Birth Certificates:

St. Mary's County Health Department provides same-day service for applicants who need certified copies of birth certificates.  The fee is $20 per certificate. Certificates are available for individuals born after 1940.

Birth certificates may be obtained on a walk-in basis:

                Where - St. Mary's County Health Department
                              21580 Peabody St.
                              Leonardtown, MD 20650

                When -  Monday - Friday
                             8:30 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.

 You are an eligible applicant for walk-in, same-day service if:

• you are the individual asking for his/her own birth certificate.

• you are the parent or guardian of the person (a foster care appointment is not acceptable).  Proof of guardianship must be submitted.

• you are a representative of the person, parent, or guardian, and certified by a notary public saying that you have permission to obtain the birth certificate.

Please bring a valid, unexpired, government-issued photo identification.  Photo ID is mandatory. Applicants who are unable to supply valid photo I.D. may present two pieces of alternative documentation. (Social Security card; voter registration; baptismal certificate; school records; insurance policy; certified marriage certificate; mother or father’s birth certificate.)

MasterCard and Visa are accepted

 Birth Certificates by Mail

Applicants may submit a mail-in application to the Division of Vital Records in Baltimore.  The fee is $12 per certificate.  The application will be processed in 2-3 weeks.  Mail-in applications are available at the health department or you may Click here to download a copy.

When ordering by mail, send completed application, legible copy of ID, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and check or money order payable to THE DIVISION OF VITAL RECORDS:

Division of Vital Records
P.O. Box 68760
Baltimore, MD 21215-0036

To Correct a Birth Certificate

To correct a birth certificate, fill out an application, and send two documents with names spelled correctly to the Division of Vital Records in Baltimore. Acceptable documents include Social Security card; voter registration; baptismal certificate; school records; insurance policy; certified marriage certificate; mother or father’s birth certificate.

To Change a Name

A baby’s name may be changed anytime from age one (1) week up until one (1) year of age.  If over a year old, you must have a court order.  Applications are available at the St. Mary’s County Health Department.

Statement of Age Card

The health department issues  Statement of Age Cards. The card verifies that an individual has a birth certificate filed at the Maryland Division of Vital Records.  The fee is $1.00 per card.

Home Births

When a child is born at home, parents must contact the St. Mary’s County Health Department Medical/Vital Records Program. Health Dept staff are available the first Friday of every month at the Charlotte Hall Library from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm to complete the appropriate paperwork and file the birth certificate with the Division of Vital Records in Baltimore.

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Death Certificates

Certified copies of death certificates may be obtained at the health department during the first 30 days after a death. The fee is $20 per certificate.  Click here to download an application.  To correct a death certificate after 30 days, please send application and corresponding documents to:

Maryland Division of Vital Records
6550 Reistertown Rd.
Baltimore, MD 21215