Where can i get a new birth certificate

As of January 1st, 2022 our office at 225 Neilston St. is permanently closed.  Certified copies of Ohio vital records may continue to be obtained online or in person at Vital Statistics offices in local health districts.  

Certified Birth Record - $21.50
Certified Death Record - $21.50
Certified Fetal Death Record - $21.50
Stillbirth Certificate - $0
Acknowledgement of Paternity - $7.00
Adoption File Release - $20.00
Heirloom Birth Certificate - $25.00

Ohio law (Ohio Administrative Code Section 3701-5-11) states that death records older than 50 years and birth records older than 125 years may be removed from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and sent to the Ohio History Connection for archival. As of Nov. 1, 2021, the Bureau of Vital Statistics at ODH will have transferred all records for deaths prior to 1971 into the custody of the History Connection. Customers may obtain certified copies of pre-1971 death records by contacting the local health department in which the death took place – find the appropriate office on the ODH health department locator page.  For more information about the Ohio History Connection, including its online death index for certain years, visit www.ohiohistory.org.


There are three ways to order certificates from the Bureau of Vital Statistics:

Online

The simplest way to get a certified copy of a birth or death record is to order online using a credit card.  Our online order portal now accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express cards.  Orders are processed in our office within five business days.  Expected delivery time in the continental United States via the USPS is three weeks.  If you are requesting a certified copy of a birth record for genealogy, marriage abroad, or dual citizenship your request will need to be processed by mail.  Please use the "Download" button to print our paper application and select the appropriate box on the form.  

Visit our online order portal by clicking here.  

Please note that once an online order is placed, we cannot cancel your request and issue a refund.


By Mail

To request a birth, death, fetal death, or stillbirth certificate, an affidavit of paternity, or adoption file via mail, please complete the Application for Certified Copies and send it to the address below.  Click the "Download" button to view or download a copy of this application form.  

Ohio Department of Health

Bureau of Vital Statistics

PO Box 15098

Columbus, Ohio 43215-0098

Once completed, send the application with the total fee included.   For mail orders we only accept checks and money orders (in U.S. funds).  Please do not send cash or credit card information.  We do not offer expedited services.  All mail-in orders typically take 4-6 weeks to process.  To check the status of your order after three weeks, please email .

If you would like to order a decorative heirloom birth record click here to download the form.


In Person at Local Offices

Our office is not offering in person certificate service at this time.  Many local offices do have in person availability or other alternative pathways for the public to request a certified copy of an Ohio vital record.  If you are unable to place an online order through our office we recommend you visit our local health district locator page for the location and contact information of a local health district in Ohio near you.  

If you have further questions about obtaining a certified copy of an Ohio vital record please contact our Issuance Unit at .  

Request a Certified Copy of a Birth Certificate

For a birth occurring on or after January 1, 2003:

You may request a certified copy of the birth certificate from any town vital records office or the State Vital Records Office. 

For a birth occurring prior to January 1, 2003:

You may request a certified copy of the birth certificate ONLY from the following:

  • The town vital records office of the town where the birth occurred, or
  • The town of the mother’s residence at the time of birth, or
  • The State Vital Records Office.

Checklist for Obtaining a Certified Copy of a Birth Certificate

Make sure that you are eligible to obtain the birth certificate

Complete the application 

☐ Order your vital record online (additional fees may apply) through VitalChek, or

☐ Complete the State application and mail your order in to the State Vital Records office, or

☐ Complete the Town application and mail your order in to the town of occurrence

Include your photo ID

Provide documentation proving that you are entitled to obtain the birth certificate (only applicable if the requester is not the birth registrant or a parent listed on the birth certificate)

 Include the applicable fee

Who Can Request a Certified Copy of a Birth Certificate?

Birth records are confidential records and are not open to the general public, except for those that are at least 100 years old.  For birth certificates less than 100 years old, you can only obtain the birth certificate if:

  • It’s you and you are 18 years of age or older, or an emancipated minor or a certified homeless youth
  • You are the parent, legal guardian, grandparent, spouse, adult child, or adult grandchild
  • You are an attorney-at-law representing the person named on the birth certificate or an eligible relative (see above), an agent of approved state or federal agency, a member of a Connecticut genealogical society (see the Connecticut State Library for more information) or a Conservator of Person
  • For additional eligible parties see C.G.S section 7-51

If you are a representative from a federal or state agency requesting a certified copy of a birth certificate, you must comply with the following requirements:

  • Complete and sign the official request on agency letterhead.
  • Submit a copy of his/her employee PICTURE IDENTIFICATION issued by the agency.
  • Submit a RELEASE OF INFORMATION form signed by the client authorizing the agency to obtain his/her record or, submit an official copy of a guardianship decree issued by a proper Court.
  • If a State certified certificate is not needed, you may obtain an official, certified copy from the town of birth
    • The fee for a birth certificate issued from the State of Connecticut Vital Records Unit is $30.00.
    • The fee for a birth certificate issued from the town/city of birth is $20.00.

What Needs to Be Included with Your Request?

All requests for certified copies of birth certificates must be accompanied by:

  • a valid, government issued photographic identification which includes the requester’s name, date of birth, signature, and an expiration date. If the State or town vital records office has reason to doubt the authenticity of a document presented, the requester may be asked to provide additional documentation.

OR

  • Other forms of identification:  If a photographic identification is not available, two (2) of the documents listed below may be substituted. For mail requests, a photocopy of the document is sufficient, do not send original;

    • Social security card;
    • Social security card supplemented with either an employment identification card, a paycheck stub or a W-2 form. Providing the documents in this subdivision fully satisfies the identification requirements of this section;
    • Automobile registration;
    • Copy of utility bill showing name and current address;
    • Checking account deposit slip or bank statement stating name and current address;
    • Voter registration card;
    • Valid government issued trade or professional license;
    • Valid government issued firearm permit;
    • Probation documents issued by a court or other government agency, pursuant to a criminal conviction;
    • Letter from a government agency verifying identity. The letter shall be dated within six months prior to the date of the request;
    • Release documentation from a correctional institution containing a photograph of the former inmate and a release date within 12 months prior to the date of the request;
    • Birth certificate of the requester;
    • Military discharge papers;
    • Current school or college photographic identification; or
    • Government issued photographic identification that has expired within 12 months prior to the date of the request.

If you are requesting a birth certificate for someone other than yourself or your child, you will need to submit proof verifying your relationship to the person whose birth certificate you are requesting.  For example:

  • If you are requesting the birth certificate of your parent, you must submit a copy of your own birth certificate in order to prove the parent/ child relationship.

For persons with a legal name change

  • If you have had a legal name change and your identification documents do not match the information on the vital record you are requesting, you must submit a copy of the court order verifying the legal name change.

    Applications and Forms  Apostille Seal  Contact Us

    How much is a birth certificate in Florida?

    A computer copy of birth certificates of all Florida births from 1917 to the present are available for a cost of $15.00 for each certified copy. Additional computer copies for the same person are $8.00 each.

    How do I get a copy of my birth certificate in Florida?

    Order via telephone: You may order birth and death certificates by phone with a credit card by calling VitalChek at 1-877-297-9125. All major credit cards are accepted, including American Express®, Discover®, MasterCard® or Visa®. The VitalChek fax number is 1-888-985-2842.

    How do I get a copy of my birth certificate in Orlando Florida?

    Ordering Certificates Florida certificates are issued through the Bureau of Vital Statistics at the Department of Health. Orders may be placed in person, by mail, or online through VitalChek.

    Can I get my NY birth certificate in person?

    The Health Department issues birth certificates for all people who are born in New York City. You can order a certificate online, by mail or in person.