State Vital Records in Ohio
The Ohio Department of Health - Vital Statistics issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in Ohio. Executors and surviving family order certified copies to close accounts, file insurance claims, and transfer titles; the office sets the fees, eligibility rules, and processing times.
Administering agency
Ohio Department of Health - Vital Statistics
State Vital Records in Ohio: key facts
- Administering office
- Ohio Department of Health - Vital Statistics.
- Contact
- Phone 614-466-2531.
- Mail orders
- Ohio Department of Health, Vital Statistics, P.O. Box 15098, Columbus, OH 43215-0098.
- Certificate fee
- $25 for the first certified copy.
- Who may order
- Any applicant (O.R.C. 3705.23(A)(1)).
- Filing deadline
- The death certificate must be filed within 2 days.
- Public record
- Death records are public immediately.
- Records available from
- 1908. Deaths prior to 1909 not available from state - contact Probate Court in county where event occurred.
Steps to take when someone dies
- Confirm the death occurred in Ohio — the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
- Order certified copies through any of the office's channels:
- Online: Order through VitalChek or local health department online portals
- By phone: Call VitalChek at 866-691-1914
- By mail: Mail request with check/money order payable to Treasury, State of Ohio
- In person: Visit local health department (e.g., Columbus Public Health, Cleveland)
- Include what the office requires with the order:
- Valid photo ID
- Completed application
Frequently asked questions
by phone: Call VitalChek at 866-691-1914. by mail: Mail request with check/money order payable to Treasury, State of Ohio. in person: Visit local health department (e.g., Columbus Public Health, Cleveland). Mail orders go to Ohio Department of Health, Vital Statistics, P.O. Box 15098, Columbus, OH 43215-0098.
The death certificate must be filed within 2 days. The funeral director or person in charge of disposition files the certificate with the state; the family orders certified copies once the record is registered.
Valid photo ID; Completed application. The office also asks for the deceased's full name, date of death, and place of death to locate the record.
The record belongs to the state where the death occurred, not the state of residence. Order from the state of death, following its fees and eligibility rules.
Sources
Data sourced from State Vital Records in Ohio primary sources (1 page reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Ohio Department of Health - Vital Statistics