State Resources — Ohio

Updated: August 2002 • Data on CD-ROM • County Offices • Vital Records • State Archives and Libraries • Local Genealogical Societies • Helpful Web Sites • GenForum Message Boards • Indiana • Kentucky • Michigan • Pennsylvania • West Virginia

 Vital Records

State office has had birth records since December 20, 1908. For earlier birth and death records, write to the Probate Court in the county where the event occurred. The State Office has death records that occurred after December 31, 1936. Death records that occurred December 20, 1908-December 31, 1936, can be obtained from the Ohio Historical Society, Archives Library Division, 1985 Velma Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211-2497.It has marriage and divorce records since September 1949. All items may be verified. Certified copies of marriage and divorce records are not available from State Health Department and should be ordered from the county (see notes below).

Birth, Marriage, Divorce, and Death Records

	Call (614) 466-2531for information on record lookup fees. This is will be a recorded message.
	Write to: Ohio Department of Health Vital Statistics 246 North High Street, 1st Floor Columbus, OH 43216
	Notes: • For county marriage records, contact the Probate Judge in the county where the license was issued. Cost will vary. • For divorce records, you can also contact the Clerk of Court of Common Pleas in the county where the divorce was granted. Cost will vary.

 State Archives and Libraries

The Ohio Historical Society currently has land records, vital statistics, central Ohio county records from 1803, family histories, census records from 1810-1910, immigration papers (not complete), probate court records, extensive photo collections, map collections, and newspaper collections. The State Library of Ohio currently has an extensive collection of secondary material.

Write to: Archives-Library Division Ohio Historical Society 1982 Velma Avenue Columbus, OH 43211 Telephone: (614) 297-2510 Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9:00-5:00, closed Monday, Sunday, and all state holidays.

 Local Genealogical Societies

	Write to: The Ohio Genealogical Society (OGS) 713 South Main Street Mansfield, OH 44907-1644 Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9:00-5:00, closed Monday and Sunday.
	Publications: The Report, The Ohio Genealogical Society Newsletter, Ohio Records and Pioneer Families