What do I need to bring in to get a birth or death certificate?
Ohio is an open record state. All you need to do is fill out the application and provide acceptable payment.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, checks (Ohio only) or money orders, and credit cards (additional convenience fees charged).
What do I need to do to add the father’s name to the birth certificate?
Visit the State Vital Statistics website for information on establishing paternity: https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/vital-statistics/Establishing-Paternity/.
I was born outside of Ohio. Where can I get my birth certificate?
Click here, then choose the correct state or area.
How do I get an apostille issued for my birth certificate?
After obtaining a certified copy of your birth certificate, contact the Ohio Secretary of State: https://www.sos.state.oh.us/records/apostilles-certifications/.
Where can I get a copy of my marriage license?
Copies of marriage certificates can be obtained from the county court in which you were married. The Lake County Probate Court is located in the West Annex of the Lake County Courthouse, 25 North Park Place, Painesville, OH 44077, (440) 350-2626.
Where can I get a copy of my divorce decree?
Copies of divorce and dissolution records can be obtained from the county Clerk of Court’s Office where the proceedings took place. The Lake County Clerk of Courts is located in the West Annex of the Lake County Courthouse, 25 North Park Place, Painesville, OH 44077, (440) 350-2556.
What do I need to renew my driver’s license?
Visit the State of Ohio BMV (https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/driver-license.aspx) for more information.
What do I need in order to get a replacement Social Security card?
Call (1-800-772-1213) or visit the Social Security Administration (https://www.ssa.gov/) for more information. The SSA office in Lake County is located at 55 W Jackson Street, Painesville, OH 44077.
Where can I find information regarding my adoption?
Contact the Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics (https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/vital-statistics/Adoption-File-Information/).
I am putting together a family tree. Where can I find information?
Visit the Ohio History Connection (https://www.ohiohistory.org/) or the Lake County OHGenWeb (http://usgenwebsites.org/OHLake/).
