Ohio has a new online system that lets people order birth certificates and death certificates online and track the orders.
People often need death certificates to close bank accounts and claim insurance benefits. Copies of birth certificates are needed to apply for benefits or enroll a child in school. There’s also concern that a bill working its way through Congress called the SAVE Act would require millions of people to get copies of their birth certificates in order to register to vote.
Copies of the records have long been available for online order from the state, but Ohio paid a new vendor about $1.6 million to create a streamlined process. People can also still order the records by phone, by mail or in person at local sites, including Cleveland City Hall. In-person orders cost $25, payable with cash, money order or personal check. An Ohio driver’s license or identification card is required to use a personal check. Death records more than 50 years old must be requested from from a local vital statistics office and not online.
Who can order a birth or death certificate?
Ohio has “open” birth and death records, so anyone can order paper copies of the certificates, but they will have to be able to provide specific information and will be asked to list their relationship to the person and the purpose for getting the record.
For a birth certificate, a person has to provide:
- The full name and date of birth for the person on the birth record.
- The city, state and county of birth
- Full legal names of the parents
- Proof of relationship, which can be verified with a form of identification
For a death certificate, a person has to provide:
- The deceased person’s full name and date of death.
- City, state and county where the death occurred.
- Relationship to the deceased person. (Spouse, child or legal representative.) You may have to submit an ID or documents to confirm this relationship.
What does it cost to order a birth or death certificate online?
A birth or death certificate ordered online and shipped through regular mail should cost $24 using this system. The processing and order takes anywhere from one to three weeks. The state set price is $21.50 and the vendor charges $2.50 as a processing fee. Ordering through the Ohio site should cost less than ordering through other sites online that often charge more for shipping and expediting the order.
How do I order a birth or death certificate by mail?
To order by mail, print this form and mail it to:
Ohio Department of Health
Bureau of Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 15098
Columbus, Ohio 43215-0098