Vital records office in Ohio
How to obtain certified copies of birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates from Ohio for immigration filings, USCIS evidence, school enrollment, or any other purpose.
Ohio
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Birth Event: Birth Cost of copy: $21.50 Address: Vital Statistics Ohio Department of Health P.O. Box 15098 Columbus, OH 43215-0098 Remarks: State office has birth records since December 20, 1908. For earlier birth and death records, write to the Probate Court in the county where the event occurred. Personal check or money order should be made payable to Treasury, State of Ohio . To verify current fees, the telephone number is (614) 466-2531. This is a recorded message. Information on how to obtain certified copies is also available via the Ohio Department of Health, Vital Records website . Death Event: Death Cost of copy: $21.50 Address: Vital Statistics Ohio Department of Health P.O. Box 15098 Columbus, OH 43215-0098 Remarks: State office has death records since January 1, 1972. For earlier death records, write to the Probate Court in the county where the event occurred. Death records that occurred December 20, 1908 – December 31, 1971 can be obtained from: Ohio Historical Society, Archives Library Division 1982 Velma Avenue Columbus, OH 43211-2497 Personal check or money order should be made payable to Treasury, State of Ohio . To verify current fees, the telephone number is (614) 466-2531. This is a recorded message. Information on how to obtain certified copies is also available via the Ohio Department of Health, Vital Records website . Marriage Event: Marriage (State) Cost of copy: See remarks Address: Vital Statistics Ohio Department of Health P.O. Box 15098 Columbus, OH 43215-0098 Remarks: Copies of marriage records are not available from the State Health Department. Inquiries will be referred to appropriate office. For certified copies of marriage records, please write to the Probate Court in the county where the event occurred. Information on how to obtain certified copies is also available at this website .
Event: Marriage (county) Cost of copy: Varies Address: See remarks Remarks: Probate Judge in county where license was issued. Divorce Event: Divorce (State) Cost of copy: See remarks Address: Vital Statistics Ohio Department of Health P.O. Box 15098 Columbus, OH 43215-0098 Remarks: Certified copies are not available from the State Health Department. For certified copies of divorces, please write to county Clerk of Courts where the divorce was granted. Information on how to obtain certified copies is also available at this website .
Event: Divorce (county) Cost of copy: Varies Address: See remarks Remarks: Clerk of Court of Common Pleas in county where divorce was granted.
Last Reviewed: April 2, 2024 Source: National Center for Health Statistics
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Ohio vital records office details
- CDC W2W (Where to Write) page: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/ohio.htm
Why immigrants need certified vital records
USCIS, courts, schools, and many other US agencies require certified vital records (not photocopies) for:
- I-130 family petition — birth certificate proves family relationship
- I-485 adjustment of status — birth certificate of applicant and beneficiaries
- N-400 naturalization — marriage certificate if applying under spouse-of-USC 3-year rule
- Apostille — for use of US documents in foreign countries (your home country may require US apostille)
- School enrollment — proof of date of birth
- Real ID applications — proof of identity
Apostille and authentication
If you need to use a Ohio vital record OUTSIDE the United States (e.g., for use at your home country’s consulate), you typically need an apostille from the Ohio Secretary of State’s office. See /procedures/apostille-document/ for the process.
Related procedural information
- Consulate of your country in the US — your home country’s transcription/legalization of US records
- Translate documents for USCIS — certified-translation standard
- Apostille (document legalization) — for use abroad
- USCIS Form I-130 — family petition — uses vital records as evidence
- USCIS Form N-400 — naturalization — vital records for marriage-based 3-year rule
Last verified: 2026-05-27. General procedural information — not legal advice. Fees and processing times change; verify with the Ohio office.
Order vital records in Ohio
Birth, death, and marriage certificates are issued by each state. Use your state's official guide:
- Ohio — how to order birth, death & marriage certificates (official CDC guide)
Birth certificate copy: about $21.50 (verify current fee)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I get a US birth certificate from Ohio?
How do I get a marriage certificate from Ohio?
What if my certificate is in Spanish or another language?
Can I order vital records for someone else?
The rules change. Hear about it first.
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General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.