Severn, Maryland Genealogy Records

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

Anne Arundel County Handles Severn Records

All genealogy records for Severn 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 records go back to 1650, and because Annapolis was Maryland's colonial capital, the county has an exceptionally well-preserved set of historical records at the Maryland State Archives.

Severn is a residential community in the central part of Anne Arundel County, between Annapolis and the Baltimore area. Most genealogy records tied to Severn addresses are from the 20th century when the community developed. But families who lived in this part of Anne Arundel County before Severn became a distinct community may appear in older county records under the names of the rural precincts and farming areas that previously existed here.

The Anne Arundel County Government website provides services and contact information for researchers working on Severn 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 Severn residents. Land records, marriage licenses, and civil case files are held here. Marriage licenses for Severn residents are issued in Annapolis with standard Maryland requirements: government-issued birth certificates from both parties, a 48-hour waiting period, and a license valid for six months in Anne Arundel County only.

All Anne Arundel County land records are free online through MDLandRec.net at mdlandrec.net. Free account registration is required. Maryland is the only state with all its land records freely available online statewide. The Maryland Judiciary case search at casesearch.courts.state.md.us lets you look up Anne Arundel County civil records from home.

Birth and Death Records for Severn Residents

Vital records for Severn 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. The Maryland Department of Health handles records after those dates. The Maryland Death Index at the MSA covers statewide deaths 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 including those in Severn. Call 410-222-4462 to make an appointment. FamilySearch has Maryland Deaths and Burials from 1877 to 1992 including Anne Arundel County entries. For recent vital records, contact the Maryland Department of Health Division of Vital Records at 410-764-3038 or visit health.maryland.gov/vsa.

Library and Research Resources

The Severn Library at 2624 Annapolis Road, Severn, is part of the Anne Arundel County Public Library system. The library provides access to genealogy databases and local history resources. The AACPL main branch and other locations in the county have additional genealogy materials for Anne Arundel County research.

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

The Maryland State Archives at 350 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, is the primary repository for older Anne Arundel County records and is just a short drive from Severn. Call 410-260-6400 or search at msa.maryland.gov. The Reclaim The Records collection at archive.org includes over 5 million free Maryland vital records including Anne Arundel County entries, all accessible without a login.

Maryland State Archives

Because Annapolis is the state capital and a short drive from Severn, the Maryland State Archives is especially convenient for Severn area researchers. The archives at 350 Rowe Boulevard holds Anne Arundel County records going back to the 1600s. Many colonial-era records for this area are preserved and indexed here, making it a particularly rich source for researchers with deep roots in the Severn area. 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 after 100 years, marriage and land records have no restrictions.

Nearby Cities

Severn is in central Anne Arundel County between Annapolis and the Baltimore area. Researchers working on Severn area families may also need to check records from neighboring communities in the county.