Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates and divorce decrees are signed by Maryland officials. They don't need a notary or a county clerk, so the only office involved is the Secretary of State. For most people that means one envelope and a $5 check.
This route only works for certified copies. If someone notarized a photocopy of your certificate, it becomes a notarized document and has to go through the county clerk route instead, and many countries will reject it.
Choose your document
Birth Certificate
Get it from Maryland Division of Vital Records (births from 1923 on), a county health department, or the Maryland State Archives (older records).
Do it yourselfDeath Certificate
Get it from Maryland Division of Vital Records (deaths after 2012) or the Maryland State Archives (1898 to 2012).
Do it yourselfMarriage Certificate
Get it from the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county that issued the marriage license, or the Maryland State Archives (1914 to 2011).
Do it yourselfDivorce Decree
Get it from the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county that granted the divorce.
The five steps
- Get a certified copyOrder it from the office that issued it: Vital Records or a county health department for birth and death certificates, the county Circuit Court clerk for marriage certificates and divorce decrees.
- Write a short cover noteSay which country the document will be used in, and give your name, phone and email in case the office has a question.
- Prepare payment$5 per document by US check or money order made out to the Secretary of State.
- Include return postageA stamped self-addressed envelope, or a prepaid FedEx or UPS label.
- Mail it or walk it inSend everything to the Maryland Secretary of State, Certification Desk, 16 Francis Street, Annapolis, MD 21401. Walk-in service is Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Wineland Building.
What goes in the envelope
- The certified copy (original, not a photocopy)
- A note with the destination country and your contact details
- Check or money order: $5 × number of documents, payable to "Secretary of State"
- Stamped self-addressed envelope or prepaid FedEx/UPS label
How long it takes
| Return method | Typical time after arrival |
|---|---|
| FedEx or UPS prepaid label | 3–4 days |
| USPS Priority Mail | 3–4 days |
| Regular mail | 7–14 business days |
| Walk-in, Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. | Usually same visit |
Source: Maryland Secretary of State. Times can change; check the official page before you mail.
When it makes sense to use us instead
- You live outside Maryland or abroad and can't easily send a US check or return envelope.
- You have a deadline and want same-day filing in Annapolis.
- You have a mix of documents, some of which need the county clerk.
- You want someone to check the document before it is filed.