Location and Phone
120 S. Hays Street
Bel Air, MD 21014
410-838-1500
Vital records is open for walk-in service of birth and death certificates between the hours of 8 am and 4 pm Monday through Friday excluding state-observed holidays. Vital record services are by appointment only between 3 pm and 3:45 pm. All transactions must be completed by 4 pm. You must go to the Vital Records location in Baltimore City for any corrections or changes to a birth certificate.
On May 1, 2023, the Maryland Vital Records Administration transitioned to a new registration and payment system that affects counties statewide. The system may be down at times during this transition. Process and wait times are slower and longer than usual. We recommend calling before coming in for same day issuing of certificates. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience.
Within the new system, you will be charged prior to the record search for your birth or death certificate. If no record is found or if any issue prevents the certificate from being issued to you, you will be reimbursed immediately if you paid by cash; however, if you paid by a debit or credit card, this refund may take a few days.
You may still obtain birth/death certificates online or through the mail at health.maryland.gov.
Effective July 1, 2019: Cost of Birth Certificates will be $25.00
A partir del 1ro. de julio de 2019: el costo de los certificados de nacimiento será de $ 25.00
You MUST apply in person.
DEBE aplicar en persona y hacer una cita en línea.
To Print a Birth Certificate Application (click here)
Para imprimir una solicitud de certificado de nacimiento (haga clic aquí)
***Please fill out and bring with you***
*** Por favor complétela y traigala a su cita ***
Birth Certificate FAQs
- An individual requesting his/her own birth certificate.
- A parent named on the certificate.
- A court-appointed guardian of the individual named on the certificate. A foster care appointment is not acceptable; proof of guardianship must be submitted.
- A surviving spouse of the individual named on the certificate. Must have copy of deceased spouse death certificate.
- A representative of: (1) the individual or a parent named on the certificate; or (2) the court-appointed guardian of the individual named on the certificate. IF AN INDIVIDUAL IS INFIRMED (of poor or deteriorated vitality. especially: feeble from age), DISABLED, OR NON-AMBULATORY AND NEEDS A CERTIFICATE, then a representative must have a letter signed by the individual, parent, or guardian, and certified by a notary public, stating that the representative has permission to obtain a copy of the certificate
- Current driver's license
- Current ID card issued by the Motor Vehicle Administration
- Current issued passport
- Current U.S. military IF for active service personnel (PX/Base privelege ID is not acceptable)
- Prison photo ID IF it has an issued date and expiration date
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- Pay stub
- Current car registration
- Current bank statement
- Current lease/rental agreement
- Current property deed
- Copy of tax return
- Copy of a W-2 form
- Letter from a government agency requesting the vital record
- Utility bill with current address (i.e. cable, electric bill, etc.)
*Please note that Harford County Health Department follows Harford County Government delays and closures during inclement weather. Please visit our home page to see if the health department is open.*
