Birth Certificates

Requests In-Person

Certified copies of birth certificates for individuals born in Maryland after 1940 may be obtained in person:

Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: St. Mary’s County Health Department Main Office in Leonardtown
Fee: $25 per certificate

You are an eligible applicant for same-day service if you are the:

• Individual asking for his/her own birth certificate.
• Parent or guardian (a foster care appointment is not acceptable) of the individual for whom a birth certificate copy is needed. Proof of guardianship must be submitted.
• Representative of the person, parent, or guardian with written permission to obtain the birth certificate. The letter of written permission must be certified by a notary public.

A valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID is required. Applicants who are unable to supply a valid photo ID must present two pieces of alternative documentation. Acceptable alternative documents include:

• Social Security card
• Pay stub
• Current car registration
• Bank statement
• Letter from a government agency
• Lease/rental agreement
• Utility bill with current address
• Copy of your income tax return
• W-2 return

At least one of these documents must contain your current mailing address.

Note: Applicants unable to provide a valid photo ID will not be able to receive their certificates the same day. Their certificates will be mailed to the address displayed on the documents provided.

We accept cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. Checks should be made out to the St. Mary’s County Health Department for birth certificate requests made in person at the department.