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.
You may still obtain birth/death certificates online or through the mail at health.maryland.gov.
You MUST apply in person
Print a Death Certificate Application (click here)
***Please fill out and bring with you***
Death Certificate FAQs
- 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
- 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
- pay stub
- current car registration
- current bank statement
- letter from a government agency
- lease/rental agreement
- utility bill with current address
- copy of your income tax return or W-2 form
*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.*
