Complete and mail an application along with photocopies of required identification, fee, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
The Division of Vital Records,
P.O. box 68760,
Baltimore, MD 21215-0036.
In Person
You may also submit a request in person and receive the certificate on the same day by going to the Division of Vital Records Office in Baltimore located at 6550 Reisterstown Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21215.
You must present a valid, unexpired, government-issued photo ID displaying a date issued and an expiration date. Applicants unable to supply valid photo ID must present two (2) different pieces of alternative documentation. See 'Required Documents' section to know more.
Online
The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene does not accept credit cards or online orders; however, for your convenience, you can process online requests through an independent company that the office have partnered with to provide you this service; VitalChek Network, Inc.
Go online and simply follow the steps to place an order. Orders may be placed Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for using this service and all major credit cards are accepted. You will receive an e-mail notification once your certificate is shipped. If your shipment is via UPS, you will also receive the UPS tracking number.
VitalChek can be reached either through its website, www.vitalchek.com, or through the Division of Vital Records by telephone at 410-764-3170.
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 billnot two pay stubs or two telephone bills. At least one of these documents must contain the applicants 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
Mailed in requests: a self-addressed, stamped, legal size envelope, must be sent along with the completed application and the payment.
Division of Vital Records of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
In person
Certified copy: $12.00
Additional copy: $12.00 each
Mail
Certified copy: $12.00
Additional copy: $12.00 each
Notes:
Requests submitted in person: You may pay for the fee in cash, check, or money order.
Mailed in requests: Include a check or money order only, made payable to the Division of Vital Records.
If a record cannot be located, the certificate fee is not refunded and a Certification of Record Search will be provided.
If you wish to obtain a copy of a certificate from a local health department, please be advised that you may be charged a processing fee in addition to the certificate fee. Get in touch with the local health department in your jurisdiction for more information on additional charges.
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.
VitalChek
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. There is an additional $9.75 charge per order for this service. There is an additional fee of $15.50 if express mail is requested.
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 issues certified copies of death certificates for individuals who died in Maryland in 1969 or thereafter. For copies of records for deaths that occurred prior to 1969, contact the Maryland State Archives
Local Health Department: Within 30 days of a death, copies of the record may also be obtained from the local health department in which the funeral director filed the death certificate, with the exception of Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel County health departments. You must apply in person at the appropriate local health department.
Ways to obtain a copy of the death certificate: You may send your request by mail, in person or online.
Complete and mail an application along with photocopies of required identification, fee, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
The Division of Vital Records,
P.O. box 68760,
Baltimore, MD 21215-0036.
In Person
You may also submit a request in person and receive the certificate on the same day by going to the Division of Vital Records Office in Baltimore located at 6550 Reisterstown Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21215.
You must present a valid, unexpired, government-issued photo ID displaying a date issued and an expiration date. Applicants unable to supply valid photo ID must present two (2) different pieces of alternative documentation. See 'Required Documents' section to know more.
Online
The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene does not accept credit cards or online orders; however, for your convenience, you can process online requests through an independent company that the office have partnered with to provide you this service; VitalChek Network, Inc.
Go online and simply follow the steps to place an order. Orders may be placed Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for using this service and all major credit cards are accepted. You will receive an e-mail notification once your certificate is shipped. If your shipment is via UPS, you will also receive the UPS tracking number.
VitalChek can be reached either through its website, www.vitalchek.com, or through the Division of Vital Records by telephone at 410-764-3170.
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 billnot two pay stubs or two telephone bills. At least one of these documents must contain the applicants 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
Mailed in requests: a self-addressed, stamped, legal size envelope, must be sent along with the completed application and the payment.
Division of Vital Records of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
In person
Certified copy: $12.00
Additional copy: $12.00 each
Mail
Certified copy: $12.00
Additional copy: $12.00 each
Notes:
Requests submitted in person: You may pay for the fee in cash, check, or money order.
Mailed in requests: Include a check or money order only, made payable to the Division of Vital Records.
If a record cannot be located, the certificate fee is not refunded and a Certification of Record Search will be provided.
If you wish to obtain a copy of a certificate from a local health department, please be advised that you may be charged a processing fee in addition to the certificate fee. Get in touch with the local health department in your jurisdiction for more information on additional charges.
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.
VitalChek
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. There is an additional $9.75 charge per order for this service. There is an additional fee of $15.50 if express mail is requested.
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 issues certified copies of death certificates for individuals who died in Maryland in 1969 or thereafter. For copies of records for deaths that occurred prior to 1969, contact the Maryland State Archives
Local Health Department: Within 30 days of a death, copies of the record may also be obtained from the local health department in which the funeral director filed the death certificate, with the exception of Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel County health departments. You must apply in person at the appropriate local health department.
Ways to obtain a copy of the death certificate: You may send your request by mail, in person or online.