How to Find Maryland Death Records

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How to Find United States Deaths District of Columbia Deaths

In 1801, District of Columbia was created from the states of Virginia and Maryland. Statewide registration of births began in 1874.

Next Step: When did the death occur?	Birth Records Choose a time period: Before 1855 1855 thru 1873 1874 thru 1959 1960 to present Year unknown

Learn more about U.S. Death Records

Deaths before 1855

• Before 1855, no deaths were recorded by the District. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.
• The District of Columbia did not exist until 1801 with portions coming from the state of Virginia and the state of Maryland. Before 1801, be sure to search substitute records for Virginia and Maryland.
  

Records that give death information:
Death Records Cemetery Records Newspapers	Church Records Census Military Records

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Deaths from 1855 thru 1873

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the resources below, try searching for death information in other records.

For deaths that exist during the time period, try the following database.

Try
	Order the death record from the District of Columbia Department of Health ($)	The District of Columbia Department of Health office will do a 3-year search of their indexes if you do not know the exact date of death. ($) Records more than 50 years old are available to anyone.
No death record for your ancestor?		Other records with death information.

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.

Death Records on Microfilm

Death records are available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center.

District of Columbia, Interments, 1855-1874 

• Step 1: Find your ancestor in the FHL film 1994618-Index.
• Step 2: Look up the corresponding record. FHL film 1994617 Note: Civil War years (July 1852-1865) are missing.

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Deaths 1874 thru 1959

Obtain the Certificate

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for death information in other records.

For deaths that exist during the time period, try the following database.

District of Columbia Deaths Database - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
	District of Columbia, Death Returns, 1874-1959 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; Online death index and images. Search the index. Click "View Image" to see the original record.
Try 2nd:
	Order the death record from the District of Columbia Department of Health ($)	The Department of Health will do a 3-year search of their indexes if you do not know the exact date of death. ($) Records more than 50 years old are available to anyone. See restrictions for deaths less than 50 years old.
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No death record for your ancestor?		Other records with death information

For a fee, the District of Columbia Department of Health office will do a 3 year search.

See list of restrictions for ordering death records

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.

Death Records on Microfilm

Death records are available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center.

District of Columbia, Death Certificates, 1874-1931; index 1874-1949 

• Step 1: Find your ancestor in the Index.
• Step 2: Look up the corresponding record. Films Note: Civil War years (July 1852-1865) are missing.

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Deaths from 1960 to Present

Obtain the Certificate

PART A: You know the exact date of death

With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the District of Columbia Department of Health.

To Order death Records
From DC Dept of Health
Pros	Cons
Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee.	Death records less than 50 years old may only be ordered by immediate family members.

See list of restrictions for ordering death records

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.

PART B: You don't know the exact date of death

If you do not know the exact date or place of death:
For a fee, the District of Columbia Department of Health office will do a 3 year search of their indexes. 

See list of restrictions for ordering death records

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.

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Restrictions for Obtaining Death Records

Restrictions for persons born within the last 100 years:
To obtain a copy of the death certificate for those born within the last 100 years from the government agency, you must be:

• The person on the certificate
• The parents of person on the certificate
• The wife or husband of the person on the certificate
• The children of the person on the certificate
  
• Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate

NOTE: A copy of the death record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 50 years have passed from the date of the death.

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.

Return to top: Choose another death year

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