Vital Statistics
The Van Wert County General Health District maintains Birth and Death records from 1908 to present. Birth certificates for any person born in the state of Ohio are available. Death certificates can be obtained for anyone who passed away in Van Wert County.
The Van Wert County General Health District offers the following options for obtaining a birth or death certificate:
- Obtain a birth or death certificate by visiting our office M-F from 8:00 to 4:00.
- Call our office to order a certificate by phone.
- Request a birth or death certificate online and receive via mail or pick up in our office. Postage fees apply. Click here to order online.
- Mail in a request form with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. See below for the form and mailing address.
Obtain a Birth or Death Certificate on Site
- Vital Statistics hours are 8 am – 4 pm.
- Any birth or death certificate ordered after 4 pm will be mailed the following business day or can be picked up the next business day.
- No personal checks accepted.
Effective August 28, 2012: the Van Wert County Health Department will be accepting Visa, MasterCard or Discover credit cards. A convenience fee will be added to your total charge.
Obtain a Birth or Death Certificate by Mail
- Complete and send printable request form for Birth or Death Certificate.
- Enclose self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Send money order, no personal checks or cash. Make payable to: Van Wert County Health Department.
Effective August 19, 2008: If a death or birth certificate is lost in the mail, our office can no longer issue a free certificate or provide a refund.
Genealogy can be done between the hours of 8 am – 4 pm.
For Social Security Application, please contact your local Social Security Administration Office or visit Social Security Online.
Important Facts to Remember
- Certified Birth and Death Certificates are $25.00 each effective April 1, 2012.
- As of July 1, 2003, Ohio Law prohibits the issuance of uncertified copies and they are no longer issued.
- Affidavit of Paternity may be filed at the Health Department.
- The complimentary birth record that is given at the hospital is not an official record and cannot be used for legal identification.
- For more information, visit Ohio Department of Health.
- Birth and Death Certificates may also be obtained via the Internet through the VitalChek Web Site which provides information for every state in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I laminate my birth certificate? No, a laminated certificate is not considered a legal document. Also, social security cards cannot be laminated.
Is my current birth certificate sufficient? It depends on what type of certificate you have. The following are not legal documents:
- The old billfold size birth certificate is no longer legal and cannot be used as a legal document.
- A hospital token certificate is not certified by the state of Ohio and cannot be used as a legal document. If the certificate has footprints, it is a hospital token certificate. Even if the birth certificate from the hospital has a seal, it is a hospital seal and is a token certificate, not a certified record.
Birth and Death records are used for Passports, Age Verification, Genealogy, Social Security Benefits, Insurance, Driver’s License Renewal, Health Related Reasons and Research.