BIRTH CERTIFICATES

THE FOLLOWING PERSONS MAY APPLY:

• Individual requesting his/her own birth certificate
• Parent or guardian of the individual named on the certificate (A foster care appointment is not acceptable. Proof of guardianship must be submitted.)
• Representative of the individual named on the certificate, parent, or guardian (The representative must have a letter signed by the person, parent, or guardian, and certified by a notary public stating that the representative has permission to obtain the birth certificate.)
• Court of law
  

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

TO APPLY BY MAIL:

Download APPLICATION FOR A COPY OF BIRTH CERTIFICATE
Download in Word format (needs Microsoft Word)
Download in Acrobat PDF format (needs Acrobat Reader - free download)

Please mail the application, 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.

OTHER WAYS TO OBTAIN BIRTH CERTIFICATES:

Same day service: Birth certificates for individuals with valid, government-issued photo identification who were born in Maryland are available for same day service at the Division of Vital Records in Baltimore. Same day service is also available at local health departments in all jurisdictions except Montgomery County, Baltimore City, and Baltimore County for individuals born after 1939.

Online service: Click here to apply online for this certificate through VitalChek at an additional charge.

YOU WILL RECEIVE:

A certified copy of the birth certificate which may be used for retirement purposes, passports, social services, school enrollment, and other legal reasons. If the search provides no record, a Certification of Record Search will be provided.

CORRECTIONS TO AN EXISTING BIRTH CERTIFICATE:

If there are errors on an existing birth certificate, call the Division of Vital Records for information on how to request corrections.

CREATING A NEW BIRTH CERTIFICATE:

A person born in Maryland, whose birth was never registered, may receive a birth certificate when the Division of Vital Records receives the necessary proof. New birth certificates may also be created in cases of:

• Adoption
• Legitimation
• Adjudication of paternity

LENGTH OF WAIT:

In order to receive a certified copy of a birth certificate, an applicant is required to present valid, unexpired, government-issued photo identification. The identification must have a date issued and an expiration date.

Applicants unable to supply valid photo identification must present two (2) pieces of alternative documentation. The two pieces of alternative documentation must be different types; at least one of these documents must contain a current mailing address. The requested certificate(s) will be mailed to the address displayed on the document(s) provided for identification. Acceptable documents are social security card, pay stub, current car registration, bank statement, letter from a government agency requesting a vital record, lease/rental agreement, utility bill with current address, or copy of income tax return/W-2 form.

EXCEPTIONS:

Records of births that took place in Baltimore City from 1875 through 1910 are not available for same day service. Copies of these records can only be mailed and take approximately two weeks to process. Birth records over 100 years are available through the Maryland State Archives located at 350 Rowe Boulevard in Annapolis. Telephone number 410-260-6400.

Commemorative birth certificates suitable for framing are available. Proceeds from these certificates benefit the Children's Trust Fund. Click here for more information.