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• Frequently asked questions on vital records

Office Hours are 8 a.m to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The office is closed on state holidays. While our office strives to provide counter service within 20-30 minutes, we cannot guarantee same-day issuance for any orders placed after 4:30 p.m. You may request a later date to return for the record or it will be mailed from our office and delivered to you in approximately one week.

Five Easy Ways to Obtain a Birth or Death Record

There are five ways in which to obtain a birth or death record in Ohio. Choose the method that best suits your needs:

1.  Local Vital Statistics Office - You can obtain birth and death records from the city or county health department office where the event occurred, or from any city or county health department regardless of where the event occurred, if that city or county health department has been granted statewide issuance access. Fees and operating hours vary.  Please note:  These service options may be faster, due to the higher volume processed in the state office. Please check the listing of local offices to see if you can obtain your record from the county and contact the office nearest you to find out if they can issue your record if you were born in a different county. Locate the local health district office

2.  Walk-in - Same day service is available to walk-in customers. When you arrive, you will complete an application and pay the $21.50 required fee by cash, check or money order. Full instructions>> 
 

3.  Mail - Turn around is estimated at 2-3 WEEKS from the day the request is received. However, people are urged to allow sufficient time for delivery for all birth/death records. Mail a check or money order for $21.50 for each certified certificate. Full instructions>>
 

4.  Online Ordering - Birth certificate orders can be placed online with no additional fees.  Turnaround is estimated at 2-3 WEEKS.  An abstract of the birth certificate data will be printed and certified.  Book copies are NOT AVAILABLE through the website.  If you need a certified book copy of your birth certificate (for foreign authentication, passport, etc.) you should submit your request through the mail or contact a local health district. Please note that no rush orders are available through this service. Click here to begin the online order process.

5.  VitalChek - Obtain a certified copy of a birth or death certificate via credit card using this private vendor. Additional service charges will be applied to each order. Turn around is estimated at 2 TO 3 WEEKS from the day the request is received, not including additional time for mailing. Adding expedited UPS service will reduce the postal mailing time but will not reduce the initial processing of your order.  Full instructions

Frequently asked questions on vital records

For marriage and divorce information, click on the Marriage and Divorce Records link in the left-hand column.

Searching Appointments: If you wish to come in and search the statewide files for Ohio birth, death, marriage, or divorce records, please call (614) 466-2531 to make an appointment first. No walk-in searching is available.

Notice: Please be advised that fees, available records, and information on this website, is subject to change without notice. 

Last updated: 1/27/12