How to Find Maryland Birth Records
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How to Find United States Births 
Maryland Births
In 1863, Maryland was created from the state of Virginia. Statewide registration of births began in 1917 in Maryland and was generally complied with by 1925. The counties have copies of these records.
Next Step: When did the birth occur? |
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Births before 1853
Maryland did not exist at this time and was known as the state of Virginia. Before 1853, no births were recorded by the county or state. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place.
| Records that give birth information: | ||
Births from 1853 thru 1912
- 1853 - Virginia law required counties to record births
- Maryland was created from the state of Virginia in 1863
- From 1853-1879, 15% of the births were recorded
- From 1880-1920, 65% of the births were recorded
- 1917 - Maryland Statewide birth registration began
If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for birth information in other records.
For births that exist during the time period, try the following databases.
| Maryland Births Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images | ||||
| Try 1st: | ||||
| 1853-1930 - At Maryland Division of Culture and History | Free; most counties go to 1930: list of database county coverage (right side of the screen) on WV website; collection also contains delayed birth records | |||
| Try 2nd: | ||||
| 1853-1930 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; not all counties are complete to 1930: list of database county coverage (right side of the screen) on WV website; collection also contains delayed birth records; click on "view partner website" to see a copy of the image | |||
| Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | |||
| No birth record for your ancestor? | Other records with birth information | |||
Births from 1913 thru 1930
STEP ONE: Find Birth Information
Limited births maybe found in the following databases. Try each link. If you do not find your ancestor's birth or if you want order a copy of the certificate, then contact the Maryland Department of Health office.
| Maryland Births Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images | ||||
| Try 1st: | ||||
| 1853-1930 - At Maryland Division of Culture and History | Free; most counties go to 1930: list of database county coverage (right side of the screen) on WV website; collection also contains delayed birth records | |||
| Try 2nd: | ||||
| 1853-1930 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; not all counties are complete to 1930: list of database county coverage (right side of the screen) on WV website; collection also contains delayed birth records; click on "view partner website" to see a copy of the image | |||
| Next try: | ||||
| Ancestry database: Includes Index Only | ||||
| Choose one of the following: | ||||
| 1853-1969 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries | Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center | |||
| 1853-1969 - use your own Ancestry subscription | $, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library | |||
| Can't access Ancestry? | Go to Step Two: Part B listed below. You may be able to order the birth record for your ancestor from the Maryland Department of Health State Office. | |||
| Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | |||
| No birth record for your ancestor? | Other records with birth information | |||
STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
PART A: You know the exact date of birth
With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the following locations:
| To Order Birth Certificates | |||
| From County of Birth | From WV Dept. of Health State office | ||
| Pros | Cons | Pros | Cons |
| May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state | County websites can be more difficult to use | Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee | May be more expensive than ordering from the county |
See list of restrictions for ordering birth records
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.
PART B: You don't know the exact date of birth
If you do not know the exact date or place of birth:
For a fee, the Maryland Department of Health office will do a 3 year search.
See list of restrictions for ordering birth records
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.
Births from 1931 thru 1969
Limited births maybe found in the following databases. Try each link. If you do not find your ancestor's birth or if you want order a copy of the certificate, then contact the Maryland Vital Registration office.
STEP ONE: Find Birth Information
| Ancestry Database: Includes Index Only | ||||
| Choose one of the following: | ||||
| 1853-1969 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries | Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center | |||
| 1853-1969 - use your Ancestry subscription | $, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library | |||
| Can't access Ancestry? | Go to Step Two: Part B listed below. You may be able to order the birth record for your ancestor from the Maryland Department of Health State Office. | |||
| Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | |||
| No birth record for your ancestor? | Other records with birth information | |||
STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
PART A: You know the exact date of birth
With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the following locations:
| To Order Birth Certificates | |||
| From County of Birth | From WV Dept. of Health State office | ||
| Pros | Cons | Pros | Cons |
| May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state | County websites can be more difficult to use | Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee | May be more expensive than ordering from the county |
See list of restrictions for ordering birth records
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.
PART B: You don't know the exact date of birth
If you do not know the exact date or place of birth:
For a fee, the Maryland Department of Health office will do a 3 year search.
See list of restrictions for ordering birth records
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.
Births after 1969
PART A: You know the exact date of birth
With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the following locations:
| To Order Birth Certificates | |||
| From County of Birth | From WV Dept. of Health State office | ||
| Pros | Cons | Pros | Cons |
| May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state | County websites can be more difficult to use | Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee | May be more expensive than ordering from the county |
See list of restrictions for ordering birth records
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.
PART B: You don't know the exact date of birth
If you do not know the exact date or place of birth:
For a fee, the Maryland Department of Health office will do a 3 year search.
See list of restrictions for ordering birth records
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.
Restrictions for Obtaining Birth Records
Restrictions for persons born within the last 100 years:
To obtain a copy of the birth certificate for those born within the last 100 years from the government agency, you must be:
- The person on the certificate
- The parents and grandparents of person on the certificate
- The wife or husband of the person on the certificate
- The children and grandchildren of the person on the certificate
- The brothers or sisters of the person on the certificate
- Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate
- NOTE: A copy of the birth record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 100 years have passed from the date of the birth.
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.
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