Vital Records

Certified copies of birth and death certificates are issued by the Clairmont County Health District’s Vital Statistics office, not the Recorder or the Clerk of Courts. Vital Statistics maintains death records for deaths occurring in Clairmont County and can issue certified copies of Ohio birth records for births occurring anywhere in the state, as provided under ORC Chapter 3705.

Office Information

Birth Certificates

Ohio has maintained statewide birth registration since 1908. Because Ohio’s vital records system is centralized, a certified copy of an Ohio birth certificate for any birth from 1908 to the present may be obtained from any local registrar in the state — it does not need to be requested from the county where the birth occurred. Residents of Clairmont County may find it most convenient to apply here regardless of where in Ohio they were born.

Death Certificates

Certified copies of death certificates are available from this office only for deaths that occurred in Clairmont County. If the death occurred in another Ohio county, request the certificate from that county’s local registrar or from the Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, in Columbus.

Who May Apply

Ohio law limits certified copies to the registrant, the registrant’s spouse, parent, or child, a legal representative, or another person who demonstrates a direct and tangible interest in the record (for example, a genealogist may request an uncertified informational copy). Applicants must present valid photo identification and, for death certificates, may be asked to state their relationship to the decedent or their purpose in requesting the copy.

How to Apply

Walk-in: Certified copies are typically issued the same day for records on file with this office. Bring photo identification and be prepared to complete a short application listing the full name, date of event, and, for births, the names of parents.

By mail: Complete the Vital Records Application (available from this office by phone or in person), include a photocopy of your photo identification, and mail with a check or money order for $25.00 per copy to:

Clairmont County Health District
Vital Statistics
515 Buckeye Ave
Marbury, OH 45771

Mail requests are generally processed within 7 – 10 business days of receipt, plus return mail time. Records that must be located from older archives or that require research may take longer; call ahead if you need a certificate by a specific date.

Genealogy and Uncertified Copies

Researchers seeking historical or genealogical copies of records more than 75 years old may request uncertified informational copies without demonstrating a direct interest. A reduced research fee may apply for records requiring extensive archive search; call for current availability, as older records may be held at the Recorder’s office or the state archives rather than on-site.

Corrections and Paternity

Corrections to an existing birth or death certificate, delayed registration of a birth, and acknowledgment or establishment of paternity affidavits are handled by the Probate Court, not by Vital Statistics. Contact the Probate Court for the appropriate forms and any court costs that apply.

Fees are set by the Ohio Department of Health and are subject to change; confirm the current fee before mailing payment.

Page last updated: 02/18/2026