Program Services

Effective May 1st, 2008 we will implement the following changes to services:

Same day walk-in service will only be available 10:00am – 2:00pm, Monday - Friday.

Requests for certified copies received outside of same day walk-in service (10am-2pm) will be processed for mail out or for pick-up the next business day only.

Pick-up hours for previously requested copies will be from 8:00am – 4:15pm, Monday-Friday.

Certified Birth and Death Certificates

Our office issues certified copies of certificates for births and deaths occurring from 1908 to present in Franklin County only.

• Registers all births, deaths, and fetal deaths occurring in Franklin County.
• Issues burial transit permits.
• Helps single parents with completing “Acknowledgement of Paternity Affidavits."
• Assists customers with correcting information on birth and death certificates issued in Franklin County.

Who Is The Program For?

All customers and agencies needing birth and death certificates for births and deaths that occurred in Franklin County.

How To Use The Program

To Get a birth or death certificate:

Complete an application for a birth or death certificate.  The applications can be mailed, faxed, or brought into the Columbus Public Health, Vital Statistics Office.  Certificates can also be ordered online with a debit or credit card for an additional $9.95 fee through "Vitalcheck."   Click on Franklin County Bureau of Vital Statistics on the Vitalcheck homepage.

To inquire about a birth or death certificate requested by mail which you have not received:

• It takes approximately 7-10 business days to process mail requests including mail requests made with a debit or credit card.
• We can only issue certificates for births and deaths occurring in Franklin County from 1908 to present.  
• Birth certificates for newborns are not ready for about 8 to 10 weeks after the child is born.
• According to City of Columbus Charter, Section 82, your check will be deposited within 24 hours. If your check has cleared and was sent within the last 2 weeks, your request is being processed. If your request was sent more than 14 days ago and you have not received your certificates, please e-mail, or call Columbus Public Health, Vital Statistics Office:
  
         E-mail:     VS@columbus.gov
         Phone:    (614) 645-7331

• Have the following information ready for the call or include in the e-mail:

• Name on certificate(s) requested
• Date of event (birth or death)
• Mother's maiden name (birth certificate only)
• Father's name (birth certificate only)
• Approximate date sent
• Number of copies ordered and amount paid
• Your name, mailing address and phone number
• Your e-mail address (optional)

 To correct a birth certificate

     (1)  Circle the mistake.
     (2)  Write the correct spelling next to it.
     (3)  Return in person or mail all certified copies to:

Columbus Public Health     
Vital Statistics
240 Parsons Avenue
Columbus, OH  43215

      For corrections requested by mail, please include your mailing address and daytime
      phone number. It takes about 10 business days to correct a certificate.

      **Please Note:  We must have the incorrect certificate(s) to issue a corrected
                                  certificate.  Columbus Public Health can correct data entry 
                                  errors only.

• If an affidavit is needed to correct the mistake, we will send the affidavit form to you.
• If the mistake needs to be corrected by probate court, we will send you more information on what to do.

To correct a death certificate:

 Contact the funeral home that submitted the original information.

Cost

Certified birth and death certificates are $20 each. Only certified copies are available. Requests by mail usually take 7-10 business days. Service is also available by telephone, internet and fax with a debit or credit card for an additional $9.95.  For Express service within U.S., please add $15.00 for overnight delivery or $13.00 for 2-3 day delivery- Express service is payable by credit or debit card only. Express delivery orders must be called in to 1-877-648-0605, or placed online at www.vitalchek.com, or faxed in to 614-645-0730.

Click here to download and print an application for a birth or death certificate (pdf file).

Click icon if you are having problems opening the pdf document 

Location

Columbus Public Health
Vital Statistics Office
240 Parsons Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43215-5331

Hours

Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday    8:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday                                       9:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Closed on City of Columbus official holidays 

Resources and Links

For births and deaths occurring outside Franklin County but within Ohio contact: 

The county in which the birth or death occurred.

Click here for a list of locations within Ohio. 

Department of Health
Bureau of Vital Statistics
225 Neilston Street
Columbus, OH   43215-0098
Phone Number (614) 466-2531 or (614) 466-2532

For births and deaths occurring outside Ohio, contact the state in which the event (birth or death) occurred.

         Click here for a list of state locations.
       

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 & death records prior to December 20, 1908. 

Franklin County Probate Court
373 S High St 22nd Floor
Columbus OH 43215 6311
Phone number: (614) 462-3894
Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM M-F
 
Click here for other Probate Court addresses within Ohio.
 

Date of event (birth, death) and place of event (city, county) unknown:

Click here to search the Ohio death index (all counties) from 1908 to 1937

Their address is:

Ohio Historical Society
1982 Velma Ave.
Columbus, OH   43211-2497
Phone number:(614) 297-2439

For information on searching Ohio births and deaths (all counties) and for 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

Click here for more information.

For Paternity Information (For single parents –adding father's name to birth certificate) contact:

The local Vital Statistics agency, or the Paternity Enhancement Program for an "Acknowledgment of Paternity Affidavit” form.  Completion of the form is voluntary.  Both the natural father and mother of the child are required to sign this affidavit.  The affidavit may be signed by both parents at the same time or at different times; however, each signature must be notarized at the time of signing.

Paternity Enhancement Program
131 N. High Street
Suite 620
Columbus, OH  43215
Phone Number: (614) 224-8909 0r 1-888-810-OHIO

Click here for more information.

For Social Security information contact:

Social Security Administration
200 N. High Street, Room 225
Columbus, OH 43215
Hours: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday

Click here for more 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 are located at the county in which the event (marriage, divorce) occurred.

Click here for a list of addresses.

For Passport Information:

        Passport phone number:(614) 469-4223

        Click here for more information

Forms and Applications

Click here for an application for a birth or death certificate (pdf document).

Click on icon if you are having problems opening pdf document

Contact Us

614-645-7331 or 614-645-7333

Health@columbus.gov