Dorchester Health Department

The process to apply and receive an official copy of a Maryland birth certificate lasts between 3 and 5 weeks. 

If you submit your application and do not include the payment or required documents, it will delay the process. 

By including all the necessary documentation, you can avoid longer processing times and receive your certificate as scheduled. 

You can also save time when applying for a copy of your birth certificate by using our online Vital Records office database to find the correct location to receive your document.

The fee to apply for a new copy of a birth certificate in Maryland is $10. The payment may be carried out either by personal check or money order. 

The check or money order must be paid in full to the Division of Vital Records. 

If you would like more than one copy, you need to pay an added fee for each additional copy that you order. The processing fee for each additional copy is also $10.

A valid form of photo identification is required to submit an application for a Maryland birth record.

Only an unexpired government-issued photo identification will be accepted, you should submit one of the following:

• Driver’s license

• Non-driver’s license ID card

• U.S. Passport

• Other government-issued photo-ID

The identification should clearly state the date that it was issued and the expiry date. Any ID that does not meet these criteria will likely be denied, and your application will be delayed.