Maryland ranks 21st out of 51 (the 50 states and D.C.) for how easy, fast and affordable it is to get certified birth, marriage, divorce and death records.
Cost#8of 51
Speed#37of 51
Ease of ordering#24 (tie)of 51
Birth certificates #24 of 51
Cost
$10 first copy, $10 each extra copy
Processing time
Online: 5 weeks; mail: 6 weeks; in person: same day, by appointment only
Time until the copy is in hand
About 6.5–7 weeks by mail (estimate); 5 weeks online
Where to order
State vital records office (also some local health departments)
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Records available
State records from 1898; Baltimore City from 1875
Marriage records #15 of 51
Cost
$12 first copy, $12 each extra copy
Processing time
Online: 5 weeks; mail: 6 weeks; in person: same day, by appointment only
Time until the copy is in hand
About 6.5–7 weeks by mail (estimate); 5 weeks online
Where to order
State office or a local county office
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Records available
State records from January 1, 2007; earlier records from the county Circuit Court or the Maryland State Archives
Divorce records #27 (tie) of 51
Cost
Varies by county
Processing time
Varies by county
Time until the copy is in hand
Varies by county
Where to order
County only: the Circuit Court in the county where the divorce was granted (the state issues a $12 verification only)
Order online
No statewide online ordering
Death certificates #22 of 51
Cost
$10 first copy, $12 each extra copy
Processing time
Online: 5 weeks; mail: 6 weeks; in person: same day, by appointment only
Time until the copy is in hand
About 6.5–7 weeks by mail (estimate); 5 weeks online
Where to order
State vital records office (also some local health departments)
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Records available
State records from 2012; older records at the Maryland State Archives
Note: These rankings were done on . Prices, processing times and ordering rules may have changed since then, so check with the issuing office before you order. Times marked “estimate” add typical mail delivery to the office’s posted processing time. “Not published” means the office does not post that detail.
How to order Maryland birth, death, marriage and divorce records
How do I get a Maryland birth certificate?
A certified Maryland birth certificate costs $10 per copy from the Maryland Department of Health’s Division of Vital Records (DVR). Online orders through VitalChek take about 5 weeks with regular shipping (3 weeks with expedited shipping), mail orders about 6 weeks, and appointments at the DVR lobby in Baltimore are same day. Some county health departments also issue copies, at their own fees.
Maryland birth records: ordering details
Who can order
The person named on the certificate, a parent named on it, a court-appointed guardian (foster care appointments don’t qualify), a surviving spouse, or a representative with a notarized letter of permission from one of them. Someone with a court order can also get a copy.
Fee
$10 for each certified copy (non-refundable; if no record is found you get a Certificate of Record Search). Commemorative birth certificate: $50. Extras (online only): $13 internet processing fee and $20 expedited shipping. There’s no fee for copies for current or former armed forces members, or their surviving spouse or child for a benefits claim, with proof of service. Local health department fees vary (about $20–$30).
How to order
Online:VitalChek, DVR’s online partner (credit card). By mail: the birth certificate application, a copy of your ID, a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order payable to “Division of Vital Records” to Division of Vital Records, P.O. Box 68760, Baltimore, MD 21215-0036. Expedited shipping isn’t available by mail. In person: DVR lobby, 6764B Reisterstown Road, Baltimore, by appointment only (cards accepted), or a local health department that issues certificates.
ID needed
A valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport. Without one, send two different documents from DVR’s list (pay stub, car registration, bank statement, utility bill, lease, tax return or W-2, or a government letter); at least one must show your current address, and the certificate is mailed to that address.
Processing time
DVR lobby: same day. Online: about 5 weeks with regular shipping, or 3 weeks with expedited shipping. Mail: about 6 weeks. DVR says these times are temporarily longer because of high demand. Commemorative certificates take 8–12 weeks. Estimate: plan on about 6.5–7 weeks for a mail order to arrive.
Older and local records
Birth records filed more than 100 years ago are at the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis (410-260-6400). Some county health departments issue birth certificates to walk-in or appointment customers; Baltimore City and Baltimore County health departments don’t. From 1918 through 1972, birth certificates were issued by Baltimore City and the counties; registration moved to the state in 1973.
Tip: Getting a REAL ID? Older Maryland documents titled “Certification of Birth” were registration notices, not birth certificates. Check DVR’s guide to identifying a certified copy before you go to the MVA.
For deaths in 2012 or later, a certified Maryland death certificate costs $10 for the first copy and $12 for each extra copy in the same order from the Division of Vital Records. For deaths before 2012, contact the Maryland State Archives. Some county health departments also issue death certificates.
Maryland death records: ordering details
Who can order
A surviving relative or authorized representative of the person who died, or the funeral director in charge of the final arrangements. You must send proof of entitlement, such as a birth or marriage certificate showing the relationship, a letter of administration, a release from a surviving relative, or a court order.
Fee
$10 for the first certified copy, $12 for each additional copy in the same transaction (not refunded if no record is found). Extras (online only): $13 internet processing fee and $20 expedited shipping. Local health department fees vary (about $16–$25 for the first copy).
How to order
Online:VitalChek. By mail: the death certificate application, copies of your ID and entitlement documents, a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order payable to “Division of Vital Records” to P.O. Box 68760, Baltimore, MD 21215-0036. In person: DVR lobby, 6764B Reisterstown Road, Baltimore, by appointment, or a local health department.
ID needed
A valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID, or two documents from the alternate list (one showing your current address), plus proof of your relationship or legal interest.
Processing time
DVR lobby: same day. Online: about 5 weeks with regular shipping, 3 weeks with expedited shipping. Mail: about 6 weeks (temporarily longer due to demand). Estimate: plan on about 6.5–7 weeks for a mail order to arrive.
Older and local records
DVR issues death certificates for deaths in 2012 or later. For earlier deaths, and for genealogy, contact the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis (410-260-6400). Several county health departments issue death certificates; check the local list for hours and fees.
Tip: Order every copy you need in one transaction, and send proof of your relationship with the application so the order isn’t sent back.
For marriages on or after January 1, 2007, a certified Maryland marriage certificate costs $12 per copy from the Division of Vital Records. For earlier marriages, contact the circuit court in the county where the marriage took place or the Maryland State Archives.
Maryland marriage records: ordering details
Who can order
Either spouse named on the record, a representative with a notarized letter of permission signed by one spouse, or an attorney with proof that they represent one of the spouses.
Fee
State: $12 per certified copy (not refunded if no record is found). Online orders add a $13 processing fee and optional $20 expedited shipping. Circuit court copies: set by the court.
How to order
Online:VitalChek. By mail: the marriage certificate application, a copy of your ID, a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order payable to “Division of Vital Records” to P.O. Box 68760, Baltimore, MD 21215-0036. In person: DVR lobby, Baltimore, by appointment. Before 2007: the circuit court clerk in the county where you married.
ID needed
A valid government-issued photo ID, or two documents from DVR’s alternate list.
Processing time
State: same day at a lobby appointment; about 5 weeks online (3 weeks with expedited shipping); about 6 weeks by mail. Circuit court: varies by county.
Older records
The state has marriages from January 1, 2007 on. For earlier marriages, contact the circuit court in the county where the marriage took place or the Maryland State Archives.
Tip: Married before 2007? Skip the state office and go straight to the circuit court clerk in the county where you married.
A copy of a Maryland divorce decree comes only from the circuit court that granted the divorce. The state Division of Vital Records sells a $12 Verification of Divorce for divorces and annulments from January 1, 1992 on, which some agencies accept as proof of divorce.
Maryland divorce records: ordering details
Decree vs. verification
Divorce decree: from the circuit court in the county where the divorce was granted. Use this when you need the court’s actual order. State Verification of Divorce: lists the names, the county, the date of the decree and the type of divorce action. Accepted by certain agencies; check before ordering.
Who can order
Verification: either spouse named on the record, a representative with a notarized letter signed by one spouse, or an attorney representing one spouse. Decree: set by the circuit court.
Fee
Verification: $12 (online orders add a $13 processing fee and optional $20 expedited shipping). Decree: set by the circuit court.
How to order
Decree: contact the circuit court clerk in the county where the divorce was granted. Verification: online through VitalChek; by mail with the divorce verification application, a copy of your ID and a check or money order payable to “Division of Vital Records” to P.O. Box 68760, Baltimore, MD 21215-0036; or at a DVR lobby appointment.
ID needed
Verification: a valid government-issued photo ID, or two documents from DVR’s alternate list. Decree: ask the circuit court.
Processing time
Verification: same day at a lobby appointment; about 5 weeks online; about 6 weeks by mail. Decree: varies by court.
Older records
The state verifies divorces only from January 1, 1992 on. For earlier divorces, contact the circuit court that granted the decree.
Tip: If an agency asks for “proof of divorce,” ask whether the state verification will do. If not, order a certified copy of the decree from the circuit court.
Note: Fees, processing times and rules are set by the issuing offices and can change. Times are estimates. Check with the office before you order. PublicLibraries.com is not a government agency.
Other records
Other Maryland records people search for
Official Maryland sites for other common lookups. Some records are kept by counties or carry fees; the note on each line says so.
Note: Links go to official state sites or services the state designates. Access rules, fees and coverage are set by each office and can change. PublicLibraries.com is not a government agency.
About Maryland public records
Certificate Information
Certified copies of birth, death and marriage records are issued and maintained by the Maryland Department of Health and
Mental Hygiene. Each certificate or copy from the Vital Records Department costs $24 dollars with extra charges for
rush service.
The Division of Vital Records
6550 Reisterstown Road
Reisterstown Road Plaza
Baltimore, MD 21215
Only recent marriage records are held by the state office. Any record filed before Jan 1, 1990 is only available
through the Clerk of Circuit Court for the county the marriage was filed. Verification of divorce papers from
Jan 1, 1992 to present are obtainable from the state, while all older divorce decrees and all certified divorce
records from any time period are only available from the Circuit Court.
All adoptions records from public or private adoption agencies become confidential. The state provides a voluntary reunion
service that allows adoptees to to reunite with birth families. Database search services have a scaled fee based on income.
Mutual Consent Registry and Adoption Search Services
311 West Saratoga Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
1-800-39A-DOPT
Property Records
The parcel records, tax records and other property related information is available from the county tax assessor's office. Local
county GIS departments also provide online tools and maps available for land use and geographic data.
