Name of the Organization : Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Type of Facility : Death and Fetal Death Certificates
State : Maryland
Country : United States of America
Website : http://dhmh.maryland.gov/vsa/Pages/death.aspx
Application Form : https://www.statusin.org/uploads/24458-dcertapplication.pdf
Death and Fetal Death Certificates :
** The Division issues certified copies of death certificates for individuals who died in Maryland in 1969 or thereafter.
Related : Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene Requesting Birth Certificates : www.statusin.org/24446.html
** For copies of records for deaths that occurred prior to 1969, contact the Maryland State Archives.
** If the search provides no record, a Certification of Record Search will be provided.
** If there are errors on an existing death or fetal death certificate, call the Division of Vital Records for information on how to request corrections.
The Following Persons May Apply :
** Surviving relative of the deceased
** Authorized representative of a surviving relative of the deceased
** Funeral director who was in charge of the final disposition of the body of the deceased
** An individual who has a proven legal need
** Court of law
The Following Identification is Required :
** In order to receive same day service, an applicant must present a valid, unexpired, government-issued photo ID displaying a date issued and an expiration date.
** Applicants unable to provide valid photo ID will not be able to receive their requests the same day and must provide two (2) different pieces of alternative documentation.
** At least one of these documents must contain your current mailing address.
Acceptable documents are :
** Pay stub
** Current car registration
** Bank statement
** Letter from a government agency requesting a vital record
** Lease/rental agreement
** Utility bill with current address
** Copy of income tax return/W-2 form
Length of Wait :
** If application is made in person, certificates can be received the same day if valid photo identification is provided.
** The turnaround time for mail received is 3-4 weeks.
Fees :
** When obtaining a death certificate from the Division of Vital Records in Baltimore, there is a $24 fee ($12 fee for each additional copy).
** Effective July 1, 2016, the fee for the first copy of a death certificate purchased in a single transaction will be reduced to $10.
** The fee for additional copies of a certificate purchased in the same transaction will remain at $12.
** If a record cannot be located, the verification fee is not refunded and a Certification of Record
Search will be provided.
** Online requests through VitalChek Network, Inc include an additional $9.75 charge per order and additional fee of $15.50 if express mail is requested.
To Apply By Mail :
Download an application to obtain a copy of a death certificate –
** Download (Word) (requires Microsoft Word)
** Download (PDF) (requires Adobe Reader – free download)
** Please mail the application, photocopies of required identification, 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.
To Apply In Person :
** Death certificates for individuals with valid, government-issued photo identification are available for same day service at the Division of Vital Records in Baltimore located at 6550 Reisterstown Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21215.
** Acceptable forms of payment are cash, check, or money order made payable to the Division of Vital Records.
** Within 30 days of a death, copies of the record may also be obtained from the local health department in which the funeral director filed the death certificate, with the exception of Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel County health departments.
** You must apply in person at the appropriate local health department.
To Apply Online :
** The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene does not accept online orders;
** however, 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 (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa) are accepted. **