Get a Birth or Death Certificate

• The office only issues certificates for births that occurred in Ohio from 1908 – present.
• For birth records in Ohio from 1867 – December 20, 1908, please contact the probate court for the county that the birth occurred.
• Information related to births prior to 1908 is not available within the State of Ohio records system.
• For births outside the State of Ohio, please contact the state in which the event occurred. Find locations outside Ohio.

For new birth certificates:

• Certificates for new births typically takes 2-5 weeks to become available. While CPH Office of Vital Statistics strives to provide this service as quickly as possible, the information must first be received from the birthing hospital (or center) and uploaded into State of Ohio records system.
• The Office of Vital Statistics processes orders within 7-10 business days generally once the information is available.
• If a certificate is not available at the time of your application, the certificate will be mailed via U.S. Postal Service upon coming available.

Cost: 

• Certified copies of birth or death certificates are issued at a fee of $25.00 per certificate. Only certified copies are available.
• When ordering online, an added fee of $9.95 applies. See Order Online for more information.

• This office only issues certificates for deaths that occurred in Franklin County, Ohio from 1908 – present.
• For death records in Ohio from 1867 – December 20, 1908, please contact the probate court for the county that the death occurred.
• Information related to deaths prior to 1908 is not available within the State of Ohio records system.
• For deaths outside the State of Ohio, please contact the state in which the event occurred. Find locations in other states.
• For deaths occurring outside Franklin County, but within Ohio, contact the Ohio Department of Health.

Cost: 

• Certified copies of birth or death certificates are issued at a fee of $25.00 per certificate. Only certified copies are available.
• When ordering online, an added fee of $9.95 applies. See Order Online for more information.

Certified copies of birth certificates for new births typically takes 2-5 weeks, depending on getting the information from the birth hospital (or center) and registration within the State of Ohio records system.

If a certificate is not available at the time your application is received in the mail, the certificate will be mailed via U.S. Postal Service when it is available.

To order by mail, print and complete the application:

• Birth Certificate Application Form 
• Death Certificate Application Form 
• Newborn Birth Application Form 

Mail the completed application form and payment to:

Office of Vital Statistics
Columbus Public Health
240 Parsons Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43215

Payment By Mail:

• Payment is due before the documents can be sent to you.
• All payments are processed within 24 hours of receipt.
• Columbus Public Health accepts only personal checks, certified checks, or money orders, payable to Columbus City Treasurer.
• No Starter Checks accepted.
• Debit or credit card payment is not available for mail in applications, except when ordering online through VitalChek (a private, for profit company).
• Once the application and payment are received at our office and payment has cleared, the Office of Vital Statistics will mail your order via U.S. Postal Service. This process typically takes 7 to 10 business days if the information is available on the State of Ohio records system.

If Your Certificate Has Not Arrived:

If the application and payment was sent more than 14 days and you have not received your order, or your payment has not cleared, please contact the Office of Vital Statistics at: VS@columbus.gov or (614) 645-7331.

Before You Call or Email Us:

Please provide this information in your email or have it ready when you call:

1. Name on the certificate(s) requested
2. Date of Event (birth or death)
3. Mother's maiden name (birth certificate only)
4. Father's name (birth certificate only)
5. Approximate date application was sent to the Office of Vital Statistics
6. Number of copies ordered and the amount and method of payment
7. Your name, mailing address, and telephone number.
8. Your e-mail address (optional)

Please remember that newborn births can be delayed until uploaded into the State of Ohio records system.

Columbus Public Health Office of Vital Statistics offers ordering of birth and death certificates online through VitalChek.com - a private, for-profit company. 

Payment and Cost:

• Payment to Vitalchek is required at the time of order by debit or credit card only. Your debit or credit card statement will show payment to Vitalchek.
• Each certificate ordered costs $25, plus an additional service fee of $9.95 (per total order for regular mail service).

Shipment:

• Orders made through Vitalchek are typically processed and mailed via U.S. Postal Service 7 to 10 business days once the Office of Vital Statistics has received the order from Vitalchek and if the information is available on the State of Ohio records system (this can delay the order if it is not yet in this system).
• Vitalchek offers expedited mail service within the United States through UPS Express Service by calling 1-877-648-0605 or at vitalchek.com for an additional fee per order of:

• $20 for overnight service
• $17.50 for 2 to 3 day service
• $9.95 for regular mail service

For faster service, print and complete the application from the link below.

• Birth Certificate Application
• Death Certificate Application

Payment:

• Payment for certified copies of birth or death certificates is due prior to receipt of the documents at our Cashier’s Office.
• The Cashier’s Office accepts cash, personal checks, certified checks, money orders, or debit or credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, or Discover Card only).
• All payments are processed within 24 hours of receipt.

Note: Birth certificates for new births typically takes 2-5 weeks to become available, depending on getting information from the birth hospital or center and registration within the State of Ohio records system.

Birth Certificate Corrections:

Please call Vital Statistics at (614) 645-7331 for information on how to correct an error on a birth certificate.

Adding a Father to a Birth Certificate:

Single, unmarried mothers wishing to add a father to a birth certificate must complete an Acknowledgement of Paternity Affidavit that can be obtained from any hospital, child support enforcement agency, or local vital statistics office.

• Adding a father to a birth certificate takes approximately ninety (90) days to complete once the Paternity Affidavit is received and approved.

• Birth certificates are not to be returned to the Office of Vital Statistics until a new certificate is on file.

• To check on the status of a new birth certificate with the father's name added, please call 614-645-7331.

Death Certificate Corrections:

Contact the funeral home that submitted the original information.

Services are provided:

• By e file at deathregistration@columbus.gov
• By mail
  • Application with payment (check or money order) can be mailed to: Columbus Public Health, Death Records, 240 Parsons Ave. Columbus, OH 43215 (Checks are made payable to Columbus City Treasurer)
  • Certificates are $25 each + permits $3 each
• In person at 240 Parsons Ave. Columbus, OH 43215
  • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:00 a.m. - noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed daily from noon to 1:00 pm)
  • Wednesday 9 a.m. - noon and 1-4 p.m.
  • Certificates are $25 each + permits $3 each
• Online through Vital Chek at www.vitalchek.com (additional fees apply)

Our Exchange Policy:

• Death correction affidavit exchanges MUST be made within 30 days of purchase by mailing or bring certificate to office -or- requesting attachment
• Supplemental update exchanges can be made by mailing or bringing certificates to our office -or- by requesting attachment
• No refunds or credits. Please make sure you need copies all copies ordered.
• Please contact our office within 60 days of purchase if you have not received the certificate ordered via mail or Vital Check

Burial Permits are available to funeral directors at the following locations:

• Vital Statistics Office (during regular business hours)

• Sub registrar or local Vital Statistics Registrar (it is recommended you contact the appropriate party first for availability prior to approval)

Sub-Registrars

Jack W. Moreland
55 E. Schrock Rd., Westerville
(614) 891-1414
morelandfuneralhome@rrohio.com

Dwayne R. Spence
44 E. Columbus St., Canal Winchester
(614) 837-7126
drs843@aol.com

Ricky Dean Tidd
5265 Norwich St., Hilliard
(614) 876-1722
tiddfuneralhome@rrohio.com

Donald C. Jones
515 N. High St., Worthington
(614) 885-4006

Harry H Shaw IV
34 W 2nd Ave
Columbus, Ohio 43201
(614) 299-4155
kipshaw@columbus.rr.com

C. Jeffrey Spence
2697 Columbus St., Grove City
(614) 875-4878
jeff11dsfh@aol.com

Barth Cotner
7369 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg
(614) 866-6318
cotner57@aol.com

Nelson Kopp
229 E. State St., Columbus
(614) 224-6105
nkopp@schoedinger.com