Birth Registration/Corrections

Background: Prior to December 20, 1908, all birth registrations were recorded in the Probate Court of the county where the birth occurred. On that date, the Ohio Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics, established health districts in which all live births are now recorded.

Obtaining Copies of Birth Certificates:

For births occurring before December 20, 1908, contact the Probate Court in the county where the birth occurred.

For births occurring after December 20, 1908, contact the local Vital Statistics Office or the Ohio Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics.

Requirements for Unrecorded and Corrected Birth Certificates:

Ohio law provides that whoever claims to have been born in this State, and whose registration of birth was not recorded, or has been lost or destroyed, or has not been properly and accurately recorded, may file an application to register or correct their birth record.

Where to File:

• The Probate Court of the county of birth.
• The Probate Court of the county of residence.
• The Probate Court of the county in which the mother resided at the time of birth.

Procedure for Delayed Registrations of Births:

• File at Probate Court an application for a Delayed Registration of Birth. A parent or legal guardian must apply on behalf of any minor child; signature must be notarized.
• Attach to the application a letter of search stating that no birth record can be found. If the birth was prior to December 20, 1908, the letter must be from the Probate Court of the county where the birth occurred. If the birth was after December 20, 1908, the letter must be from The Ohio Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics in Columbus, Ohio.
• Affidavits are on the back of the application. At least two of these affidavits need to be completed by individuals separate from the applicant who have knowledge of the birth. All signatures must be notarized.
• Evidence must be presented that verify the facts of the birth. At least three pieces of acceptable evidence are required. (Please see list of acceptable evidence.
• One appearance by the applicant must be made at Probate Court (no appointment necessary) and Court cost must be paid at the time of filing.
• For further questions or if the applicant no longer lives in Ohio, please contact our office directly. recordsinfo@summitohioprobate.com

Procedure for Correcting Birth Records:

• Submit to Probate Court an application for a Correction of Birth Record. A parent or legal guardian must apply on behalf of any minor child; signature must be notarized.
• Attach to the application a certified copy of the birth certificate to be corrected.
• Affidavits are on the back of the application. At least two of these affidavits need to be completed by individuals separate from the applicant who have knowledge of the birth. All signatures must be notarized.
• Evidence must be presented that verify the correct facts of the birth. At least two pieces of acceptable evidence are required. (Please see list of acceptable evidence.
• One appearance by the applicant must be made in open court (no appointment necessary) and Court cost must be paid at the time of filing.
• For further questions or if the applicant no longer lives in Ohio, please contact our office directly. recordsinfo@summitohioprobate.com

Addresses:

Filing Fees:

• Birth Registration filing fee is $30.
• Birth Record Correction fee is $28.
• If you use a credit card, a 3% charge will be added.

Legal Practice in the Probate Court:

Legal practice in the Probate Court is restricted by law to attorneys who are licensed by the Supreme Court of Ohio. If an individual wishes to handle his or her own case, he or she may do so; however, they may not represent others. Due to the complexity of the law and the desire to avoid costly errors, most individuals who have filings before the Court are represented by an attorney. Deputy clerks are prevented by law from practicing law and therefore are limited in the advice they are permitted to give.

FAQ’s