Thursday, September 19, 2013

Ohio Public Records Free List Online

By Ben Kingsley


Looking for public records in Ohio is fast and easy as the State makes the records available through various ways. Those looking for the records can obtain copies of the records through several ways such as ordering online, via standard mail, walk in and through customer-assisted phone requests.

Birth and death records are usually available through the Local Vital Statistics Office County Health Department whereas Marriage and Divorce records are available from the clerk of courts or probate courts that issued or granted the decrees. For those who are looking for abstracts, the Office of Vital Statistics maintains an index to help the researchers locate the actual license or decree.

To obtain copies of birth and death certificates, the researcher can go to the State's Vital Statistic Office. The Office maintains a database ranging from records filed after December 20, 1908 (for birth) and January, 1954 (for death). Some old records which date back (50) fifty years for deaths and (125) one hundred twenty five for births are stored at the Ohio Historical Society archives. The Vital Statistics Office cannot issue certified copies for these records however; researchers can obtain plain copies of these records from the Society Office.

For certified copies coming from the State's Vital Office, walk in or in person is accepted. The Office is open during weekdays but is closed during state holidays. Researchers can go to the Office during business hours and fill up the request form. Payment for each record is at $21.50 each. The Office accepts money order, credit cards, cash and check payments. Records can be obtained on the day itself; however, for requests made after 4:30pm, same day release is not guaranteed. Researchers can however request to have the records mailed or picked up at a day they prefer.

For the mailing process, those who request the records must send the payment through money order or check. Each record costs about $21.50 each. Processing time takes about 3 weeks. For online ordering, the person requesting the records can place their order to the State Office or to their county health department and pay the order with credit cards. Processing time is 3 weeks; however, processing can be shortened in some counties or city health departments depending on the volume of the requests that the office may have received. Fees of counties and cities can vary from that of the state's office.

For those who are unfamiliar or do not know when the actual event took place, they can avail of the extra service that the Office offers. The search service costs about $3 for up to 10 years coverage. For more than the 10 years, the fee doubles for every 10 years added to the search. It would take up to 6 months or more for the processing to be completed. Another option open for those who only require basic information is to check out public search websites that offer public records search. The websites usually offer free basic search and charge a minimal fee for full detailed reports and this would be the easiest way for one to find records that they need.




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