Program Information
Columbus Public Health Office of Vital Statistics:
- Gives certified copies of birth certificates (occurring in Ohio only) and death certificates (occurring in Franklin County, Ohio only) from 1908 to present.
- Registers all births, deaths, and fetal deaths occurring in Franklin County.
- Gives burial permits.
- Helps single parents fill out “Acknowledgment of Paternity Affidavits.”
- Helps correct birth and death certificates issued in Franklin County.
Office hours are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Office is closed on weekends, official holidays and other posted times.
Mailing Address
Office of Vital Statistics
Columbus Public Health
240 Parsons Ave
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Getting a Birth or Death Certificate
Birth Certificates
- The office only gives certificates for births that occurred in Ohio from 1908 – present.
- If you need birth records in Ohio from 1867 – December 20, 1908, please contact the probate court for the county where the birth happened.
- 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.
New Birth Certificates
-
- Certificates for new births typically take 8-10 weeks (56-70 days) after the birth to become available.
- The Office of Vital Statistics processes orders within 7-10 business days generally once the information is available.
- If a certificate is not available when you apply, the certificate will be mailed to you via U.S. Postal Service when it is available.
Death Certificates
- 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 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. See locations in other states.
- For deaths occurring outside Franklin County, but within Ohio, contact the county’s office of vital statistics where the death occurred or Ohio Department of Health.
Cost
- Each birth or death certificate costs $25.00. Only certified copies are available.
- When ordering online, an added fee of $9.95 applies. See Order Online for more information.
Payment
-
- Payment for certified copies of birth or death certificates is due at our Cashier’s Office before you receive the certificates.
- 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 after we receive them.
- No Starter Checks accepted.
Application Forms
How to Get Your Certificate
Walk-In Same Day Service
- You can go to Columbus Public Health (240 Parsons Ave.) to request a birth or death certificate.
- For Faster Service
- Print and complete the application from the link above, and mail it to Columbus Public Health, Office of Vital Statistics.
Ordering by Mail
- 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
- Order
- Print and complete the application form above.
- Mail the completed application and payment information to:
- Office of Vital Statistics
Columbus Public Health
240 Parsons Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Payment by Mail
- Cash, personal checks, certified checks, and money orders are the best ways to pay for certificates if you are applying by mail.
- Debit or credit card payment is not available for mail-in applications, except when ordering online through VitalChek (a private, for Profit Company).
- Once our office receives the application and payment and payment has cleared, the Office of Vital Statistics will mail your order via U.S. Postal Service. This process typically takes 7 – 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 ago 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:
- Name on the certificate(s) requested
- Date of Event (birth or death)
- Mother’s maiden name (birth certificate only)
- Father’s name (birth certificate only)
- Estimated date application was sent to the Office of Vital Statistics
- Number of copies ordered and the amount and method of payment
- Your name, mailing address, and telephone number.
- Your e-mail address (optional)
Please remember that newborn births can be delayed until uploaded into the State of Ohio records system.
For Correcting Certificates
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” form that you can get from any hospital, child support enforcement agency, or local vital statistics office.
- Both the natural father and mother of the child are required to sign this form. The form may be signed by both parents at the same time or at different times; however, each signature must be notarized (certified) at the time of signing.
- Adding a father to a birth certificate takes approximately ninety (90) days to complete once the “Paternity Affidavit” form is received and approved.
- Do not return Birth certificates 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.
Resources and Links
Deaths outside Franklin County, but within Ohio
Births and Deaths outside Ohio
Older Records
- Birth & Death Records in Ohio from 1867 through December 20, 1908 are kept by the probate court of each county. There is NO statewide index to Ohio birth and death records prior to December 20, 1908.
- Franklin County Probate Court
373 S High St 22nd Floor
Columbus OH 43215 6311
Phone number: (614) 525-3894
Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM M-F
Searching Ohio Births and Deaths (all counties) and Adoptions (original birth certificate)
- Contact: Ohio Department of Health
Bureau of Vital Statistics
225 Neilston Street
Columbus, OH 43215-0098
Phone number; (614) 466-2531 or (614) 466-2532
More information
Paternity Information
Social Security Information
Marriage & Divorce Records for Franklin County are located at:
- Franklin County Probate Court
373 S. High St. (23rd Floor)
Columbus, OH 43215-3894
Phone number: (614) 462-3108
Marriage & Divorces Records Outside Franklin County and Within Ohio
- Located at the county in which the event (marriage, divorce) occurred.
List of addresses
Passport Information
Link to Columbus.gov page:
https://www.columbus.gov/publichealth/programs/Birth-and-Death-Records/Birth-and-Death-Records/
