St. Mary's County Family Court Records

St. Mary's County family court records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Leonardtown, Maryland. The court handles divorce, custody, child support, adoption, guardianship, and protective order cases for residents of this Southern Maryland county. Most records are public and can be searched online or requested in person. This page explains how to find records, what copies cost, and where to get legal help if you need it.

Circuit Court Clerk Office

The Circuit Court Clerk for St. Mary's County is Joan A. Kurek. The office is located at 41605 Court House Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650. The main phone number is (301) 475-4567. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The court's page on the Maryland Judiciary website is at mdcourts.gov/clerks/stmarys.

The Clerk's Office is responsible for filing, maintaining, and providing access to all family court records in St. Mary's County. Staff can help you confirm case numbers, explain the filing process, and tell you what forms you need. The office does not give legal advice, but staff can direct you to the right resources.

St. Mary's County is part of the 7th Judicial Circuit, which also includes Calvert, Charles, and Prince George's counties. Each county in the circuit has its own clerk and courthouse, but they share the same judicial circuit structure. Circuit judges may travel between counties within the circuit as needed.

The clerk's page also links to court forms, fee schedules, and self-help resources for people who are representing themselves in family law matters.

Types of Family Court Cases

The St. Mary's County Circuit Court handles a full range of family law matters. Divorce cases are filed here, whether contested or uncontested. Custody and visitation disputes go through Circuit Court when they involve married parents. Child support cases are also filed in Circuit Court, though the Department of Social Services can sometimes help with administrative support orders.

Adoption petitions are filed with the Circuit Court. These are confidential by law and not open to the public. Guardianship cases for minors are also heard here. Name change petitions are another common filing. Each of these case types has its own set of required forms and procedures.

Protective orders are a separate matter. If you need an emergency protective order, contact the District Court in Leonardtown or local law enforcement. The District Court will hold a preliminary hearing, and if a final order is needed, the matter may move to Circuit Court. The District Court in St. Mary's County is at 23150 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650. The phone number there is (301) 475-4200.

How to Search Records Online

You can search St. Mary's County family court records for free through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search. This statewide tool covers all Circuit Courts in Maryland, including St. Mary's. Search by party name, case number, or attorney. Results show case type, filing date, current status, and upcoming hearings.

The system is updated regularly, but new filings may take a day or two to appear. If a case was just filed, try again the following business day. Sealed records, including adoptions and cases involving minors, do not appear in the public search results.

Some older records may not be in the digital system. If you're looking for a case from many years ago and can't find it online, call the Clerk's Office at (301) 475-4567. Staff can check the physical index and let you know what's available.

Requesting Copies of Records

In-person requests are the fastest way to get copies of St. Mary's County family court records. Visit the Clerk's Office at 41605 Court House Drive during business hours. Same-day service is usually available for straightforward requests. Bring a valid ID and the case number if you have it.

Mail requests are also accepted. Write to the Clerk's Office with the full names of the parties, the case number if known, and a description of the documents you need. Payment by check or money order should be made payable to "Clerk of Circuit Court." Allow seven to ten business days for mail requests to be processed and returned. The office does not have a direct email address for records requests; use phone or mail.

Copy fees are set by state law. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 plus the per-page fee. Civil case filing fees start at $165.00 and can go up to $190.00 depending on the type of case. If you need to modify an existing order, the filing fee is $31.00.

If you cannot afford the filing or copy fees, you can apply for a fee waiver. Ask the Clerk's Office for the waiver application. The court will review your financial situation and decide whether to reduce or waive the fees.

Self-Help Center and Family Law Clinic

St. Mary's County Circuit Court has a self-help center for people who are representing themselves. The center provides general guidance on court procedures and can help you understand what forms to file. Staff at the self-help center cannot give legal advice, but they can explain the process in plain terms.

A family law clinic is also available at the courthouse. These clinics are usually held on a set schedule and allow self-represented litigants to get brief guidance from volunteer attorneys or legal staff. Call the Clerk's Office at (301) 475-4567 to find out when the next clinic is scheduled and how to sign up.

If you need more ongoing legal help, Maryland Legal Aid serves St. Mary's County residents who meet income guidelines. Legal Aid can assist with divorce, custody, support, and protective order cases. They have offices serving the Southern Maryland region.

Public Access Rules

Most family court records in St. Mary's County are open to the public. Divorce filings, custody orders, child support judgments, and name change proceedings are all part of the public record. You do not have to be a party to the case to view or request these records.

Confidential records are a different story. Adoptions are sealed under Maryland law. Cases involving children in need of assistance (CINA) are not public. Juvenile delinquency matters are sealed. Financial statements submitted in child support cases are also confidential. If a judge has ordered a specific case sealed, it will not show up in the online database.

To access a sealed record, you must petition the court. A judge will review the request and decide whether access is appropriate. This process takes time, so plan ahead if you know you will need a sealed record.

Legal Resources and Help

The People's Law Library of Maryland is a free website with detailed guides on divorce, custody, child support, and other family law topics. It explains procedures step by step and links to the forms you need. This is one of the most useful starting points for anyone new to Maryland's family court system.

Official court forms are available through the Maryland courts family forms page. These forms are accepted in all Maryland courts, including St. Mary's Circuit Court. Download and complete them before your visit to save time at the Clerk's Office.

The statewide Family Law Hotline is available at 1-800-845-8550. Callers can get general information about family law procedures and referrals to local resources. The Maryland Judiciary's general help line is (410) 260-1392. For child support questions specifically, contact the Maryland Department of Human Services or the state child support hotline.

Nearby Counties

St. Mary's County is located at the southern tip of Maryland's Western Shore. Calvert County is to the north and shares the 7th Judicial Circuit with St. Mary's. Charles County is to the northwest. Each county handles its own family court filings independently, but residents of St. Mary's always file their cases with the Circuit Court Clerk in Leonardtown.