Maryland Affidavit to Add a Given Name to a Certificate of Live Birth
Official state formCorrections and amendmentsFree downloadLast verified November 10, 2026
Notarized affidavit, with a cover letter, to add a given name when the original Maryland birth certificate has none. It goes to the Division of Vital Records.
Who can use this form
- The person named on the certificate
- A parent or guardian of the person named on the certificate
- An attorney for the person named on the certificate
What to send with it
- Affidavit signed before a notary public
- Young child: only the affidavit signed by a parent. The cover letter says ages 1 to 7; the office's web page says ages 1 to 6
- Age 7 or older: two documents showing the full given name, such as a baptismal certificate, school records or a Social Security card
- Birth certificate application and a legible copy of a valid government-issued ID
- Check or money order payable to the Division of Vital Records
Where to send it
- Mail to
- Division of Vital Records 6764-B Reisterstown Road Baltimore, Maryland 21215-2306
- State fee
- $10.00 to buy the certified birth certificate; an uncertified copy you already hold may be exchanged at no additional charge. The form states no separate amendment fee.
- Typical processing
- About 10 weeks for corrections, according to the office's processing times page
- Source
- Official government page