Vital Records


Vital Record Availability:
[Birth] [Death] [Marriage] [Divorce] [Adoption] [Naturalization]


Resources for obtaining Vital Records:
[Trumbull County Archives] [Warren City Health Department]
[Ohio Department of Health] [Ohio Historical Society ]


Birth Records

Birth Records (prior to 1867) - Birth records were not recorded by law until 1867. Although some records from a few counties predate 1867, records of births in Ohio are generally not available before this date.

Birth Records (1867-1908) - The Trumbull County Archives has these records indexed on cards alphabetically, they are not actual birth certificates. However, one can be created if one is required.

Birth Certificates (1908 - Present) - The Ohio Department of Health houses only the birth records of people born in Ohio from Dec. 29, 1908 to the present.

Birth Records (December 1908 - Present) - Warren City Health Department.


Death Records

Death Records (prior to 1867) - Death records were not recorded by law until 1867. Although some records from a few counties predate 1867, records of deaths in Ohio are generally not available before this date.

Death Records (1867-1908) - The Trumbull County Archives has these records indexed on cards alphabetically, they are not actual death certificates.

Death Certificates (1908-1944) - The Ohio Historical Society holds statewide Death Certificates, 20 December 1908 - 31 December 1944.

Death Certificates (1945 - Present) - The Ohio Department of Health houses only the death records of people who died in Ohio from Dec. 29, 1945 to the present.

Death Records (December 1908 - Present) - Warren City Health Department.


Marriage Records

Marriages (1800- Sept. 1995) - The Trumbull County Archives has Marriages arranged alphabetically on index cards, by male and female names. Actual Certificates available.

Marriage License (1816-1891) - The Trumbull County Archives, these start in 1816 as a separate record, in 1891 they were combined with certificates.

Marriage Abstracts (Sept. 7, 1949 - present) - The Ohio Department of Health houses only the abstracts of marriages that occurred in Ohio from Sept. 7, 1949 to the present. Abstracts are brief forms that list the original marriage license's basic information. Marriages that occurred prior to this date are on file in the probate court of the county where the marriage license was issued.


Divorce Records

Divorce Records (1808-1975) - The Trumbull County Archives, has Common Pleas Court Journals which are Daily Court Actions on cases in civil, divorce, and criminal courts and Common Pleas Court Record Books which are exact transcripts of each case.

Divorce Abstracts (Sept. 7, 1949 - present) - The Ohio Department of Health houses only the records of couples divorced in Ohio from Sept. 7, 1949 to the present. Abstracts are brief forms that list the original divorce decree's major information.

Divorce records that occurred prior to Sept. 7, 1949 are on file in the probate court of the county where the marriage license was issued.


Adoption Records

Adoption Records (before January 1, 1964) - If an adoption for a child born in Ohio was finalized prior to January 1st, 1964, adult adoptees and their lineal descendants may submit an application to the Ohio Department of Health for a copy of the adoption file. The adult lineal descendants (children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the adoptee) may also submit an application for a copy of the adoption file.

Effective March 20, 2015, adult adoptees may submit an application to ODH for a copy of their adoption file. The requesting adoptee must be at least 18 years old. The adult lineal descendants (lineal descendants are described as children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the adoptee) may also submit an application for a copy of the adoption file.

For a child born in Ohio with an adoption finalized after September 18, 1996 adoption records may be opened if the adopted person is older than 21 - or by the adoptive parent if adopted person is between 18-21 years old - and there is not a Denial of Release Form in the adoption file from the biological parent. ODH

A very interesting article on adoption throughout history with modern Ohio specific help has been made available by the Ohio Genealogical Society

Naturalization Records

Naturalization Records relate to citizenship. They represent a change in alligence from the country of previous residence to the United States Government. For the most part, Naturalization Records held by Ohio Historical Society consist of petitions to naturalize, Declarations of Intention, and final Record of Naturalization. After 1917, Naturalization Records became federal-level records and are held at the regional Federal District Courts of Ohio.

Records dating prior to 1917, for counties and/or years not listed, may be found at one of the other Ohio Network of American History Research Centers, at a Latter Day Saint Family History Center, or in the probate court at that county's courthouse.


Resources for obtaining Vital Records

Trumbull County Archives

185 E Market Street STE B
First Floor
Warren, Ohio 44481

Many records from various Trumbull County Departments are housed in the Archives. If the information requested is prior to 1970, please send the request to the archives. If the information is not stored there, the request will be forwarded to the appropriate county office.

Click here for a list of records available at the Trumbull County Archives.

Warren City Health Department

Division of Vital Statistics
258 East Market Street
Warren, Ohio 44481
(330) 841-2541

Birth and Death Records from December 1908

Ohio Department of Health

State Vital Statistics Unit
P.O. Box 15098
Columbus, OH 43215-0098
vitalstat@odh.ohio.gov

Ohio Department of Health - How to Get Records and Forms - Adoption Information; Birth Certificates; Death Certificates; Divorce Abstracts; Heirloom Birth Certificates; Marriage Abstracts; Public Record Requests

The State of Ohio issues only certified copies of birth certificates, (1908 to present) which are acceptable for passport, social security, employment and personal identification purposes.

Birth and Death Certificates - VitalChek network

Ohio Historical Society

Archives/Library
1982 Velma Avenue
Columbus, OH 43211-2497
(614) 297-2510

Ohio Online Death Certificate Index (1913-1927, 1933-1937)

Ohio Historical Society - Archives/Library

Trumbull County Birth & Death Certificates Held at OHS (1880 - 1930)
Type of Record: Birth/Death (M/DAR) Dates: c. 1880 - 1930 Roll/Call Number: GR 1528

Trumbull County Marriage Records Held at OHS (1803 - 1865)
Type of Record: M/DAR Dates: 1803 - 1865 Roll/Call Number: GR 1526 - 1527
Type of Record: M/DAR Dates: ca. 1880 - 1930 Roll/Call Number: GR 1528
Type of Record: CD-Rom Dates: 1800 - 1803

Additional Vital Records Resources

Vital Records Information for the United States - Where to obtain Vital Records

VitalChek Home Page - Order Vital Records online or by Fax


Page & Links updated June 2023