Birth & Death Certificates
****PUBLIC NOTICE****
Birth & Death Certificates are $25.00 per certificate
Additional fee for credit card processing
The Bureau of Vital Statistics can now issue certified copies of Birth Certificates for everyone born in the state of Ohio. 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.
New birth records are available 8 to 10 weeks after the date of birth.
Birth Certificates
Order by Internet
Order by Mail
Order by Telephone
Walk-In Service
(This is the fastest way to obtain a birth certificate)
Death Certificates
Order by Internet
Order by Mail
Order by Telephone
Walk-In Service
(This is the fastest way to obtain a death certificate)
Order by Internet
Apply via the Internet on a secure server and use your credit card. The following information must be entered to place an Internet order:
- Full name as listed on the birth certificate
- Sex (male or female)
- Date of birth
- Mother's maiden name (her name prior to first marriage)
- Father's full name (if available)
- Hospital
- City of Birth
- Credit card # (Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and Discover)
- Expiration date of the credit card
- Daytime telephone number
- Number of copies you want to order
- Credit Card service cost in addition to $25.00
For your convenience, you can process online requests through an independent company that City of Cleveland vital records has partnered with to provide you this service; VitalChek Network, Inc. VitalChek can be reached through their website. An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for this service, and all major credit cards are accepted, including American Express®, Discover®, MasterCard® or Visa®.
To apply online using VitalCheck please click here.
Order by Mail
You may either, complete and mail the Application for a Certified Copy of Birth Record or send a letter stating the following information:
- Full name as listed on the birth certificate
- Date of birth
- Mother's name and maiden name (her name prior to first marriage)
- Father's full name (if available)
- Hospital Name
- Contact Phone Number
- Correct Return Mailing Address
Check or money order payable to the City of Cleveland; the cost is $25 per certificate.
Mail to:
Office of Vital Records
601 Lakeside Ave. Room 122
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope and allow two to four weeks to receive your certificate(s).
Order by Telephone
Call VitalChek at (866) 691-1914 and use your credit card. Be ready to provide the following information to place your order:
- Full name as listed on the birth certificate
- Date of birth
- Mother's name and maiden name (her name prior to first marriage)
- Father's full name (if available)
- Hospital Name
- Name of credit card holder
- Credit card # (MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover)
- Expiration date of the credit card
- Daytime telephone number
- Home telephone number
- Number of copies you want to order
- Address to where the birth certificate will be sent
When applying by telephone you must have a credit card in your name available.
The cost is $25.00 per certified copy plus an additional credit card fee.
Walk-In Service (Please bring a Photo I.D.)
We are located at:
601 Lakeside Ave.
(Cleveland City Hall) Room 122
Our hours are: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Please complete the Application for a Certified Copy of Birth Record or be prepared to provide us with the following information:
- Full name as listed on the birth certificate
- Date of birth
- Mother's name and maiden name (her name prior to first marriage)
- Father's full name (if available)
- Hospital Name
The cost is $25.00 for each certified copy. You may pay the cashiers using cash, check or a money order
(Must have an Ohio personal check and Ohio driver's license).
How Do You Order a Certified Copy of a Death Certificate?
The Bureau of Vital Statistics issues Death Certificates for all Cuyahoga County except the following communities:
- Lakewood
- Shaker Hts.
- East Cleveland
- Bedford
- Euclid
- Parma
Order by Internet
For your convenience, you can process online requests through an independent company that City of Cleveland vital records has partnered with to provide you this service; VitalChek Network, Inc. VitalChek can be reached through their website. An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for this service, and all major credit cards are accepted, including American Express®, Discover®, MasterCard® or Visa®.
To apply online using VitalCheck please click here.
Order by Mail
Please complete the Request for Certified Copy of Death Certificate and provide the following information:
- Full name as listed on the certificate
- Date of death
- Place of death
Check or money order payable to the City of Cleveland; the cost is $25 per certificate.
Mail to:
Office of Vital Records
601 Lakeside Ave. Room 122
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope and allow two to four weeks to receive your certificate(s).
Order by Telephone
Call VitalChek at (866) 691-1914 and use your credit card. Be ready to provide the following information to place your order:
- Full name as listed on the certificate
- Date of death
- Place of death
When applying by telephone you must have a credit card in your name available.
The cost is $25.00 per certified copy plus an additional credit card fee.
Walk-In Service (Please bring a Photo I.D.)
We are located at:
601 Lakeside Ave. Room 122
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
Our hours are:
8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Please complete the Request for Certified Copy of Death Certificate and provide the following information:
- Full name as listed on the certificate
- Date of death
- Place of death
The cost is $25.00 for each certified copy. You may pay by using cash, check or a money order.
(Must have an Ohio personal check and Ohio driver's license)
Useful Web Links
Marriage Records
State of Ohio Vital Statistics
Stillbirth Certificate
Foreign Authentication - Apostille
Adoption Information
Ohio Vital Records Laws
Ohio Vital Records Regulations
United States Passport Regulations