Where do I order Ross County Birth Records?

Here are some helpful tips in obtaining birth records and/or doing research in County Courthouses.

With any request to the courthouse offices, please be sure to be as specific in your request as possible, and always include a self-addressed stamped envelope. This courtesy is always appreciated. The price of copies can change, so you should either check the courthouse websites for current fees or call prior to sending your request.

Ohio made it a law to record births in 1867. County probate courts kept birth records between 1867 and December 19, 1908. There is no statewide index to birth records from 1867 through December 19, 1908.

The state of Ohio began issuing certificates for births on December 20, 1908. The Ohio Department of Health holds birth certificates for the state of Ohio from December 20, 1908 to the present.

Records for births since December 20, 1908 can be obtained by mail  from:

Ohio Department of Health
Revenue Room
246 North High Street
P.O. Box 15098
Columbus, OH 43215-0098

Telephone:  (614) 466-2531

Check or Money Order in U.S. Funds, made payable to: “Treasurer, State of Ohio”

Complete a signed letter mailed to the address below requesting a specific certificate, or fill out the Application for certified copies . (link requires Adobe Reader)

The new location is equipped to accept requests in person with payment (cash, check or money order) for certified copies. Same-day service hours are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Regular office hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, EST.

Records for birth since December 20, 1908 can now be obtained same day at the walk-in location at:

Ohio Department of Health
Office of Vital Statistics
225 Neilston Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 466-2531

Limited free parking is available in designated spaces in the parking lot next to the building (south side). One-hour parking is also available in front of the building.  Directions to our location  (link requires Adobe Reader)
 

Fees and additional information can be obtained at Ohio Dept of Health methods section for obtaining a Certified Copy of Birth Certificate.

Birth  records  from the Ohio Historical Society

Prior to December 20, 1908
Some records may be held at the OHS. If not, they may be found at the probate court in the county where the event occurred or at the Ohio Network of American History Research Centers

Records for births occurring between 1867 through December 29, 1908 must be requested from:

Ross County Probate Court
2 North Paint Street, Suite A
Chillicothe, Ohio 45601-3109
Phone (740)774-1179
Fax (740)774-3711
Hours of Operation: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM M-F
Call or write for current fees.

Birth Certificates

Ross County General Health District
 

Notice:  Effective July 1, 2003 in accordance with House Bill 95 uncertified copies will no longer be issued.

The Vital Statistics Division has records of births that took place in Ross County, dating back to 1888. There is also a room for genealogical research.

Additonal Birth Resources

• International Genealogical Index (IGI).   North American database contains approximately 600 million names of deceased individuals. These names have been patron submitted or extracted from thousands of original.

• Ancestry World Tree.  Ancestry World Tree GEDCOM files are voluntarily submitted by Ancestry users. (some files require subscription)

• Rootsweb WorldConnect.  GEDCOM Files are voluntarily submitted.

• Rootsweb Message Board. Ross County.  Good place to post inquiries or look for information from others.

• Birth records for Ross Co., OH 1869-1870 can be searched.

• Various Birth records submitted by individuals to the USGenweb OH Archives.

• ROSS OHGenExchange Birth Registry

• LDS Family History IGI Birth Records - Select the one of the items below, you'll be taken to the LDS Family History Sites IGI search page. You will have to select North America as the Region to search, then CLICK ON 'search' you'll be taken to the records for Ross County.
   

  • Ross Co.,  (Birth Records, 1867-1908), Births, 1876-1885.  C513209.  Probate Court, FHL Film#: 0281656, v.1-3.  (over 200 records).
     
  • Ross Co.,  (Birth Records, 1867-1908), Births, 1875-1879.  C724351.  Probate Court, FHL Film#: 0281656, v.1-3.  (over 200 records).
     
  • Ross Co.,  (Birth Records, 1867-1908), Births, 1879-1884.  C724352.  Probate Court, FHL Film#: 0281656, v.1-3.  (over  200 records).
     
  • Ross Co.,  (Birth Records, 1867-1908), Births, 1883-1890.  C724353.  Probate Court, FHL Film#: 0281656, v.1-3.  (over 200 records).
     

Books & Microfilm containing Ross County Birth Records

Birth record of registration and corrections  Ohio. Probate Court (Ross County)

Note: For Family History Centers in near Ross County, Ohio or your home  search here

Where and How To Order Ross County Death Records

Here are some helpful tips in obtaining death records and/or doing research in County Courthouses.

With any request to the courthouse offices, please be sure to be as specific in your request as possible, and always include a self-addressed stamped envelope. This courtesy is always appreciated. The price of copies can change, so you should either check the courthouse websites for current fees or call prior to sending your request.

Vital Statistics Division has records of deaths that took place in Ross County, dating back to 1888. Also included are fetal death records and burial permits. There is also a room for genealogical research.

Ross County Health District
475 Western Avenue Suite 5A
Chillicothe, Ohio 45601
Phone #: 740-779-9630
Office Hours
8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Monday through Friday

The Vital Statistics Division of the Ross County Health District is responsible for recording all births, deaths, and fetal deaths that occur in Ross County, including the city of Chillicothe and local villages. Vital Statistics also issues burial permits, birth and death certificates, only certified certificates are available. Records can be obtained in person, or by writing a letter giving the name of the person whose record you are requesting, birth or death date, parent’s names, and the fee for the record you are requesting. For current fees see here

Ohio Department of Health
Revenue Room
246 North High Street
P.O. Box 15098
Columbus, OH 43215-0098

Check or Money Order in U.S. Funds, made payable to: “Treasurer, State of Ohio”.  To verify current fees, the telephone number is (614) 466-2531. This will be a recorded message or visit their web site at http://www2.odh.ohio.gov/VitStats/certified.htm for current fees.

In Person

Their new location is equipped to accept requests in person with payment (cash, check or money order) for certified copies. Same-day service hours are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Regular office hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, EST. We are located at:

Ohio Department of Health
Office of Vital Statistics
225 Neilston Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 466-2531

Limited free parking is available in designated spaces in the parking lot next to the building (south side). One-hour parking is also available in front of the building.

Directions to their location (link requires Adobe Reader)

Death records  from the FamilySearch.org

Family Search has begun placing Ohio Death Certificates online.  Records cover the years 1908 - 1953.  These records are available at http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#

Death records  from the Ohio Historical Society

Death records from Dec. 20, 1908 through December 31, 1953 are at the Ohio Historical Society, Archives Library Division, 1982 Velma Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211-2497. 

A searchable index to records from 1913 to 1927 is also available via the Internet at http://www.ohiohistory.org.

How to locate a death certificate (searching procedures)
(If you do not know the date of death and/or place of death)

To request a 10-year search, a fee is assessed for every 10-year period searched. If the spelling of the last name is unknown, then each spelling difference will require an additional searching fee (e.g. Green, Greene-fee for "each" name searched).  If the request is located and you would like a certified legal copy, an additional charge is required with the order.

Searches for certified copy(s) of records will take 12 to 18 weeks to process.

Submit a written, signed request providing as much information known for this event, such as name, date, city and county. If all information not known, simply give as much information as possible. Send a written, signed request with payment, in the form of a check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank, made payable to Treasurer, State of Ohio. Please do not send cash. It should be sent to:

Ohio Department of Health
Revenue Room
246 North High Street
P.O. Box 15098
Columbus, OH 43215-0098

Telephone: (614)466-2531

Additional Death Record Resources

• Veterans Information

• Ohio Department of Health. Index to Annual Deaths, 1958-2000. is available at for a fee at Ancestry.com

• Ohio Birth and Death Records by County - list of birth and death records in the Genealogy Services Area at the Columbus Metropolitan Library is taken from original or transcribed county probate court or city/village health department records.

• Records submitted to the OHGenWeb Ross County Archives

• Search the North America International Genealogical Index for death records at FamilySearch.org.

• The Ohio Historical Society Archives/Library has Online Death Index, 1913-1937

Books & Microfilm containing Ross County Death Records

Death records and index to death records, 1867-1908  Ohio. Probate Court (Ross County)

Ross County, Ohio, Pike County, Ohio cemeteries; early marriages of Ross Co., Ohio  Rankin, Maude Post

Veterans' graves registration  Clark, Marie Taylor

Note: For Family History Centers in near Ross County, Ohio or your home  search here

Where and How To Order Ross County Divorce Records

Here are some helpful tips in obtaining divorce records and/or doing research in County Courthouses.

With any request to the courthouse offices, please be sure to be as specific in your request as possible, and always include a self-addressed stamped envelope. This courtesy is always appreciated. The price of copies can change, so you should either check the courthouse websites for current fees or call prior to sending your request.

The State of Ohio Vital Statistics Office maintains the abstracts of divorce that occurred in Ohio from Jan. 1, 1954, to present. If the divorce did not occur in Ohio, contact the Vital Statistics office in the state where event occurred.

The Ohio Vital Statistics Office does not have divorce decrees on file, only abstracts. Please contact your County Clerk of Courts where the original divorce decree is on file and where you may obtain a certified copy of the divorce decree you wish to purchase.

Abstracts are brief forms that list limited information extracted from the original divorce decrees. This limited information is used for index purposes and the filing of the divorce within the State of Ohio. An abstract is not a divorce decree.

Divorce abstracts prior to 1949 are located in the County Clerk of Courts where the divorce occurred.

Divorce abstracts from Jan. 1, 1949 to Dec. 31, 1953 are at the Ohio Historical Society.

How to locate a divorce abstract (searching procedures)

Ross County Clerk of Courts

Court of Common Pleas

Clerk Of Courts
2 N. Paint St.
Suite B
Chillicothe, OH 45601
Hours 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday except holidays.
 

Ohio Department of Health
Division of Vital Statistics
PO Box 15098
Columbus, OH 43215-0098
(614) 466-2531

 

Additional  Divorce  Record Resources

• Case management system for the Ross County Common Pleas and Municipal Court. (Domestic Relations) This site provides a search engine and is serviced by the Clerk of Courts to facilitate easier public access to the court records. Records include Divorces. Common Pleas Court records prior to January 1, 1988 and Municipal Court records prior to May 1, 1996 are located in the office of the Clerk.

Where and How To Order Ross County Marriage Records?

Here are some helpful tips in obtaining marriage records and/or doing research in County Courthouses.

With any request to the courthouse offices, please be sure to be as specific in your request as possible, and always include a self-addressed stamped envelope. This courtesy is always appreciated. The price of copies can change, so you should either check the courthouse websites for current fees or call prior to sending your request.

The State of Ohio Vital Statistics Office maintains the abstracts of marriages that occurred in Ohio from Jan. 1, 1954, to present. If the marriage did not occur in Ohio, contact the Vital Statistics office in the state where event occurred.

The Ohio Vital Statistics Office does not have marriage licenses on file, only abstracts. Please contact your County Probate Court where the original marriage license is on file and where you may obtain a certified copy of the marriage license/record you wish to purchase.

Abstracts are brief forms that list limited information extracted from the original marriage licenses. This limited information is used for index purposes and the filing of the marriage within the State of Ohio. An abstract is not a marriage license.

Marriage abstracts prior to 1949 are located in the probate court of county where marriage occurred.

Marriage abstracts from Jan. 1, 1949 to Dec. 31, 1953 are at the Ohio Historical Society.
How to locate a marriage abstract (searching procedures)

ROSS COUNTY PROBATE COURT
THE HONORABLE STEPHANIE WYLER
76 S RIVERSIDE DR
BATAVIA OH 45103
PHONE #: 513-732-7243
HOURS OF OPERATION: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM M-F
 

Ohio Department of Health
Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 15098 (mail)
246 N. High Street, 1st Floor (in person)
Columbus, OH 43215-0098

 Additional  Marriage Record Resources

• Ohio Marriage Records - Search the Ohio marriage records database for brides and grooms. NOTE: Some sources may be require a fee.

• Marriages on-line at the Ohio USGenWeb Archives

• Search the North America International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch.org

• Ohio Marriages, 1803-1900 Marriage records from various counties in Ohio for the years 1803 through 1900. (Requires Subscription to Ancestry.com)

• LDS Family History IGI Birth Records - Select the one of the items below, you'll be taken to the LDS Family History Sites IGI search page. You will have to select North America as the Region to search, then CLICK ON 'search' you'll be taken to the records for Ross County.

   

  • Ross Co.,  (Marriage Registers, 1798-1910), Marriages, 1798-1824.  M513201.  Probate Court, FHL Film#: 0281637, v.A-B.  (over 200 records).
     
  • Ross Co.,  (Marriage Registers, 1798-1910), Marriages, 1825-1840.  M513202.  Probate Court, FHL Film#: 0281638, v.C-D.  (over 200 records).
     
  • Ross Co.,  (Marriage Registers, 1798-1910), Marriages, 1840-1852.  M513203.  Probate Court, FHL Film#: 0281639, v.E-F.  (over 200 records).
     
  • Ross Co.,  (Marriage Registers, 1798-1910), Marriages, 1852-1864.  M513204.  Probate Court, FHL Film#: 0281640, v.G-H.  (over 200 records).
     
  • Ross Co.,  (Marriage Registers, 1798-1910), Marriages, 1865-1875.  M513205.  Probate Court, FHL Film#: 0281641, v.I-K.  (over 200 records).
     
  • Ross Co.,  (Marriage Registers, 1798-1910), Marriages, 1875-1883.  M513206.  Probate Court, FHL Film#: 0281642, v.1-2.  (over 200 records).
     
  • Ross Co.,  (Marriage Registers, 1798-1910), Marriages, 1884-1885.  M513207.  Probate Court, FHL Film#: 0281643, v.3-4.  (over 200 records).
     

Books & Microfilm containing Ross County Marriage Records

Note: For Family History Centers in near Ross County, Ohio or your home  search here