Vital Statistics
Notice to All Vital Statistics Customers
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 3705.29, it is unlawful to purposely obtain, possess, use, sell, furnish, or attempt to obtain, possess, use, sell, or furnish to another for the purpose of deception any certificate, record, or certified copy of it that relates to the birth of another person, whether living or dead.
Records We Have On File
Vital Statistics electronically maintains all birth records filed in Ohio after December 20, 1908. The Darke County General Health District Vital Statistics office also maintains copies of death records that occurred in Darke County filed December 20, 1908 to Present.
For death records occurring outside of Darke County, please contact the vital statistics office in the county of death. For requests of recent vital events, please note it can take up to three months for a record to be registered.
Who Can Order A Record
Vital records (records of births, deaths, and fetal deaths) are public records in Ohio. This means that anyone who can submit the basic facts of a record may request a copy.
Placing An Order
For the fastest response, we recommend placing your order in person. No appointment is needed, effective 4/3/2024, the Vital Statistics office is open Monday through Thursday, 7:30am to 5:00pm and Closed Fridays. You can call our office at 937-548-4196 or email the Deputy registrar if you have further questions.
Please complete one application form for each record or search requested. Please submit your applications with all available identifying information.
Birth Certificates
Please complete the “Record Information” portion of the application with the information as you believe it to be listed on the original birth record. If there have been any changes to the name of the person on the record, also provide the new name. Please identify the parents on the record as “mother”, “father”, or “parent”, and provide their names prior to their first marriage (also known as maiden name).
Birth records will be issued as certified abstracts unless you indicate that you are requesting the certified copy of the specific purposes of obtaining dual citizenship, international marriage or legal proceedings, or genealogy.
Home Births
For anyone intending to deliver their child at home, a home birth packet is required to obtain a birth certificate. These forms are available at the Health Department. These packets should be obtained prior to the delivery of the baby and submitted back to the Health Department within 10 business days after the child’s birth, if possible. If you have questions regarding a home birth, please call 937-548-4196.
Death Certificates and Social Security Numbers
As of October 15, 2015, for the first five years after the date of death, the social -security number of the deceased will not be included on the death certificate unless the requestor is:
- The deceased’s spouse, or lineal descendant
- The deceased’s executor, attorney, or legal agent
- A representative of an investigative government agency
- A private investigator
- A funeral director (or agent responsible for disposition of the body) acting on behalf on the deceased’s family
- A veteran’s service officer
- An accredited member of the media
Individuals requesting a death certificate with the social security number included must indicate on their application that they are requesting the SSN be included, and submit satisfactory identification to the registrar or clerk.
The fee for certified copies of birth or death certificates is $23.00
Issuing of burial permits $3.00
To request a copy of a birth certificate or death certificate, download and complete the Birth Certificate Application or Death Certificate Application.
To request a copy a birth record or Darke County death record online, you may order a certified copy of an Ohio birth or Darke County death record online using your credit card through our only approved Internet ordering service, VitalChek Network Inc.
The Darke County Health Department does not accept credit cards or online orders; however, for your convenience, you can process online requests through an independent company that we have partnered with to provide you this service; VitalChek Network Inc. VitalChek can be reached through its website www.vitalchek.com . An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for using this service, and all major credit cards are accepted, including American Express®, Discover®, MasterCard®, or Visa®.
Other internet vendors are not authorized by the Darke County Health Department and may charge additional fees without providing state-approved services. Neither the Darke County Health Department nor VitalChek have control over the services and fees other Internet vendors offer and charge, nor can we guarantee the confidentiality of any vital record data provided to vendors other than VitalChek
For additional information regarding Vital Statistics within Ohio click on a link below:
