The Division of Vital Records of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issues certified copies of birth, death, fetal death, and marriage certificates for events that occur in Maryland. The Division also provides divorce verifications. The Division provides information on procedures to follow for registering an adoption, legitimation, or an adjudication of paternity. Refer to each section on this site for more information in each area.

The Division of Vital Records is open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.  Offices are also open on the third Saturday of each month from 8:00 am until noon.

Offices are closed on State holidays.

For a recorded message about birth, death, or marriage certificates, call 410-764-3038 (Baltimore local call) or 1-800-832-3277 (toll-free call).

TO APPLY IN PERSON OR BY MAIL:

Come in or write to:

The Division of Vital Records
6550 Reisterstown Road
Reisterstown Road Plaza
Baltimore, MD 21215

Map and Directions

Birth certificates for individuals born in Maryland after 1939 are also available for same day service at local health departments in all jurisdictions except Montgomery County, Baltimore City, and Baltimore County. In order to receive same day service, an applicant will be required to present valid, unexpired, government-issued photo identification. The identification must have a date issued and an expiration date.

Click here to apply online through VitalChek at an additional charge.

FOR RETURN MAIL SERVICE: Enclose a self-addressed, stamped, legal size envelope and proper payment.

FEES*: There is a non-refundable fee of $12.00 for each copy of a birth, death, marriage certificate, or verification of divorce requested from the Division of Vital Records offices in Baltimore. If the search provides no record, the $12.00 fee is not refunded and a Certification of Record Search will be provided. When applying in person, you may use cash, check, or money order. When mailing an application, include a check or money order only. Make checks payable to the Division of Vital Records.

If you wish to obtain a copy of a certificate from a local health department, please be advised that you may be charged an issuance fee in addition to the $12 certificate fee.  Please check with the local health department in your jurisdiction for more information on additional charges.

VitalChek, a nongovernmental agency, provides a credit card service (MasterCard, Visa, Visa Debit Card, Discover, and American Express) that may be used for telephone, online, and fax orders only. This service is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. There is an additional $7.00 charge per order for this service. There is an additional fee of $13.50 if express mail is requested.

*FEES FOR CURRENT OR FORMER MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES:
 The Department does not collect a fee for:
●   a copy of a certificate of a current or former armed forces member that is requested by the member; or
●   a copy of a certificate of a current or former armed forces member or of a surviving spouse or child of the member, if the copy will be used in connection with a claim for a dependent or beneficiary of the member. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE TYPE OF CERTIFICATE YOU ARE REQUESTING, PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW.

BIRTH CERTIFICATES | DEATH CERTIFICATES | MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES | DIVORCE VERIFICATIONS