Where can I find birth certificates from before December 20, 1908?
Answer
The state of Ohio did not begin issuing birth certificates until December 20, 1908. Ohio made it a law to keep birth records in 1867. From 1867 to December 20, 1908, birth records were kept as line entries in ledger books by the county probate courts.
Many Ohio county courthouse records are available online at www.familysearch.org. See: Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003.
Please visit our vital records research guide for more information.