Silver Spring Death Records
Silver Spring death records are available at the Montgomery County Vital Records Office, which is located right in Silver Spring at the Dennis Avenue Health Center. This makes Silver Spring one of the most convenient locations in Montgomery County for in-person vital records service -- the county office serving all of Montgomery County is here, not at the county seat in Rockville. This page covers the full schedule, fees, what to bring, what records the office has, and how to get older records from before 2015.
Silver Spring Overview
Montgomery County Vital Records Office Location
The Montgomery County Vital Records Office is at the Dennis Avenue Health Center, 2000 Dennis Avenue, Suite 27, Silver Spring, MD 20902. The death records phone line is 240-777-1757. For birth certificate matters, the number is 240-773-1207. The office provides bilingual service in English and Spanish.
This office serves all of Montgomery County. Whether you live in Silver Spring, Germantown, Rockville, or Bethesda, this is your in-person option for county-issued death certificates. The county chose Silver Spring for this office rather than Rockville, the county seat, making Silver Spring the de facto hub for vital records in the county.
When you arrive, do not go directly to the Vital Records office window. You must check in first at the lobby table. Staff there will direct you. Skipping the lobby check-in step can delay your visit or cause you to miss your place in line.
Full Office Schedule
The schedule at Dennis Avenue Health Center is structured by day. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, the office accepts walk-in visitors from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. Appointments are also available on those days from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. On Tuesday and Thursday, the office is by appointment only, with morning appointments from 8:00 to 11:30 a.m. and afternoon slots from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. The office is closed for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every day.
Walk-in service operates on a first-come, first-served basis during the Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning windows. Spots fill up. If you arrive close to 11:00 a.m., you may not be seen that day. To guarantee service, book an afternoon appointment. You can call 240-777-1757 to schedule.
Montgomery County has implemented a new registration system. Same-day service is not always possible, even with an appointment. The county advises that processing may take longer than expected on days when the system is slow. If you have a deadline -- a probate filing, an insurance claim, a benefits application -- build in extra time.
Fees and Payment at the Silver Spring Office
The current fee schedule took effect September 2, 2025. The fee for a first certified death certificate is $18. Each additional copy of the same certificate ordered at the same visit costs $20. This fee structure -- where additional copies cost more than the first -- is specific to Montgomery County.
Accepted payment methods are cash, credit cards, Apple Pay, personal checks, and money orders. Checks and money orders must be made payable to "Montgomery County, MD." Do not write a check to any other payee name.
These are the county fees for in-person service at Dennis Avenue. If you order through the state DVR by mail, the fee is $24 for the first copy and $12 for each additional copy. VitalChek charges the state fee plus a processing fee.
What Death Records Are Available Here
The Montgomery County Vital Records Office at Dennis Avenue issues certified death certificates for deaths that occurred in Maryland on or after January 1, 2015. Records before that date are not available at the county office. For deaths that happened before January 2015, you need to go through the Maryland Division of Vital Records or the Maryland State Archives.
The Maryland Division of Vital Records is at 6764-B Reisterstown Road, Baltimore, MD 21215. Mailing address: P.O. Box 68760, Baltimore, MD 21215-0036. Phone: 410-764-3038 or 1-800-832-3277. Mail orders take four to six weeks. In-person visits at the DVR require an appointment.
For records from 1973 through 2014, the Maryland Death Certificate Index 1973-2014 at the State Archives is a free online search tool. It does not give you a full copy but confirms the record exists and provides a certificate number. Once you have that number, you can request a copy from the DVR or Archives.
What You Need to Bring
To receive a certified death certificate at the county office, you need a valid government-issued photo ID with both an issue date and an expiration date. A driver's license, state ID card, or passport are all acceptable. Expired documents will not work.
You also need an entitlement document to prove your relationship to the deceased. A birth certificate, marriage certificate, or obituary naming you as a survivor are the most commonly used options. Maryland does not issue certified death certificates to people who cannot establish a qualifying relationship or legal need.
If you are acting as a legal representative -- for an estate, for a power of attorney, or in another official capacity -- bring documentation of your authority. A letter of administration from a probate court or a similar document will help the office confirm your eligibility.
The Montgomery County Health Department vital records page is shown below, which hosts all current scheduling and fee information for Silver Spring and the surrounding county.
The Montgomery County Vital Records Office at Dennis Avenue Health Center in Silver Spring is the in-person hub for all Montgomery County death certificate requests.
Online and Mail Alternatives
VitalChek at vitalchek.com is Maryland's only authorized online vendor for death certificate orders. It is an option for Silver Spring residents who cannot get in during office hours or who need a certificate without making an in-person trip. VitalChek charges the state fee plus a service charge and delivers official DVR-issued certificates.
Mail orders go to the Maryland Division of Vital Records at P.O. Box 68760, Baltimore, MD 21215-0036. Include the full name of the deceased, the date and place of death, your relationship to the deceased, a copy of your photo ID, a copy of your entitlement document, and a check or money order for $24 payable to the Maryland Department of Health. Mail processing takes four to six weeks.
The Maryland State Archives is at 350 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD 21401. Visit msa.maryland.gov to search the catalog. For hard-to-find records, the Archives has a specific guide at guide.msa.maryland.gov that explains common gaps and alternatives.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying Maryland cities near Silver Spring where death records are available through Montgomery County and the state:
Montgomery County Death Records
All Silver Spring death records are handled through Montgomery County. The county page has additional details on the health department, historical records, and county resources.