Updated – November 2022
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, 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 (link to download below), 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.-4 p.m.
Questions? Call 240-313-3395.
*EFFECTIVE DEC. 1, 2022, the fee has been adjusted to $20.00.
* A valid, unexpired, government-issued, photo ID is required. Applicants who are unable to supply this must present TWO pieces of acceptable alternative documentation from the list below. At least one of these documents must contain your current mailing address:
- 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
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
For in-person requests, please bring completed application (link for download above) 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.
Questions? Call 240-313-3395.
Cash, Visa, and MasterCard are accepted. The fee is $25.00 for the first certified copy and $20.00 for each additional certified copy, on the same day.
*EFFECTIVE DEC. 1, 2022, the fee has been adjusted to $20.00.
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.
