Maryland Statutes
Subtitle 2 - Vital Statistics and Records
Section 4-223 - Use of Copies of Vital Records as Evidence

(a)    Except as otherwise provided in this section, if a certificate of birth, death, or fetal death is filed within 1 year after the event, the original or a certified copy of the certificate is prima facie evidence of the facts stated in it.
    (b)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, any information in the certificate that relates to a parent who did not give birth to a child is prima facie evidence.
        (2)    If the parentage of the child is contested, and the parent who did not give birth to the child is a putative father as defined in § 5–1001 of the Family Law Article, the information that relates to the putative father is not evidence in any proceeding adverse to the interests of the putative father or the putative father’s heirs, next of kin, devisees, legatees, or other successors in interest.
    (c)    If a certificate or record is filed more than 1 year after the event or is amended, the court or official before whom the certificate or record is offered as evidence shall determine its evidentiary value.

Structure Maryland Statutes