Birth & Death Certificates
Misplace or damage a birth or death certificate? No worries, we can help! Orders may be placed for Ohio birth certificates ($24) and/or Hamilton County death certificates ($27). Services charges may apply.
Birth Certificates
Looking for an Ohio birth certificate? Below are quick, easy ways to order one. Each birth certificate we issue is a certified copy and has a raised seal. The fee is $24 per certificate.
Same Day Service: If you need same day pick-up, please do not order online. We ask that you come in to the office for same day service.
Order Options:
- ONLINE: You will receive a message from Hamilton County Public Health when your order is ready to be picked up.
- PHONE: (513-946-7800) Option #2
- MAIL: Please allow time for delivery by USPS.
- OFFICE: 250 William Howard Taft Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45219
**Certificates ordered for in-office pick up that are not claimed within two weeks will automatically be mailed to the address provided on the order.
Pay: cash, check, money order, debit/credit card (see chart below)
*Lexis Nexis Convenience Fee (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Electronic Check).
REMOTE & IN PERSON Processing Fee (Credit) | 2.00 or 2.39% |
IN PERSON Processing Fee (Debit) | $2.00 |
REMOTE Processing Fee (EChecks) | $1.00 |
Newborns
Congratulations on your newborn! Birth certificates are usually ready for issue 1-2 weeks from the time the child was born. Pre-order now, and the certificate will be mailed to you as soon as it’s completed.
Certificates
Are you requesting a birth certificate for someone born before 1908? If so, you might be searching for a record that does not exist. Healthcare facilities and individuals born at home were not required to file an Ohio birth certificate until December 1908. Please call us at (513) 946-7800 option 2 or email us at Vitals@hamilton-co.org to find out if we have the record you’d like to order.
Corrections
Corrections on a birth certificate include correcting the spelling of a name (i.e. Sarah to Sara) or adding a first, middle, or last name to the birth certificate if one was not previously recorded on the birth certificate. You can not change a legal name with this process. See Changes section below for name changes. If you would like to make a correction to your birth certificate or your child’s birth certificate, e-mail us at Vitals@hamilton-co.org or call us at (513) 946-7800 option 2.
Changes
All name change requests are processed through probate court. You can find more information on how to change your name at the Hamilton County Probate Court Website.
Add a Father
For unmarried parents, a father can be added to a birth certificate with a Paternity Affidavit. This form can only be used if no father is currently listed on the birth certificate. You can find more information on establishing paternity on the Ohio Paternity Enhancement Program Website. Please contact us at (513) 946-7800 option 2 to see if a Paternity Affidavit can help you add the father to the birth certificate.
Adoption Records
All adoption records are located at the Ohio Department of Health. There are different laws for viewing adoption records depending on what year the adoption took place. For additional information, please refer to the Ohio Department of Health Website.
Death Certificates
Death certificates are available for persons whose death occurred inside Hamilton County. This excludes deaths that occurred inside the city limits of Cincinnati and Norwood. Still not sure which health department has the death certificate you’re looking for? Use this interactive map. Any township, village, or city other than Cincinnati or Norwood means you can order the death certificate here.
If the death occurred within the city limits of Cincinnati or Norwood contact:
Cincinnati Health Department: (513) 352-3120
Norwood Health Department: (513) 458-4600
Ohio Department of Health: (614) 466-2531
Below are quick, easy ways to order a death certificate. Each death certificate we issue is a certified copy and has a raised seal. The fee is $27 per certificate.
Order:
- ONLINE: You will receive a message from Hamilton County Public Health when your order is ready to be picked up.
- PHONE: (513-946-7800), Option #2
- MAIL: Please allow time for delivery by USPS.
- OFFICE: 250 William Howard Taft Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45219
**Certificates ordered for in-office pick up that are not claimed within two weeks will automatically be mailed to the address provided on the order.
*Lexis Nexis Convenience Fee (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Electronic Check).
Pay: cash, check, money order, debit/credit card (see chart below).
REMOTE & IN PERSON Processing Fee (Credit) | 2.00 or 2.39% |
IN PERSON Processing Fee (Debit) | $2.00 |
REMOTE Processing Fee (EChecks) | $1.00 |
Certificates Prior to 1908
Are you requesting a death certificate for someone born before 1908? If so, you might be searching for a record that does not exist. Healthcare facilities and funeral homes were not required to file an Ohio death certificate until December 1908. Please call us at (513) 946-7800 or email us at Vitals@hamilton-co.org to find out if we have the record you’d like to order.
Certificate Corrections
If a correction must be made to a death certificate after it has been filed, a Death Affidavit or Supplementary Medical Certification must be filed. Contact the funeral home that facilitated the burial or cremation to request the changes.
Veteran’s Death Certificate
The family of a veteran is entitled to one free copy of that veteran’s death certificate. A VA application must be submitted by either the funeral home or the Veteran’s Administration Office.
Disinterment
If you would like to relocate a person’s remains, you can request permission to do so from probate court. For more information on the disinterment process in Hamilton County, visit the Hamilton County Probate Court Website.
Contact Info for Cincinnati & Norwood Death Certificates
If the death occurred within the city limits of Cincinnati or Norwood contact:
Cincinnati Health Department: (513) 352-3120
Norwood Health Department: (513) 458-4600
Ohio Department of Health: (614) 466-2531
