Licking County Birth Records Search
Birth records for Licking County are managed by the health department in Newark, Ohio. The office can issue certified birth certificates for anyone born in Ohio after 1909, which means you do not need to visit the county where the birth took place. Older records going back to 1875 are at the Licking County Probate Court. A fire in 1875 destroyed many early court records, though some pre-1875 files did survive. Whether you need a certified copy for legal purposes or want to trace your family tree, Licking County has several ways to get what you need.
Licking County Birth Records at a Glance
Licking County Health Department
The Licking County Health Department (LCHD) handles vital statistics for the county. Their office is at 675 Price Road, Newark, OH 43055. A key benefit here is statewide issuance. That means you can get a birth certificate for anyone born in Ohio after 1909, even if the birth happened in a different county. There is no extra charge for this expanded service.
Certified birth and death records cost $25.00 each. That price includes $13.50 in state fees that get passed along to Columbus. The health department does not handle marriage or divorce records. Those have to come from the county where the event was recorded. For walk-in service, the Newark office is open during regular business hours on weekdays.
Note: Marriage and divorce records must be obtained from the county where the event took place.
Licking County Birth Certificate Resources
The Licking County Health Department vital records page shows current fees, available services, and contact details for the Newark office.
This page breaks down the $25.00 fee and lists what types of records the health department can and cannot provide. It also explains the statewide issuance program that lets you order Ohio birth certificates from any county office.
Order Licking County Birth Records Online
Licking County offers online ordering through their Permitium system. This portal lets you request birth certificates from 1909 to the present without visiting the office. You fill out the form, enter your payment, and the certificate ships to your address. It is a convenient option for people who live out of town or cannot visit during office hours.
The Permitium system takes credit and debit cards. Processing times vary, but most orders ship within a few business days.
You can also order from the Ohio Department of Health directly. The state fee is $21.50 per copy as of January 1, 2025. State online orders take about five business days to process and roughly three weeks for delivery. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 3705.24, the state sets a minimum fee of twelve dollars for certified copies with a five-dollar surcharge going to the general fund.
Licking County Probate Court Records
The Licking County Probate Court has older birth and death records from 1875 through 1908, plus marriage certificates from 1875 to now. The court is at 1 North Park Place, Newark, Ohio 43055. Call (740) 670-5624 for questions. A fire in 1875 destroyed many of the early court records, so anything before that year is spotty. Some pre-1875 records did survive, but coverage is incomplete.
Certain records at the probate court are restricted. Adoptions, medical files, and some other probate documents are not open to the public. For certified copies of court records, call the office or visit in person. The Licking County Recorder's Office is at 20 South Second Street, Newark, Ohio 43055, phone (740) 670-5300. The Clerk of Courts is at 75 East Main Street, Newark, OH 43055, phone 740-670-5791, open 8:00 to 4:30 on weekdays.
Birth Record Research in Licking County
FamilySearch has a Licking County genealogy page with free access to records. Licking County was created on March 1, 1808 from Fairfield County. The FamilySearch collection includes Ohio County Births from 1841 to 2003, with both an index and scanned images. Marriage records from 1808 are also on file. There is no statewide index to Ohio birth records before December 20, 1908, so county-level searching is the only way to find older records.
Under Ohio Revised Code Section 3705.23, certified copies of vital records are treated the same as originals in all Ohio courts. Anyone can request a birth record in Ohio. The state is an open-records state for vital statistics, meaning you do not need to prove a family relationship to get a copy.
Nearby Counties
Licking County sits in central Ohio near several other counties. These neighboring pages may help if you are searching for birth records in the region:
Cities in Licking County
Licking County includes the city of Newark, which is the county seat and the largest community. Newark is a qualifying city with its own dedicated birth records page.
Other communities in Licking County include Heath, Pataskala, Granville, and Johnstown. For birth records in those areas, the Licking County Health Department in Newark handles all requests.