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Maryland vital records

The Division of Vital Records (DVR), Vital Statistics Administration is the vital records office for Maryland.1 It issues certified birth certificates, death certificates and marriage certificates234. It does not issue divorce records; this page shows who does.5 Local offices also issue certified copies.2

Last checked against official sources.

On this page
  1. Records and where to get them
  2. Local offices
  3. Access rules and the law
  4. The state office
  5. Questions people ask
  6. Sources

Current notices from the office

  • Mail orders: 4-week processing delay (backlog)2
  • Temporarily increased processing times6
  • Phone and phishing scams7

Records and where to get them

RecordWho issues itYears heldFirst copyShortest published time
Birth certificateMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration, Division of Vital Records8–$109In person: Same day6
Death certificateMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration, Division of Vital Records102012 to today3$109In person: Same day6
Marriage certificateMaryland Department of Health, Division of Vital Records4Jan. 1, 2007 to today4$129In person: Same day6
Divorce recordsClerk of the Circuit Court that granted the decree (decree copies); MDH Division of Vital Records issues Verification of Divorce only5–––

Birth certificate

Who holds it
Some local health departments also issue Maryland birth certificates11
Older records
Maryland State Archives (births over 100 years old; Baltimore City 1875-1925, counties 1898-1925)8
Ways to order
Online through VitalChek Network, Inc., by mail, in person, at a local office

How to get a Maryland birth certificate

Death certificate

Who holds it
DVR issues deaths from 2012 on; earlier deaths from the Maryland State Archives; some local health departments also issue3
Older records
Maryland State Archives (deaths before 2012; Archives holds 1875/1898-2014)3
Ways to order
Online through VitalChek Network, Inc., by mail, in person, at a local office

How to get a Maryland death certificate

Marriage certificate

Who holds it
Before 2007: the circuit court of the county where the marriage took place, or the Maryland State Archives4
Older records
Circuit court of the county where the marriage took place, or the Maryland State Archives (1952-2011/2015)4
Ways to order
Online through VitalChek Network, Inc., by mail, in person, at a local office

How to get a Maryland marriage certificate

Divorce records

Who holds it
Decree copies come only from the circuit court; MDH issues a verification (names, county, date, type of action)5
Older records
Circuit Court that granted the decree; older equity records at the Maryland State Archives12
Ways to order
Online through VitalChek Network, Inc., by mail, in person, at a local office

How to get Maryland divorce records

Local offices

Local offices issue certified copies
Yes2
Which offices
County health department (local health department)13
Any office for any county
Yes14

Access rules and the law

Who may get certified copies
Closed: birth copies only to the registrant, parent, guardian, surviving spouse, authorized representative, or by court order; death copies only to those with a direct and tangible interest14

Laws and rules the office cites

  • Md. Code, Health-General § 4-217 (certified copies, fees, waivers, LHD issuance)14
  • Md. Code, Health-General § 4-214 (amendments)15
  • Md. Code, Health-General § 4-211 (new certificates of birth)16
  • COMAR 10.03.08 (death certificate entitlement; cited by MDH, regulation text not archived)10
  • Md. Code, Family Law §§ 2-401 to 2-410 (marriage licenses)17

The state office

Office
Division of Vital Records (DVR), Vital Statistics Administration1
Mailing address
Division of Vital Records, P.O. Box 68760, Baltimore, MD 21215-0036
11
Walk-in address
Division of Vital Records, 6764B Reisterstown Road, Reisterstown Road Plaza (rear), Baltimore, MD 21215
18
Hours
By appointment only, Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:00 pm18
Appointments
Required11

Questions people ask

How much do birth and death certificates cost in Maryland?

A certified birth certificate costs $10 for the first copy and a death certificate $10.9

Where do I get a marriage certificate in Maryland?

Maryland Department of Health, Division of Vital Records (marriages on or after January 1, 2007). Before 2007: the circuit court of the county where the marriage took place, or the Maryland State Archives.4

Where do I get divorce records in Maryland?

Clerk of the Circuit Court that granted the decree (decree copies); MDH Division of Vital Records issues Verification of Divorce only. Decree copies come only from the circuit court; MDH issues a verification (names, county, date, type of action).5

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these official sources, checked on November 5, 2026. Tap a source number next to a fact to read the exact words.

  1. Maryland Department of Health: ContactMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  2. Division of Vital RecordsMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  3. Request Death and Fetal Death CertificatesMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  4. Request Marriage CertificatesMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  5. Divorce VerificationMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  6. Processing TimeMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  7. Vital Statistics Administration homeMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  8. Application for Certified Copy of Maryland Birth RecordMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administrationdated October 1, 2021
  9. Maryland Department of Health: FeesMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  10. Application for Certified Copy of Maryland Death RecordMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administrationdated October 1, 2021
  11. Request Birth CertificatesMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  12. Application for Verification of Divorce Record (VRC-81)Maryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administrationdated June 1, 2017
  13. Local Health DepartmentsMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  14. Md. Code, Health-General § 4-217Maryland General Assembly (Annotated Code: Health-General Article)
  15. Md. Code, Health-General § 4-214Maryland General Assembly (Annotated Code: Health-General Article)
  16. Md. Code, Health-General § 4-211Maryland General Assembly (Annotated Code: Health-General Article)
  17. Md. Code, Family Law § 2-401Maryland General Assembly (Annotated Code: Family Law Article)
  18. DVR Location, Directions and HoursMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration