Maryland Divorce Forms: Which Ones You Actually Need

Maryland provides free fillable divorce forms through the judiciary website, but the forms themselves don't explain which ones apply to your situation. Filing the wrong combination — or missing a required attachment — gets your case rejected at the clerk's window, and you lose time without a refund on your filing fee.

Here's exactly which forms you need based on your circumstances.

Forms Every Maryland Divorce Requires

Regardless of your grounds or whether you have children, these two forms are mandatory:

Complaint for Absolute Divorce (CC-DR-020) — This is the document that officially starts your case. It states your grounds (mutual consent, irreconcilable differences, six-month separation, or permanent incapacity), identifies both parties, and lists what relief you're requesting: property division, alimony, custody, or name restoration.

Civil Domestic Case Information Report (CC-DCM-001) — A scheduling summary the clerk uses to manage case flow. Straightforward to fill out, but it must accompany your complaint at filing.

Financial Disclosure Forms

If your case involves alimony, child support, or property division, you need one of these:

• CC-DR-030 (Child Support Guidelines Worksheet) — required when combined gross monthly income is $30,000 or less
• CC-DR-031 (General Financial Statement) — required when combined income exceeds $30,000, or when alimony or complex property is at stake

Getting the threshold wrong is one of the most common filing mistakes. Calculate combined gross (before-tax) monthly income carefully before choosing.

Mutual Consent Filing Forms

If you're filing on mutual consent grounds (the fastest route with no separation period), you also need:

• Marital Settlement Agreement (CC-DR-116) — a comprehensive written agreement covering property, debts, alimony, and custody; both spouses must sign it before filing
• Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (CC-DR-030 or CC-DR-031) — required as an attachment if your agreement addresses child support

The court will reject a mutual consent filing if the settlement agreement is incomplete. Every issue — property, alimony, custody, and support — must be explicitly addressed, even if the answer is a waiver.

Forms for Cases with Children

When minor children are involved, add:

• Parenting Plan Tool (CC-DR-109) or Joint Statement Concerning Parenting Time (CC-DR-110) — outlines custody, visitation schedules, and decision-making authority
• Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (CC-DR-030 or CC-DR-031) — as described above

Both parents must also complete a court-mandated 6-hour parenting education seminar (Maryland Rule 9-204). The specific approved provider varies by county.

Service of Process Forms

After filing, you need proof that your spouse received the papers:

• Affidavit of Service — Private Process (CC-DR-055) — if served by hand delivery via a private process server or adult non-party
• Affidavit of Service — Certified Mail (CC-DR-056) — if served via USPS certified mail with restricted delivery; attach the original signed green return receipt card

Special Situation Forms

• Request for Waiver of Costs (CC-DC-089) + Notice Regarding Restricted Information (MDJ-008) — if you can't afford the filing fee
• Motion for Alternate Service (DOM REL 70) — if your spouse can't be located
• Motion to Seal (CC-DC-053) — if you have domestic violence concerns and need your address kept confidential
• Division of Vital Records Report — obtained from the clerk before your final hearing; the court won't issue your decree without it

The Mistake That Costs People the Most

On Form CC-DR-020, there are checkboxes for alimony and property claims. Leaving a section blank or checking "do not request" can permanently waive your right to those claims — even if you made the choice by accident. This isn't something you can easily fix after filing.

The Maryland Divorce Filing Process Guide includes a form-by-form walkthrough showing exactly what each checkbox means and which combinations apply to your specific situation, so nothing gets permanently waived by mistake.

See more Maryland guides →