Healthy
Charles County

Facebook
Facebook-f Twitter Youtube

Home Births

Legal Requirements

Maryland law requires that all births occurring in the State be registered with the Maryland Department of Health (MD Health-General Code Ann. 4-208). Registration of your child’s birth establishes the facts of birth and will be used throughout your child’s lifetime for a variety of legal purposes. When a baby is born outside of an institution, the local health officer or designee of the jurisdiction where the birth occurred is required to attempt to verify the facts regarding the birth. 

State of Maryland Certified Nurse Midwives and Licensed Direct Entry Midwives now have the authority to complete registration for home births occurring in Charles County. If you were in care with one of these professionals, please contact them for further instructions.

  • If your home birth was not planned and you or your baby were not hospitalized after the birth, you may follow up with your health care provider to complete the form below.
  • If you do not have a health care provider, please contact 301-609-6919 within 72 hours of the birth for more information.
  • If the facts of the birth can be verified, the local health officer will sign the birth record and file the record with the Department of Health.
  • If the facts regarding a birth cannot be verified by the local health officer, parents may seek an order from a court of competent jurisdiction that lists the facts about the birth and orders the Secretary of the Department of Health to create the birth record.

Necessary Documents

The necessary documents from a licensed health care provider would include:

  • Verification of the Facts of Birth Form
  • New Mother Worksheet - Must be completed by Health Department staff
  • Certificate of Live Birth Form - Must be completed by Health Department staff
  • Certificate of Multiple Live Births Form - Must be completed by Health Department staff

Please contact the Health Department at 301-609-6919 for help with filling out these forms.

How Do I...

4545 Crain Highway
White Plains, MD 20695
Phone: 301-609-6900
Hours: Mon-Fri 8 AM – 5 PM

ADMINISTRATION

Health Officer
Dianna E. Abney, M.D.

MISSION

To protect, promote, and improve the health, safety, and environment of Charles County residents.

VISION

A healthier Charles County

PARTNER LINKS

Charles County Government

Charles County Public Schools

Maryland Department of Health

University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center