Birth and Death Records

Certified copies of filed Ohio birth certificates and Portage Co. Ohio death certificates are available for purchase at the Kent City Health Department (KCHD).

(Funeral Homes- go to the "Funeral Homes" drop-down box below.)

Temporary Vital Statistics Office Closure Notification:
This office will be closed for issuance of certified copies of Ohio birth certificates and Portage County, Ohio death certificates as of end of business day 11/22/2024 through 11/29/2024. (Online pickup issued certificates ordered before 2:30pm on 11/22 can still be picked up 11/25-11/27 8am until 3:30pm.)

Note: Certified copies of Ohio birth certificates can also be obtained at the Summit County office here: https://www.scph.org/birth-death-records or at any open Registrar of Vital Statistics office at a Health Department in any county of Ohio.

We apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you.

Public Requests Online

Most convenient method to request certified copies of filed Ohio birth and Portage Co. Ohio death certificates.

Current fee for certificate issuance: $24.00 each.
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.
Death certificate issuance applies to filed death events that occurred in Portage Co. 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. *Online orders not picked up after 30 days risk being destroyed.

To place an order, CLICK here:

(New death certificates and newborn birth certificates can take 2 weeks or longer to become available.)

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 Number Visit USPS for more information

Note: 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 valid bank cards by: Permitium LLC. Convenience and credit card fees are non-refundable upon submittal.

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 within 1-3 business days.

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.

Funeral Homes

Certified copies of filed records can be ordered here:

Request to E-File (PDF) to file scanned paper death certificates by email.
Certified copy 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
Burial permit issuance fee: $3.00

Online order transactions are charged to valid bank cards by: Permitium LLC. Convenience and credit card fees are non-refundable upon submittal.

Please call us at 330-678-8109 if you need additional instructions or information.
Office Hours
8am until 4pm
Monday-Friday
(Closed most Holidays)

NOTE: Pursuant to ORC 3705.29 (A) (3) No person shall 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 report required by this chapter or certified copy of it that relates to the birth/death of another person, whether living or dead.

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.

Kent City Health Department
201 E Erie St. Second Floor
Kent, OH 44240

Phone: 330-678-8109