Find Birth Records in Hardin County
Hardin County birth records are split between two offices in Kenton. The probate court holds records from 1867 through 1908, while the health department covers 1908 to now. Kenton is the county seat and the place to go for both sets of records. Whether you need a certified copy for legal use or are tracing your family tree, Hardin County has options for getting what you need. This page breaks down the offices, fees, and steps for each method of requesting Hardin County birth certificates.
Hardin County Birth Records at a Glance
Hardin County Probate Court Records
The Hardin County Probate Court keeps birth and death records from 1867 through 1908. After that date, the health department took over. The court also holds marriage records from 1833, wills from 1833, and estate files going back just as far. Name change records are on file from 1833 to now. Naturalization records run from 1838 to about 1941, though some older ones are at the Clerk of Courts instead.
Adoption records from 1833 to December 31, 1963 are at the probate court. You need proper ID and court approval to see those files. The court follows the Hardin County Handbook for holidays and closes on all federal holidays. When a holiday falls on a weekend, the next Monday or the prior Friday is the observed day off. Plan your visit around those closures so you don't make a wasted trip to Kenton.
For birth records before 1867, very few exist anywhere in Ohio. Hardin County was created in 1820 from Logan County, and organized that same year. Church records and family bibles may be the only source for births in the earliest years of the county.
Hardin County Birth Certificate Resources
The Hardin County Probate Court genealogy page shows the types of records on file and the date ranges for each collection.
This page lists birth records, death records, marriage records, and naturalization files. It also explains the court's holiday schedule and what you need to bring for an adoption record request.
Hardin County Health Department Birth Certificates
The Hardin County Health Department handles birth certificates from 1908 to now. The clerk's office is at Public Square, Kenton, OH 43326. You can call (419) 673-6283 for questions about ordering certified copies. Any Ohio health department can issue a birth certificate for anyone born in the state after December 20, 1908, so the Kenton office can help even if you were born in a different county.
You can also order through the Ohio Department of Health at their Columbus office. The state fee is $21.50 per copy as of January 2025. Online orders from the state take about three weeks. Mail orders go to PO Box 15098, Columbus, Ohio 43215-0098. The state accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express for online purchases.
Birth Record Research in Hardin County
The FamilySearch wiki for Hardin County has free access to the "Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003" collection with both an index and images. Birth indexes from 1908 to 1998 are on Ancestry. Stillbirth records from 1918 to 1953 are also in the FamilySearch set. Researchers can find marriage records from 1833, land records from 1820, and probate records from 1833 through the wiki links.
There is no statewide index to Ohio birth records before December 20, 1908. Each county kept its own ledger books at the probate court. For Hardin County, those ledgers cover 1867 to 1908. The Ohio History Connection may have microfilm copies of some Hardin County records, though you should check their catalog to see what is on file for this county.
Under Ohio Revised Code Section 3705.23, certified copies of vital records carry the same weight as originals in court. Each certified copy must show the date it was issued, the officer's signature, and the seal of the issuing office.
Hardin County Birth Certificate Fees
Local fees at the Hardin County Health Department are set by the county and follow state guidelines. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 3705.24, the state mandates a minimum fee of twelve dollars for each certified copy. A five-dollar surcharge per copy goes to the state's general fund. Local offices add their own charges on top of that. The Ohio Department of Health charges $21.50 per copy from their Columbus office.
Note: Hospital-issued birth records are not certified copies and cannot be used for legal purposes like getting a passport or driver's license.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Hardin County. If your search for birth records goes beyond Hardin County lines, check these pages:
Cities in Hardin County
Hardin County's largest community is Kenton, the county seat. No cities in Hardin County meet the population threshold for a dedicated page. For birth records in Kenton, Ada, Dunkirk, or other Hardin County communities, use the Hardin County Health Department or the probate court in Kenton.