3. Prepare to file your completed forms.
• Call the court to ask about filing fees and
method of payment.
• If you cannot afford the fee, complete a
Request for Waiver of Prepayment of Prepaid
Costs (CC-DC-089).
• Make two copies of everything you file. File
the originals with the court. Keep one copy
for your records; the other copy is for service
of process on the other party.
4. File your completed forms, along with the filing fee, at the clerk’s office.
• If you are representing yourself, you can either file completed paperwork in person, or by mail
directly to the clerk’s office OR you can E-file.
• E-filing is NOT mandatory if you do not have a lawyer.
• For more information and directions about E-filing see: mdcourts.gov/mdec/efilingpublic
5. Complete Service of Process on your spouse. Service is the way the court knows the other side receives
copies of the papers you filed with the court. Learn more at mdcourts.gov/ccservice
• The clerk will send you a “writ of summons” for service of process on your spouse.
• You must arrange for a third party to serve a copy of the summons, the complaint, and all other
papers filed with the court on your spouse within 60 days of the date on the writ of summons.
• You may not serve the documents yourself. Another person must do it.
o You may request the Sheriff’s office in the county where your spouse lives to serve the other
side. A fee is required, unless the court granted you a fee waiver.
o You may pay for a private process server or have a friend or family member (free) who is over
18 and not a party to the case serve the other side. If the papers are served at your spouse’s
home, your server may hand them to your spouse or to a competent co-resident who is at least
18 years old.
o You may have an adult who is not a party to the case perform the service by certified mail
requesting “Restricted Delivery – show to whom, date, address of delivery.” Your spouse
must sign the green card, which you must file with the court.
• Personal delivery means that papers are handed to your spouse. If service is made at your spouse’s
home, documents may be handed to your spouse or to a person over age 18 who also lives in the
home.
6. Your server should complete the Affidavit of Service to prove your spouse was served. File the Affidavit
of Service with the court.
• Use CC-DR-056 if service was by certified mail.
• Use CC-DR-055 if service was by private process.
• If the sheriff served your spouse, the sheriff’s office will file the Affidavit of Service.
• If you cannot have your spouse served (for any reason, such as you cannot locate them or they are
evading service), you probably need to seek legal advice.
7. Wait for your spouse to file an answer or counter-claim. Deadlines to respond to a divorce complaint:
• If your spouse was served in Maryland: 30 days after service of process.
• If your spouse was served in another state: 60 days after service of process.
• If your spouse was served in another country: 90 days after service of process.
• If your spouse does not respond in the time allowed, file a Request for Order of Default (CC-DR-054).
CC-DRIN-A (Rev. 10/2023) Page 2 of 2
GET HELP
• Maryland Court Help Center (phone & chat):
mdcourts.gov/helpcenter
• Family Law Self-Help Centers (walk-in):
mdcourts.gov/family/familylawassistance
• People’s Law Library (website): peoples-law.org
• Self-Help Video Library (video): mdcourts.gov/videos