Find Silver Spring Obituary Records
Silver Spring obituary and death records are available through the Dennis Avenue Health Center located right in Silver Spring, which serves as Montgomery County's local vital records office. Silver Spring is an unincorporated community in Montgomery County with about 82,000 residents, and death certificates for this area are issued at that office by appointment. This page covers the appointment process, what to bring, fees, and how to find older death records through state and archival sources.
Silver Spring Overview
Dennis Avenue Health Center in Silver Spring
The Dennis Avenue Health Center is the vital records office for Montgomery County and is located directly in Silver Spring at 2000 Dennis Avenue, Suite 27, Silver Spring, MD 20902. This is the only location in Montgomery County where you can get a death certificate in person without going to Rockville or another county facility. The phone number is 240-773-1207. You must call ahead to schedule an appointment before visiting. Walk-ins are not accepted.
| Office | Dennis Avenue Health Center, Vital Records |
|---|---|
| Address | 2000 Dennis Avenue, Suite #27, Silver Spring, MD 20902 |
| Phone | 240-773-1207 |
| Hours | Mon & Wed: 8:30am-10:30am, 1:00pm-2:30pm Fri: 8:30am-11:30am, 1:00pm-2:30pm |
| Appointment | Required. Call 240-773-1207 to schedule. |
| Website | montgomerycountymd.gov/hhs/leftnav/vitalrecords.html |
When you arrive for your appointment, check in at the security desk first. Do not go directly to the Vital Records office. The security desk will direct you from there. This step is required for all visitors to the Dennis Avenue Health Center in Silver Spring. Plan to arrive a few minutes early so the check-in process does not cut into your appointment time.
The office at this Silver Spring location handles birth certificates for births after 1939 and death certificates for deaths from January 2015 onward. If you need a record for a death before 2015, you will need to contact the Maryland Division of Vital Records or the Maryland State Archives instead. The staff at Dennis Avenue can confirm which office handles the record you need if you call first.
Silver Spring Death Certificate Fees
Montgomery County charges $18 for the first certified copy of a death certificate. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $20. These fees apply at the Dennis Avenue Health Center in Silver Spring. Payment options include cash, credit card, Apple Pay, or check and money order. Checks and money orders should be made payable to "Montgomery County, MD."
Montgomery County accepts a broader range of payment methods than some other county health offices, which makes it convenient for people who don't carry cash. The Silver Spring office is modern and well-staffed. Most in-person appointments result in same-day issuance of the certificate. If you have questions about the current fee schedule or payment options before your visit, call 240-773-1207 or check the full details at montgomerycountymd.gov.
Note: Fees are set by Montgomery County and are separate from any charges the Maryland Division of Vital Records applies for state-level requests.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
When you come to the Dennis Avenue Health Center for Silver Spring death records, bring a valid government-issued photo ID. This is required for all requesters regardless of their relationship to the deceased. You also need entitlement documents that prove your relationship to the person named on the certificate. Examples include a birth certificate showing your relationship, a marriage certificate, or an obituary that names you as a family member.
The requirement for entitlement documents is a standard Maryland practice designed to protect the privacy of death records. Family members like spouses, parents, siblings, and adult children are typically entitled to receive a death certificate. Legal representatives with documentation can also request records. If you are unsure whether your relationship qualifies, call the Dennis Avenue Health Center at 240-773-1207 before booking your appointment. They can tell you exactly what you need to bring for your Silver Spring vital records visit.
Older Silver Spring Death Records
For deaths before January 2015, Silver Spring residents need to contact either the Maryland Division of Vital Records at 410-764-3038 or the Maryland State Archives at 410-260-6400. The Division of Vital Records holds death certificates going back to 1969. For deaths before that year, the State Archives is the right place to search.
The Maryland State Archives death records guide at guide.msa.maryland.gov explains what collections are available for Montgomery County, including Silver Spring. Researchers can search the online index at vitalrec.msa.maryland.gov to find records by name and year before ordering copies. This free tool is a good first step before calling or visiting any office.
The Maryland Archives guide covers all available death record collections statewide, including the Montgomery County holdings that apply to Silver Spring and its surrounding communities.
For Silver Spring genealogy and local historical records, the Montgomery County Historical Society in Rockville is a useful resource. Their research library holds newspaper archives, family files, cemetery records, and other historical materials that can help piece together older obituary information for the Silver Spring area. The Historical Society does not issue certified death certificates but is valuable for genealogical work that goes beyond the official record system.
Online Options for Silver Spring Obituary Records
If you cannot visit the Dennis Avenue Health Center in person, you can order death certificates for Silver Spring through the Maryland Division of Vital Records via VitalChek. VitalChek is the state's authorized third-party vendor for online orders. A service fee applies on top of the state fee. This option is available for people who live out of state or cannot travel to Silver Spring or other county offices.
The full Montgomery County vital records information page is at montgomerycountymd.gov. That page lists current hours, fees, and appointment instructions for the Silver Spring office and other county health facilities. Montgomery County government's main site at montgomerycountymd.gov also has contact directories for all county departments if you need additional assistance with Silver Spring records.
The Dennis Avenue Health Center in Silver Spring is Montgomery County's local vital records office for death certificates, as shown on the Montgomery County vital records page.
Montgomery County Obituary Records
Silver Spring is an unincorporated community in Montgomery County. All death certificates, historical vital records, and court-related documents for this area go through Montgomery County offices. The county page covers the full range of resources, fees, judicial circuits, and historical record access for the entire county.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying Maryland cities near Silver Spring with their own obituary record pages: