Filing for divorce in Maryland without an attorney costs $165 in court fees. You must meet the residency requirement of 6 months in Maryland (12 months for some grounds). Maryland is a equitable distribution state with a None (mutual consent) or 6-12 months separation waiting period. An uncontested divorce typically takes 1-3 months (mutual consent). Victoria AI guides you through every step with Maryland-specific instructions.
Last updated: February 1, 2026 • Reviewed by Divorce.law Legal Team
| Filing Fee | $165 (The filing fee is $165 statewide. Additional fees may apply for service and other filings.) |
| Residency Requirement | 6 months in Maryland (12 months for some grounds) |
| Waiting Period | None (mutual consent) or 6-12 months separation |
| Property Division | Equitable Distribution (fair, not equal) |
| Grounds for Divorce | Mutual consent (no waiting period), 6-month separation (with minor children), 12-month separation (without minor children), Adultery, Desertion, Conviction of felony, 12-month separation with insanity |
| No-Fault Only? | No (fault grounds available) |
| Uncontested Timeline | 1-3 months (mutual consent) |
| Contested Timeline | 6 months to 2+ years |
| Fee Waiver Available? | Yes |
To file for divorce in Maryland, you must meet the following residency requirement: 6 months in Maryland (12 months for some grounds).
At least one party must have been a resident of Maryland for at least 6 months before filing. For certain grounds like insanity, 12 months is required.
Tip: Victoria AI can help you determine if you meet Maryland's residency requirements and guide you through the documentation needed to prove residency.
Follow these steps to file for divorce in Maryland without an attorney. Victoria AI guides you through each step with state-specific instructions.
At least one party must have been a resident of Maryland for at least 6 months before filing. For certain grounds like insanity, 12 months is required.
Download the official Maryland divorce forms: Complaint for Absolute Divorce, Civil Domestic Case Information Report, Financial Statement. All forms are available from the Maryland courts website.
Fill out the divorce petition (CC-DR-20) with your information, grounds for divorce, and what you're requesting (property division, custody, support).
File your completed petition with the Maryland court and pay the filing fee of $165. Fee waivers are available if you qualify financially.
Properly serve your spouse with the divorce papers according to Maryland rules. Options typically include sheriff service, process server, or certified mail with acknowledgment.
Exchange mandatory financial disclosure documents as required by Maryland law. This typically includes income verification, tax returns, bank statements, and a sworn financial affidavit.
For mutual consent divorces, there's no waiting period. For one-year separation divorces, the parties must live separate for 12 months. Maryland eliminated the waiting period for mutual consent divorces in 2023.
Submit your final judgment to the court. For uncontested divorces in Maryland, this typically takes 1-3 months (mutual consent). The court will issue your final divorce decree.
These are the primary forms you'll need to file for divorce in Maryland. Victoria AI guides you through completing each form correctly.
Initiates divorce
Court administration
Financial disclosure
Final judgment
The filing fee to start a divorce in Maryland is $165. The filing fee is $165 statewide. Additional fees may apply for service and other filings.
| Cost Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Court Filing Fee | $165 |
| Service of Process | $50-$100 (varies by method) |
| Certified Copies | $5-$25 per copy |
| Total DIY Uncontested | $300-$1,200 (uncontested DIY) |
If you cannot afford the filing fee, Maryland offers fee waivers for qualifying individuals. You'll need to complete a fee waiver application demonstrating financial hardship. This typically requires showing income below a certain threshold (often 125-200% of federal poverty guidelines) or receiving public assistance benefits.
Victoria can help: Our AI guides you through the fee waiver application process and helps you gather the required documentation.
After filing your divorce petition in Maryland, you must legally "serve" your spouse with the divorce papers. This ensures they receive official notice of the divorce and have an opportunity to respond.
A sheriff, constable, or private process server personally delivers the papers to your spouse. Most reliable method.
Papers sent via certified mail with return receipt requested. Your spouse must sign to acknowledge receipt.
Your spouse voluntarily signs an acknowledgment that they received the papers. Fastest and cheapest option if cooperative.
If your spouse cannot be located, you may be able to publish notice in a newspaper. Requires court approval.
You must file proof of service with the court showing your spouse was properly served. Without valid proof of service, your divorce cannot proceed. Maryland courts are strict about service requirements.
Maryland is a equitable distribution state.
Maryland uses equitable distribution. The court identifies, values, and divides marital property based on monetary and non-monetary contributions, length of marriage, and circumstances leading to divorce.
Victoria's Financial Tools: Our AI-powered financial tools help you identify, categorize, and value marital assets. Victoria can help you understand how Maryland law applies to your specific property.
Maryland uses the Income shares model per Maryland Family Law §12-204.
Maryland uses income shares guidelines. Combined adjusted actual income of both parents determines the basic support, allocated based on each parent's percentage of combined income.
Understanding the timeline helps you plan and set realistic expectations for your Maryland divorce.
When both spouses agree on all terms including property division, custody, and support. This is the fastest and least expensive option.
When spouses cannot agree and need court intervention to resolve disputes. Involves hearings, discovery, and potentially trial.
File Petition
Day 1 - Submit your divorce paperwork and pay the $165 filing fee
Serve Your Spouse
Within 30 days - Ensure proper legal service of divorce papers
Response Period
20-30 days - Your spouse has time to file a response
Waiting Period
None (mutual consent) or 6-12 months separation - For mutual consent divorces, there's no waiting period. For one-year separation divorces, the parties must live separate for 12 months. Maryland eliminated the waiting period for mutual consent divorces in 2023.
Final Judgment
Court issues your final divorce decree
Speed up your divorce: Victoria AI helps you complete forms correctly the first time, avoiding delays from rejected paperwork. Our checklists ensure you don't miss any steps or deadlines.
Mutual consent divorce has no waiting period (since 2023)
Both absolute divorce and limited divorce options
Marital property vs non-marital property distinction
Pendente lite (temporary) relief available
Alternative dispute resolution encouraged
Common questions about filing for divorce in Maryland without an attorney.
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All Maryland divorce information verified from official state court sources.
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