Ohio death certificate: how to get one

Ohio death certificates come from the Ohio Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Statistics in Columbus and from more than 100 local vital statistics offices. The state office handles online and mail orders. Local offices are the route for same-day service and for older records. This guide covers which office to use, how to order, the fee and the state's processing times.

Who can order an Ohio death certificate?

Ohio's Application for Ohio Certified Death Record Copies (form HEA 2701) does not restrict who can order a standard certified copy, and the standard copy leaves out the Social Security number. The application asks for the person's name, date of birth, date of death, city or county of death, and parents' names. The state searches the current year and the previous 50 years.

A copy that shows the Social Security number is limited to authorized requesters when the death occurred within the last five years. The form lists the spouse or legal partner, a child, grandchild or great-grandchild, a funeral director, an executor or administrator, an agent under a power of attorney, a veterans service officer, law enforcement, and anyone authorized by law. These requesters must show identification. Ask the organization you are dealing with which version it needs.

What the state does say is that it issues certified copies, and that a search fee applies whether or not a record is found.

Which office holds the record: state, county or city?

The right office depends on the year of death:

• 1971 to the present: the state Bureau of Vital Statistics holds these death records
• Before 1971: the records are in the custody of the Ohio History Connection, and certified copies come from the local health department where the death took place
• More than 50 years old: the state's online ordering page says these must be requested from the local vital statistics office where the death occurred

Ohio has more than 100 local vital statistics offices. The state's local office directory lists each one's phone number, address, website and cost per certified copy.

How to order online, by mail or in person

Online

The state's ordering page links to its online ordering site, run through VitalChek. It accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express. Orders cannot be canceled once submitted, and the state offers no expedited service online.

By mail

Complete the Application for Certified Copies and mail it with a check or money order in U.S. funds, payable to Treasurer, State of Ohio, to Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, PO Box 15098, Columbus, Ohio 43215-0098. Do not send cash or credit card information. The state does not offer expedited mail service.

In person

The state office at 4200 Surface Road, Columbus, offers same-day service for birth records only. For a death certificate in person, go to a local vital statistics office. The state says its local offices offer in-person service or other ways to get same-day certified copies.

Cost and processing time

Ohio's fee, as listed on November 10, 2026:

• $21.50 for a certified death record

Under Ohio law, the $21.50 is a search fee and is charged whether or not a record is located. The state refunds any payment that exceeds $21.50 by more than $2. Local offices set their own per-copy cost, listed in the state directory. Vendor and shipping fees for online orders are shown at checkout.

Processing times from the state:

• Online: orders are processed in the office within five business days, with expected delivery by U.S. Postal Service of about three weeks in the continental United States
• Mail: orders typically take four to six weeks to process

To check on a mail order after three weeks, the state says to email Vitalstat@odh.ohio.gov.

How to correct or amend an Ohio death certificate

Ohio corrects death records by affidavit. Use the Department of Health's Affidavit to Correct a Certificate of Death (form HEA 2726). It must be notarized and signed by someone with personal knowledge of the fact being corrected, such as a spouse, parent, guardian, the informant or the funeral director. Cause of death and other medical details can be changed only by the certifying physician or coroner. The state does not post a fee or mailing instructions for the affidavit, so call the Bureau of Vital Statistics at (614) 466-2531 before you send it.

What to do after you receive the certificate

Look over the certificate when it arrives and check names, dates and numbers against your own records. Keep the certified copies in a safe place. Before you send one, ask the bank, insurer or agency whether it needs a certified copy or will accept a photocopy.

Planning ahead with After

If managing this paperwork has you thinking about your own wishes, you can explore pre-planning options with After. Plan availability, providers and terms vary by state.

Frequently asked questions

Can I order online, and which website is official? Yes. Use the ordering link on the Ohio Department of Health's How to Order Certificates page.

Can I apply by mail or in person? By mail to the state, yes. In person, use a local vital statistics office, since the state counter handles birth records only.

How much does a copy cost? $21.50 from the state. Local offices list their own prices.

How long does processing take? About five business days plus roughly three weeks for delivery online, or four to six weeks by mail.

Should I contact the state or a local office? Use a local office for same-day service, for deaths before 1971 and for records more than 50 years old.

What if the death occurred in another state? Order from that state. See our death certificate ordering guide, or the guides for Indiana and Michigan (link when live).

Last reviewed: November 2026

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Requirements and fees change, so confirm with the state or local office before filing.

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