Get your certified Maryland Birth Certificate

A certified copy of a Maryland birth certificate costs $10 for the first copy and $12 for each additional copy from the Maryland Division of Vital Records. Expedited service costs an additional $20. You can also order through your local health department.

Yes, you can order a Maryland birth certificate online through an approved service provider. You can also apply by mail or in person at the Maryland Division of Vital Records in Baltimore or at local health department offices throughout the state.

In Maryland, eligible requesters include the person named on the certificate, a parent, a legal guardian, a spouse, an adult child, or a legal representative. If you need someone else to request the certificate on your behalf, they may use a notarized Power of Attorney (PoA) or a signed affidavit from the authorized applicant.

Maryland birth certificates are not public records. Access is restricted to eligible individuals as defined by Maryland law. The Division of Vital Records requires proof of identity and eligibility before issuing certified copies.

An officially certified birth certificate will have distinct features to indicate the MDH-DVR issues it. The appearance of an official birth certificate may differ depending on the year it was issued. It will often include key information to verify a person's identity and the legitimacy of their citizenship at birth. A long-form official birth certificate is used for legal purposes, whereas a short-form informational copy is usually not. The MDH-DVR defines specific guidelines for counties that may use unique colors and layouts. In all cases, official birth certificates will generally display features such as:

• Full Name of the Person: The full legal name of the person whose birth is being recorded.

• Date of Birth: The exact date of birth of the individual.

• Place of Birth: The city, county, and state where the birth took place.

• Parents’ Names: The full names of both parents, including the mother’s maiden name.

• State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.

• Signature of State Registrar: The signature of the state registrar or authorized official responsible for issuing the certificate.

• Date of Issuance: The date when the state officially issued the birth certificate.

• Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.

In some instances, a certified birth certificate may also include:

• Name of the Hospital where the birth was recorded.

• Name of the Physician who attended the labor.

If you lose your birth certificate:

1.Submit an application for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You will need to complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the MDH-DVR.

a For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to the MDH-DVR office during hours of availability.

b. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the MDH-DVR at:

Division of Vital Records

P.O. Box 68760,
Baltimore, MD 21215-0036.

c. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).

2. MDH-DVR will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

The MDH-DVR provides a straightforward process for correcting or amending birth certificates. An amendment is necessary when a birth record needs to be changed, and different forms are required based on the specific information that needs to be amended.

Correcting or amending birth records usually will require the following:

1. A completed amendment application: An Affidavit to Correct Information on a Certificate of Live Birth must be completed and signed before a Notary Public.
2. Supporting documentation: Only a notarized affidavit, signed by a parent, must be submitted when the person whose name needs correction is between 1 and 6 years of age. If the individual whose name needs correction is 7 years of age or older, two documents along with the completed affidavit must be submitted. Acceptable documents include the following:
   Baptismal certificate
   Parent’s marriage certificate
   Pre-kindergarten or grade school records
   Social security card
   Physician’s office record
   Life insurance policy
   Voter’s card
   For the complete list of documents, refer to the instructions page for the Affidavit to Correct Information on a Certificate of Live Birth.
3. Appropriate fee(s): There is a $10.00 fee required when the person on record is over 1 year of age. You can exchange your certified copy of your birth certificate for the amended copy at no additional charge. The fee to request certified copy of an amended birth certificate is $10.00 each.

An apostille is required when a birth record needs to be filed with a foreign government. Apostilles can be ordered through the Secretary of State or online through VRO.

To request an apostille manually, you will need to provide the following information:

1. Your birth certificate (must be an official, certified copy)
2. A check or money order of $5.00 per document
3. A note stating in which country the documents will be used and how to contact you if a small question should arise concerning your documents
4. A stamped, self-addressed envelope or prepaid express delivery service, such as FedEx or UPS.
5. Submit the request to the Maryland Department of Health – Division of Vital Records (MDH-DVR) at the following address:
   
   

A long-form birth certificate (also called the "full" or "certified" copy) is a complete reproduction of the original Maryland birth record. It includes your full legal name, date and place of birth, parents' names, birthplaces, and occupations, the attending physician or midwife, and the file date and registration number. This is the version you'll need for passports, REAL ID, Social Security, adoption, immigration, dual citizenship, and most legal purposes.

A short-form birth certificate (sometimes called a "certification" or "abstract") is a condensed version that shows only your name, date of birth, place of birth, and sex. It does not include parents' information. The short form is accepted for many everyday purposes, like enrolling in school, applying for a driver's license, or joining sports leagues, but it is not always accepted for federal documents or international travel.

When you order a Maryland birth certificate through VitalRecordsOnline, you receive the long-form version by default, since it is the most widely accepted. If you're unsure which version you need, check with the agency requesting the document.

Processing times for a Maryland birth certificate depend on how you order and which delivery speed you choose. Standard government processing through the Maryland vital records office generally takes 4 to 12 weeks by mail. In-person requests at the state office or authorized county location are often completed the same day or within a few business days.

When you order online through VitalRecordsOnline, we review your application within 24 hours to catch errors before submission, then forward it to the issuing authority. Most customers receive their certified Maryland birth certificate in 2 to 3 weeks with standard shipping. Expedited processing and rush shipping options are available at checkout for urgent needs like passport applications or upcoming travel.

If the issuing office returns your request because of missing information, our team contacts you immediately so the correction can be made without starting over. You can track your order status at any time through your account.