How to Find Ohio Birth Records

How to Find United States Births Ohio Ohio Births

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In 1803, Ohio was created from Ohio Territory. Statewide registration of births began in 1908 in Ohio. Records before 1908 are found in the Probate Court in the county where the birth occurred. The Ohio Historical Society has copies of birth records for many counties from 1867.

Next Step: When did the birth occur?	Birth Records Choose a time period: Before 1867 1867 thru 1908 After 1908 to present Birth year unknown

Learn more about U.S. Birth Records

Births before 1867

County-level registrations of births and deaths began in 1867 and were kept by the probate court; however, they are incomplete. A few counties have records dating from the 1840s. These records include the names of the parents and their place of residence. The obligatory recording on a state level of births and deaths in Ohio began 20 December 1908. Birth records prior to 20 December 1908 are available from the probate court of the county where the event occurred. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place.

Records that give birth information:
Death Records Cemetery Records Newspapers	Church Records Census Military Records

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Births from 1867 thru 1908

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for birth information in other records.

For births that exist during the time period, try the following databases.

Ohio Births Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
	Ohio Division of---------	Free;
Try 2nd:
	1841 - 2003 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; Index and Images
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No birth record for your ancestor?		Other records with birth information

Return to top: Choose another birth year

Births from 19-- thru 19--

STEP ONE: Find Birth Information

Limited births maybe found in the following databases. Try each link. If you do not find your ancestor's birth or if you want order a copy of the certificate, then contact the Ohio Department of Health office.

Ohio Births Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
		Free;
Try 2nd:
	1-- 3-19-- - At FamilySearch.org	Free; not all counties are complete to 1930:
Next try:
Ancestry database: Includes Index Only
Choose one of the following:
	18-- -19-- - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries	Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center
	18-- -19--  - use your own Ancestry subscription	$, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library
	Can't access Ancestry?	Go to Step Two: Part B listed below. You may be able to order the birth record for your ancestor from the Ohio Department of Health State Office.
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No birth record for your ancestor?		Other records with birth information

Births from 19-- thru 1908

Limited births maybe found in the following databases. Try each link. If you do not find your ancestor's birth or if you want order a copy of the certificate, then contact the Ohio Vital Registration office.

STEP ONE: Find Birth Information

Ancestry Database: Includes Index Only
Choose one of the following:
	18-- -19-- - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries	Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center
	18-- -19-- - use your Ancestry subscription	$, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library
	Can't access Ancestry?	Go to Step Two: Part B listed below. You may be able to order the birth record for your ancestor from the Ohio Department of Health State Office.
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No birth record for your ancestor?		Other records with birth information

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate

PART A: You know the exact date of birth

With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the following locations:

To Order Birth Certificates
From County of Birth		From OH Dept. of Health State office
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state	County websites can be more difficult to use	Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee	May be more expensive than ordering from the county

See list of restrictions for ordering birth records

If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.

PART B: You don't know the exact date of birth

If you do not know the exact date or place of birth:
For a fee, the Ohio Department of Health office will do a 3 year search.

See list of restrictions for ordering birth records

If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.

Return to top: Choose another birth year

Births after 1908 to the Present

PART A: You know the exact date of birth

With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the following locations:

To Order Birth Certificates
County From County of Birth		From OH Dept. of Health State office
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state	County websites can be more difficult to use	Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee	May be more expensive than ordering from the county

See list of restrictions for ordering birth records

If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.

PART B: You don't know the exact date of birth

If you do not know the exact date or place of birth:
For a fee, the [Ohio Department of Health office] will do a 3 year search.

See list of restrictions for ordering birth records

If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.

Return to top: Choose another birth year

Restrictions for Obtaining Birth Records

Ohio is an "open record" state, and vital records (births and deaths) are considered to be public records by the State of Ohio. This means that anyone who can submit the basic facts of a certificate may request a copy of it.

If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.

Return to top: Choose another birth year

Related Wiki Articles

Ohio

Ohio Online Genealogy Records

Ohio Vital Records

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