Introduction to Maryland Death Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a Maryland Death certificate.  Counter to common belief, not everything is on the Internet.  Personal Death certificates are one of the items that are not readily available online, and that is probably a good thing.  You do not want your Death certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your Death certificate.  

Maryland Death certificates have been maintained by the Division of Vital Records of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for individuals that died in the state of Maryland since 1898. Records for city of Baltimore are available from January 1875.

Maryland Death Certificate Authorized Persons

By Maryland state law, Maryland Death certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Surviving relative of the person named on the Maryland Death Certificate
• Funeral director who was in charge of the final disposition of the body of the person named on the Maryland Death Certificate
• An individual who has a proven legal need
• Court of law
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the Maryland Death Certificate

Maryland Death Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

For genealogical studies, you must apply through the Maryland State Archives, 350 Rowe Blvd., Annapolis, MD 21401, (410) 260-6400.

Maryland Death Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Maryland Death Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Maryland Death Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Maryland Death Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order Maryland Death Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Maryland Death certificate online.  It usually takes 1-2 weeks upon receipt of request to be sent to you:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the Maryland Death certificate:

• Full name of person at Death on the Maryland Death certificate
• Date of Death on the Maryland Death certificate
• Sex on the Maryland Death certificate
• County (or city) of Death on the Maryland Death certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Maryland Death certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Maryland Death certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

Division of Vital Records

P.O. Box 68760

Baltimore, Maryland 21215-0036

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in Maryland: You may go to any county health department in the State of Maryland to obtain a certified copy of a Maryland Death certificate. Most Maryland Death certificates can be issued while you wait.

Maryland Death Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a Maryland Death certificate is $12.00, which includes one certified copy of the Maryland Death certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Maryland Death certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $12.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "Division of Vital Records." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.