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 certificates between 8:30am-1:30pm Mondays through Fridays at the health department. Check in with the receptionist at the front desk for assistance.
EFFECTIVE MONDAY, DEC. 4, WALK-IN BIRTH CERTIFICATE SERVICES WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM 8:30 AM TO 3 PM.
Birth certificates may only be issued to the person or a parent named on the document. Legal guardians must present original court papers.
Please call (410) 228-3223 if you have questions or for more information.
Please bring the following items with you:
- Valid, unexpired ID (cannot be damaged)*. Please bring one of the following:
- State issued drivers’ license
- State issued ID card (MVA)
- Current U.S. passport
- Current passport issued by another country (Must have issue date and expiration date)
* 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.
- 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. Please click below to download an application. Please 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 Birth Certificates Online
You may order birth certificates online through an independent company that the Maryland Department of Health has partnered with to provide you this service, VitalChek Network, Inc.
VitalChek charges an additional fee for this service. VitalChek accepts all major credit cards, 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 Birth Certificates By Mail
Download an application for a copy of a birth certificate.
Complete and mail the application with your payment, a self-addressed envelope, and a photocopy 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).
For more information, visit the Maryland Department of Health Division of Vital Records.
The health department only issues death certificates to funeral directors.
Please contact:
- The funeral home that handled the arrangements, or
- The Maryland Division of Vital Records
The Division of Vital Records (DVR) of the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) issues certified copies of death certificates for individuals who died in Maryland in 2012 or later.
For copies of records for deaths that occurred prior to 2012, contact the Maryland State Archives. If a record cannot be located, the certificate fee is not refunded and a Certification of Record Search will be provided.
The following persons may apply:
- Surviving relative or authorized representative of the deceased
- Funeral director who was in charge of the final disposition of the body of the deceased.
Order Death Certificates Online
For your convenience, you can process online requests for death records through an independent company the Maryland Department of Health has partnered with to provide you this service, VitalChek Network, Inc.
VitalChek charges an additional fee for this service. VitalChek accepts all major credit cards, 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.
Button: Order Birth Certificate Online
Order Death Certificates by Mail
Death certificates can also be ordered by mail.
Download an application for a copy of a Death Certificate:
- Death Certificate Application (English)
- Death Certificate Application (Español)
- Fetal Death Certificate Application (English)
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.)
Funeral facilities may continue to request certificates via the funeral facility portal or by mail.
For more information visit the Maryland Department of Health Division of Vital Records.