Birth & Death Certificates
Birth & Death Certificates
Cleveland Department of Public Health's Office of Vital Statistics issues certified copies of certificates for births that occurred in Ohio from December 20, 1908-present. This office also issues certificates for deaths that occurred in Cuyahoga County (except Lakewood and Parma) from December 20, 1908-1970, and for deaths that occurred in all of Ohio from 1971-present. Ohio is an "open record" state, and vital records (births and deaths) are public records by the State of Ohio. This means that anyone who can submit the basic facts of a certificate may request a copy. |
About Birth Certificates
The Cleveland Department of Vital Statistics issues certificates for births in Ohio from December 20, 1908-present. For birth records in Cuyahoga County from 1849-December 19, 1908, please contact the Cuyahoga County Archives at (216) 443-7250. For births outside the State of Ohio, please contact the state in which the event occurred.
Please be prepared to provide the following information to request a birth certificate:
- Full name as listed on the birth certificate
- Date of birth
- Sex (male or female)
- Mother's maiden name (her name prior to first marriage)
- Father's full name (if available)
- Hospital
- City of birth
The cost is $25.00 for each certified copy.
| Online | Telephone | In-person | |
| Credit card* | Credit card* | Check or money order, payable to Cleveland Vital Statistics | Credit card, Apple Pay, cash, check or money order, payable to Cleveland Vital Statistics |
*There are additional fees for credit card processing.
Online
- VitalCheck is the authorized partner of CDPH for online vital record ordering. Visit VitalChek to order online.
By telephone
- Call VitalChek at (866) 691-1914.
By mail
- Complete the Application for a Certified Copy of Birth Record
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Payment must be submitted with the application.
- Mail to:
Office of Vital Statistics
601 Lakeside Ave. Room 122
Cleveland, Ohio 44114 - Allow two to four weeks to receive your certificate(s)
In-person
- Complete the Application for a Certified Copy of Birth Record
- Bring to
Office of Vital Statistics, City Hall – Room 122
601 Lakeside Ave.
Cleveland, Ohio 44114 - Hours:
Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
About Death Certificates
Cleveland Department of Vital Statistics issues certificates for deaths that occurred in Ohio from 1971-present. This office also issues death certificates from December 20, 1908 - 1970 for deaths that occurred in Cuyahoga County (except Lakewood and Parma).
For deaths that occurred in Cuyahoga County from 1840 – December 19, 1908, please contact Cuyahoga County Archives at (216) 443-7250. For deaths from December 20, 1908- 1970 that occurred outside of Cuyahoga County, you will need to contact the county where the death occurred.
For deaths that occurred in another state, you will need to contact that state.
You must have the following information to request a birth certificate:
- Full name as listed on the certificate
- Date of death
- Place of death (address, hospital, etc)
- City of death
The cost is $25.00 for each certified copy.
| Online | Telephone | In-person | |
| Credit card* | Credit card* | Check or money order, payable to Cleveland Vital Statistics | Credit card, Apple Pay, cash, check or money order, payable to Cleveland Vital Statistics |
*There are additional fees for credit card processing.
Online
- VitalCheck is the authorized partner of CDPH for online vital record ordering. Visit VitalChek to order online.
By telephone
- Call VitalChek at (866) 691-1914
By mail
- Complete the Request for Certified Copy of Death Certificate
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Payment must be submitted with the application.
- Mail to:
Office of Vital Statistics – City Hall
601 Lakeside Ave. Room 122
Cleveland, Ohio 44114 - Allow two to four weeks to receive your certificate(s)
In-person
- Complete the Request for Certified Copy of Death Certificate
- Bring to:
Office of Vital Statistics- City Hall - Room 122
601 Lakeside Ave.
Cleveland, Ohio 44114 - Hours:
Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Indigent Program
To see if the qualifications are met for the Indigent Program for cremation services, please contact the Office of Vital Statistics at (216) 664-2317.
Frequently Asked Questions
Online and mail orders will arrive 2-4 weeks after they are ordered. In-person orders are provided same-day.
No, Ohio Law prohibits CDPH from sending certificates via text, email, or fax.
CDPH can usually fix minor corrections with an affidavit. Larger changes require a Probate Court correction. Please call the Office of Vital Statistics (216) 664-2317 to check if CDPH can make the edit.
No. The cost of the certificate is $25.00 per copy.
Contact the Office of Vital Statistics at (216) 664-2317 or vitals@clevelandohio.gov with any additional questions.