AACO Birth Certificate Fee up $10

In March, the Maryland General Assembly produced the "Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2011." Across the state, in a variety of agencies, fees for things were raised in order to balance the budget.

On page 10 of that document, the state doubled the fee for a birth certificate from $12 to $24. As a result, Anne Arundel County Department of Health has increased the fee that county residents pay for a certified birth certificate from $20 to $30. The new fee structure will go into effect on June 1.

The Department of Health has not raised the fee for a birth certificate since June 2003, when the fee was raised from $10 to $20—also a result of state legislation. 

According to a release from the county Department of Health, the Vital Records Office issued more than 8,500 certified copies of birth certificates in 2010.

Copies of birth certificates for anyone born in Maryland after 1942 can be obtained by visiting the Vital Records Office in the Health Services Building, 3 Harry S Truman Parkway in Annapolis. The office is open 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays and State service reduction days.

The Department of Health requires an application and a current valid photo identification card from anyone requesting a certified birth certificate. The Vital Records Office accepts cash or checks made payable to the Controller, Anne Arundel County. The $30 fee is nonrefundable for each copy provided.

For more information, call the Vital Records Office at 410-222-4462 or visit www.aahealth.org/birthcertificates.