Get your certified Ohio Birth Certificate

A certified copy of an Ohio birth certificate costs $25 from the Ohio Department of Health. Additional copies ordered at the same time are also $25 each.

Ready to order? Start your Ohio birth certificate application today.

Yes. You can request an Ohio birth certificate online through the Ohio Department of Health or through an authorized third-party service. You will need the full name on the certificate, date of birth, place of birth, and parents’ names along with valid identification.

You can also use your Ohio birth certificate to apply for a REAL ID or U.S. passport.

Ohio allows eligible individuals such as a parent, legal guardian, or legal representative to request a birth certificate on someone else’s behalf. You may need to provide a notarized affidavit or sworn statement confirming your relationship and purpose. A Power of Attorney (PoA) document is also accepted as proof of legal authority.

Order an Ohio birth certificate on behalf of a family member through our secure online process.

Official birth certificates issued by the ODH display features that validate their authenticity and provide details about your identity and citizenship. Although the appearance of the certificates varies depending on the year of issue, they will contain details stipulated by state guidelines. Official birth certificates must include the state seal, the individual's name, and the registrar's signature and be printed on secure paper to ensure the documents' credibility and integrity.

Note that official (long-form) certificates are used for legal purposes and differ from informational (short-form) copies used for commemorative reasons.

• Full Name of the Person: The full legal name of the person whose birth is being recorded.

• Date of Birth: The exact date of birth of the individual.

• Place of Birth: The city, county, and state where the birth took place.

• Parents’ Names: The full names of both parents, including the mother’s maiden name.

• State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.

• Signature of State Registrar: The signature of the state registrar or authorized official responsible for issuing the certificate.

• Date of Issuance: The date when the state officially issued the birth certificate.

• Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.

In some instances, a certified birth certificate may also include:

• Name of the Hospital where the birth was recorded.

• Name of the Physician who attended the labor.

For a complete overview of birth certificate types, costs, and requirements across all states, visit our birth certificate guide.

If you lose your birth certificate:

1. Apply for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You will need to complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).
   a. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to a county or state health department.
   b. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the ODH at:
   Ohio Department of Health Vital Statistics
   P.O. Box 15098 Columbus,
   Ohio 43215-0098
   c. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
2. The ODH will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

The process may vary depending on the required adjustments when you need to correct or change an Ohio birth certificate. Generally, an addendum is issued to rectify or modify a birth certificate, ensuring that the original record remains unchanged. This method allows the necessary updates to be implemented while preserving the original document's integrity.

Typically, amendments to Ohio birth certificates will require:

1. Submit an Application to Correct Birth Certificate to the Probate Court. Contact the probate court to request an application.
2. Provide a certified copy of the birth certificate to be corrected.
3. Provide evidence to verify the correction. Use a Birth Certificate Worksheet from the hospital, if possible.
   Viable documents include:
   • School Records
   • Baptismal Records
   • Military Records
   • Employment Records
   • Hospital Records
   • Census Records
   • Insurance Records • Death Records
   • Children's Birth Certificate
   • Marriage License Records
4. Pay Required Fees: Average fee is $90.00. Contact the probate court for current fees. Payment must be made by cash, money order, certified check (payable to “Probate Court”) or credit card (Mastercard, Visa or American Express). No personal checks.

Need to make changes? Learn about adding a father's name to a birth certificate. Once corrected, order an updated certified copy.

To acquire an apostille for an Ohio birth certificate, you can submit a request directly through the Ohio Secretary of State or by utilizing VRO's Express Apostille Service for online orders. The Ohio Secretary of State exclusively issues Apostilles, which are often a mandatory requirement when submitting a birth certificate to a foreign government, particularly in adherence to the 1961 Hague Convention.

To manually obtain an apostille for an Ohio birth certificate, complete the following steps:

1. Obtain a Certified Copy of the Birth Certificate: You must have a certified copy of the birth certificate issued by the Ohio Department of Health, or Vital Statistics in the county where the birth took place.
2. Complete the Apostille Request Form: Complete the Authentication Request Cover Letter to request an apostille from the Ohio Secretary of State's website.
3. Prepare Supporting Documents: Gather your certified birth certificate copy, the completed cover letter, and any additional supporting documents required by the Ohio Secretary of State.
4. Payment: Include a check or money order for the processing fee of $5.00 per document, made payable to Ohio Secretary of State.
5. Submit the Request: Submit the completed apostille request form, the certified birth certificate, and any supporting documents to the Ohio Secretary of State. Include the appropriate fee for the apostille service.
6. Mail or Deliver Your Application: You can mail your application or deliver it in person to the Ohio Secretary of State's office at the following addresses:
   

A long-form birth certificate (also called the "full" or "certified" copy) is a complete reproduction of the original Ohio birth record. It includes your full legal name, date and place of birth, parents' names, birthplaces, and occupations, the attending physician or midwife, and the file date and registration number. This is the version you'll need for passports, REAL ID, Social Security, adoption, immigration, dual citizenship, and most legal purposes.

A short-form birth certificate (sometimes called a "certification" or "abstract") is a condensed version that shows only your name, date of birth, place of birth, and sex. It does not include parents' information. The short form is accepted for many everyday purposes, like enrolling in school, applying for a driver's license, or joining sports leagues, but it is not always accepted for federal documents or international travel.

When you order a Ohio birth certificate through VitalRecordsOnline, you receive the long-form version by default, since it is the most widely accepted. If you're unsure which version you need, check with the agency requesting the document.

A long form birth certificate is typically required for a REAL ID or U.S. passport. Order your Ohio birth certificate to get the version you need.

Processing times for a Ohio birth certificate depend on how you order and which delivery speed you choose. Standard government processing through the Ohio vital records office generally takes 4 to 12 weeks by mail. In-person requests at the state office or authorized county location are often completed the same day or within a few business days.

When you order online through VitalRecordsOnline, we review your application within 24 hours to catch errors before submission, then forward it to the issuing authority. Most customers receive their certified Ohio birth certificate in 2 to 3 weeks with standard shipping. Expedited processing and rush shipping options are available at checkout for urgent needs like passport applications or upcoming travel.

If the issuing office returns your request because of missing information, our team contacts you immediately so the correction can be made without starting over. You can track your order status at any time through your account.

Start your order now through our secure online application and receive status updates throughout the process.

If you were born in Columbus or Franklin County, your birth certificate is on file with the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) in Columbus. You can request a certified copy in person at the ODH Vital Statistics office at 246 North High Street, or at the Franklin County Probate Court.

The easiest option is to order your Columbus birth certificate online through our secure application. Your request is processed and a certified copy is mailed directly to you.

A certified Ohio birth certificate is accepted for a REAL ID, U.S. passport, and other official purposes.

Ohio does not offer guaranteed same-day birth certificate processing through the state Department of Health. Walk-in requests at the ODH office in Columbus or at your local probate court may be processed faster than mail orders, but wait times vary.

For the fastest option without traveling, you can order your Ohio birth certificate online with expedited processing. This is often quicker than visiting an office, especially if you do not live near Columbus.

Once you receive your certified copy, it can be used for Ohio marriage certificate applications, death certificate requests, and other vital records needs.

If you were born in Cleveland or Cuyahoga County, you can request a birth certificate from the Cuyahoga County Probate Court or through the Ohio Department of Health. The probate court is located at 1 Lakeside Avenue in downtown Cleveland.

You can also skip the trip and order your Cleveland birth certificate online. We handle the paperwork and your certified copy is delivered by mail.

Your Ohio birth certificate can be used for REAL ID, school enrollment, passport applications, and updating your Social Security record.