Maryland Filing and E-Filing: Spend Less Time on Paperwork
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MDEC e-filing works in every Maryland county. If you do not have a lawyer you can choose to e-file or keep filing on paper, whichever is easier for you.
You need an email address and a credit or debit card to register. The courts also run an e-filing help line at 410-260-1114.
In Maryland, a parent without a lawyer can file family papers online, and filing on paper with the clerk is still allowed.
Official Maryland filing resources
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Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) File & Serve (Tyler Technologies): MDEC e-filing works in every Maryland county. If you do not have a lawyer you can choose to e-file or keep filing on paper, whichever is easier for you. https://efilemd.tylertech.cloud/OfsEfsp/ui/
Maryland official filing information (Maryland judicial branch): The court's own page explaining how documents are filed in Maryland and what a parent without a lawyer is allowed to do. https://www.mdcourts.gov/mdec/efilingpublic
Maryland courts directory (find your courthouse) (Maryland judicial branch): Find the courthouse or clerk that serves your area, with locations and contact details. https://www.mdcourts.gov/courtsdirectory
Maryland family law forms (official index) (Maryland judicial branch): The official statewide collection of Maryland family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://www.mdcourts.gov/family/forms
Maryland court self-help resources (Maryland courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own Maryland family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.mdcourts.gov/selfhelp
Maryland rules of procedure (Maryland judicial branch): The court rules that control deadlines, service, and how family cases move in Maryland. https://www.mdcourts.gov/rules
Official link data for Maryland was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.
Frequently asked questions
Can I file my own family papers online in Maryland?
In Maryland, a parent without a lawyer can file family papers online, and filing on paper with the clerk is still allowed. You need an email address and a credit or debit card to register. The courts also run an e-filing help line at 410-260-1114.
How much does it cost to file a family case in Maryland?
Divorce filing fee: ~$165. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk about a fee waiver or indigency application; every state has a process for requesting one.
Which court hears family cases in Maryland?
Family cases in Maryland are heard in the Circuit Court. Contested divorce and custody are heard in the Circuit Court (the District Court does not handle divorce). Maryland has one Circuit Court per county (and Baltimore City) - 24 in all.
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