Search for Death Records in Maryland

Free Maryland Death Records Lookup

Our comprehensive guide to the death records in the state of Maryland will help you in finding death records as well as provide you with relevant information about the deceased and the life they lived.

Death Records in Maryland -
The Ultimate Guide 2024

Maryland Death Records

In the state of Maryland, there are some filed death records, but not all survived through the years. In 1865, some counties in the state stated their death registration process, with Baltimore city beginning a decade later. By 1998, all counties in the state of Maryland started filing their death records, although general compliance did not take place until 1914.

Maryland Death Databases

1654 to 1694
During this period, dearth records were kept by the county courts’ clerks. The only county records that exist for this era in Maryland are Charles county court (1654 to 1706), Talbot County court (1657 to 1691) and Somerset County Court (1657 to 1691). Copies of the existing death certificates and other records can be ordered from the Maryland State Archives. You will be required to pay the appropriate fee for the state archives to conduct a name index search and provide you with the document file. Other records are also available at the FamilySearch Center, and you can make use of the FamilySearch catalogue to view what is available.

Death Certificates in Maryland

In the state of Maryland, death records start off as private records then they become publicly available 20 years after the record file date. There are restrictions to obtaining death certificates for individuals who passed on within the last 20 years. Below is a list of people who are eligible to request for a death certificate:

How to Find Maryland Death Records

The most reliable method to get death records from Maryland is from Archives.com. You only need to register for a user account upon which gets you death records details upon successful user registration. Below are the steps to follow to get you started.

Step 1: Go to Archives.com and sign in using your email address and password.

Step 2: Use the buttons at the very top of the user page to navigate through the options. When you click on the “Search” button, the Maryland state death records page is loaded.

Step 3: Check the box next to “Vital Records,” then click on the “Death” button just below it. Thus, the site eliminates all other records and only displays death records, which you can then download.

Step 4: Key in as much information about the deceased as you can remember about them.

Step 5: The state of Maryland should be entered in the ‘Location’ box. As soon as you begin typing, you will notice that the website will provide a match for you.

Step 6: You will be presented with a list of records; you will need to scroll through the list until you find the person whose records you are interested in viewing.

Step 7: Click on the name of the deceased to view the death record that is currently available online. In most cases, you will be able to obtain their full name as well as their maiden name if they were previously married. You can also find out about their burial arrangements, such as whether they were cremated or buried, and whether a biographical sketch is available.

Alternative Sources for Maryland Death Information

Maryland Death Records FAQs

What is an Official Death Certificate?

An official death certificate refers to a death certificate that is issued directly by the Maryland state government or any similar organization. This document contains information such as the individual’s name, physical address, date of birth, and date of death.

What are death records?

Death records are official files that give any useful information about a deceased individual. If you’re doing genealogical research, these records come in handy as they contain most of the information you’d need to learn more about your ancestry. Most death records are held by the state the deceased lived or died in, but they lack the burial state of the deceased. Both cemeteries and churches hold death records, as with state governments. Information you can obtain from death records includes the full name, date of birth, date of death, and place of death.

Are Maryland Death Records Open to the Public?

According to the Maryland Revised Statutes, vital records such as birth records, divorce records, marriage records, adoption records, death records, and other life records are available to all eligible parties with a direct relationship to the person named on the record.

What Information Do I Need to Search for Maryland Death Records Online?

Requesters who wish to get a hold of a death record must be well acquainted with basic facts associated with it including:

Conclusion

The state of Maryland is extremely particular about the accuracy of its tax and voting records, and this is reflected in its state records. As a result, they strive to keep a comprehensive death record up to date. Following the death of a person, tax collectors contact family members or next of kin to collect any unpaid state taxes that may be owed to the state. In the event of a probate proceeding, these death records will be extremely useful because your family members or next of kin will not have any difficulties in obtaining any legal information. With our comprehensive guide to Maryland death record searches, you’ll be able to locate any type of record that you might require in a matter of minutes.

Disclaimer: OurPublicRecords mission is to give people easy and affordable access to public record information, but OurPublicRecords does not provide private investigator services or consumer reports, and is not a consumer reporting agency per the Fair Credit Reporting Act. You may not use our site or service or the information provided to make decisions about employment, admission, consumer credit, insurance, tenant screening, or any other purpose that would require FCRA compliance.