Birth Certificates:

St. Mary's County Health Department provides certified copies of birth certificates for people born in Maryland after 1940.  The fee is $20 per certificate. Birth certificates may be obtained on a walk-in basis at the Health Department:

21580 Peabody St., Leonardtown
Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.

The following persons may apply in person:

• An individual asking for his/her own birth certificate.

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

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

Please bring:

A valid, unexpired government issued photo identification is required with all walk-in applications.  Applicants who are unable to supply valid photo I.D. must present two pieces of alternative documentation.  Acceptable documents are:

Social Security card; Voter Registration; Baptismal Certificate; School Records; Insurance Policy; Certified Marriage Certificate; Mother’s or Father’s Birth Certificate.

Or you can apply by mail:

Click here to download an application.  Applications are also available at the health department

Complete the application and mail to the Division of Vital Records in Baltimore:
 

MasterCard and Visa are accepted for walk-in applicants only.

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 are:

Social Security card; Voter Registration; Baptismal Certificate; School Records; Insurance Policy; Certified Marriage Certificate; Mother’s or Father’s Birth Certificate.

To Change a Name

A parent can change a baby’s name 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. One of our staff will come to your home 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 during the first 30 days after a death at the health department in Leonardtown The fee is $20 per certificate.

Click here to download an application.

To Correct a Death Certificate

To correct a death certificate, please send corresponding documents with an application to the Division of Vital Records:

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