Vital Records

Birth & Death Records

All legal vital records collected by the Ohio Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics are the data source for many important statistical measures used in public health. 

• Ohio birth and Portage County death records dating back to 1909 are available to the public upon request at the Kent City Health Department. Find out how to obtain certified copies, visit: Ohio birth or Portage County death record issuance. 
• Ohio Law prohibits the issuance of uncertified copies.
• In Person Record Search or Inspection: Available during regular business hours. 
  By appointment preferred to view large numbers- 10 or more filed Ohio birth or Portage County death records. 
• To obtain a certified copy of any filed Ohio birth record in another Ohio county or a death record filed in another Ohio county, visit: How to Order Ohio Birth or Death Certified Copies from Vital Statistics offices in OHIO.
• For birth or death events OUTSIDE OF OHIO, visit: National Center for Health Statistics- Vital Records.
• An Affidavit of Paternity may be completed at any Local Health Department Vital Statistics Office in Ohio. For more information or to obtain a certified copy of a filed Affidavit of Paternity, visit: Ohio Paternity Establishment Information or Ohio Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics -Establishing Paternity and ODHVS- Order Certified Copies

Certified Birth and Death records are used for Passports, Proof of Citizenship, Employment, Age Verification, Social Security Benefits, Life Insurance, Driver’s License or I.D. Renewal, Health Related Reasons or Benefits, Court Proceedings and Genealogy Research. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can certified birth certificates be laminated?  No, a laminated certificate is not considered a legal document.  Also, social security cards cannot be laminated.

• For Social Security Card Issuance or Information, please contact the Social Security Administration Office at 1-800-772-1213  or visit Social Security Online.

Is my current birth certificate sufficient?  It depends on what type of certificate you have.  The following are not legal documents:

• Old, torn, illegible or billfold size birth certificates are no longer legal and cannot be used as a legal documents.
• Uncertified copies or certificates previously issued by a "City" office are not official legal birth records and are no longer valid, see Ohio Administrative Code Rule 4501:1-1-21 and Real Id Act of 2005.
• Complimentary birth certificates given at the hospital are not official legal records and are no longer acceptable.
  • A hospital keepsake record 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 keepsake. Even if the record from the hospital has a seal, it is a hospital seal and is a token certificate and not an official certified record.

For more information, visit:  

• Vital Statistics Bureau- Ohio Department of Health

For Ohio ID or driver's license or U.S. passport information:

• Ohio BMV
  • Ohio BMV - Acceptable Documents List 
• National Passport Information Center (NPIC): 1-877-487-2778 
  or: U.S. Department of State 

Marriage Records

All marriages recorded in Portage County, Ohio are located at:
Portage County Probate Court
203 West Main Street
Ravenna, Ohio 44266
Phone: 330-297-3870