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.  

Select the link here to place your order: https://odhgateway.odh.ohio.gov/OrderBirthCertificates/

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 VS.Issuance@odh.ohio.gov.

If you would like to order a decorative heirloom birth record, the application can be found here.

In Person at Local Offices

Our office is not offering in person certificate service while we adhere to Governor DeWine's guidance on social distancing and health safety.  Many local offices do have limited 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 click here 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 VS.Issuance@odh.ohio.gov.