February 2002 Genealogy Forum News

Vital Records in Ohio

Submitted by: HOST GFS Laurie@aol.com

Here is some basic information on obtaining vital records in Ohio.

I'll start with DEATHS:

1. Before December 20, 1908 - You'll have to check with the county of death. Each county is different on the date they started recording, the price they charge, whether they have certified and uncertified copies, and if they will do searches. The best thing to do would be to check on the web site listed below and click on the county you are interested in (almost at the bottom of the page). Once there, you will get some basic information and usually a phone number so you can find out more detailed information: Ohio Vital Records Information at http://vitalrec.com/oh.html

2. December 20, 1908 through 1944 - Write to the Ohio Historical Society, Archives/Library Reference Questions, 1982 Velma Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211-2497. Make checks payable to The Ohio Historical Society. The charge is $1.00 for an uncertified death certificate. For the $1.00 copy charge to apply, each request MUST include full name of decedent, year of death, and at least one of the following: month/day of death, place of death, or certificate number.

They have an online index of deaths from 1913-1937 at the following web site: Ohio Online Death Certificate Index at http://www.ohiohistory.org/dindex/

If you don't know the date of death, but you think it falls in the date range of December 20, 1908 through 1944, the OHS will do a search for a $5.00 charge, per name. This research fee includes an uncertified death certificate, if found. They will search two, five-year periods as follows: 1908-1912, 1913-1917, 1918-1922, 1923-1927, 1928-1932, 1933-1937, 1938-1940 and 1941-1944.

3. 1945 to Current-Write to the Ohio Department of Health, Vital Statistics Unit, P. O. Box 15098, Columbus, OH 43215-0098. Make checks payable to Treasurer, State of Ohio. The fee for a certified death certificate is $9.00, but you can request "UNCERTIFIED" copies for just three cents (per certificate), plus postage (see chart below). Usually, it's not a good idea to request more than 10 per letter, if you do, it will just slow down your request a bit. Make three columns on your letter. First, list the person's full name (as much as you know), then the date of death (if you just have a month and year or just year, or even a range of years, they will search for it), and the county of death. If you just have a good guess, they will search for the correct one also. Make sure you put them in numeric order from the oldest record to the newest.

POSTAGE COST CHART
1 - 5 copies        $ .34
6 - 13 copies       .55
14 - 20 copies       .76
Over 20 copies      Contact VSU/ODH

BIRTHS:

1. Before December 20, 1908 - Again, use the web site on Ohio vital records that I listed under "Deaths-Before December 20, 1908" above. You will need to contact each individual county of birth.

2. December 20, 1908 to Current - Write to the Ohio Department of Health. Exactly the same rules apply as in the "Deaths-1945 to Current" listed above. One note, if you are requesting births and deaths, it's best to make two separate letters, one with births on it and the other with deaths on it.

MARRIAGES/DIVORCES:

1. For all years, it's best to contact the individual county for these records. Again, use the web site on Ohio vital records that I listed under "Deaths-Before December 20, 1908" above. Always ask for uncertified copies, if available. Another hint is to always ask for the full record, not just a transcript.

But, the Ohio Department of Health does have marriage and divorce abstracts available from 09-07-1949 to current. Exactly the same rules apply as in the "Deaths-1945 to Current" listed above.

**Note-Uncertified copies are copies that are for statistical purposes only. They cannot be used, in the case of birth certificates, to obtain official documents like driver's licenses, passports, etc., but are the exact same record as the certified ones.

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