Maryland Application for Certificate of Foreign Birth
Official state formAdoptionFree downloadLast verified November 10, 2026
Packet with a fact sheet, application and document checklist to request a Maryland Certificate of Foreign Birth for a person born in another country and adopted by a Maryland resident. It goes to the Division of Vital Records.
Who can use this form
- An adopting parent
- An adopted person 18 years of age or older
- A court of competent jurisdiction in Maryland
What to send with it
- Completed application
- Official, authenticated foreign adoption decree, with a certified translation if it is not in English
- Foreign birth certificate or other birth record, with a certified translation if it is not in English
- Proof of IR-3 or IH-3 visa status, and proof that the adopting parent is a Maryland resident
- Check or money order: the form says payable to the State of Maryland; the office's adoptions page says the Division of Vital Records
- Original documents are required and are returned to you
Where to send it
- Mail to
- Division of Vital Records 6764-B Reisterstown Road Baltimore, MD 21215
- State fee
- $12 to prepare the certificate; $12 per certified copy
- Typical processing
- The form says the certificate is prepared within six weeks of the date of document review
- Source
- Official government page