Fees
  • Verification letter $122
  • Internet surcharge $132
  • Expedited shipping (internet orders only) $202
Processing time
5 weeks with regular shipping; 3 weeks with expedited shipping4
Expedited service
$20. Expedited shipping; MDH lists online time as 3 weeks with expedited vs 5 weeks with regular shipping2
Payment
Card5

Good to know

  • Other online services only request the record by mail on your behalf7

Go to the ordering site1

By mail: verification letter

Fees
  • Verification letter $126
Processing time
Up to 6 weeks4
Payment
Check and money order2
Make payable to
Division of Vital Records2
Mail to
Division of Vital Records, P.O. Box 68760, Baltimore, MD 21215-0036
8

Open the application or mail instructions1

In person: verification letter

Run by
Division of Vital Records, Baltimore lobby9
Fees
  • Verification letter $122
Processing time
Same day4
Payment
Card2
Office
Division of Vital Records, 6764B Reisterstown Road, Reisterstown Road Plaza (rear), Baltimore, MD 21215
9
Hours
By appointment only, Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:00 pm9
Appointment
Required8

Good to know

  • Same-day lobby service is only for applicants with valid photo ID; others are mailed6

Open the official page9

What Maryland divorce records cost

State verification letter (not a certified copy)
$122
Expedite fee (state verification letters)
$202
If no record is found
The fee is kept as a search fee6

Types of copies

CopyAccepted forFee
Verification of Divorce1Accepted by certain agencies seeking proof of divorce or annulment1$122
Certified copy of the Judgment/Decree of Divorce (circuit court)1–$53

Who can order Maryland divorce records

The office's ordering pages do not say who may order a certified copy. If the record is not your own, ask the office before you pay.

Other kinds of copies

  • Verification The person named on the record1
  • Verification Attorney or legal representative: Representative of either spouse named on the record.1
    Proof: Notarized letter of permission signed by either spouse1
  • Verification Attorney representing either spouse named on the record1
    Proof: Proof the attorney represents a spouse1

ID you need

Photo ID
Required6
Accepted ID
  • Valid, unexpired, government-issued photo ID displaying a date issued and an expiration date6
Without that ID
  • social security card
  • pay stub
  • current car registration
  • bank statement
  • letter from a government agency
  • lease/rental agreement
  • utility bill with current address
  • copy of income tax return or W-2 form
6
ID copy with a mail order
Include a copy of your ID6

What the application asks for

Have these details ready before you fill in the form or start an online order.6

  • Names of spouses (and birth names if different)
  • Date of divorce
  • Place of divorce (city/county)
  • Reason for divorce
  • Person you represent
  • Applicant name, signature, mailing address

Decree or certificate

The decree, the court's judgment with the terms of the divorce, comes from the clerk of the court that granted it. Divorce certificate vs decree explains which one an agency usually wants.

Asking the court clerk

The CDC's National Center for Health Statistics lists what a request for a divorce record should include:10

  • Full names of husband and wife
  • Date of divorce or annulment
  • Place of divorce or annulment
  • Type of final decree
  • Purpose for which copy is needed
  • Relationship to persons whose record is requested
  • Day time telephone number with area code

Clerks charge their own copy and certification fees, and some offer an exemplified copy, a more formal certification used for out-of-state and foreign purposes.

Forms

Years held and older records

Older records
Circuit Court that granted the decree; older equity records at the Maryland State Archives6

Warnings from the office

  • Vital Chek is the only authorized online vendor; other online services just request the record by mail7
  • Phone scam targeting people who misdial the DVR number11
  • Phishing scams: VSA does not upload records to external accounts11

Questions people ask

What ID do I need?

The state accepts: valid, unexpired, government-issued photo ID displaying a date issued and an expiration date.6

Where are older Maryland divorce records kept?

Circuit Court that granted the decree; older equity records at the Maryland State Archives.6

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these official sources, checked on November 5, 2026. Tap a source number next to a fact to read the exact words.

  1. Divorce VerificationMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  2. Maryland Department of Health: FeesMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  3. Circuit Court Fee ScheduleMaryland Judiciary, Administrative Office of the Courtsdated September 2, 2026
  4. Processing TimeMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  5. Request Marriage CertificatesMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  6. Application for Verification of Divorce Record (VRC-81)Maryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administrationdated June 1, 2017
  7. Division of Vital RecordsMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  8. Request Birth CertificatesMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  9. DVR Location, Directions and HoursMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  10. Where to Write for Vital Records: Application GuidelinesCDC National Center for Health Statisticsdated November 6, 2015
  11. Vital Statistics Administration homeMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration