Divorce records in Caroline County, Maryland, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, the court that issued the decree, the Clerk of the Circuit Court, and the state vital records office. CarolineMDCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for Caroline County. You can also search case records through the Maryland Judiciary's JPortal, contact the Circuit Court Clerk's Office directly, or request divorce verification from the Maryland Department of Health's Division of Vital Records.
Caroline Divorce Records Search
In Maryland, divorce cases are handled exclusively by the Circuit Courts. The Caroline County Circuit Court Clerk's Office maintains all divorce case files originating in the county, including divorce decrees, settlement agreements, custody orders, property distribution orders, and related filings. The Maryland Department of Health's Division of Vital Records also maintains divorce verification records for divorces and annulments that occurred on or after January 1, 1992.
Court records in Maryland are generally open to the public, though certain records may be sealed, shielded, or restricted by court order. You can search for basic divorce case information online using Maryland Judiciary Case Search through JPortal, or request copies directly from the Clerk's Office.
Caroline County Circuit Court — Clerk's Office
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Caroline
All divorce cases in Caroline County are filed in and decided by the Caroline County Circuit Court. The District Court does not handle divorce matters. Once a judge signs the divorce decree, the original order and the full case file remain with the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
The type of record you need determines which office to contact:
- Divorce decree, settlement agreement, custody order, or other court filings — Request these from the Caroline County Circuit Court Clerk's Office.
- Divorce verification letter — The Division of Vital Records (DVR) at the Maryland Department of Health can verify that a divorce or annulment occurred on or after January 1, 1992. DVR does not issue copies of the actual decree.
- Older divorce decrees (historical records) — For divorces that predate digital records, the Maryland State Archives may hold copies and accepts online orders.
Maryland Department of Health — Division of Vital Records
Maryland State Archives
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Caroline
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Court case record copy (regular) | $0.50 per page | Same day to several business days |
| Circuit Court certified copy | $5.00 per document plus $0.50 per page | Same day to several business days |
| Divorce verification letter (DVR, Maryland Dept. of Health) | $10.00 | 4–6 weeks |
| Divorce decree from Maryland State Archives (online order) | $20.00 per search | Several weeks (varies by request volume) |