How to Obtain a Copy of Your Birth Certificate in Ohio

Co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD

Last Updated: July 22, 2020 References

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.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Getting a Birth Certificate in Person

1
Have the proper documentation. In order to get a copy of your Ohio birth certificate in person, you need to make sure you have the proper documentation ready before you visit one of the Offices of Vital Statistics. Having this information ready will ensure that there aren’t any delays in getting you the birth certificate.
- 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.
2
Fill out the application form. In addition to your documentation, you need to submit the “Application for Certified Copies” of an Ohio birth certificate. For the application to be complete, you must fill it out to the best of your knowledge and sign it.
- 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.
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3
Have payment ready. There is a fee of $21.50 for copies of birth certificates. You must pay this by personal check, money order, or credit card when you file your application.
- Make the personal check or money order out to Office of Vital Statistics.
4
File your application at an Office of Vital Statistics. Once you’ve collected the required documentation, completed your application, and prepared the payment of your fees, you can file your application at the Ohio Office of Vital Statistics. You can choose to file the application in Columbus office or at the city or county health department in which the birth occurred.
- 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
5
Wait for the copy of the birth certificate. It can take a few minutes to a week to get the copy of the birth certificate for which you applied. If you have any questions about the process, you can contact one of the Office of Vital Statistics at the phone numbers listed above.
- 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.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Getting a Birth Certificate by Mail

1
Have a copy of the proper documentation. If you are not in Ohio or don’t have the time to apply for birth certificate copies in person, you can file the application by mail. You will need proper documentation to submit to one of the Offices of Vital Statistics or the city or county health department to ensure that there aren’t any delays in getting you the 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]
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- If you are applying for a copy of a birth certificate for another person, you need identification and usually other legal documentation.^{[2]
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2
Fill out the application form. In addition to your documentation, you need to submit the “Application for Certified Copies” of an Ohio birth certificate. For the application to be complete, you must fill it out to the best of your knowledge and sign it.
- 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.
3
Have payment ready. There is a fee of $21.50 for copies of birth certificates. You must pay this by personal check, money order, or credit card when you file your application.
- Make the personal check or money order out to Office of Vital Statistics.
4
Have payment ready. You must send the $21.50 fee for each copy of a birth certificate with your application materials. You must pay this by personal check or money order when you file your application.
- 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.^{[3]
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- Make the personal check or money order out to Office of Vital Statistics.
5
Send your application to the Office of Vital Statistics. Once you’ve collected all of your required documentation, send your application to the Offices of Vital Statistics in Columbus or the department of health in the city or county where the birth occurred.
- 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.^{[4]
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- 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.
6
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.^{[5]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Getting a Birth Certificate Online

1
Prepare your documentation. If you’re planning to use the online service provided by the State of Ohio to apply for a birth certificate copy, have all of your documentation available as you fill out the online forms. This will ensure there are no delays in getting your copies.
- The Ohio Department of Health’s online service does not offer expedited processing.^{[6]
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- 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.^{[7]
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- The Ohio Department of Health’s online service accepts Visa and Mastercard.^{[8]
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2
Access the Ohio Department of Health’s website to complete your request. In order to apply for a birth certificate copy online, access the Ohio Department of Health’s website to begin and complete your application. The service has the advantage that you can use it any time you’re ready.
- 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.^{[9]
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3
Follow online application prompts. The website will ask you questions about your application for birth certificate copies. Follow these questions and any prompts for additional information or documentation until your application is complete and you receive a confirmation email.^{[10]
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- 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.
4
Pay for your birth certificate copies. At the end of filing your request online, the Ohio Department of Health website will request your payment. The Ohio Department of Health only charges for the copy of the birth certificate, not any additional fees for using the website.^{[11]
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- The fee is $21.50 and additional copies cost $21.50. You can pay by Visa or Mastercard.^{[12]
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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.^{[13]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Getting an Expedited Birth Certificate Online

1
Prepare your documentation. If you’re planning to use the online service for expedited birth certificate copies provided by the state of Ohio, which is called Vitalchek, have all of your documentation available as you fill out the online forms. This will ensure there are no delays in getting your copies.
- 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.^{[14]
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- 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.^{[15]
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2
Access the VitalChek website to complete your request. In order to apply for a birth certificate copy online, access the VitalChek website to begin and complete your application. The service has the advantage that you can use it any time you’re ready.
- 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.^{[16]
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3
Follow online application prompts. The VitalChek website will ask you questions about your application for birth certificate copies. Follow these questions and any prompts for additional information or documentation until your application is complete and you receive a confirmation email.^{[17]
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- 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.
4
Pay for your birth certificate copies and VitalChek’s service fees. At the end of filing your request online, the VitalChek website will request your payment. VitalChek charges not only for the copy of the birth certificate, but also for its expedited services.
- 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.^{[18]
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  Research source} Additional copies cost $25.00 each.^{[19]
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- The fee for VitalChek’s services is $7 for obtaining an Ohio birth certificate.^{[20]
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  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.^{[21]
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5
Note your confirmation number and wait for your birth certificate copy. After you’ve filed your application with VitalChek and paid the relevant fees, you will receive a confirmation number by email. You should receive your birth certificate relatively quickly by using the online service.
- 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.^{[22]
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- You can also check on the status of your application at https://www.vitalchek.com/order_status_signon.aspx with the order and pin numbers that VitalChek provides you.