Ohio Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death records, also known as vital records, provide details about important events in your ancestors life. They can include information like the event date and place, parents’ names, occupation and residence. The cause of death is also included in most Ohio death records. Ohio vital records are a cornerstone of Ohio family history research because they were typically recorded at or near the time of the event, making the record more likely to be accurate. This page includes links that can help you request copies from Ohio state and county vital records keepers.
Ohio did not make it a law to keep birth and death records until 1867. Between 1867 and December 19, 1908 birth and death records were recorded at the county probate court where the event occurred. After 1908 the event was recorded at the county‘s health department and also with the Ohio Department of Health. All counties’ marriage records for September 7, 1949 to the present must be requested from the probate court of the county where the marriage occurred.
How to Order Ohio Birth , Marriage, Divorce and Death Records
Ohio Department of Health files, stores, and issues certified copies of vital records including birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates for events that occurred in Ohio. Some records may be held at the Ohio Historical Society. If not, they may be found at the probate court in the county where the event occurred or at the Ohio Network of American History Research Centers or Family History Library
- Physical Address: Ohio Department of Health, Vital Statistics, P.O. Box 15098, 225 Neilston Street, Columbus, OH 43216; (614) 466-2531
- Website Address: www.odh.ohio.gov/vitalstatistics/
- Birth Records: since Dec 20, 1908 (If the records are not available from the State office, they should be available from the city or county health department where the birth certificate was issued.)
- Death Records: since 1954 (If the records are not available from the State office, they should be available from the city or county health department where the death certificate was issued.)
- Marriage Records: abstracts since Sept 1949 (If the records are not available from the State office, they should be available from the County Probate Court in the county where the marriage license was issued.)
- Divorce Records: abstracts since Sept 1949 (If the records are not available from the State office, they should be available from the Court of Common Pleas in the county where the divorce decree was issued. Prior to 1851, the records were found in either the Supreme Court, the County Chancery Court, or the Common Pleas Court.)
- Ordering Vital Records Online - get the certificates within 2-5 days with a credit or debit card from USAVital.com
or VitalChek.com
- Ordering Vital Records by Mail: You can download an application online for Ohio Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Divorce Certificate, Death Certificate Application
- Ohio Vital Records Description - from Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources.
Ohio Archives / Library Vital Records
The Archives Division has copies of births before 1908, death before 1944 and marriage records before 1949.
- Physical Address: Ohio History Center, 800 E. 17th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211; 614-297-2510 Archives-Library
- Website Address: http://www.ohiohistory.org/resource/archlib/
The following are links to Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Resources relating to Ohio. These Vital Records links fall into 3 categories: Commercial Sites, Personal Sites or Organization Sites. Some are have free access some require a payment. This is just a list that has been collected or submitted. I do not endorse or promote one site above another. Feel free to submit your own favorite vital record related sites.
Links For Ohio Birth Records
- Order Ohio Birth Records Online (archives.com)
- Order Birth Certificates Online. (vitalchek.com)
- Ohio, County Births, 1856-1909 (familysearch.org)
- Ohio, Births and Christenings Index, 1800-1962 (search.ancestry.com)
- Ohio, Births and Christenings, 1821-1962 (familysearch.org)
Links For Ohio Marriage Records and Divorce Records
- Order Ohio Marriage Records or Ohio Divorce Records Online. (archives.com)
- Order Marriage Certificates or Divorce Certificates Online. (vitalchek.com)
- Ohio, Marriages, 1800-1958 (familysearch.org)
- Ohio, County Marriages, 1790-1950 (familysearch.org)
- Ohio Marriage Index, 1970, 1972-2007 (search.ancestry.com)
- Ohio Marriages, 1803-1900 (search.ancestry.com)
- Ohio Divorce Index, 1962-1963, 1967-1971, 1973-2007 (search.ancestry.com)
- Ohio Marriages Project (usgenweb.org) – Name index to marriage records from the state of Ohio.
Links For Ohio Death Records
- Order Ohio Death Records Online. (archives.com)
- Order Death Certificates Online. (vitalchek.com)
- Ohio, Deaths, 1908-1953 (familysearch.org)
- Ohio, Death Index, 1908-1932, 1938-1944, and 1958-2007 (familysearch.org)
- Ohio Deaths and Burials, 1854-1997 (familysearch.org)
- Ohio Deaths, 1908-1932, 1938-1944, and 1958-2007 (search.ancestry.com)
- Find Obituaries in The World’s Largest Newspaper Archive (newpaperarchive.com) Find thousands of Ohio obituaries to help you research your family history. Search for a Ohio newspaper obituary about your ancestor or a celebrity. Begin your search today and find death notices and funeral announcements printed in newspapers from Ohio.
- Search America’s Obituaries (1977 to current) (genealogybank.com) Obituaries contain helpful information such as names, dates, places of birth, death, marriage and family information. Over 28 million obituaries make this the most complete collection from the 20th and 21st centuries – includes over 1,100 U.S. newspapers. New content added daily!
