Search Frederick Birth Records
Frederick birth records are handled by the Frederick County Health Department, located in Frederick at 350 Montevue Lane. Because Frederick is the county seat, the health department office is right in the city, making in-person requests straightforward for local residents. This page covers where to go, what to bring, who qualifies, and what makes Frederick County's process slightly different from other Maryland counties.
Frederick Overview
Frederick Birth Records: The Local Office
Frederick is the county seat of Frederick County, which means the county health department is based here. The Frederick County Health Department handles vital records including birth certificates for births registered in the county. The office is at 350 Montevue Lane, Frederick, MD 21702, and can be reached at 301-600-1029.
Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with one important exception: the office closes from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. every day for lunch. If you arrive close to noon, plan to come back after 1:00 p.m. or wait. The lunch break is firm. Calling ahead to confirm the office is open and the system is running before you drive over is always a smart move.
The office is on Montevue Lane, which is in the northern part of the city. If you have not been there before, check the address against a map before leaving. It is not in the downtown core. Parking is generally available on-site.
Who Can Get Frederick Birth Records
Frederick County follows state rules on who can request a certified birth certificate, with one notable addition: spouses are explicitly listed as eligible applicants. This is not standard in every Maryland county, which typically limits eligibility to the person named, parents, guardians, and representatives with notarized authorization.
In Frederick County, the following people may request a birth certificate:
- The individual named on the certificate
- A parent named on the certificate
- The spouse of the individual (unique to Frederick County)
- A legal guardian with court documentation
- An authorized representative with a notarized letter
If you are a spouse applying for your partner's birth certificate, bring documentation that establishes the marriage, such as your marriage certificate, in addition to your own photo ID. The office will need to confirm the relationship. Call 301-600-1029 ahead of time to ask what documentation they want from you specifically, since requirements may vary based on the purpose of the request.
People who do not fall into these categories may need a court order. Foster care status alone does not establish eligibility. If your situation is complicated, the health department can point you toward the right process.
Fees and Payment for Frederick Birth Records
Contact the Frederick County Health Department directly at 301-600-1029 for current fee information. Fees for county-issued birth certificates in Maryland vary by county, and the office is the most reliable source for what you will owe before you go in. Some counties charge $25 per certificate; others differ. Do not assume the fee before you call.
If you order through the mail or online at the state level rather than through the county office, the Maryland Division of Vital Records charges $10 per certificate by mail. Online orders through VitalChek carry additional service fees set by VitalChek on top of the base cost. VitalChek is the only authorized online vendor for Maryland birth records.
Mail-in requests go to the state, not the county. Send your completed application form, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order payable to "Division of Vital Records" to P.O. Box 68760, Baltimore, MD 21215-0036. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. The state office's phone is 410-764-3038 or 1-800-832-3277.
ID Requirements for Frederick Birth Records
Bring a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID when you visit the Frederick office. Your ID must have both an issue date and an expiration date visible. A driver's license, state-issued ID card, or U.S. passport all meet this standard. Military IDs typically work as well, though it is worth confirming when you call ahead.
If your ID is expired, the county office may not be able to process your request. In that case, the state Division of Vital Records has an alternative procedure. For mailed requests where you cannot provide a standard photo ID, the state accepts two different document types that show your current address as a substitute. Acceptable alternatives include utility bills, car registrations, pay stubs, bank statements, tax documents or W-2 forms, government letters, or a signed lease agreement. You would need two of these from different sources, not two of the same type.
Requesting Frederick Birth Records by Mail
Some people prefer not to visit the office. Mail-in requests work well if you live outside Frederick, do not have transportation, or simply want to avoid the trip. Use the state mail process for this rather than the county office. The state handles mail requests centrally.
Download the application form from the Maryland DVR website at health.maryland.gov/vsa/Pages/birth.aspx. Fill it out completely. Attach a clear photocopy of your photo ID. Write a check or money order for $10 per certificate payable to "Division of Vital Records." Put everything in an envelope along with a self-addressed stamped return envelope. Send to P.O. Box 68760, Baltimore, MD 21215-0036.
Processing time varies. The state does not guarantee a specific turnaround on mail requests. If you need the certificate quickly, the in-person option at the Frederick County Health Department or an online order through VitalChek may be faster. VitalChek offers expedited shipping options for an additional cost.
Corrections and Amendments
The Frederick County Health Department cannot make corrections to a birth certificate. That authority rests with the Maryland Division of Vital Records at the state level. If you find an error, whether a misspelled name, a wrong birth date, or incorrect parent information, you need to contact the state DVR directly.
The type of documentation required for an amendment depends on what is being corrected. Name corrections and date corrections typically need different supporting documents. Medical records, sworn affidavits, and hospital records are common requirements. The state's amendment forms and instructions are available at health.maryland.gov/vsa/Pages/birth.aspx. Call 410-764-3038 to ask what you need before you start gathering documents.
Historical Frederick Birth Records
Frederick County has a long history, and records from the late 19th and early 20th centuries exist for this area. However, the county health department's holdings begin with a specific cutoff point. Older records are maintained at the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis at 350 Rowe Blvd, Annapolis, MD 21401.
For genealogical research on Frederick-area families from the early 20th century and earlier, the Archives are the right starting point. Their phone is 410-260-6400, and their website is msa.maryland.gov. The Archives have indexes and digitized records for some periods, and their staff can guide researchers to the right record group. Early vital statistics from Frederick County are part of the state's historic preservation collection.
Researchers looking for Frederick City births from the pre-state-registration era, before Maryland required statewide vital statistics registration in 1898, should also check church records and cemetery records, which can supplement or fill gaps in the official record. Many families in the Frederick area had German heritage, and German Reformed and Lutheran church records survive for some congregations going back to the 18th century.
The Maryland Vital Statistics Administration website below serves as the central state resource for all birth records in Frederick and across Maryland.
Maryland Vital Statistics Administration official website
The DVS site provides application forms, fee schedules, and amendment procedures for Frederick birth records and all Maryland counties.
What a Certified Frederick Birth Certificate Contains
A certified birth certificate from Maryland contains the full name of the person, sex, date of birth, city or county of birth, mother's full name including maiden name, father's full name if listed, parents' ages and birthplaces, parents' residence at the time of birth, total number of children previously born to the mother, and the name of the attending physician or midwife. The certificate carries the official state seal. Only documents with that seal are accepted by passport agencies, courts, schools, and Social Security offices as proof of birth. Plain photocopies do not qualify for those purposes. When you request a copy, make sure to ask for a certified copy, not an informational copy.
Avoiding Scam Sites
Several third-party websites charge fees to search birth records. These are not affiliated with the state or with Frederick County. They do not provide certified copies. The only authorized online vendor for Maryland certified birth certificates is VitalChek. If a website asks for your Social Security number or PIN to process a birth record request, it is not a legitimate Maryland resource. The Division of Vital Records will never ask for those.
Contact Summary
Frederick County Health Department:
350 Montevue Lane, Frederick, MD 21702
Phone: 301-600-1029
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., closed 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Website: health.frederickcountymd.gov
Maryland Division of Vital Records (State / Mail):
P.O. Box 68760, Baltimore, MD 21215-0036
Phone: 410-764-3038 or 1-800-832-3277
Fee: $10 per certificate by mail
Frederick County Birth Records
Frederick is the county seat of Frederick County. All birth records for Frederick residents are handled through the Frederick County Health Department and the Maryland Division of Vital Records. Visit the county page for a broader look at resources across Frederick County.
Nearby Cities
Other cities in the area also have dedicated birth records pages.