Birth Certificates
Certified copies of birth certificates are available at the Washington County Health Department for births recorded in the state of Maryland from 1940 to the present. You must come into the main health department building at 1302 Pennsylvania Ave., Hagerstown, to receive the copy of your birth certificate, as we do not accept mailed-in applications.
Eligible applicants for this same-day service include –
- Individual asking for his/her own birth certificate
- Parent or guardian of the individual for whom a birth certificate copy is needed. Proof of guardianship must be submitted. A foster care appointment is not acceptable.
- 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.
IN-PERSON ONLY ORDERING INFORMATION:
Bring completed application, government-issued photo identification* and fee* (Cash, Visa and MasterCard are accepted) to:
Washington County Health Department
1302 Pennsylvania Ave.
Hagerstown, MD 21742
Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-3:45 p.m.
*Fee is $20.
* A valid, unexpired, government-issued, photo ID is required (Driver’s License, Passport, MVA issued ID card, US Military ID). Applicants who are unable to supply this must present TWO pieces of acceptable alternative documentation from the list below.
- Utility bill with current address
- Current vehicle registration
- Current pay stub
- Current bank statement
- Copy of a tax return or W-2
- Request from a government agency for the vital record
- Current lease/rental agreement
- Recent medical bill/statement
Requests for copies by Mail, Online or by Phone are only available from the Maryland Department of Health, Division of Vital Records in Baltimore, Md. The applicant must be one of the three individuals listed on the birth certificate. Phone – 410-764-3038.
For Maryland births recorded prior to 1940, please contact the Maryland Department of Health, Division of Vital Records.
Affidavit to Add/Correct Name
For children younger than age 1, corrections can be made to given names on birth certificates. Upon receipt of a notarized affidavit, the Division of Vital Records will issue a corrected birth certificate free of charge.
Contact the Washington County Health Department or the Maryland Department of Health, Division of Vital Records to determine if you meet the requirements for a change and to obtain a copy of the affidavit form. Once the affidavit is completed and notarized, mail to:
State of Maryland
Division of Vital Records
Reisterstown Road Plaza
6550 Reisterstown Road
Baltimore, MD 21215
NOTE: To correct the spelling of a name other than the child’s name, supporting documentation will be required.
Death Certificates
Bring completed application , government-issued photo identification* and fee* (Cash, Visa and MasterCard are accepted) to:
Washington County Health Department
1302 Pennsylvania Ave.
Hagerstown, MD 21742
Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
*Fee is $20.
A surviving relative of the deceased must prove relationship to the deceased with documentation such as:
- Birth Certificate
- Marriage Certificate
- Obituary
- Letter of Administration
- Signed by the Court Clerk or the Register of Wills
- Authorization of Release
- Signed by a surviving relative
- Must include a copy of the surviving relative’s valid ID
- Must include name of deceased
- Must include relationship of surviving relative to deceased
- Letter from the insurance company
- Deed
- Vehicle Title
Requests for copies by Mail, Online or by Phone are only available from the Maryland Department of Health, Division of Vital Records in Baltimore, Md. Phone – 410-764-3038.
To obtain death records for genealogical purposes, contact the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis (telephone number 410-260-6400).
