Maryland Vital Records

Vital records, as their name suggests, are connected with central life events: birth, marriage, and death. Maintained by civil authorities, they are prime sources of genealogical information; but, unfortunately, official vital records are available only for relatively recent periods. These records, despite their recent creation in the United States, are critically important in genealogical research, often supplying details on family members well back into the nineteenth century.

Division of Vital Records
Department of Health & Mental Hygiene
6550 Reisterstown Road Plaza
Baltimore MD 21215-0020

Guidelines to Apply for a Certificate

The Following Persons May Apply:

• 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.

The Following Identification is Required:

An applicant is required to present valid, unexpired, government-issued photo identification. The identification must have a date issued and an expiration date.

Applicants who are unable to supply valid photo identification must present two (2) pieces of alternative documentation. The two pieces of alternative documentation must be different types, i.e., a pay stub and a telephone bill—not two pay stubs or two telephone bills. At least one of these documents must contain the applicant’s current mailing address. The certificates will be mailed to the address displayed on the document(s) provided for identification. Acceptable documents are:

• Pay stub

• Current car registration

• Bank statement

• Letter from a government agency requesting a vital record

• Lease/rental agreement

• Utility bill with current address

• Copy of income tax return/W-2 form

Make check or money order payable to Division of Vital Records.

The Division of Vital Records office will not do research for genealogical studies. Must apply to:

State of Maryland Archives
350 Rowe Blvd.
Annapolis, MD 21401

Apply by Mail

Birth Cettificate

Download a Birth PDF application for a copy of a Birth Certificate

Download a Death PDF application for a copy of a Death Certificate

Birth and Death Application Fee $24.00 each

 Divorce Verification

The Following Persons May Apply:

• Either spouse named on the record

• Representative of either spouse named on the record. (Note: The representative must show a letter stating that s/he has permission to obtain a copy of the Verification of Divorce. The letter must be signed by the either spouse named on the record and certified by a notary public.)

• Attorney representing either spouse named on the record (Note: The attorney must present proof that s/he represents either spouse named on the record.)

To Apply:

Download an application to obtain verification of divorce record

Marriage Certificates

The Following Persons May Apply:

• Either spouse named on the record

• Representative of either spouse named on the record (The representative must show a letter stating that s/he has permission to obtain a copy of the marriage certificate. The letter must be signed by one of the spouses and certified by a notary public.)

• Attorney representing either spouse named on the record. (The attorney must present proof that s/he represents the spouse.)

To Apply:

Download an application to obtain a copy of a marriage certificate

Division of Vital Records
Department of Health & Mental Hygiene
6550 Reisterstown Road Plaza
Baltimore MD 21215-0020

Maryland AHGP

Source: Online Research