Maryland - To Obtain a certified copy of a fetal death certificate

ProcedureEdit

Division of Vital RecordsEdit

By Mail

Complete and mail an application along with photocopies of required identification, fee, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

The Division of Vital Records,

P.O. box 68760,

Baltimore, MD 21215-0036.

Note: Write "Fetal Death" on the application. If you cannot download the application form, you may provide the information listed on 'Required Information' section on a separate sheet.

In Person

You may also submit a request in person and receive the certificate on the same day by going to the Division of Vital Records Office in Baltimore located at 6550 Reisterstown Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21215.

You must present a valid, unexpired, government-issued photo ID displaying a date issued and an expiration date. Applicants unable to supply valid photo ID must present two (2) different pieces of alternative documentation. See 'Required Documents' section to know more.

Online

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene does not accept credit cards or online orders; however, for your convenience, you can process online requests through an independent company that the office have partnered with to provide you this service; VitalChek Network, Inc.

Go online and simply follow the steps to place an order. Orders may be placed Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for using this service and all major credit cards are accepted. You will receive an e-mail notification once your certificate is shipped. If your shipment is via UPS, you will also receive the UPS tracking number.

VitalChek can be reached either through its website, www.vitalchek.com, or through the Division of Vital Records by telephone at 410-764-3170.

Required DocumentsEdit

An applicant is required to present valid, unexpired, government-issued photo identification. The identification must have a date issued and an expiration date.

Applicants who are unable to supply valid photo identification must present two (2) pieces of alternative documentation. The two pieces of alternative documentation must be different types, i.e., a pay stub and a telephone billnot two pay stubs or two telephone bills. At least one of these documents must contain the applicants current mailing address. The certificates will be mailed to the address displayed on the document(s) provided for identification. Acceptable documents are:

Pay stub
Current car registration
Bank statement
Letter from a government agency requesting a vital record
Lease/rental agreement
Utility bill with current address
Copy of income tax return/W-2 form

Mailed in requests: a self-addressed, stamped, legal size envelope, must be sent along with the completed application and the payment.

Office Locations & ContactsEdit

The Division of Vital Records
6550 Reisterstown Road
Reisterstown Road Plaza
Baltimore, MD 21215

For general information regarding birth, death, or marriage certificates: 410-764-3038 (Baltimore local call)

Vital Statistics Administration - Website

EligibilityEdit

Only persons 18 years of age or older may obtain a certified copy of a fetal death certificate. In addition, to protect the confidentiality rights of Maryland citizens only the parents of a fetus or another person authorized by one of the parents may obtain a certified copy of a fetal death certificate.

FeesEdit

Division of Vital Records of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Fetal death certificates obtained at the Baltimore office are $12.00 per copy.

Notes:

Requests submitted in person: You may pay for the fee in cash, check, or money order.
Mailed in requests: Include a check or money order only, made payable to the Division of Vital Records.
If a record cannot be located, the certificate fee is not refunded and a Certification of Record Search will be provided.
If you wish to obtain a copy of a certificate from a local health department, please be advised that you may be charged a processing fee in addition to the certificate fee. Get in touch with the local health department in your jurisdiction for more information on additional charges.
Fees for current or former members of the armed forces: The Department does not collect a fee for:
- a copy of a certificate of a current or former armed forces member that is requested by the member; or
- a copy of a certificate of a current or former armed forces member or of a surviving spouse or child of the member, if the copy will be used in connection with a claim for a dependent or beneficiary of the member.

VitalChek

VitalChek, a nongovernmental agency, provides a credit card service (MasterCard, Visa, Visa Debit Card, Discover, and American Express) that may be used for telephone, online, and fax orders only. There is an additional $9.75 charge per order for this service. There is an additional fee of $15.50 if express mail is requested.

ValidityEdit

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to UseEdit

Division of Vital Records of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene:

Application for a copy of a Death Certificate - Word File / PDF / (Ingls / Espaol)-PDF

Sample DocumentsEdit

Please attach sample completed documents which would help other people who would like to follow this procedure.

Processing TimeEdit

Mailed in Request: You may receive your certificate in 3-4 weeks.
In Person: Same day service available

InstructionsEdit

Division of Vital Records of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issues certified copies of birth, death, fetal death, and marriage certificates for events that occur in Maryland. The Division also provides divorce verifications. The Division issues certified copies of death certificates for individuals who died in Maryland in 1969 or thereafter. For copies of records for deaths that occurred prior to 1969, contact the Maryland State Archives.

Local Health Department: Within 30 days of a death, copies of the record may also be obtained from the local health department in which the funeral director filed the death certificate, with the exception of Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel County health departments. You must apply in person at the appropriate local health department.

Ways to obtain a copy of the death certificate: You may send your request by mail, in person or online.

Required InformationEdit

Date of application
Name of deceased (first/middle/last)
Date of death (month/day/year)
Place where death occurred (city or county and state)
Number of copies requested
Reason for request
Relationship to deceased
Applicant's full name (Name should be both printed and signed.)
Current address

Need for the DocumentEdit

A Death Certificate is a document issued by a registrar of vital statistics that declares the date, location and cause of a person's death.

A copy of the death certificate is often necessary when you execute the will or make funeral arrangements.

Following are procedures on how you can obtain a certified copy of a fetal death certificate in Maryland.

Information which might helpEdit

Correct information on an existing death certificate: If there are errors on an existing death or fetal death certificate, call the Division of Vital Records for information on how to request corrections.

External LinksEdit

Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Vital Statistics Administration:

http://dhmh.maryland.gov/vsa/SitePages/death.aspx

OthersEdit

More information which might help people.