How to Obtain a Copy of Your Birth Certificate in Ohio

This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD. Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013.

There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

This article has been viewed 171,725 times.

Having a copy of your birth certificate is useful for various reasons, including applying for a passport or getting a driver’s license. Or maybe you want a copy of a birth certificate of a family member to construct a family tree. The State of Ohio offers every individual born there the option of obtaining copies of their birth certificate. Family members and legal representatives may also apply to receive copies of the birth certificates of individuals born in Ohio. By having the right information and documentation, you can get copies of birth certificates quickly and easily.

Getting a Birth Certificate in Person

• You need to have a completed application form for a certified copy of an Ohio birth certificate.
• If you are applying for a copy of your own birth certificate, you need to provide a copy of your official photo ID. For example, you can provide your driver’s license, military ID, or a passport.
• If you are applying for a copy of a birth certificate for another person, you need identification and usually other legal documentation.
• If you would like sealed adoption records, you can only get them at the Columbus office.

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• The application is available online at https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/vital-statistics/resources/vs-applicationforcertifiedcopies
• If you have any questions on the application, you can call the Ohio Department of Health at (614) 466-3543 or the Office of Vital Statistics at (614) 466-2531.
• You can call either hotline between 8:00am and 5:00pm except state and federal holidays.

• Make the personal check or money order out to Office of Vital Statistics.

• The Columbus office is located at 225 Neilston St., Columbus, OH 43215.
• The office is open Monday-Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm except state and federal holidays.
• If you cannot get to Columbus and wish to use a city or county health department, the Ohio Department of Health offers a statewide directory at https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/find-local-health-districts/find-local-health-districts

• The state tries to fill all walk-in orders within 20 minutes of the application. If you file your application after 4:30pm, it might not be available until the next day.
• You can choose to pick up your birth certificate on a different day.
• You can also choose to have the Office of Vital Statistics mail you the birth certificate copy. This will take approximately one week.
• If you are applying for the birth certificate of an adoptee at the Columbus office, the process may take one month.
• It may be faster to get a birth certificate copy at one of the smaller Department of Health offices in your local city or county.

Getting a Birth Certificate by Mail

• It will likely take approximately three weeks to get your birth certificate copies by mail.
• You need to have a completed application form for a copy of an Ohio birth certificate.
• If you are applying for a copy of your own birth certificate, you need to provide a copy of your official photo ID. For example, you can provide your driver’s license, military ID, or a passport. [1] X Research source
• If you are applying for a copy of a birth certificate for another person, you need identification and usually other legal documentation. [2] X Research source

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• The application is available online at https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/vital-statistics/resources/vs-applicationforcertifiedcopies
• If you have any questions on the application, you can call the Ohio Department of Health at (614) 466-3543 or the Office of Vital Statistics at (614) 466-2531.
• You can call either hotline between 8:00am and 5:00pm except state and federal holidays.

• Make the personal check or money order out to Office of Vital Statistics.

• The Office of Vital Statistics does not take cash or credit cards for mail service. If you cannot get a check or money order, you can pay by credit card using the services the Ohio Department of Health’s online request site or use the expedited services of VitalCheck.
• Make the personal check or money order out to Office of Vital Statistics.

• If you’re sending your application to Columbus, the address is: Ohio Department of Health, Vital Statistics, P.O. Box 15098, Columbus, Ohio 43215-0098. [3] X Research source
• If you’re going to send your application to the health department of the city or county where the birth occurred, consult the Department of Health’s statewide directory of offices at https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/vital-statistics/resources/vs-applicationforcertifiedcopies
• Consider sending the application materials by registered mail so that you can ensure that it arrives at the Office of Vital Statistics or Department of Health.

Wait for the copy of the birth certificate. It takes approximately three weeks to get the copy of the birth certificate for which you applied by mail. If you have any questions about your application, follow up with of the Offices of Vital Statistics at the phone numbers listed above.

Getting a Birth Certificate Online

• The Ohio Department of Health’s online service does not offer expedited processing. [4] X Research source
• You need the following information to file an online request: complete legal name of the child, complete date of birth, mother’s maiden name, city or county of birth, a valid credit card. [5] X Research source
• The Ohio Department of Health’s online service accepts Visa and Mastercard. [6] X Research source

• The Ohio Department of Health’s site for birth certificates is https://odhgateway.odh.ohio.gov/OrderBirthCertificates/OrderBirthCertificate.aspx
• You can file your application 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. [7] X Research source

• If you have any questions about the process, you can contact the Ohio Department of Health by phone at 614-466-2531 or by email at vitalstat@odh.ohio.gov.

• The fee is $21.50 and additional copies cost $21.50. You can pay by Visa or Mastercard. [10] X Research source

Note any information about your order. After you’ve filed your application with the Ohio Department of Health’s website and paid the relevant fees, note any information relevant to your request including a confirmation number. You should receive your birth certificate in approximately three weeks. [11] X Research source

Getting an Expedited Birth Certificate Online

• Have copies of your social security card or number and a photo ID. If you are applying for a birth certificate for someone other than yourself, make sure you have proof of your relationship to that person. Know that you may not be able to apply for another person’s birth certificate using Vitalchek. [12] X Research source
• Vitalchek accepts credit cards as a form of payment for their services and for the application fees. You can pay with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. [13] X Research source

• VitalChek’s website for Ohio birth certificates is https://www.vitalchek.com/order_main.aspx?state=OH&eventtype=birth
• You can file your application 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. [14] X Research source

• If you have any questions about the process, you can access VitalChek’s online FAQ page at https://vitalchek-solutions.custhelp.com/app/home or call their hotline at 1-877-888-0248.

• VitalChek accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.
• The fee to order a birth certificate from Ohio with VitalChek is $25.00 for the first copy. [16] X Research source Additional copies cost $25.00 each. [17] X Research source
• The fee for VitalChek’s services is $7 for obtaining an Ohio birth certificate. [18] X Research source In addition, VitalChek will charge you an additional fee for whatever shipping method you choose. The price for that will also vary depending on how quickly you want the birth certificate copy. [19] X Research source

• Make sure to note the confirmation number for the requested birth certificate in order to check up on the status or ask questions you may have.
• VitalChek offers fast turnaround on birth certificate requests. The will file your application within one business day to government office and you should expect your copy in about a week. [20] X Research source
• You can also check on the status of your application at https://www.vitalchek.com/v/order_status_signon with the order and pins that VitalChek provides you.

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1. ↑https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/vital-statistics/resources/vs-applicationforcertifiedcopies
2. ↑https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/vital-statistics/resources/vs-applicationforcertifiedcopies
3. ↑https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/vital-statistics/resources/vs-applicationforcertifiedcopies
4. ↑https://odhgateway.odh.ohio.gov/OrderBirthCertificates/
5. ↑https://odhgateway.odh.ohio.gov/OrderBirthCertificates/
6. ↑https://odhgateway.odh.ohio.gov/OrderBirthCertificates/
7. ↑https://odhgateway.odh.ohio.gov/OrderBirthCertificates/OrderBirthCertificate.aspx
8. ↑https://odhgateway.odh.ohio.gov/OrderBirthCertificates/OrderBirthCertificate.aspx
9. ↑https://odhgateway.odh.ohio.gov/OrderBirthCertificates/OrderBirthCertificate.aspx

1. ↑https://odhgateway.odh.ohio.gov/OrderBirthCertificates/OrderBirthCertificate.aspx
2. ↑https://odhgateway.odh.ohio.gov/OrderBirthCertificates/
3. ↑https://www.vitalchek.com/order_main.aspx?state=OH&eventtype=birth
4. ↑https://www.vitalchek.com/order_main.aspx?state=OH&eventtype=birth
5. ↑https://www.vitalchek.com/order_main.aspx?state=OH&eventtype=birth
6. ↑https://www.vitalchek.com/order_main.aspx?state=OH&eventtype=birth
7. ↑https://www.vitalchek.com/order_main.aspx?state=OH&eventtype=birth
8. ↑https://www.vitalchek.com/order_main.aspx?state=OH&eventtype=birth
9. ↑https://www.vitalchek.com/order_main.aspx?state=OH&eventtype=birth
10. ↑https://vitalchek-solutions.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3211/kw/cost
11. ↑https://vitalchek-solutions.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3190/related/1

About This Article

This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD. Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013. This article has been viewed 171,725 times.

There are 3 ways to obtain a copy of your birth certificate in Ohio, in person, by mail, or online. If you want to go in person, visit the Columbus Office of Vital Statistics. Take proof of your ID, like your driver’s license or passport, and fill in an application form for a birth certificate. To save time, print this off the Ohio Department of Health’s website and fill it in at home. Alternatively, mail the form and copies of your ID to the Offices of Vital Statistics so you don’t need to go in person. Just make sure you attach a check with the required fee. To apply for a birth certificate online, go to the Ohio Department of Health’s website and fill in the online form. Like the other methods, you’ll need your documentation and a credit card to pay the fee. For more tips from our Legal co-author, including how to get an expedited birth certificate online, read on!

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