Birth/Death Certificate

Where do I get a birth or death certificate?

Birth Records
If the person was born in Ohio in 1908 or later, you can get a certified copy of the birth record from us. Beginning January 2011, many local Ohio health departments can issue birth records for Ohio births regardless of where the birth occurred. Contact Wood County Health Department or your nearest local health department for more information. Click here to find other health departments in Ohio. For births or deaths that happen outside of Ohio, see Center for Disease Control National Center for Health Statistics.

Death Records
If the person died in Wood County in 1908 or later, you can get a copy of the death record from us. If the death occurred outside of Wood County, you can contact the county or city health department where the birth or death happened. Click here to find other health departments in Ohio. For births or deaths that happen outside of Ohio, see Center for Disease Control National Center for Health Statistics.

Prior to 1908
If the birth or death happened before 1907, you can contact the Probate Court of the county where the birth or death occurred.

How do i get a copy of a birth or death certificate?

In Person
You can stop by our office during normal business hours. Certificates are made while you wait and usually only take a few minutes. Please make sure you have the required information and either cash, money order, or a check. No out-of-state checks, please.

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By Mail
To request a certificate by mail, send:

Completed Certificate request form
A self-addressed stamped return envelope
Check or money order payable to: Wood County Health Department
Daytime phone number in case we have any questions.

* Important: We can not accept out-of-state checks. Please use a money order or cashier’s check.

Send to:
Wood County Health Department Vital Records
1840 East Gypsy Lane Road
Bowling Green, Ohio 43402-9137

Requested certificates, if available, are mailed back within 3 business days.

Through the Internet
For your convenience, you can process online requests through an independent company that Wood County Health Department has partnered with to provide you this service: VitalChek Network, Inc. An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for this service, and all major credit cards are accepted, including American Express®, Discover®, MasterCard® or Visa®.

What information do I need to provide?

Certificate Request Form

For a Birth Certificate:

1. Full name of person
2. Date of birth
3. Father’s first and last name
4. Mother’s first and maiden name

For a Death Certificate:

1. Full name of deceased
2. Date of death

How much does it cost?

Birth Certificate
Certified: $25
Protective Sleeve: $1.00

Death Certificate
Certified: $25

Can I get a certificate in a hurry?

One way you can get a certificate quickly is:

1. Send a completed Certificate Request Form and a check or money order to the health department through an overnight mail carrier, such as Federal Express or UPS.
2. Include in a prepaid express service envelope for the certificate to be returned to you.

Another way to get a certificate in a hurry is:
For your convenience, you can process online requests through an independent company that Wood County Health Department has partnered with to provide you this service: VitalChek Network, Inc. VitalChek can be reached through their website here. An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for this service, and all major credit cards are accepted, including American Express®, Discover®, MasterCard® or Visa®.

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