In Maryland, certified death certificates are issued by Division of Vital Records, Maryland Department of Health. The state fee is $10 for the first certified copy and $12 for each additional copy.
Here is who can order a certified copy, how to order it, and how long it takes, taken from the office’s own pages. Fees and times change, so check the office’s page before you pay.
How much a death certificate costs in Maryland
| Item | State fee |
|---|---|
| First certified copy | $10 |
| Each additional copy | $12 |
$10 first copy; $12 each additional copy of the same certificate in the same transaction (additional copies cost MORE than the first). Internet orders add $13 and optional $20 expedited shipping. Local health department fees vary.
Who can order a certified copy
A surviving relative or authorized representative of the deceased, or the funeral director in charge of final disposition. Entitlement documentation is required.
How to order
- Online (official vendor: VitalChek)
- In person
- County/local office
Certificates may also be ordered at some local health departments.
How long it takes
MDH Processing Time page: DVR lobby orders "Same Day"; mail orders "6 weeks"; online orders "5 weeks with regular shipping / 3 weeks with expedited shipping" (temporarily increased due to demand).
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The funeral home’s role
The funeral director in charge of final disposition may apply; funeral facilities can order through a funeral facility portal or by mail.
DVR issues copies only for deaths in Maryland in 2012 or later; earlier deaths must be requested from the Maryland State Archives. The DVR lobby is by appointment only.
How many copies to order
Most banks, insurers, pension plans and government agencies each want their own certified copy. Count the accounts and policies before you order, because ordering more later means another application and fee. How many death certificates you need has a worksheet.
Who decides the funeral in Maryland
State law sets who has the right to make funeral arrangements. See who has the right to make funeral decisions in Maryland.
Related guides
- What to do when someone dies: the first 24 hours
- Who to call when someone dies, and in what order
- How much a funeral costs, line by line
- Help paying for a funeral: Social Security, VA and FEMA
- Official funeral resources for every state
Sources
- Division of Vital Records, Maryland Department of Health
- CDC: Where to Write for Vital Records (Maryland)
- Division of Vital Records, Maryland Department of Health
- Division of Vital Records, Maryland Department of Health
Checked 2026-09-24. General information, not legal advice.