Vital Records

Did You Know? Birth Certificates are also available by mail from State of Maryland, Division of Vital Records, Baltimore, Maryland – Application for a Copy or Abstract of Birth Certificate

The Anne Arundel County Department of Health provides certified copies of birth and death certificates at its headquarters in Annapolis. A certified copy of a birth certificate may be used for retirement purposes, passports, social services, school enrollment and legal purposes. Due to the FEDERAL REAL ID Act, documents (including a certified copy of a birth certificate) may be required to renew your Maryland Driver’s License or Identification Card.

Vital record information is also available online: 

• https://health.maryland.gov/vsa/Pages/home.aspx 
• https://www.vitalchek.com 
• By mail to: Division of Vital Records, P.O. Box 68760, Baltimore, MD 21215
• By calling MDH Vital Records at 410-764-3038, push 1

Birth certificates for individuals born in Maryland after 1942 may be obtained for a $20 fee at the Health Services Building, 3 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401

To obtain a Maryland birth certificate:

• Apply in person
• Present a valid government ID with photo. The ID must have the date issued as well as an expiration date.
• Copies of birth certificates can only be given to the individual whose name is listed on the birth certificate, the mother or father listed on the birth certificate, or an individual with papers showing custody of the person whose name is listed on the birth certificate.
• Pay $20 fee with cash; Discover, Mastercard or Visa credit* and debit cards; or check made payable to Controller, Anne Arundel County. *There is a 2.2% fee for use of credit cards.
• Anne Arundel County Department of Health’s Application for a Copy or Abstract of Birth Certificate – Must Apply in Person.

Another option to receive a copy or abstract of a birth certificate: 
State of Maryland, Division of Vital Records, Baltimore, Maryland – Application for a Copy or Abstract of Birth Certificate

Home Births

Assisted Home Birth Registration:
Anne Arundel County residents planning to have a home birth assisted by a licensed clinician can find more information about registering a home birth at:
health.maryland.gov/vsa/Pages/homebirth.aspx.

1. Home Births: Benefits and Tips
2. Joint Statement on Planned Home Births

Unplanned or Unassisted Home Birth Registration:
Anne Arundel County residents who have had an unplanned home birth or a home birth unassisted by a licensed clinician can contact 410-222-7223 or email HDSQI@aacounty.org to receive further instructions on registering the birth of their newborn with Vital Records.

To Pre-Register Your Unassisted Home Birth:
Pre-registration simplifies the registration process of an unassisted home birth that will take place after the baby is born.

1. Call 410-222-7223 or email HDSQI@aacounty.org to pre-register your pregnancy.
2. Within the first 2 weeks of the delivery a public health nurse will:
   1. Verify the live birth
   2. Complete a verification of birth worksheet
   3. Offer health education and linkage to community resources

For more information about registering an unassisted or unplanned home birth please visit: health.maryland.gov/vsa/Pages/homebirth.aspx.

For Funeral Directors

Monday through Friday
8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Fax requests to 410-222-4424.

For the Public by Appointment Only

By Appointment Only at 410-222-4462 
Monday through Friday 
11 a.m. – 12 noon and 12:45 p.m. – 3 p.m. 
(Closed between noon and 12:45 p.m.)

Death certificates for individuals who died in Maryland since 2015 may be obtained by funeral directors, at the Health Services Building, 3 Harry S. Truman Parkway Annapolis, MD 21401. Certified death certificates are $18 for the first certificate and $20 for each additional certificate. There is a 2.2% fee for the use of credit cards. Also, see Death and Fetal Death Certificates-Maryland Vital Statistics.