Maryland Family Court Records

Maryland family court records are filed and kept at the Circuit Court in each of the state's 24 jurisdictions. These records cover divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, guardianship, paternity, and protective order cases. You can search many of these records online for free through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search, or you can request copies in person or by mail from the county Clerk's Office where the case was filed.

Where Maryland Family Court Records Are Kept

Maryland does not have a standalone family court. All family law matters go to the Circuit Court in the county or city where the case is filed. There are 24 Circuit Courts in Maryland, one in each of the 23 counties and one for Baltimore City. These courts hold jurisdiction over divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, guardianship, paternity, and name changes. The Clerk of Court in each jurisdiction keeps the official case files and handles all record requests.

District Courts in Maryland also handle some family-related matters. These courts issue domestic violence protective orders under Family Law Article § 4-504 and peace orders under Courts Article Title 3, Subtitle 15. Commissioners in each county can issue interim protective orders when courts are closed. Orphans' Courts play a role in guardianship of minors' property and certain probate matters tied to estates. But for the bulk of family court records, the Circuit Court is the place to go.

The Administrative Office of the Courts oversees the statewide records system from 187 Harry S. Truman Parkway in Annapolis. The Maryland Court Help Center is reachable at (410) 260-1392, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM, for free help with civil and family matters.

Court records are updated in real time as clerks enter data, so case information is typically current within minutes of a filing or hearing entry.

How to Search Maryland Family Court Records Online

The Maryland Judiciary Case Search is the primary public portal for looking up case information across all Maryland courts. It launched in January 2006 and was redesigned in February 2024. A new Maryland Judiciary Case Search and Record Portal is scheduled to launch in March 2026. The portal is free to use and covers both District Court and Circuit Court records statewide. You can reach it at casesearch.mdcourts.gov.

You can search by party name, case number, or filing date. When searching by name, use "%" as a wildcard for partial matches. First name is optional but helps narrow results. Select "All Court" to search both District and Circuit Courts at the same time. Case information available includes party names, case type, filing dates, court hearing dates, docket entries, and case status. The system does not include full document images for most case types.

Full document access is available through Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) at mdec.msab.us. This system is required for attorneys and allows public access under certain rules. Some courts have MDEC kiosks in their buildings for public viewing. To see document images, you may need to visit the courthouse directly or submit a copy request to the Clerk's Office.

For cases not in the online system, you may need to contact the Maryland State Archives at 350 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD 21401. Phone: (410) 260-6400. The Archives holds historical court records going back well before the 1990s. Most online records date to the early 1990s. The Archives charges $25 per file for case copies. Their research rooms are open Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Types of Maryland Family Court Records

Family court records in Maryland span several case types. Divorce is the most filed. Maryland recognizes three grounds for absolute divorce under Family Law Article § 7-103: mutual consent with a written settlement agreement, six-month separation while living apart without interruption, and irreconcilable differences. As of October 1, 2023, limited divorce is no longer available. The divorce decree is the final signed court order that ends a marriage. It covers property division, alimony, child custody, and support terms.

Child custody records are among the most sensitive in the family court system. These include the complaint (form CC-DR-004), parenting plan (CC-DR-109), temporary orders, guardian ad litem reports, and final custody decrees. The Maryland Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) under Family Law Article § 9.5-101 through § 9.5-318 governs interstate custody disputes. Child support records use worksheets CC-DR-034 and CC-DR-035, calculated based on both parents' incomes and time with the child.

Other case types include paternity, adoption, guardianship of minors, name changes, and emergency mental health evaluations. Adoption records are permanently sealed under Maryland Rules 16-907 and not available to the public. Juvenile delinquency records and Child in Need of Assistance (CINA) cases are also restricted. Financial statements filed in support or custody cases are not public documents under Rule 16-908.

Maryland Family Court Forms

The Maryland Judiciary provides standardized forms for all major family law filings. You can download fillable PDFs or use the interactive Maryland Guide & File system at courts.state.md.us/guideandfile. Guide & File asks questions and fills in the right forms for your situation. The complete family forms library is at courts.state.md.us/family/family-forms. The People's Law Library forms finder at peoples-law.org also lists all official court forms.

Every new family case requires form CC-DCM-001, the Civil Domestic Case Information Report. The main divorce complaint is CC-DR-020. Child custody complaints use CC-DR-004. Child support complaints use CC-DR-001. Financial statements CC-DR-030 (short form for combined income of $30,000 or less) and CC-DR-031 (long form for higher incomes) are required in most cases involving children or support. Parenting plan form CC-DR-109 is required in custody cases, along with Joint Statement CC-DR-110 when parents cannot agree.

Note: Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford court fees. File form CC-DC-089 (Request for Waiver of Prepaid Costs) with your initial filing. A judge decides whether to grant the waiver based on your financial situation.

Fees for Maryland Family Court Records

The Maryland Judiciary sets statewide copy fees with some minor variations by county. Standard copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the certification fee plus $0.50 per page. Exemplified copies (triple seal) run $10.00 plus copy fees. Audio recordings from District Court hearings cost $15.00 per case. Court reporter transcripts cost $3.00 per page with a minimum $75.00 deposit required upfront. If the clerk must mail records and you do not include a self-addressed stamped envelope, there is a $2.00 mail-back fee.

Filing a new divorce or family law case costs $165.00 without an attorney, or $175.00 when filed with legal representation. Motions to modify existing custody, support, or alimony orders cost $31.00. Contempt petitions also cost $31.00. Certified marriage license copies cost $5.50 each. Divorce decree copies cost $0.50 per page plus $5.00 for certification. Name change petitions vary by county, typically $100 to $165.

Payment methods vary by county. Most accept cash, checks, and money orders. Baltimore County accepts email requests for divorce decrees at ccbaltcoclerkfamily@mdcourts.gov, case documents at ccbaltcoclerkrecords@mdcourts.gov, and marriage certificate copies at ccbaltcoclerklicensing@mdcourts.gov. Carroll County accepts family law requests by email at familylaw@carrollcountymd.gov. Cecil County accepts email requests for civil records at cecilcountycivil@mdcourts.gov. Washington County accepts VISA, MasterCard, and Discover but not American Express or digital wallets.

Public Access to Maryland Family Court Records

Maryland law creates a strong presumption that court records are open to the public. Maryland Rules 16-901 through 16-934 govern access to court records. Rule 16-902 sets the general policy of openness. The Maryland Public Information Act (General Provisions Article § 4-101 et seq.) also gives broad public access rights. You do not have to be a party to a case. You do not have to explain why you want the records. Most family court records are open to anyone who asks.

Some records are sealed by law. Rule 16-907 requires courts to deny inspection of adoption records, guardianship records that terminate parental rights, juvenile delinquency records, CINA cases, certain marriage license information for minors, emergency mental health evaluations, and income tax returns filed with a case. Financial statements in support or custody cases are also not public. Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from any public documents under Rule 16-908.

You can ask the court to seal your own records. File a Petition to Seal or Otherwise Limit Inspection using form CC-DC-053. A judge must hold a hearing and approve the sealing. Sealing family court records is not common but is allowed when a person shows a compelling interest that outweighs the public's right of access. Victims in domestic violence cases can also file form CC-DC-052 to shield their home address and phone number from public view in case records.

Other Maryland Court Record Databases

Maryland offers several additional online databases beyond the main case search. The Maryland Land Records portal at mdlandrec.net provides free access (with a free account) to deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land records from 1851 to the present for most counties. This is a joint service of the Maryland Judiciary and the Maryland State Archives. Land records often become relevant in family law cases involving property division, marital home sales, or refinancing after divorce.

The Estate Search database at registers.maryland.gov covers probate and estate records from Register of Wills offices statewide, including Orphans' Court records. The JPortal system at jportal.mdcourts.gov lets you search for civil judgments and liens entered against individuals or properties across Maryland. This is useful when family law cases involve outstanding financial judgments from support arrears or property disputes.

Legal Help for Maryland Family Court Cases

The Maryland Court Help Center offers free information for people handling civil and family law cases on their own. Call (410) 260-1392 Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM. The Help Center can walk you through procedures and point you to the right forms, but they do not give legal advice or represent parties in court. You can also visit the Maryland Judiciary's self-help page at mdcourts.gov/courthelp.

Maryland Legal Aid (MDLAB) offers free legal services to income-eligible individuals across the state. They handle family law cases including divorce, custody, support, and protective orders. Visit mdlab.org to find the closest office or apply online. The Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service provides pro bono legal help through volunteer attorneys. Call (410) 539-6800 or visit mvlslaw.org to request assistance.

The Family Law Hotline at 1-800-845-8550 is run by the Women's Law Center of Maryland. It is available Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The hotline covers all family law topics and provides information in multiple languages. Carroll County offers free family law public seminars on the first Wednesday of each month, plus free legal advice clinics on Wednesdays 1 to 4 PM and Thursdays 9 AM to noon by phone.

Browse Maryland Family Court Records by County

Each county in Maryland has its own Circuit Court Clerk who keeps family court records. Pick a county below to find local contact information, office hours, and access procedures.

View All 23 Maryland Counties

Family Court Records in Major Maryland Cities

Residents of Maryland's largest communities file family court cases at the county Circuit Court. Pick a city below for local court resources and contact details.

View Major Maryland Cities