How to Obtain a Copy of Divorce Papers in MD

Box of tissues with ripped wedding photo and ring.

You might require divorce papers for personal use, genealogy records, or legal use. There are two ways you can obtain copies of divorce decrees. One way is through the US Postal Service, which is the less expensive way. An alternate means of getting your divorce verification papers is to order them online, which offers expedited shipping. To order these records, you must be either the husband or wife, representative of the husband or wife, or their attorney.

Things You'll Need

• Internet connection (optional)
• Application form
• Pen
• Postage
• Envelope
• Copy of driver license or two other forms of I.D.

Instructions

Order It Online

1. Go to the VitalChek website. This is a site that is used by the State of Maryland to supply records of birth, death, divorce and marriage.

2. Click on "Divorce Record," and then hit "Continue."

3. Select your city from the drop-down menu, and then hit "Continue."

4. Choose your date of divorce, and hit "Continue."

5. Choose your reason for obtaining the record: Genealogy/Family History, Informational Use, or Personal Records Use.

6. Hit "Select" on the page that states the price is $12.00 per copy plus $9.25 VitalChek express fee.

7. Hit "Continue" on the page that describes what you will receive.

8. Hit "Continue" on the page that states the total is $21.25 for one copy.

9. Type in your name and relationship (self, husband, wife), and hit "Continue."

10. Type in the husband and wife's name, and hit "Continue."

11. Type in your shipping and billing information. Standard mail takes up to 10 days to arrive.

Mail an Application

1. Go to the State of Maryland Vital Statistics website.

2. Download the "Application for Verification of Divorce Decree" in PDF or Word format. Verifications are provided for divorces after January 1, 1992.

3. Print it out and fill it out. You will need to know the names of the divorced couple, date of the divorce, place of the divorce, reason for the divorce, and your relationship to the husband and wife.

4. Make a copy of your driver's license, or two forms of identification, which could be a pay stub, car registration, lease paper, or utility bill.

5. Insert a self-addressed, stamped envelope in the package you are going to mail.
   Write a check for $12.00 to the "Division of Vital Records," and mail the package to:

   Division of Vital Records
   P.O. Box 68760
   Baltimore MD 21215

References

• State of Maryland: Order a Divorce Verification
• VitalChek: Order a Divorce Verification