The Vital Statistics Division of the Ashland Health Department maintains

Birth and Death records from December 1908 to present.  A persons whose birth

or death occurred in Ashland County, may obtain that record at our office. Certificates are issued for Age Verification, Genealogy, Passports, Social Security

Benefits, etc.

The Registrar:

ü      Registers and maintains Ashland County birth and death records

ü      Issues burial/cremation/transit permits

ü      Reports statistics on a quarterly basis to the Ohio Dept. of Health

ü      Creates reports for other health departments and agencies

ü      Receives and processes requests for vital records

FACTS TO REMEMBER:

§     Office hours for the public:  8:30am-3:30pm

§     Certified Birth and Death Records are $25.00 each

§     Uncertified copies are NO LONGER ISSUED

§     Affidavits for correction and Acknowledgement of Paternity may be filed in VS

§     The certification of birth issued by the hospital is NOT an official, certified

birth certificate and cannot be used as legal identification

§     Records brought into this office cannot be stamped or sealed

§     The Ashland County Health Department does not maintain marriage or divorce records. These records are available at Probate Court located in the courthouse

HOW TO OBTAIN A BIRTH OR DEATH CERTIFICATE:

     Birth and Death Certificates may be purchased 3 different ways via:

1)      VitalChek-credit card ordering on-line (click here  www.vitalchek.com)

2)  Vital Statistics Office Service Window – immediate service:

§         Our service window is currently open Mon-Fri 8:30am-3:30pm

§         Cash, checks, money order, and VISA/MasterCard accepted

(picture ID required if writing a personal check)

§         A required application request form must be completed

3)      Mail Requests:

§         Download birth/death application here.     OR 

§         A signed letter of request – include the following:

--  birth/death name and date of occurrence

--  daytime telephone number

--  self-addressed, stamped envelope

--  money order or business check made payable to

Ashland Health Department    (NO PERSONAL CHECKS ACCEPTED)        

GENEALOGY

    Genealogy searches are available on-line @ www.labs.familysearch.org for years December 1908-1953.  Please contact our office for information pertaining to years 1954-present. 

If obtaining information from this office for years December 1908-present a written request (email, fax, mail) with your name, address and phone number will be required to release information or you may obtain the Application Form for Release of Information from this office.  

OUT OF COUNTY BIRTHS

Births and deaths occurring in other counties or states must be obtained from those counties and/or states.   If you do not know the location of an Ohio birth or death, you may obtain those certificates from the Ohio Department of Health in Columbus or by contacting this office for more information.  All original Ohio birth and death certificates are permanently placed on file at the Ohio Department of Health in Columbus.

BIRTH OF U.S. CITIZENS ABROAD

The birth of a child abroad to U.S. citizen parent(s) should be reported as soon as possible to the nearest American consular office for the purpose of establishing an official record of the child's claim to U.S. citizenship at birth. The official record is in the form of a Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America. This document, referred to as the Consular Report of Birth or FS-240, is considered a basic United States citizenship document. An original FS-240 is furnished to the parent(s) at the time the registration is approved.  These records can then be purchased by contacting U.S. Department of State, Washington D.C. at 202.955.0307. A notarized, written request including person’s original name at birth (include adoptive name), date of birth, place of birth and names of parents and a telephone number will be required in requesting a document.  This written request must be notarized and must include a copy of valid photo identification of the requestor.  The fee is $30  for the first copy, $20 for each additional copy provided at the same time.  Make check payable to the “Department of State”. 

DEATH OF U.S. CITIZENS ABROAD

The U.S. Consular office will send the family up to 20 certified copies of the

Report of Death at the time the initial report is issued free of charge.  Additional copies can be obtained by contacting the Department of State, Passport Services, Correspondence Branch, 1111 19^th Street, NW, Suite 510, Washington, DC  20522, or by calling 202.955.0307.  Submit a signed, written letter of request including all pertinent facts along with requester’s return address and telephone number.  Effective June 1, 2002, there is a $30 fee for a certified copy of Reports of Death, and a $20 fee for each additional copy provided at the same time. 

 
The Ohio Adoption Registry was established by the Ohio Legislature to provide a confidential and voluntary way for adopted Ohioans and their biological families to find one another.  Original birth records of adopted persons born after January 1, 1964 are not available to the public in Ohio.  The Adoption Registry acts as a clearinghouse between the adoptee and their biological families enabling them to contact one another.  For more information please click here http://www.pregnantpause.org/adopt/ohregis.htm. 

If you were adopted, had a name change or mother/father removed or added from your birth certificate, your record may not be filed in this office.  Contact this office prior to contacting ODH/VS to locate your birth record. 

Foreign children adopted in the State of Ohio may contact Ohio Department of Health,

Division of Vital Statistics @ 614.466.2531 for more information. 

If you are interested in adoption please click here

 http://www.adoption.org/adopt/ohio-adoption-registry.php.

Disclaimer:  Local and state Vital Statistic Offices must comply with Federal regulations.  As federal and state laws change, older birth certificates may have to be replaced as certain federal agencies will begin to refuse to accept these older certificates.  Replacement certificates will be available at the prevailing rate for Certified Copies.