Find Birth Records in Severn
Severn birth records are handled by the Anne Arundel County Health Department vital records office, located in Annapolis. This page covers how to request a certified birth certificate, what ID and payment to bring, who qualifies to apply, and what options exist if you cannot visit in person.
Severn Overview
How Severn Birth Records Are Managed
Severn is a census-designated place in Anne Arundel County. It sits northwest of the Annapolis area, roughly between Glen Burnie and the county seat. Like all unincorporated communities in Anne Arundel County, Severn does not have its own municipal vital records office. Birth records for Severn residents are handled at the county level, through the Anne Arundel County Health Department.
The vital records office is at the Health Services Building, 3 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401. That is about a 15 to 20-minute drive from central Severn. The office handles certified birth certificates for births recorded after 1942. If you need a certificate from before 1942, the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis can help with older records and is actually close to the health department, both being located in Annapolis.
The fee is $20 per certified copy. That is less than what some other Maryland counties charge, and it applies whether you visit in person by appointment or request through other channels the county may support. The $20 fee covers one certified copy. Additional copies cost the same per certificate. Payment options are flexible, which helps if you do not carry cash.
In-Person Severn Birth Records Service
The Anne Arundel County vital records office is appointment-only. No walk-ins are accepted. You must call 410-222-4462 to schedule before you visit. Do not drive to the Health Services Building without an appointment, since staff will not be able to help you without one.
Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to noon, and then again from 12:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. The office closes for lunch between noon and 12:45 p.m. Appointments fit within those windows. If you call and get voicemail, leave a message with your name and a call-back number. Staff typically return calls during business hours. You can also check the Anne Arundel County health website at aahealth.org/vital-records for any changes to availability or an online scheduling option.
The county has noted that a system transition is currently affecting processing times. Things may move more slowly than usual. If you need a birth certificate for a time-sensitive purpose, plan for extra time and consider calling ahead to ask how long current processing is taking. Staff can give you a realistic estimate so you are not caught off guard.
When you arrive for your appointment, bring a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. The ID must display both an issue date and an expiration date. A Maryland driver's license, U.S. passport, military ID, or comparable government-issued card all qualify. An expired ID will not be accepted.
Payment for Severn Birth Records
The Anne Arundel County vital records office accepts several payment types. Cash works. So do Discover, Mastercard, and Visa credit cards, as well as debit cards. You can also pay by check made payable to "Controller, Anne Arundel County." Note that credit and debit card payments carry a 2.2% surcharge. If you want to avoid that fee, cash or check is the better option.
Do not make a check payable to the health department or to a specific employee. The correct payee name is "Controller, Anne Arundel County." An incorrectly made-out check will cause a delay or require a new payment. Confirm this when you call to schedule your appointment if you are unsure.
Mail and Online Options for Severn Birth Records
If traveling to Annapolis is not convenient, you have two other paths. You can mail a request to the Maryland Division of Vital Records, or order online through VitalChek.
Mail requests go to the state office: P.O. Box 68760, Baltimore, MD 21215-0036. The state fee is $10 per certified copy by mail, which is lower than the $20 county fee. Send a completed application form, a copy of your valid photo ID, and a $10 check or money order payable to "Division of Vital Records," plus a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing time by mail is longer than the in-person county route. The state does not offer expedited shipping for mail orders.
For online orders, use VitalChek at vitalchek.com. VitalChek is Maryland's only authorized online vendor. Other websites that offer to find birth records for a fee are not official state resources. VitalChek adds service fees on top of the state base fee. Review the total before completing your order. The state DVR contact number is 410-764-3038 or toll-free 1-800-832-3277, and their main website is health.maryland.gov/vsa/Pages/home.aspx.
Who Can Request Severn Birth Records
Maryland restricts who may obtain a certified birth certificate. The following people qualify:
- The person named on the certificate (age 18 or older)
- A parent listed on the certificate
- A court-appointed legal guardian with appropriate documentation
- An authorized representative with a notarized letter
- A surviving spouse in certain situations
- An individual acting under a court order
If you are not certain whether you qualify, call the Anne Arundel County office at 410-222-4462 before scheduling an appointment. Staff can confirm what documentation you need based on your relationship to the person on the certificate. Coming to the appointment without the right paperwork means a wasted trip.
Unassisted Home Births in Severn
Severn residents who had an unassisted home birth and need to register that birth or obtain a birth certificate have a separate process. Contact Anne Arundel County Health Department at 410-222-7223 or send an email to HDSQI@aacounty.org. Standard vital records staff at the main appointment line may not be able to help with this directly. The dedicated contact numbers above are the right starting point for home birth registration questions specific to Anne Arundel County.
Amending or Correcting a Severn Birth Certificate
Corrections to birth certificates are handled by the Maryland Division of Vital Records, not by the county health department. If a name is wrong, a date is incorrect, or parent information needs to change, you start with the state DVR. The county office in Annapolis can issue copies of what is on file, but it cannot make changes to the official record.
The state DVR website at health.maryland.gov/vsa/Pages/birth.aspx lists the amendment forms and the documentation needed for each type of correction. For name changes, an affidavit is often required along with supporting records. Date corrections typically need hospital records. Call 410-764-3038 to confirm what documents apply to your specific situation before you start gathering materials.
REAL ID and Severn Birth Certificates
Maryland participates in the REAL ID program. If you are renewing your Maryland driver's license and need to comply with REAL ID standards, you may be asked to provide a certified birth certificate as proof of identity. This applies to many Severn residents who have not yet updated their license. The Anne Arundel County Health Department can issue the certified copy you need for that process. Call 410-222-4462 to schedule an appointment and ask if there is anything specific you should bring given the REAL ID purpose of your request.
Historical Severn Birth Records
The Anne Arundel County office holds records from births after 1942. For older records, or for genealogical work going further back, the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis is the right resource. The Archives are at 350 Rowe Blvd, Annapolis, MD 21401, phone 410-260-6400, website msa.maryland.gov. The Archives collection includes pre-1942 vital records and historical materials from across Anne Arundel County, including the Severn area.
Anne Arundel County Vital Records for Severn Residents
The Anne Arundel County Health Department vital records page is where Severn residents can confirm current hours, contact the office, and find scheduling information for birth certificate appointments.
Anne Arundel County Health Department vital records page for Severn birth records
The page includes the office address, phone number, fee schedule, accepted payment types, and notes about the current system transition affecting processing times.
Contact Summary for Severn Birth Records
Below is the key contact information for getting a Severn birth certificate.
Anne Arundel County Health Department (In-Person, Appointment Only):
Health Services Building, 3 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: 410-222-4462
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. to noon and 12:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Fee: $20 per certificate
Website: aahealth.org/vital-records
Maryland Division of Vital Records (Mail/Online):
P.O. Box 68760, Baltimore, MD 21215-0036
Phone: 410-764-3038 or 1-800-832-3277
Fee: $10 per certificate by mail
Anne Arundel County Birth Records
Severn is part of Anne Arundel County, and all birth records for Severn residents fall under Anne Arundel County jurisdiction. The county page covers the full range of services, fees, and resources available throughout the county.
Nearby Cities
Residents in nearby communities can find birth records information on these pages as well.