Obtain Certified Birth & Death Records

Certified copies of recorded Ohio Births and Portage County, Ohio Deaths are available for purchase at the Kent City Health Department (KCHD). 

(Funeral Homes- go to bottom of page)

Public Requests Online

See additional information below, then to place an order click here:Most convenient method to request certified copies of Ohio Birth and Portage County, Ohio Death records. 

• Current online ordering delivery options are:

1. Pick Up  (Fastest)  Monday-Friday 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Closed Most Holidays
   • Same business day issuance. Place your order and come pick it up*. 
     
2. Regular USPS Mail- First Class Untraceable
3. Priority USPS Mail- with Tracking NumberVisit USPS for more information

• Current fee for certificate issuance: $24.00 each.
• KCHD birth certificate issuance applies to filed births that occurred in all counties in Ohio.
• Forms of personal identification are not needed to request Ohio birth certificates.  
• KCHD death certificate issuance applies to filed deaths that occurred inside Portage County, Ohio (deceased person died here, not lived here). 
• KCHD is not responsible for delays with mail delivery or lost mail with USPS, or any package shipping and/or delivery services. 
• All sales are final after certificate issuance, no refunds allowed. Exchanges will be considered by request within 2 years of issuance. *Orders not picked up after 30 days risk being destroyed.
• Online order transactions are charged to bank cards by: Permitium LLC. 
  Convenience and credit card fees are non-refundable upon submittal.   

To place an order for a newborn birth or one not yet filed, click here:
Online Ordering- Newborn Birth Certificate
(Newborn birth certificates can take up to 2 weeks to become available.)

Location/Parking Information

Kent City Health Department
201 E. Erie Street 2nd Floor 
Kent, OH 44240

Located in the Kent Central Gateway/PARTA Bus Terminal Building- West Entrance Only
(Corner of E. Erie St. / S. Depeyster St.). 30 minute* parking is on the 4th level WEST SIDE of the parking garage. Enter from S. Depeyster St. (*15 minutes free), or use any available metered street parking. 

Public Requests By Mail

Print, review and complete the Application for Certified Copies- Birth Record (PDF) or Application for Certified Copies- Death Record (PDF).  

Include a large self-addressed stamped (postage paid) return envelope, mail to:
Kent City Health Department
Attn: Vital Statistics
201-G E. Erie St.
Kent, Ohio 44240

 Note: Orders received are normally processed in 1-3 business days.  

Funeral Homes

Original death certificates can be filed in person, sent through the mail, or scanned and submitted electronically using this form: Request to E-File (PDF).

• Certified copies can be ordered here: Online Ordering- Death Certificates
  • Online order transactions are charged to bank cards by: Permitium LLC. 
    Convenience and credit card fees are non-refundable upon submittal.    
• Current fee for certificate issuance: $24.00 each
• Burial permit issuance fee: $3.00 
• Orders can also be submitted in person or through the mail; please print, complete: Application for Certified Copies- Death Record (PDF).
  • Mail orders must include a large self-address stamped return envelope 
• All sales are final upon issuance, no refunds allowed. Exchanges will be considered by request within 2 years of issuance. Kent City Health Department is not responsible for delays with mail delivery.  

Please call us at 330-678-8109 if you need additional instructions or information. 

Social Security Numbers on Death Certificates

Per Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 3705.23(5): For the first five years after a decedent’s death, a decedent’s social security number shall not be included on a certified copy of the decedent’s death certificate unless that information is specifically requested to be on the certified copy. Relationship restrictions apply and the acceptable proof is required; for details, view the Social Security Number Guidelines and Addendum Form (PDF), effective October 15, 2015.