Birth & Death Certificates

Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed: 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM for lunch

Location: Seth H. Hurdle Building, Second Floor, 108 East Main Street, Salisbury, MD 21804

Birth Certificates

*Birth Certificates are $22.00. There is no fee for a copy of a certificate of a current or former armed forces member that is requested by the member. Proof of service in the armed forces must be provided. There is also no fee for homeless individuals. A written statement from a homeless service provider in the state affirming that the individual is homeless is needed; and it must include the address to which the copy of the birth certificate requested may be sent. (If you were born outside of Maryland you must obtain your birth certificate from the state that you were born). This office cannot make any changes or corrections to a birth certificates. To request a correction or change you must contact the Maryland Division of Vital Records.

Persons who can apply:

An individual requesting their own birth certificate
A parent named on the certificate
A court-appointed guardian of the individual named on the certificate (must have court documents)
A representative of the person or the parent named on the birth certificate. The representative must have a signed letter from a person named on the certificate giving them permission to obtain it. The letter must also be certified by a notary public.

To receive same day service the following Identification is required:

Valid state identification card/Drivers License
Current U.S. issued passport
Military ID for Active Service Personnel
Prison ID with picture (must have expiration date)

Applicants who are unable to provide a valid photo ID will not be able to receive certificates the same day. The applicant must provide two (2) different pieces of alternative documentation. At least one of these documents must contain your current mailing address. The certificate will be mailed to the address displayed on the documentation provided. Acceptable documents are:

Current pay stub
Current car registration
Current bank statement
Current lease / rent agreement
Current property deed
Utility bill with current address
Copy of tax return / W2

Maryland Birth Certificates ONLY – Birth Certificate Application

(Applicants born before 1940 must obtain their birth certificate from the Maryland Division of Vital Records in Baltimore, MD)

Death Certificates

*Death certificates are $20.00 for the first copy and $22.00 for each copy after the first one that is bought within 24 hours. The certificates for deaths that occurred on or after January 1, 2015 can be purchased at the Wicomico County Health Dept. Any deaths that occurred on or before December 31, 2014 will have to be purchased from Vital Statistics in Baltimore, MD.

Persons who can apply:

Surviving relative of the deceased
Authorized representative of a surviving relative of the deceased
Funeral director who was in charge of the final disposition of the body of the deceased
An individual who has a proven legal need
Court of law

To receive same day service the following Identification is required:

Valid state identification card/Drivers License
Current U.S. issued passport
Military ID for Active Service Personnel
Prison ID with picture (must have expiration date)

If you do not have one of the identifications listed above you can also receive a death certificate by mail with two different pieces of alternative documentation. At least one of these documents must contain your current mailing address. Acceptable documents are:

Current pay stub
Current car registration
Current bank statement
Current lease / rent agreement
Current property deed
Utility bill with current address
Copy of tax return / W2

In addition to Identification, customers will need to provide one of the Death Certificate Entitlement Documentation documents below:

A surviving relative of the deceased must prove relationship to the deceased with documentation such as:

Birth Certificate
Marriage Certificate
Obituary

An authorized representative of a surviving relative of the deceased will need documentation such as:

Letter of Administration
Signed by the Court Clerk or the Register of Wills
OR
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

If required by a court of law, provide a copy of the court order

If making an insurance claim or other type of business need, you must provide documentation such as:

Letter from the insurance company
Deed
Vehicle Title

Maryland Death Certificates ONLY – Death Certificate Application