Table of Contents
Birth Certificates
In Person, Same Day
The Dorchester County Health Department can issue official, certified birth certificates with a raised seal for anyone born in Maryland.
You may get a birth certificate from 8:30 am to 3 pm Mondays through Fridays at the health department. Check in with the receptionist at the front desk for assistance.
Please call (410) 228-3223 if you have questions or for more information.
Bring the following items with you:
- A valid, unexpired ID* Bring one of the following:
- state-issued driver’s license
- state-issued ID card
- Current U.S. passport
- Current passport issued by another country (Must have issue date and expiration date)
* The ID cannot be damaged. If the address on your ID is not your current address or if bringing in a passport, you must bring a piece of mail with your name and current address.
- Cash or credit card. Cost is $25 per certificate. We accept cash (exact change preferred) or credit cards (Master Card, VISA, Discover) for payment.
- Completed Application for Certified Copy of Maryland Birth Record.
- Download the Birth Certificate Application (PDF) from the state health department website.
- Fill out the application, print it and bring it with you.
- We will give you a paper application to complete when you arrive if you do not have access to a computer and printer.
Order Online
To order online, visit www.vitalchek.com.
For your convenience, you can process online requests through an independent company that we have partnered with to provide you this service, VitalChek Network, Inc.
An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for using this service, and all major credit cards are accepted, including American Express®, Discover®, MasterCard® or Visa®.
Neither our office nor VitalChek have control over the services and fees other Internet vendors offer and charge, nor can we guarantee the confidentiality of any vital record data provided to vendors other than VitalChek.
Order By Mail
Download the Birth Certificate Application (PDF) from the state health department website.
Complete and mail the application with your payment, a self-addressed envelope, and a photo copy of your identification to the Division of Vital Records, P.O. Box 68760, Baltimore, MD 21215-0036.
Acceptable forms of payment are check or money order made payable to the Division of Vital Records. (Note that expedited shipping is not available when ordering by mail.)
For a recorded message about birth certificates, call (410) 764-3038 (Baltimore local) or (800) 832-3277 (toll-free).
Additional Services Available from the State
Order commemorative certificates or other records from the Vital Statistics Administration.
Death Certificates
In Person (funeral directors only)
The health department only issues death certificates in person to funeral directors.
Please contact the funeral home that handled the arrangements to obtain a death certificate from them.
Funeral directors can click here for information on online ordering.
Order Online
To order online, visit www.vitalchek.com.
For your convenience, you can process online requests through an independent company that we have partnered with to provide you this service, VitalChek Network, Inc. An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for using this service, and all major credit cards are accepted, including American Express®, Discover®, MasterCard® or Visa®.
Neither our office nor VitalChek have control over the services and fees other Internet vendors offer and charge, nor can we guarantee the confidentiality of any vital record data provided to vendors other than VitalChek.
Order by Mail
Download the Death Certificate Application (PDF) from the state health department website.
Download the Fetal Death Certificate Application (PDF) from the state health department website.
Please mail the application, photocopies of required identification, entitlement documentation, 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. (Note that expedited shipping is not available when ordering by mail.)