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Birth Certificates

Mail, Online or Phone Requests

Please note: These requests are fulfilled Division of Vital Records in Baltimore. Processing fees, requirements, and delivery schedules may vary.

Requests by Mail

Download and complete one of the following applications. Mail the completed application, photocopies of required identification, fee (check or money order only, made payable to the Division of Vital Records), and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Division of Vital Records, P.O. Box 68760, Baltimore, MD 21215-0036.

Birth Certificate (Word) (requires Microsoft Word)
Birth Certificate (PDF) (requires Adobe Reader – free download)
Descargue el formulario bilingüe (Inglés / Español)​​​ (necesita Adobe Reader – descárgelo gratis  la información en este formulario se puede guardar e imprimir)

Online Requests

To order online, visit www.vitalchek.com​.

Requests by Phone

To order by phone, call 410-764-3038.

Requests In-Person

Certified copies of birth certificates for individuals born in Maryland after 1940 may be obtained in-person:

Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: St. Mary’s County Health Department Main Office in Leonardtown
Fee: $25 per certificate

You are an eligible applicant for same-day service if you are the:

  • Individual asking for his/her own birth certificate.
  • Parent or guardian (a foster care appointment is not acceptable) of the individual for whom a birth certificate copy is needed. Proof of guardianship must be submitted.
  • Representative of the person, parent, or guardian with written permission to obtain the birth certificate. The letter of written permission must be certified by a notary public.

A valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID is required. Applicants who are unable to supply a valid photo ID must present two pieces of alternative documentation. Acceptable alternative documents include:

  • social security card
  • pay stub
  • current car registration
  • bank statement
  • letter from government agency
  • lease/rental agreement
  • utility bill with current address
  • copy of your income tax return
  • W-2 return

At least one of these documents must contain your current mailing address.

Note: Applicants unable to provide a valid photo ID will not be able to receive their certificates the same day. Their certificates will be mailed to the address displayed on the documents provided.

We accept cash, check, Visa, MasterCard and American Express. For birth certificate requests made in person at the St. Mary’s County Health Department, checks should be made out to the St. Mary’s County Health Department.

Corrections

​A birth certificate registered by the State Registrar may be amended in accordance with Md. Code Ann., Health-General § 4-214. The State Registrar adopts rules governing the form of these requests and the type and amount of proof required. Click here for more information.

Name Change

A baby’s name can be changed anytime from the age of one week up until one year. If the child is more than one year old, you must have a court order. Applications are available at the St. Mary’s County Health Department.

Home Births

When a child is born at home, parents must complete paperwork with the St. Mary’s County Health Department’s Medical/Vital Records Program.

St. Mary’s County Health Department staff is available the first Friday of each month at the Charlotte Hall Library and the third Friday of each month at the health department from 9 am – 12 pm to complete the appropriate paperwork and file the birth certificate with the Division of Vital Records at the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in Baltimore, Maryland.

Genealogy

To obtain birth records for genealogical purposes, contact the Maryland State Archives at:

Maryland State Archives
350 Rowe Boulevard
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-260-6400
800-235-4045
800-735-2258 (TTY)
archives@mdsa.net

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