Glen Burnie, Maryland Genealogy Records

Genealogy records for Glen Burnie, Maryland are held by Anne Arundel County, since Glen Burnie is an unincorporated community without its own government. Birth, death, marriage, land, and probate records for Glen Burnie residents are maintained at the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court in Annapolis and at the Maryland State Archives.

Anne Arundel County Handles Glen Burnie Records

All genealogy records for Glen Burnie residents go through Anne Arundel County. The Circuit Court Clerk in Annapolis holds land records, marriage licenses, and civil case files for the entire county. Anne Arundel County's records go back to 1650, making it one of Maryland's oldest counties with a very deep record base at the Maryland State Archives.

Glen Burnie grew significantly as a residential community in the mid-20th century, so most genealogy records for families specifically associated with Glen Burnie addresses are from the 20th century and later. Families who lived in the broader area before Glen Burnie developed may be found in older Anne Arundel County records under the names of the rural communities and farming areas that previously occupied the land.

The Anne Arundel County Government website provides county services and contact information for researchers working on Glen Burnie area family history.

Anne Arundel County Circuit Court

The Anne Arundel County Circuit Court at 8 Church Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401 maintains all civil records for Glen Burnie residents. Land records, marriage licenses, and civil case files are held here. Marriage licenses for Glen Burnie residents are issued in Annapolis. Both parties must bring government-issued birth certificates, a 48-hour waiting period applies, and the license is valid for six months in Anne Arundel County only.

All Anne Arundel County land records are available free online through MDLandRec.net at mdlandrec.net. Recorded deeds, mortgages, plats, and other instruments from the county are in this system. Free account registration is required. Maryland is the only state where all land records are free online statewide.

Birth and Death Records for Glen Burnie Residents

Vital records for Glen Burnie residents are part of the Anne Arundel County system. The Maryland State Archives holds birth records from 1898 to 1921 and death records from 1898 to 2011 for the county. The Maryland Department of Health handles records after those cutoff dates. The Maryland Death Index at the MSA covers deaths statewide from 1898 to 2010, searchable at msa.maryland.gov.

The Anne Arundel County Department of Health at 3 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, handles vital records for county residents. Call 410-222-4462 to make an appointment. For older vital records before 1898, church records from Anne Arundel County's many early congregations can provide birth and death documentation. FamilySearch has Maryland Deaths and Burials from 1877 to 1992, which includes Anne Arundel County entries. For recent vital records, contact the Maryland Department of Health at 410-764-3038 or visit health.maryland.gov/vsa.

Library and Research Resources

The Glen Burnie Library at 1010 Eastway, Glen Burnie, is part of the Anne Arundel County Public Library system. The library provides access to genealogy databases and local history resources. The AACPL main library in Annapolis has additional genealogy materials and historical newspapers specific to Anne Arundel County.

The Anne Arundel County Public Library system provides genealogy databases and local history materials at branches serving Glen Burnie and the broader county.

The Maryland State Archives at 350 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, is the central repository for older Anne Arundel County records. Call 410-260-6400 or search at msa.maryland.gov. The research guide at guide.msa.maryland.gov lists Anne Arundel County records by type. The Reclaim The Records collection at archive.org includes over 5 million free Maryland vital records accessible without a login or payment.

Using the Maryland State Archives for Glen Burnie Research

The Maryland State Archives at 350 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, holds Anne Arundel County genealogy records from the 17th century through the mid-20th century. The MSA is especially strong for Anne Arundel County because Annapolis was Maryland's colonial capital, and state and county records from the colonial period are extensively preserved here. Under Maryland Code, General Provisions sections 4-101 and following, most public records are open to inspection. Death records are public after 10 years. Birth records are restricted for 100 years. Marriage and land records are fully open.

Nearby Cities

Glen Burnie is in northern Anne Arundel County near Howard County and Baltimore County. Researchers working on Glen Burnie area families may also need to check records from neighboring communities in these counties.