Birth records typically provide an individual’s date of birth and parents’ names. Depending on the time period, there are different ways to access birth records. In Ohio, it became a statewide law to record births in 1867. Each county's probate court was responsible for recording the birth as a single line entry in a ledger book from 1867 to December 19, 1908. Births that occurred from December 20, 1908 to the present are recorded by local vital statistics offices and the Ohio Department of Health in a certificate format.
The Archives & Library holds probate court birth records for 28 of the 88 Ohio counties. We do not hold records of births that occurred from December 20, 1908 to the present. Information about accessing these records is provided below.
It was not required by law to keep birth records in Ohio until 1867. Although the official records do not exist, you may be able to find information about these events from other sources.
In 1820, 1830 and 1840, only the head of the household is listed and other family members appear as hash marks. You may not be able to prove that a hash mark is an ancestor, but searching by parents’ names or surnames can provide clues to a person’s county of birth.
Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org have census records online, allowing you to search by name. Those services are available on the computers in the Archives & Library. Print indexes and microfilmed census records are also available in the Archives & Library.
Censuses after 1850 list all the members of the household and should give an approximate year of birth for an ancestor listed.
Search for a birth notice in a newspaper. This is a hit-or-miss proposition. Depending on the time period, the notices could be scattered throughout the newspaper or births might not be reported at all. Search the Library Catalog to determine what newspapers we have available for which time periods. Visit our Newspaper Research Guide for search tips and strategies. Some Ohio newspapers are freely available online and keyword searchable on Chronicling America and Ohio Memory.
If you know where the person was living and what church the family attended, you may be able to find baptismal, christening, funeral, burial or other records. Because the Archives & Library does not hold church records, it is best to contact the church or church archives directly.
In 1867, it became a statewide law to record births at the probate court of the county where the birth occurred. Birth records were one-line entries in ledger books listing information about the person’s birth and parents. Some records may have indexes to direct you to the volume and page number on which a person’s record can be found.
There is no statewide index to these records prior to December 20, 1908, so you need to know the county of birth in order to find a record. If the county of birth is not known, search the U.S. Census to identify possible counties where the family lived at the time of the child's birth.
The Archives & Library holds probate court birth records for some Ohio counties, but not all. The best way to find out which probate court records or published indexes are available in the Archives & Library is to search the Online Collections Catalog. For example, search: Knox County Probate Court Birth.
For birth records not in our collection, contact the local Probate Court or county archives to find out where the records are housed.
Many Ohio courthouse records were microfilmed in the past by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They have recently been adding digital images of the Ohio court records they microfilmed to their website, www.familysearch.org. There is no charge to use FamilySearch, but they do require that you register for a free account to view the original documents. At present, many of the courthouse records have not been completely name indexed (meaning you may not get results by typing the name in the search box). You can browse the collection on Family Search by county using the link in the middle of the page, Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003.
If you have an exact place and year of birth for someone who was born in Ohio between 1867-1908, you can submit an Uncertified Indexed Public Records Copy Request form. The exact citation to the event should have the following:
Full name of the person documented by the record
Type of record being requested (for example: birth)
Year or date that the birth occurred
County or city in Ohio where the birth occurred
The State Archives record series name and number of the collection to be searched. This information is required and can be found in the box farther down on this page and on pages 2-9 of the request form. If the desired county, record type and year range is not listed, we do not have those records.
Information about cost and the form for submitting a copy request is available on the Indexed Vital Records Copy Request form linked on the left side of this page.
Please note: Since we did not create the original documents, we cannot legally certify them. If you need a certified copy, please contact the probate court of the county of birth.
If you know that a person was born in Ohio, but you do not have the exact year of birth, you can request research for a record of birth during a ten year time frame. Because there is no statewide index to Ohio births that happened before December 20, 1908, it is necessary to know the county or city in Ohio where the person was born. The citation to the event must include the following:
Full name of the person documented by the record
Type of record being researched (for example: birth)
Approximate year of the birth (must be within a 10 year time span).
County or city in Ohio where the birth happened
The State Archives record series name and number of the collection to be searched. This information is required and can be found in the box below and on pages 2-9 of the request form. If the desired county, record type and year range is not listed, we do not have those records.
Information about cost and the form for submitting a research request is available on the Vital Records Research Request form linked on the left side of this page.
Please note: Since we did not create the original documents, we cannot legally certify them. If you need a certified copy, please contact the probate court of the county of birth.
Allen County
Will record [microform], 1904-1917. (Only 1904-1910 available.)
State Archives Series 3139
Allen County (Ohio). Probate Court
Ashland County
Birth records [microform], 1867-1908.
State Archives Series 3144
Ashland County (Ohio). Probate Court
Death index and record [microform], 1867- 1908.
State Archives Series 3146
Ashland County (Ohio). Probate Court
Marriage records [microform], 1845-1953.
State Archives Series 3149
Ashland County (Ohio). Probate Court
Ashtabula County
Marriage records [microform], 1811-1901.
State Archives Series 3157
Ashtabula County (Ohio). Probate Court
Athens County
Birth record [microform], 1867-1905.
State Archives Series 7200
Athens County (Ohio). Probate Court
Death record [microform], 1867-1916
State Archives Series 7199
Athens County (Ohio). Probate Court
Marriage record [microform]
State Archives Series 6951
Athens County (Ohio). Probate Court
Record of wills, 1814-1879.
State Archives Series 7010
Athens County (Ohio). Probate Court
Belmont County
Birth record [microform], 1867-1908
State Archives Series 6796
Belmont County (Ohio). Probate Court
Death record [microform], 1867-1908
State Archives Series 6798
Belmont County (Ohio). Probate Court
Marriage record [microform], 1803-1951
State Archives Series 6800
Belmont County (Ohio). Probate Court
Will record [microform], 1810-1918
State Archives Series 6793
Belmont County (Ohio). Probate Court
Champaign County
Record of wills [microform], 1808-1870
State Archives Series 5351
Champaign County (Ohio). Probate Court
Coshocton County
Will record [microform], 1888-1912 State Archives Series 5424 Coshocton County (Ohio). Probate Court
Darke County
Birth records [microform], 1863-1908 State Archives Series 5442 Darke County (Ohio). Probate Court
Death records [microform], 1867-1908 State Archives Series 5445 Darke County (Ohio). Probate Court
Marriage records [microform], 1817-1911 State Archives Series 5447 Darke County (Ohio). Probate Court
Will record [microform], 1818-1910 State Archives Series 5451 Darke County (Ohio). Probate Court
Defiance County
Birth records index [microform], 1867-1908
State Archives Series 5470
Defiance County (Ohio). Probate Court
Marriage records [microform], 1912-1918
State Archives Series 5471
Defiance County (Ohio). Probate Court
Will record [microform], 1902-1910 State Archives Series 5466 Defiance County (Ohio). Probate Court
Delaware County
Birth records [microform], 1867-1903
State Archives Series 3856
Delaware County (Ohio). Probate Court
Death records [microform], 1867-1908
State Archives Series 3857
Delaware County (Ohio). Probate Court
Marriage records [microform], 1835-2000
State Archives Series 3855
Delaware County (Ohio). Probate Court
Estate docket, 1852-1853, 1864-1881
State Archives Series 4969
Delaware County (Ohio). Probate Court
Estate docket [microform], 1841-1852
State Archives Series 4910
Delaware County (Ohio). Probate Court
Erie County
Will record [microform], 1901-1911
State Archives Series 5476
Erie County (Ohio). Probate Court
Fayette County
Record of births, 1867-1881
State Archives Series 5179
Fayette County (Ohio). Probate Court
Record of deaths, 1867-1881
State Archives Series 5181
Fayette County (Ohio). Probate Court
Franklin County
Birth records, 1867-1908
State Archives Series 3805
Franklin County (Ohio). Probate Court
Birth records for the City of Columbus, 1889-1891
State Archives Series 5105
Columbus (Ohio).Board of Health
Death records [microform], 1867-1908
State Archives Series 3815
Franklin County (Ohio). Probate Court
Death certificates for the City of Columbus (Please note: Only death records up to 1903 are available as indexed public records. These are line entries in ledgers. Ones from 1904-1908 are actual certificates and should be ordered using our Death Certificate Copy Request Form).
State Archives Series 3105
Columbus (Ohio). Board of Health
Marriage records [microform], 1803-1968 November
State Archives Series 3836
Franklin County (Ohio). Probate Court
Will record, 1805-1967
State Archives Series 3853
Franklin County (Ohio). Probate Court
Estates not subject to inheritance tax, 1919-1920
State Archives Series 3822
Franklin County (Ohio). Probate Court
Gallia County
Birth record [microform], 1864-1921
State Archives Series 7185
Gallia County (Ohio).
Probate Court Death record [microform], 1867-1916
State Archives Series 7186
Gallia County (Ohio). Probate Court
Marriage record [microform], 1803-1911
State Archives Series 7183
Gallia County (Ohio). Probate Court
Greene County
Marriage records [microform], 1803-1870
State Archives Series 5549
Greene County (Ohio). Probate Court
Guernsey County
Birth record [microform], 1867-1909
State Archives Series 7167
Guernsey County (Ohio). Probate Court
Death record [microform], 1867-1908
State Archives Series 7168
Guernsey County (Ohio). Probate Court
Marriage record [microform], 1810-1951 (bulk 1810-1916; only 1810-1921 available.)
State Archives Series 6978
Guernsey County (Ohio). Probate Court
Hancock County
Marriage records [microform], 1828-1918
State Archives Series 5597
Hancock County (Ohio). Probate Court
Hardin County
Marriage records [microform], 1910-1918
State Archives Series 5612
Hardin County (Ohio). Probate Court
Will record [microform], 1901-1912
State Archives Series 5613
Hardin County (Ohio). Probate Court
Henry County
Will record [microform], 1899-1910
State Archives Series 5628
Henry County (Ohio). Probate Court
Highland County
Marriage records [microform], 1903-1953
State Archives Series 6871
Highland County (Ohio). Probate Court
Will record [microform], 1902-1920
State Archives Series 3943
Highland County (Ohio). Probate Court
Hocking County
Assessors' returns of births [microform], 1856-1857
State Archives Series 6864
Hocking County (Ohio). Auditor
Assessors' returns of deaths [microform], 1856-1857
State Archives Series 6865
Hocking County (Ohio). Auditor
Death record and index [microform], 1867- 1908
State Archives Series 7057
Hocking County (Ohio). Probate Court
Death records [microform], 1867-1908
State Archives Series 5662
Hocking County (Ohio). Probate Court
Marriage records [microform], 1818-1951 (bulk 1818-1919)
State Archives Series 6852
Hocking County (Ohio). Probate Court
Huron County
Will record [microform], 1903-1911
State Archives Series 5684
Huron County (Ohio). Probate Court
Jefferson County
Certificate of marriage [microform], 1912- 1941
State Archives Series 6901
Jefferson County (Ohio). Probate Court
Knox County
Birth record index [microform], 1867-1907
State Archives Series 3918
Knox County (Ohio). Probate Court
Birth records [microform], 1867-1908
State Archives Series 3271
Knox County (Ohio). Probate Court
Death records [microform], 1867-1908
State Archives Series 3273
Knox County (Ohio). Probate Court
Marriage certificates [microform], 1809- 1950
State Archives Series 6843
Knox County (Ohio). Probate Court
Lawrence County
Birth records [microform], 1867-1890
State Archives Series 7273
Lawrence County (Ohio). Probate Court
Death records [microform], 1867-1888
State Archives Series 7274
Lawrence County (Ohio). Probate Court
Will records [microform], 1847-1941
State Archives Series 7278
Lawrence County (Ohio). Probate Court
Licking County
Birth records [microform], 1891-1901
State Archives Series 4805
Licking County (Ohio). Probate Court
Certificates of death and burial permits [microform], 1900-1906
Newark (Ohio). Board of Health Page
Marriage records [microform], 1808-1951, (bulk 1875-1951)
State Archives Series 4806
Licking County (Ohio). Probate Court
Lorain County
Birth records [microform], 1867-March 31, 1908
State Archives Series 5769
Lorain County (Ohio). Probate Court
Death records [microform], 1867-1889
State Archives Series 5770
Lorain County (Ohio). Probate Court
Marriage records [microform], ca. 1872- 1901
State Archives Series 5771
Lorain County (Ohio). Probate Court
Marion County
Record of births, 1867-1908
State Archives Series 3469
Marion County (Ohio). Probate Court
Record of deaths [microform], 1867-1908
State Archives Series 3472
Marion County (Ohio). Probate Court
Marriage records [microform], 1824-1944
State Archives Series 3477
Marion County (Ohio). Probate Court
Meigs County
Marriage record [microform], 1913-1950
State Archives Series 6913
Meigs County (Ohio). Probate Court
Will record [microform], 1881-1918
State Archives Series 6914
Meigs County (Ohio). Probate Court
Monroe County
Birth record [microform], 1867-1908
State Archives Series 7162
Monroe County (Ohio). Probate Court
Death record [microform], 1867-1908
State Archives Series 7161
Monroe County (Ohio). Probate Court
Marriage record [microform], 1866-1907, 1918-1951
State Archives Series 6936
Monroe County (Ohio). Probate Court
Will record [microform], 1886-1923
State Archives Series 6925
Monroe County (Ohio). Probate Court
Montgomery County
Birth records [microform], 1867-1909
State Archives Series 5876
Montgomery County (Ohio). Probate Court
Record of deaths [microform], 1866-1909
State Archives Series 5888
Montgomery County (Ohio). Probate Court
Marriage records [microform], 1803-1910
State Archives Series 5883
Montgomery County (Ohio). Probate Court
Will record [microform], 1805-1910
State Archives Series 5889
Montgomery County (Ohio). Probate Court
Morgan County
Birth record [microform], 1867-1908
State Archives Series 7187
Morgan County (Ohio). Probate Court
Death record [microform], 1867-1896
State Archives Series 7188
Morgan County (Ohio). Probate Court
Marriage records [microform], 1819-1950
State Archives Series 6876
Morgan County (Ohio). Probate Court
Will record [microform], 1888-1920
State Archives Series 6878
Morgan County (Ohio). Probate Court
Muskingum County
Marriage record [microform], 1804-1918
State Archives Series 7071
Muskingum County (Ohio). Probate Court
Noble County
Birth record [microform], 1867-1972
State Archives Series 7008
Noble County (Ohio). Probate Court
Death record [microform], 1867-1909
State Archives Series 7007
Noble County (Ohio). Probate Court
Marriage record [microform], 1917-1951
State Archives Series 6962
Noble County (Ohio). Probate Court
Perry County
Birth index and records [microform], 1867- 1908
State Archives Series 7290
Perry County (Ohio). Probate Court
Marriage records [microform], 1818-1952
State Archives Series 3923
Perry County (Ohio). Probate Court
Will record [microform], 1886-1919
State Archives Series 3922
Perry County (Ohio). Probate Court
Pike County
Birth record [microform], 1867-1908
State Archives Series 7059
Pike County (Ohio). Probate Court
Death record [microform], 1867-1908
State Archives Series 7058
Pike County (Ohio). Probate Court
Marriage records [microform], 1815-1817
State Archives Series 5985
Pike County (Ohio). Probate Court
Marriage record [microform], 1815-1913
State Archives Series 7060
Pike County (Ohio). Probate Court
Portage County
Will record [microform], 1886-1918
State Archives Series 6001
Portage County (Ohio). Probate Court
Putnam County
Will record [microform], 1902-1910
State Archives Series 6023
Putnam County (Ohio). Probate Court
Ross County
Birth record [microform], 1867-1908
State Archives Series 7193
Ross County (Ohio). Probate Court
Birth and death record [microform], 1888- 1908
State Archives Series 6823
Ross County (Ohio). Probate Court, et al.
Death record [microform], 1867-1908
State Archives Series 7195
Ross County (Ohio). Probate Court
Marriage record [microform], 1798-1948
State Archives Series 6818
Ross County (Ohio). Probate Court
Will record [microform], 1879-1919
State Archives Series 6820
Ross County (Ohio). Probate Court
Scioto County
Birth record [microform], 1856-1858, 1867- 1908
State Archives Series 7050
Scioto County (Ohio). Probate Court
Death record [microform], 1856-1908
State Archives Series 7051
Scioto County (Ohio). Probate Court
Marriage record [microform], 1804-1911
State Archives Series 7052
Scioto County (Ohio). Probate Court
Seneca County
Will record [microform], 1901-1910
State Archives Series 6102
Seneca County (Ohio). Probate Court
Stark County
Register of births [microform], 1889-1908 (only City of Massillon records available)
State Archives Series 6387
Massillon (Ohio). Dept. of Health
Register of deaths [microform], 1889-1908 (only City of Massillon records available)
State Archives Series 6388
Massillon (Ohio). Dept. of Health
Summit County
Will books [microform], 1887-1909
State Archives Series 6153
Summit County (Ohio). Probate Court
Tuscarawas County
Birth records [microform], 1867-1966
State Archives Series 6181
Tuscarawas County (Ohio). Probate Court
Death records [microform], 1867-1966
State Archives Series 6184
Tuscarawas County (Ohio). Probate Court
Marriage records and index [microform], 1808-1978
State Archives Series 6189
Tuscarawas County (Ohio). Probate Court
Will record [microform], 1809-1953
State Archives Series 6191
Tuscarawas County (Ohio). Probate Court
Van Wert County
Marriage records [microform], 1840-1863, 1891-1899
State Archives Series 6200
Van Wert County (Ohio). Probate Court
Vinton County
Marriage record [microform], 1914-1951
State Archives Series 6886
Vinton County (Ohio). Probate Court
Will record [microform], 1876-1918
State Archives Series 6885
Vinton County (Ohio). Probate Court
Washington County
Birth index and records [microform], 1867- 1914
State Archives Series 7292
Washington County (Ohio). Probate Court
Death records [microform], 1867-1908
State Archives Series 7293
Washington County (Ohio). Probate Court
Marriage index and records [microform], 1789-1918
State Archives Series 7294
Washington County (Ohio). Probate Court
Wood County
Will record [microform], 1899-1910
State Archives Series 6269
Wood County (Ohio). Probate Court
| Adams | Columbiana | Holmes | Mercer | Shelby |
| Auglaize | Crawford | Jackson | Miami | Trumbull |
| Brown | Cuyahoga | Lake | Morrow | Union |
| Butler | Fairfield | Logan | Ottawa | Warren |
| Carroll | Fulton | Lucas | Paulding | Wayne |
| Clark | Geauga | Madison | Pickaway | Williams |
| Clermont | Hamilton | Mahoning | Preble | Wyandot |
| Clinton | Harrison | Medina | Sandusky |
Please contact the county probate court or local government records repository to inquire about access to these records.
The Ohio History Connection Archives & Library does not have copies of these records.
Birth certificates for the state of Ohio from 1908 to the present are held by the Ohio Department of Health. You can also request birth certificates from any local public health department.
If you can’t find a person’s name in the index, that doesn’t mean that his/her record will not be in the actual record book. If you have a general idea of the year in which the person was born, you may consider reviewing all of the records from that year or group of years.
Although Ohio law required births to be recorded, this did not always happen. A family member, the doctor, or the township assessor was responsible for reporting the birth to the probate court, but sometimes none of these individuals did so. If the birth occurred after 1867, but you cannot find a government record entered in the probate court's register of births, consider using "substitute" resources. Census entries, christening records, or birth notices in a community's newspaper serve as the written proof of a birth.