Search Wicomico County Birth Records
Wicomico County birth records from 1940 to the present are available through the Wicomico County Health Department in Salisbury, with walk-in service available Monday through Friday. The department offers fee waivers for current and former military members and for individuals experiencing homelessness, which makes it stand out from most other Maryland county health departments.
Wicomico County Overview
Wicomico County Health Department Vital Records
The Wicomico County Health Department at 108 E. Main Street in Salisbury is where you go to request a certified Wicomico County birth certificate. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Walk-in service is available, and the standard fee is $22 per copy.
Like all Maryland county health departments, the Wicomico office processes requests through the state system. That means you can request a birth certificate here for any Maryland birth from 1940 to the present, not just those that occurred in Wicomico County. If you were born in another part of Maryland but live in Salisbury or nearby, the local health department can still handle your request. The department issues certified copies only. If you need to make a change to the information on a birth record, that must go to the Maryland Division of Vital Records in Baltimore. Wicomico County cannot make corrections or updates to any birth certificate. Also, if you were born outside of Maryland, the Wicomico County Health Department cannot help with that record. You would need to contact the vital records office in the state where the birth took place.
| Address | 108 E. Main Street, Salisbury, MD 21801 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 410-334-3224 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Service | Walk-in (no appointment needed) |
| Records Available | Maryland births from 1940 to present |
| Website | wicomicohealth.org |
Fee Waivers for Wicomico County Birth Certificates
Wicomico County offers free birth certificates in two specific situations. This is not common across all Maryland counties, and it is worth knowing about before you assume you have to pay the standard fee.
Current and former members of the armed forces can get a Wicomico County birth certificate at no charge. You must provide proof of your military service when you make the request. What counts as acceptable proof of service is something to confirm with the office directly by calling 410-334-3224 before you visit.
Individuals who are homeless may also receive a free birth certificate. To qualify, you need a written statement from a homeless service provider that confirms your current homeless status. The statement must include an address where the certificate can be mailed to you, since you need a delivery location even if you do not have a permanent residence. If you are not sure which homeless service provider in the Salisbury area can issue this kind of statement, call the Wicomico County Health Department and ask. Staff are generally familiar with the local network of services and can point you in the right direction.
In-Person Requests for Wicomico County Birth Records
Walk-in service means no scheduling is required. Come in on any weekday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and ask for the vital records request form at the front desk.
Fill out the form with the full name on the birth record, the date and place of birth, and the names of both parents as they appear on the original certificate. Hand the completed form to the clerk along with your ID and payment. If you qualify for a fee waiver, bring your documentation at this point. The staff will search for the record in the state system. If the record is found and your information matches, they will issue the certified Wicomico County birth certificate. Most requests are processed the same day. If there is an issue with the information you provided or with your documentation, staff will tell you what needs to be resolved before the record can be released.
ID Requirements for Wicomico County Birth Records
You need a valid photo ID to get same-day service at the Wicomico County Health Department. The ID must not be expired.
Accepted IDs at this office are: a valid state ID or driver's license, a current U.S.-issued passport, a military ID for active service personnel, and a prison ID with a photo that includes an expiration date. That last item is less common but is explicitly accepted at this location. If your ID has expired or you do not have one of the accepted forms, same-day service is not available. In that case, the alternative is a mailed request. For mail-in submissions, two pieces of documentation showing your name and current address may be used instead of a photo ID. Accepted alternatives for mailed requests include a current pay stub, car registration, bank statement, lease or rent agreement, property deed, utility bill with your current address, or a tax return or W-2. You need two of these documents, not just one.
Who Can Apply for a Wicomico County Birth Certificate
Maryland limits access to certified birth certificates. You must have a qualifying connection to the person named on the record.
The individual named on the birth certificate can request their own record. A parent whose name is on the certificate may request it for their child. A court-appointed guardian can apply if they bring the court documents that confirm their role. A representative acting on behalf of an eligible person can request the record if they carry a signed, notarized letter from that person giving them permission. If you do not fit one of these categories clearly, call the Wicomico County Health Department before visiting. Staff can tell you whether your situation qualifies and what documents you will need to bring. Going in without the right paperwork means you cannot get the record that day.
Online and Mail Options for Wicomico County Birth Records
If you cannot visit the Salisbury office in person, two other paths exist to get a Wicomico County birth certificate: online through VitalChek, or by mail to the state office in Baltimore.
VitalChek at vitalchek.com is the only online vendor the Maryland Department of Health has authorized. You will pay the state fee plus a service fee charged by VitalChek. All major credit cards are accepted. Your request is processed by the state office in Baltimore and mailed to you. Expedited shipping is available if you are in a hurry. Do not use other online vendors that claim to offer Maryland birth records. VitalChek is the only authorized option, and unofficial sites often charge much more for the same record.
For direct mail, use the state request form available at health.maryland.gov/vsa/Pages/birth.aspx. Include a photocopy of your ID or two alternative documents if your ID is not available, write a check or money order for $10 made out to "Division of Vital Records," and include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail everything to P.O. Box 68760, Baltimore, MD 21215-0036. No expedited shipping is available for direct mail orders.
Important: The Maryland Division of Vital Records will never ask for your Social Security number or credit card PIN as part of a records request. Be cautious of unofficial sites that do.
Pre-1940 Wicomico County Birth Records
The Wicomico County Health Department holds records starting from 1940. For any birth that occurred before that year, the local office in Salisbury does not have the record.
For older Wicomico County birth records, start with the Maryland Division of Vital Records in Baltimore, which holds some older statewide records. For very old records and genealogical research, the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis is the best resource. The archives hold historical vital records, church records, county records, and other materials going back many generations. Reach them at 350 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD 21401, by phone at 410-260-6400 or 800-235-4045. Their online portal at msa.maryland.gov is a good place to start a search before making an in-person trip to Annapolis.
Wicomico County Health Department Birth and Death Certificates
The Wicomico County Health Department posts its birth and death certificate request information on its website, which is a useful place to check for the most current details on hours, fees, and procedures before you visit the Salisbury office.
The page below is hosted on wicomicohealth.org, the official source for Wicomico County birth records service information.
This page confirms current fee amounts, ID requirements, and service hours for anyone planning a visit to request a Wicomico County birth certificate.
Cities in Wicomico County
Salisbury is the county seat of Wicomico County and the location of the health department that handles all local birth certificate requests. Other communities in the county include Delmar, Fruitland, Hebron, and Mardela Springs.
No cities in Wicomico County meet the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site. Regardless of which community in Wicomico County a birth took place in, the health department at 108 E. Main Street in Salisbury is the local office to contact for a certified copy.
Nearby Counties
Wicomico County is on the lower Eastern Shore of Maryland and is bordered by several neighboring counties. The health department in the county where a birth occurred is the right local contact for that record.