Find Clinton County Birth Records
Clinton County birth records are handled by the health department in Wilmington, Ohio. The office serves everyone who needs a certified copy of a birth certificate for any Ohio birth from 1908 to the present. Clinton County was formed in 1810 from Highland and Warren counties, so records stretch back over two centuries at the probate court. Whether you walk in, mail a request, or order online, there are clear steps for getting what you need. This page covers the health department, the probate court, fees, and genealogy research options for Clinton County.
Clinton County Birth Records at a Glance
Clinton County Health Department Records
The Clinton County Health Department is at 111 S. Nelson Ave., Suite 1, Wilmington, OH 45177. Hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The office issues certified copies of birth certificates for any person born in Ohio from December 20, 1908 to now. The cost is $17.00 per certified copy based on the last known fee schedule. They take requests in person and by mail.
For mail orders, send a completed form, payment by check or money order, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The department uses the statewide issuance system, so they can pull birth records for any Ohio birth no matter which county it happened in. Death certificates for deaths in Clinton County are also on file. Genealogy requests for records from 1908 to now get handled too. For same-day service, show up in person with your ID and payment. Mail requests go out as fast as the staff can process them.
Clinton County Birth Certificate Resources
A vital records reference page shows Clinton County ordering information alongside other Ohio county health departments.
This resource lists Clinton County alongside other Ohio counties and links to their vital records offices for birth certificate orders.
Clinton County Probate Court Birth Records
The Clinton County Probate Court keeps birth and death records from 1867 to December 19, 1908. The court sits at 46 S. South Street, Wilmington, OH 45177. Call (937) 382-2280 or fax (937) 383-1158. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, except holidays. Bring a valid photo ID for any in-person request.
These old records have the person's name, date of birth, sex, and parents' names. They are ledger entries, not modern certificates. Certified copies from this period are available for a fee. The probate court also holds marriage records from 1810 to now, estate files, wills, and guardianship papers. If you are doing family research, the staff can help you find the right volume. Call ahead to make sure they have time to pull what you need. The court works with local genealogy groups to keep these records in good shape and open to the public.
Note: Records from 1867 to 1908 are single-line ledger entries and may not have as much detail as modern birth certificates.
Clinton County Birth Certificate Fees
The health department charges $17.00 per certified copy. That is one of the lower fees in Ohio. The state office in Columbus charges $21.50. You can order from the Ohio Department of Health ordering page online. They take Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. Online orders ship in about three weeks.
Under Ohio Revised Code Section 3705.24, the minimum fee for a certified copy is twelve dollars. A five-dollar surcharge on each copy goes to the state's general operations fund for vital records modernization. Local registrars must send all collected fees to the Ohio Department of Health within thirty days after each calendar quarter. VitalChek is available for online orders and adds a processing fee on top of the base county fee. Shipping costs extra for faster delivery options.
Birth Record Research in Clinton County
FamilySearch has a Clinton County genealogy page with free digitized records. Births from 1867 to present, marriages from 1810 to present, and deaths from 1867 to present are all tracked in their system. FamilySearch provides microfilm numbers and collection details for Clinton County records. The Clinton County Public Library also has genealogy collections, census records, and local histories that help fill in gaps.
The Ohio History Connection holds death certificates from 1908 to 1963 for Clinton County residents. Their online index covers 1913 to 1944 and 1954 to 1963. Birth records over 125 years old may be moved to the Ohio History Connection for permanent storage. The Clinton County Records Center keeps historical county files going back to 1810, including wills, estate papers, and early court records. Access is by appointment.
Under Ohio Revised Code Section 3705.23, certified copies of vital records count as the original for all legal uses. Courts treat them as prima facie proof of the facts they state. The copy must have the date it was made, the issuing officer's name and signature, and the office seal.
Ohio State Birth Records Office
The Ohio Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics is at 4200 Surface Road, Columbus, OH 43228. Phone: 614-466-2531. Walk-in hours: Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Mail orders go to PO Box 15098, Columbus, Ohio 43215-0098 with a check or money order for $21.50.
Abstract copies from the online system work for passports and all U.S. legal uses. For genealogy, dual citizenship, or international legal matters, order by mail to get the right format. The ArchivesSpace catalog at the Ohio History Connection is a good tool for finding collections related to Clinton County.
Nearby Counties
Clinton County is in southwest Ohio. If you are looking for birth records in the area, these neighboring county pages may be useful:
Cities in Clinton County
Clinton County does not have any cities with a population over 100,000. The county seat is Wilmington, which is the largest community. Other towns include Blanchester, Sabina, and New Vienna. For birth records in this county, the Clinton County Health Department in Wilmington handles all requests.