Vital records are created by government authorities to document key life events of citizens – birth, marriage/divorce, and death. Knowing how to find and use these records is very important in family history research. Maryland vital records are well preserved and relatively easy to access.
Birth Records
Birth records are publicly available after 100 years. Most start in 1875 for Baltimore City and in 1898 for Maryland's counties. They are available at the Maryland State Archives (MSA) and online at several sites.
Adoption Records
Adoption records prior to 1 June 1947 are publicly available. They begin in 1893 and are available at MSA and/or locally at the counties or Baltimore City. Some are indexed in online court record indexes.
Marriage Records
Civil marriage records are publicly available with no restriction. With a few exceptions, the earliest begin in 1777. They are available at MSA and/or locally at the counties or Baltimore City. Indexes to and images of many Maryland marriage records are available online on various sites. (The Members Only area includes a database index to Baltimore City marriage licenses (1851-1919).)
Divorce Records
Divorce records are publicly available with no restrictions. The earliest begin in 1790. They are available at MSA and/or locally at the counties or Baltimore City. Some are indexed in online court record indexes.
Death Records
Death records are publicly available after 10 years. Most start in 1875 for Baltimore City and in 1898 for Maryland's counties. They are available at MSA and online at several sites.