Maryland · Serving papers · Updated Oct 2026

Serving divorce papers in Maryland

After you file in Maryland, your spouse must get the papers. This page covers who can deliver the papers, the deadline to respond, what happens without a response and the law.

In short

Your spouse must be formally served with the complaint and attachments by someone 18+ who is not a party (or the sheriff), or by certified mail, restricted delivery. Your spouse then has this long to respond: 30 days if served in Maryland; 60 days if served in another state; 90 days if served outside the U.S. (form CC-DR-050).

Law
Md. Rules 2-121, 2-321; Maryland Courts divorce page

How papers are served in Maryland

Your spouse must be formally served with the complaint and attachments by someone 18+ who is not a party (or the sheriff), or by certified mail, restricted delivery.

Law: Md. Rules 2-121, 2-321; Maryland Courts divorce page

Deadline to respond and default

30 days if served in Maryland; 60 days if served in another state; 90 days if served outside the U.S. (form CC-DR-050).

If your spouse doesn't respond in time, you can usually ask the judge for a default judgment.

Serving your spouse in Maryland, step by step

  1. File your papers first

    File with the Circuit Court in the county where you or your spouse live. Service comes after filing.

  2. Serve the papers

    Your spouse must be formally served with the complaint and attachments by someone 18+ who is not a party (or the sheriff), or by certified mail, restricted delivery.

  3. File proof of service

    File the proof of service with the court.

  4. Watch the deadline

    30 days if served in Maryland; 60 days if served in another state; 90 days if served outside the U.S. (form CC-DR-050).

  5. If there is no response

    If your spouse doesn't respond in time, you can usually ask the judge for a default judgment.

Questions about serving divorce papers in Maryland

How do you serve divorce papers in Maryland?

Your spouse must be formally served with the complaint and attachments by someone 18+ who is not a party (or the sheriff), or by certified mail, restricted delivery.

How long does my spouse have to respond in Maryland?

30 days if served in Maryland; 60 days if served in another state; 90 days if served outside the U.S. (form CC-DR-050).

More about divorce in Maryland

Serving papers in nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.