by Genealogy sites are quite efficient when it comes to researching family history. There are ways you can find birth records on people who are still alive even in Maryland. This article will act as a guide on how to find birth records in Maryland.
Found in the Mid-Atlantic part of the United States, Maryland has a population of about 6.2 million. Birth records that are available in Maryland date back to 1865. The city of Baltimore started recording births in 1875 while the rest of the state began birth registrations in 1898. However, full compliance with birth registration was achieved in 1910.
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Birth Records in Maryland
Birth records become public information in Maryland after 100 years. Birth records that are less than a hundred years are accessible by close family members only. In fact, to be able to access birth records that were registered within the last 100 years in Maryland, you must fit the following criteria:
- The person on the birth certificate
- The parents of the person on the birth certificate.
- Surviving spouse of the individual named on the certificate.
- An individual with documented legal guardianship of the person on the birth certificate.
A legal representative of any of the above listed individuals also qualifies to obtain birth records in Maryland. They must have in possession with them a signed notarized letter from either the person named on the certificate, parent of the person on the certificate or legal guardian of the person named on the certificate.
The Division of Vital Records (DVR)of the Maryland Health Department (MHD)is the one that handles birth records matters in Maryland. Information that is normally documented by a birth record in Maryland is:
- Full name
- Gender
- Date of birth
- Place of birth
- Full name of parents
There are to types of birth records that the state of Maryland offers. There is the certified birth certificate and the commemorative birth certificate. Certified birth certified, which are also referred to as certificates of live births, are the accepted from of birth records. With them you can meet all legal needs that call for birth records as can be used to prove identity.
Commemorative birth certificates on the other hand, are used for displays by people born in Maryland. Even though they are regarded as legal documents, their purpose is to celebrate births used for honoring someone. Commemorative birth certificates are normally well crafted featuring hand calligraphy, an embossed seal and the signature of the governor.
Birth records are very important vital records in the state of Maryland as they are essential for a number of official legal activities. These include citizenship, a person’s age and identity. You can also use it to obtain documents such a driver’s license and passport. A birth record in Maryland can help you access the following:
- Retirement benefits
- School enrollment
- Employment
- Social security number
- Access to Medicaid
How to Access Maryland Birth Records
Online birth record requests are not processed by the Maryland Division of Vital Records (DVR). There is no online birth records lookup service from this office. Online requests can only be made using third party vital records sites. The Department of Vital Records cannot however, guarantee accuracy of these records since they are not monitored by the state. Their charges and services are not under the supervision of DVR.
Public records are available to the public from traditional, government sources and third party sites. In Maryland you can access public records through the Maryland State Archives. The most convenient of all these sources are third party websites as they offer unlimited searches. They are not regional. When searching for a specific and multiple records, they are the first place to start from. To conduct a search from third party sites, you must have:
- The full name of the person you are looking to find the birth record of (juveniles are not included in this search).
- The location city, county or state) where you want to look up the birth record.
As mentioned before, birth records that are less than 100 years are not available to the public in Maryland unless you are qualify through the above mentioned criteria. Birth records that are registered in Maryland are obtainable through a walk-in and mail-in by the Division of Vital Records. However, applicants are expected to produce enough prove that they are eligible to obtain these records.
Find Birth Records by Mail in Maryland
Individuals who are looking who qualify to obtain birth records by mail in Maryland must follow the following procedure:
- Download and fill up the Application for Certified Copy of Maryland Birth Record
- Include a legitimate copy of a valid government-issued photo ID.
- Settle charges with money order or check which is paid to the Division of Vital Records.
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Mail requests should be forwarded to:
Division of Vital Records
Department of Health
P.O. Box 68760
Baltimore, MD 21215-0036
Birth records can be accessed from Local Health Department (LHD) too.
Find Birth Records in Person in Maryland
In-person requests can be made by visiting a Local Health Department (LHD)or the DVR in Baltimore City. Same day processing is possible through the LHD. The Application for Certified Copy of Maryland Birth Record form must be delivered with the necessary payment. Requestors must also produce a valid photo identification document.
In-person requests should be submitted to:
Division of Vital Records
Maryland Department of Health
6764B Reisterstown Road
Reisterstown Road Plaza
Baltimore, MD 21215-0036
Phone: (410) 764-3038
These ideas can assist you on how to find birth records in Maryland. Public records can be accessed by anyone but birth records need that you follow the above information to get them.
