Ohio - How to obtain a Birth Certificate

ProcedureEdit

In Person

Walk-in to the Ohio Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics in person to receive a copy of your birth certificate on that same day.
The office is located at 225 Neilston Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215.
Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
If you have questions, call (614) 466-2531 for more information.

By Mail

Download and completely fill out request form
Make checks and/or money order payable to "Treasurer, State of Ohio"
Provide a self-addressed stamped envelope. Print or type your name and address on the envelope using all caps.
Mail completed request form to:

Bureau of Vital Statistics; Ohio Department of Health; 35 East Chestnut Street, 6th Floor; P.O. Box 15098; Columbus, OH 43215-0098; Phone: (614) 466-2531
Apply Online (VitalChek)

It's the easiest and most efficient method for ordering official birth certificates and other vital records because there is less room for error when you enter the information yourself. Our simple forms have built-in editing features to help ensure the accuracy of your order.

Order official, certified birth certificates from North Dakota Vital Records online quickly and securely

VitalChek is an official service, authorized by Ohio Vital Records, to securely order certified Ohio vital records, like birth certificate records. Other online services may not be authorized by Ohio Vital Records, and may charge additional fees without providing approved services or guaranteeing confidentiality of your data.
As a government-approved organization for 25 years, VitalChek safely delivers millions of vital records every year and is Americas No.1 resource for ordering certified vital records across the nation. VitalChek makes purchasing your familys most important documents, such as Ohio birth certificates, simple, fast and secure:
- Simple step-by-step ordering with easy to use editing features to help ensure the accuracy of your order.
- Fast online ordering, processing & delivery options to help get your certificate as quickly as possible.
- Secure ordering processes that are designed to help protect your identity online.
VitalChek offers the convenience of ordering Ohio birth certificates for yourself or your family from the privacy of your home or office, 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, with no hidden fees or unexplained charges. No traffic, no standing in line, no parking, no hassles.

Required DocumentsEdit

State Issued Driver's license (can be expired)
United States, or Foreign passports
Military ID
Photo-ID cards from a government sponsored program

Office Locations & ContactsEdit

Contact Details: Bureau of Vital Statistics; Ohio Department of Health; 35 East Chestnut Street, 6th Floor; P.O. Box 15098; Columbus, OH 43215-0098; Phone: (614) 466-2531
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday; From 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Certificates may also be obtained from your local county. Use the contact information below to inquire.

Adams County : 110 W. Main St. West Union, Ohio 45693-1347
Phone: 937.544.5547 Website

Allen County : 301 N. Main St. Lima, Ohio 45801-4456
Phone: 419.223.8513 Website

Ashland County : 110 W. 2nd St. Ashland, Ohio 44805-2101
Phone: 419.289.000 Website

Ashtabula County : 25 West Jefferson Street Jefferson, Ohio 44047
Phone: 440.576.3637 Website

Athens County : 15 South Court Street Athens, Ohio 45701
Phone: 740.592.3219 Fax: 740.594.8010 Website

Auglaize County : 201 Willipie St. Wapakoneta, Ohio 45895
Phone: 419.738.3410 Website

Belmont County : 101 Main St. St. Clairsville, Ohio 43950
Phone: 740.699.2139 Website

Brown County : 101 S. Main St. Georgetown, Ohio 45121
Phone: 937.378.3100 Website

Butler County : 101 High St. Hamilton, Ohio 45011-2732
Phone: 513.887.3278 Website

Carroll County : 119 South Lisbon Street Carrollton, Ohio 44615
Phone: 330.627.4886 Website

Champaign County : 200 N. Main Street Urbana, Ohio 43078
Phone: 937.653.2746 Website

Clark County : 101 N. Limestone St. Springfield, Ohio 45502
Phone: 937.328.2458 Website

Clermont County : 4430 State Route 222 Batavia, Ohio 45103
Phone: 513.732.7308 Website

Clinton County : 46 S. South Street Wilmington, Ohio 45177
Phone: 937.382.2103 Website

Columbiana County : 105 S. Market St. Lisbon, Ohio 44432
Phone: 440.424.9511 Website

Coshocton County : 349 1/2 Main Street Coshocton, Ohio 43812
Phone: 740.622.1456 Website

Crawford County : 112 E. Mansfield St. Bucyrus, Ohio 44820
Website

Cuyahoga County : 1219 Ontario St. Cleveland, Ohio 44113-1603
Phone: 216-443-7300 Website

Darke County : 504 South Broadway Greenville, Ohio 45331 Health Department
Phone: 937-548-4196 / Probate Court 937-547-7345 Website

Defiance County : 500 Court St. Defiance, Ohio 43512-2157
Website

Delaware County : 91 N. Sandusky Delaware, Ohio 43015-1703
Website

Erie County : 323 Columbus Ave Sandusky, Ohio 44870
Website

Fairfield County : 224 East Main Street Lancaster, Ohio 43130
Website

Fayette County : 110 East Court Street Washington, Ohio 43160
Website

Franklin County : Franklin County Government Center 373 South High Street, 23rd Floor Columbus, OH 43215
Website

Fulton County : 210 S. Fulton Wauseon, Ohio 43567-1355
Website

Gallia County : 18 Locust St. Gallipolis, Ohio 45631
Website

Geauga County : Chardon, Ohio 44024
Website

Greene County : 45 N. Detroit Street Xenia, Ohio 45385
Website

Guernsey County : 801 E. Wheeling Ave Cambridge, Ohio 43725
Website

Hamilton County : 1000 Main Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Website

Hancock County : 300 S. Main St. Findlay, Ohio 45840
Website

Hardin County : One Courthouse Square Kenton, Ohio 43326
Website

Harrison County : 100 West Market Street Cadiz, Ohio 43907
Website

Henry County : 660 N. Perry St. Napoleon, Ohio 43545
Website

Highland County : 105 N. High Street

EligibilityEdit

You may order copies of Ohio birth certificates for yourself or a family member.

FeesEdit

In person/by mail: Certified copy: $21.50 each
Online (VitalChek): Certified copy: $21.50 each

ValidityEdit

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to UseEdit

Please attach documents which can be used by people who would like to follow this procedure.

Sample DocumentsEdit

Please attach sample completed documents which would help other people who would like to follow this procedure.

Processing TimeEdit

In Person: Processed same day
Mail: 10 to 12 weeks

InstructionsEdit

Ohio Vital Records issues certified copies of Ohio birth for events for events that occurred within the State of Ohio.
Birth Certificates are available for events that occurred within the State of Ohio from December 20, 1908 to present.
A special bonus for genealogists is that uncertified copies are practically free - fees are only (.03) cents per copy plus postage costs.
For birth records prior to from 1867 - December 29, 1908, contact the Probate Court of the county where the birth occurred
You may order the your birth certificate either at Bureau of Vital Statistics or County Probate Court where the events that occurred
You may request your certified birth certificate by in person, by mail and/or online (VitalChek)
You may order copies of Ohio vital records through VitalChek on an expedited basis.
Check or money order should be made payable to Treasurer, State of Ohio. Personal checks are accepted.
If you do not know the date or place of event, you may request a search of the State Vital Statistics office files and records. The fee for a search is $3.00 per name for each ten years searched. Payment must be made in advance. After searching is completed you will be informed if the record was located.

Required InformationEdit

Full name of individual at birth
Date of birth
City and/or County of birth
Father's name
Mother's name, including maiden name
Your relationship to the individual
Your name and address
The address you want the copies mailed to (if different)
Daytime telephone number

Need for the DocumentEdit

You may need a birth certificate when enrolling in school, applying for a social security card or for certain legal proceedings. This can prove frustrating when you do not have a copy immediately on hand. If you want to obtain your birth certificate or if you would like to have an additional copy of your birth certificate you can obtain one with following the procedure given below.