How to Get a Maryland Death Certificate (2026)

You get a Maryland death certificate from the Division of Vital Records at the Maryland Department of Health. Eligible requesters include a surviving relative, an authorized representative, or the funeral director who handled the disposition. The first certified copy costs $10, and each additional copy in the same order is $12.

How Do You Get a Death Certificate in Maryland?

You get a Maryland death certificate from the Division of Vital Records (DVR) at the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), located at 201 W. Preston Street in Baltimore. DVR is the central state office that issues certified copies of death records for deaths that occurred in Maryland.

Maryland offers four main ways to request a death certificate.

Order Online

You can order online through VitalChek, the state's authorized independent vendor at www.vitalchek.com. Online orders are convenient but carry a $13.00 internet surcharge in addition to the certificate fee, plus the vendor's own processing charge.

Order by Mail

You can mail a completed application, photocopies of your required identification, your entitlement documentation, the fee, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Division of Vital Records, P.O. Box 68760, Baltimore, MD 21215-0036. Payment by mail must be a check or money order made payable to the Division of Vital Records.

Order in Person

The DVR lobby in Baltimore serves customers by appointment only. An in-person visit lets you submit your application and documents directly to staff.

Order Through a Local Health Department

Some local health departments in Maryland also process death certificate requests. Availability and accepted record types vary by county, so confirm with your local office before visiting.

Who Is Eligible to Request a Maryland Death Certificate?

Maryland limits certified death certificates to people with a direct connection to the deceased. The certificate is a legal document used for estate, insurance, and benefits matters, so eligibility is restricted.

The following requesters are eligible:

• A surviving relative of the deceased.
• An authorized representative acting on behalf of a surviving relative.
• The funeral director who was in charge of the final disposition of the body.
• A person or business with a documented legal or property interest, such as an insurer, or someone presenting a court order.

A surviving relative must prove their relationship to the deceased with documentation such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or obituary. An authorized representative must provide a Letter of Administration signed by the court, or a signed Authorization of Release that includes a copy of the surviving relative's valid photo ID, the deceased's name, and the relationship.

You must also present a current, government-issued photo ID with your request.

Maryland Death Certificate Cost and Processing Time

A Maryland death certificate costs $10.00 for the first certified copy and $12.00 for each additional copy ordered in the same transaction. These are the state fees set by the Division of Vital Records.

If you order online through VitalChek, a $13.00 internet surcharge applies, plus the vendor's separate processing fee. Expedited shipping is available on internet orders for an additional $20.00; mail orders cannot use expedited shipping.

Processing time depends on how you order. In-person appointments are typically the fastest, while mail requests take longer because they include transit and review time. If a death was recently registered, the record may take several weeks to become available depending on the reporting medical facility. Order well ahead of any deadline for probate or insurance claims.

Certified vs Informational Copy in Maryland

In Maryland, the Division of Vital Records issues certified copies of death certificates. A certified copy is an official document with a raised or printed seal and is accepted for legal purposes such as settling an estate, claiming life insurance, transferring property, and closing financial accounts.

Maryland does not market a separate consumer "informational" or non-certified death certificate for modern records the way some states do. For deaths in 2012 or later, the certified copy from DVR is the standard document you will receive.

For deaths that occurred before 2012, the Maryland State Archives holds the records. Older archived records are generally requested for genealogical or historical research rather than for current legal transactions.

How to Get Additional or Replacement Copies

You can order additional or replacement copies the same way you order the first one: online through VitalChek, by mail, in person by appointment, or through a participating local health department. When you order more than one copy in a single transaction, each additional copy costs $12.00.

Estate administration often requires multiple certified copies, because banks, insurers, the motor vehicle agency, and the court may each want an original. Ordering several copies at once is usually cheaper and faster than placing separate orders later. If you lose a copy or need more after the fact, you can submit a new request with the same eligibility documentation and photo ID.

Disclaimer: This page provides general information about obtaining a Maryland death certificate and is not legal advice. Fees, processing times, and eligibility rules can change. Always verify the current requirements with the Maryland Division of Vital Records before submitting a request.

Sources

This page draws on the Maryland Department of Health, Division of Vital Records official guidance on obtaining death certificates, including its fee schedule and entitlement documentation requirements.

For the broader picture of access rules, see Maryland Death Records and the national Death Records by State guide.