Maryland (MD) Vital Records

Ordering In-Person or By Mail

Applying in person is feasible for those who reside within travel distance to the state health department office that issues certified copies of the original vital records. However, be mindful to confirm the office’s hours of operation and whether they are open to the public for walk-ins. You can apply online more efficiently or by mail if you don’t reside near one of these offices.

If you choose to apply in person at the vital records office, prepare to complete the following steps:

• gathering your documents,
• getting photocopies of your documents,
• completing the correct form, and;
• presenting everything to the health department during regular business hours.

Additionally, when ordering by mail, you will need the following:

• purchasing an envelope,
• including a physical check or money order,
• issuing it to the Maryland MDH-DVR.

Each type of certificate defines specific requirements regarding who is eligible to request a certified replacement. Vital Records Online can help simplify the process and reduce mistakes, leading to quicker processing time.

❗️ To avoid your application being denied due to mistakes or incomplete information, review the requirements for each vital record before mailing it.

❗️ Be certain that your documents, application, and payment are submitted to the correct health department that issues certified copies from the preserved original record.

❗️ If you choose to mail your application and documents, we recommend purchasing mail tracking to confirm their arrival at the correct office.

Requirements

Before gathering the documents for your vital record application, it is crucial to understand the conditions and requirements involved.

Proof of Identity for Verifying Authorization: 

To order certified copies of Maryland vital records, applicants must provide the necessary information and documents to prove their identity. The Maryland Department of Health – Division of Vital Records accepts a driver’s license, state-issued photo ID, or passport as valid forms of identification. If the ID expires in less than six months, it can be submitted with an additional secondary form of ID. If a valid ID is unavailable, two pieces of alternative documentation must be provided, with at least one containing the current mailing address. In cases where an acceptable form of ID cannot be provided, getting the application notarized may be required. It is important to note that verification of identity with a valid, government-issued ID or two secondary forms of identity accepted by the MDH-DVR is mandatory for certified birth certificates. Driver’s licenses or state photo IDs are generally acceptable for most types of vital records requests.

What Documents Are Required to Order Vital Records in Maryland?

The Maryland Department of Health – Division of Vital Records (MDH-DVR) has specific conditions and requirements for each type of certificate and personal circumstance. Carefully review the eligibility details and requirements for obtaining certified replacements for Maryland birth, death, and marriage records.

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
• OR, Authorization of Release
  • Signed by a surviving relative
  • Must include a copy of the surviving relative’s valid ID
  • Must include the name of the deceased
  • It must include the relationship of the surviving relative to the deceased.

❗️ Without proper ID and a fully completed application, your request will be returned, causing considerable delays in processing your order.

Who is Authorized to Order

Who can request vital records in Maryland?

The person on record can request a certified copy of their vital records, but they must provide proof of identity when making the request. If you need to request a birth, death, or marriage certificate on someone else’s behalf, review the eligibility requirements to ensure you are authorized. The eligibility of third parties varies depending on the type of certificate. Authorized third-party applicants can refer to the table below for birth and death certificates. Third parties can only legally request a copy of a vital record permitted by the Maryland MDH-DVR, such as family members or a legal representative of the individual on record. Generally, the Maryland MDH-DVR allows a third party to legally request a copy of the vital record as long as they have a familial or legal relationship to the individual on record and provide proof of it.

✔︎ If you can provide documentation of legal interest or hold a Power of Attorney from the person on record, you are eligible to request the vital record for that person.

Notarized Sworn Statement

Do I need a notary with my application?

The MDH-DVR does not require applicants to obtain notarized statements when requesting certified copies of their birth or marriage certificates. For death certificates, immediate family members of the individual on record do not need notarizations, regardless of whether the request is made online, by mail, or in person. However, authorized representatives must provide either a court order or a notarized statement signed by a person named on record.

The MDH-DVR may require notarized statements for record amendments. Individuals with a “direct, tangible interest,” such as family members or legal representatives, can only obtain certified death certificates. An online notary is included with your order when ordering through Vital Records Online.

❗️ A Notarized sworn statement may be required under the following circumstances:

• If a third party who is not the parent, spouse, or legal guardian of the individual on record requests a certified copy of a Maryland birth certificate.
• If a third party requests a certified copy of a Maryland marriage certificate.
• Authorized representatives must submit a court order or a notarized statement signed by a person named on record.
• When ordering a Maryland birth certificate in person, online, or by mail, if the applicant is not the registrant, parent(s) listed on the birth record, or legal guardian.

You can find more information about unique circumstances that may require a notary with your application on the MDH-DVR website at https://health.maryland.gov/vsa/Pages/certs.aspx. If you choose to use a local public notary, you will need to bring your ID to create the required document. It is important to note that notaries may be necessary for apostilles, corrections, or amendments to vital records under certain conditions. For further details on these conditions, please refer to the other FAQs.

✔︎ Vital Records Online includes an online notary service in your application packet. Otherwise, you must bring your ID when creating this document using a local public notary.

Costs and Fees

When replacing vital records, the costs will depend on the fees set by the Maryland Department of Health – Division of Vital Records (MDH-DVR) for each type of certificate. It’s important to be aware of these fees and costs when applying for replacement vital records to ensure a smooth and successful process. The total cost may also be influenced by how you submit your application and whether a notary is required to prove your identity.

To order vital record replacements from Maryland, the fees are $10.00 per copy for a birth record, $12.00 per copy for a marriage certificate, $10.00 per copy for a death certificate, and $12.00 per copy for additional death certificate copies.

The online Application Assistant provided by Vital Records Online starts at $29, which includes automated document processing and first-class shipping & handling.

✔︎ Additional copies can be requested in the same order to save future costs in case your vital records are lost, destroyed, or stolen.

VitalRecordsOnline.com processing fee is $29.

Processing and Delivery Times

How long will it take to receive my vital records from Maryland?

Processing and replacement times for birth, death, or marriage certificates may vary. Check the current processing and delivery times, which can be found in the table below. The method you choose to submit your application and documents can also impact the overall time it takes to receive your vital record by mail. By ordering through Vital Records Online, you can simplify the process of gathering documents and submitting your application packet, with the option to expedite your order for faster processing. It is worth noting that these times are subject to change based on the volume of requests received by the MDH-DVR.

❗️ The processing and replacement duration of birth, death, or marriage certificates by the MDH-DVR may increase based on a high volume backlog of orders.

❗️ A simple error, typo, or missing document can cause wait times to double, repeat shipping costs, or expose personal information.

How to Track My MD Vital Record?

After submitting your application through Vital Records Online, you can easily track the progress of your order and monitor its processing status by visiting the order monitoring page. You can track your application packet to the Maryland Department of Health – Division of Vital Records using the prepaid mail postage provided with your order. If you choose to send the application packet manually, it is advisable to purchase first-class mail tracking to ensure its safe arrival. It is important to note that the Maryland MDH-DVR ships all vital records via USPS first-class mail for enhanced security. However, they cannot be held responsible for misdirected or lost certificates. If your birth certificate is lost, it is crucial to report it immediately. To safeguard your personal information, it is essential to avoid any minor errors or typos that could result in the delivery of your documents to the incorrect address.

❓ Find more frequently asked questions below the Maryland counties office locations directory.