Get your certified Ohio Birth Certificate

How to Get an Ohio Birth Certificate Without ID

In Ohio, you do not need to present proof of identification when ordering birth certificates, as they are considered public records. If you can fill out the application and pay the required fee, you can request the certificate.

How Long Does It Take to Process and Receive a Birth Certificate in Ohio?

The total time it takes to receive a certified copy of your Ohio birth certificate will depend on the application method and the current wait times defined by the Ohio Department of Health. Standard processing takes 4 to 6 weeks, while online and in-person processing takes up to 5 business days. ODH does not offer same-day services for in-person requests at this time. To avoid delays, we recommend using VRO’s easy online service, which helps prevent incomplete submissions and errors.

Do I Need to Notarize My Application?

Your application for an Ohio birth certificate does not require notarization, as the Ohio Department of Health does not mandate notarization for birth certificate requests.

Other FAQs

• How to Obtain an Ohio Birth Certificate if Born on an Overseas Military Base

  

  If you were born overseas on a U.S. military base, your birth would have been recorded with the U.S. Department of State. Requesting a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA or Form FS-240) from the U.S. Department of State is necessary. This document is evidence of U.S. citizenship and is considered equivalent to a U.S. birth certificate. The CRBA can be used as proof of birth and citizenship and is particularly essential for passport applications and accessing social services.

  If an original copy of the birth documentation is needed, it is recommended that you contact the hospital in the country where the birth occurred.

• Why Do I Need Certified Copies of My Ohio Birth Certificate?

  

  Certified copies of your Ohio birth certificate are crucial for various milestones in life. They serve as essential documentation, providing proof of one's legal name, place, date of birth, and the names of the individual's parents. These certified copies establish identity and citizenship and are widely accepted by government and commercial entities. Certified birth certificates are necessary for legal proceedings, family matters, school enrollment, employment verification, and travel purposes.

  
  Birth certificates are often useful or required for:

  Applying for a driver's license

  Applying for a new passport

  Issuing or obtaining a Social Security Card

  Applying for Social Security benefits

  Claiming pension or insurance benefits

  Genealogy research

  Claiming family inheritance

  Applying for a new job

  Enrolling in school

  Enlisting in military

  Obtaining a marriage license

  
  

• What Does an Ohio Birth Certificate Look Like?

  

  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.

  
  

• How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Ohio Birth Certificate

  

  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.

• How to Correct or Amend an Ohio Birth Certificate

  

  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.

• How to Obtain an Apostille for an Ohio Birth Certificate

  

  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: