Birth Certificates
The following persons may apply for a Birth Certificate:
- An individual requesting his/her own birth certificate.
- A parent named on the certificate.
- A court-appointed guardian of the individual named on the certificate. A foster care appointment is not acceptable; proof of guardianship must be submitted.
- A surviving spouse of the individual named on the certificate.
- A representative of: (1) the individual or a parent named on the certificate; or (2) the court-appointed guardian of the individual named on the certificate. The representative must have a letter signed by the individual, parent, or guardian, and certified by a notary public, stating that the representative has permission to obtain a copy of the certificate.
Death Certificates
The following persons may apply for a Death Certificate:
- A surviving relative of the deceased must prove relationship to the deceased with documentation such as:
- Birth Certificate
- Marriage Certificate
- Obituary
- An authorized representative of a surviving relative of the deceased will need documentation such as:
- Letter of Administration
- Signed by the Court Clerk or the Register of Wills
- Letter of Administration
OR
- Authorization of Release
- Signed by a surviving relative
- Must include a copy of the surviving relative’s valid ID
- Must include name of deceased
- Must include relationship of surviving relative to deceased
- If required by a court of law, provide a copy of the court order
- If making an insurance claim or other type of business need, you must provide documentation such as:
- Letter from the insurance company
- Deed
- Vehicle Title
For your convenience, you can process online requests through an independent company that the Maryland Department of Vital Records has partnered with to provide you this service, VitalChek Network, Inc.
To order online, visit www.vitalchek.com.
An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for using this service, and all major credit cards are accepted, including American Express®, Discover®, MasterCard® or Visa®.
Please use caution when ordering Maryland vital records from any vendor other than the State government’s partner vendor, VitalChek. Neither the Maryland Department of Vital Records nor VitalChek have control over the services and fees other Internet vendors offer and charge, nor can we guarantee the confidentiality of any vital record data provided to vendors other than VitalChek.
In Person at the Health Department
Hours for Birth Certificate issuance are Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The Health Department can provide certified copies of Birth Certificates for persons born after 1939. For births occurring before 1939, call us at (410) 479-8030 and select the option for Birth and Death Certificates. We may be able to assist with locating a complete record from the State Division of Vital Records.
To obtain a certified Birth Certificate from the Health Department, you must appear in person at our offices.
- Check in at the Clinic on the First Floor, after completing initial paperwork, you will be directed to the Administration office on the second floor.
- Present a government-issued photo identification or acceptable alternative documentation.
- Complete the application for a copy of a Birth Certificate. You may download the application and complete it in advance (Spanish version).
- Pay the $25.00 fee for each copy (cash, Visa, or Mastercard only, no checks). There is no charge for veterans with proof of military service.
By Mail
Download and complete the application for a copy of a Birth Certificate (Descargue el formulario bilingue (Español)).
Mail the completed application with your payment, a self-addressed envelope, and a photocopy of your Identification to: Division of Vital Records, P.O. Box 68760, Baltimore, MD 21215-0036. Acceptable forms of payment are check or money order made payable to the Division of Vital Records. (Note that expedited shipping is not available when ordering by mail.)
For a recorded message about birth certificates, call (410) 764-3038 (Baltimore local) or (800) 832-3277 (toll-free).
In Person at the Maryland Department of Vital Records in Baltimore
You must make an appointment. Visit the Vital Records website for complete information.
In Person at the Health Department
Hours for Death Certificate issuance are Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The Caroline County Health Department can provide certified Death Certificates for people who died after January 1, 2015. Death Certificates after 2012 are available online and by mail from the Division of Vital Records. Older certificates must be obtained from the Maryland State Archives. See below for additional information.
To obtain a certified Death Certificate from the Health Department, you must appear in person at our offices.
- Check in at the Clinic on the First Floor, after completing initial paperwork, you will be directed to the Administration office on the second floor.
- Present a government-issued photo identification or acceptable alternative documentation.
- Complete the application for a copy of a Death Certificate. You may download the application and complete it in advance (Spanish version). The Fetal Death Certificate application is available here.
- Pay the $22.00 fee (cash, Visa, or Mastercard only, no checks). Each additional copy is $24.00. There is no charge for veterans with proof of military service.
By Mail
The Division of Vital Records of the Maryland Department of Health issues certified copies of death certificates for individuals who died in Maryland in 2012 or later. For copies of records for deaths that occurred prior to 2012, contact the Maryland State Archives.
Download and complete the application for a copy of a Death Certificate (Descargue el formulario bilingue (Español)).
Mail the completed application with your payment, a self-addressed envelope, and a photocopy of your Identification to: Division of Vital Records, P.O. Box 68760, Baltimore, MD 21215-0036. Acceptable forms of payment are check or money order made payable to the Division of Vital Records. (Note that expedited shipping is not available when ordering by mail.)
In Person at the Maryland Department of Vital Records in Baltimore
The Division of Vital Records of the Maryland Department of Health issues certified copies of death certificates for individuals who died in Maryland in 2012 or later. For copies of records for deaths that occurred prior to 2012, contact the Maryland State Archives.
You must make an appointment. Visit the Vital Records website for complete information.
For Deaths Before January 1, 2012
Records of deaths before 2012 are kept by the Maryland State Archives. Note, the Caroline County Health Department only has access to death records after January 1, 2012. The State office of the Division of Vital Records has access to death records after 2012.
To find a record, you’ll need to use the archives’ search room computers. Request an appointment so that their staff can best assist you. Appointments are strongly encouraged. Benefits include: no wait time for help or for a workspace, ability to quickly ask an Archivist any questions, and most importantly a guarantee that your record will be on site. Visitors may also walk-in without an appointment.
Maryland State Archives
350 Rowe Boulevard
Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: (800) 235-4045 or (410) 260-6400
Fax: (410) 974-2525
Email: msa.helpdesk@maryland.gov