Medina County Birth Records
Medina County birth records are available through the Medina County Health Department on Ledgewood Drive. The department issues certified birth certificates for anyone born in Ohio from 1909 to the present. For records before 1909, the Medina County Probate Court holds the older ledger entries going back to 1867. You can request copies in person, by mail, or online. The Medina County District Library also has microfilm copies of historical birth records, making this county particularly well served for both current and genealogical research needs.
Medina County Birth Records Overview
Medina County Health Department Birth Certificates
The Medina County Health Department is at 4800 Ledgewood Drive, Medina, Ohio 44256. They issue birth and death certificates for events recorded in the state system from 1909 to the present. Through Ohio's statewide issuance program, the office can also pull up and issue a certified birth certificate for anyone born in any Ohio county. You do not need to go to the birth county.
Walk-in service is the fastest option. Bring your photo ID and the required fee. Staff can search the database and print a certified copy while you wait. The office also processes mail requests. Send a written request with the full name, date of birth, and payment to the Medina County Health Department at the Ledgewood Drive address. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return.
Name changes and corrections to birth certificates can also be handled through this office. If there is a spelling error or a legal name change that needs to be reflected on the certificate, the health department can walk you through the process. There may be additional paperwork and fees for corrections.
The health department website explains how to get birth and death certificates and lists current fees and office hours.
Medina County Probate Court Records
For birth records before 1909, contact the Medina County Probate Court at 330-725-9703. The probate court holds birth and death records up to 1909, along with marriage and probate records. These older records are in ledger format and were kept by hand. They may have gaps or inconsistencies since early record keeping was not standardized across the state.
The FamilySearch wiki for Medina County confirms that birth records from 1867 through December 19, 1908 are at the probate court. After December 20, 1908, the Ohio Department of Health took over. Medina County was created on February 12, 1812 from Portage County, so there may be some very early records filed under Portage County for the area that became Medina.
Medina County District Library Genealogy Resources
The Medina County District Library owns microfilm containing Medina County birth and death records from 1867 to 1909 and marriage records from 1818 to 1965. These reels are exact copies of the volumes at the Probate Court. They are also available digitally on FamilySearch, which means you can access them from home if you have an internet connection.
The library's genealogy page lists their microfilm holdings and links to online resources for Medina County research.
Ohio death certificates from 1908 to 1953 are available for free through FamilySearch. Death certificates from 1954 to 1970 can be obtained from the Ohio History Connection. For birth certificates from 1908 to present, any health department in Ohio can issue a certified copy. The library is a great starting point if you want to browse records before committing to a formal request.
Note: The Ohio History Connection does not have indexed records for Medina County, so the library and probate court are the best local options for pre-1909 records.
How to Order Medina County Birth Certificates
You have several options for getting a Medina County birth certificate. In person at the health department is the fastest route. By mail works if you cannot visit. Online through VitalChek or the Ohio Department of Health lets you order from anywhere. The Ohio Department of Health charges $21.50 per copy and ships from their Columbus office. VitalChek adds a service fee but offers faster processing.
Ohio is an open record state for birth certificates. Anyone can request a copy without proving a family connection. Just provide the name on the certificate, the date of birth, and your fee. A photo ID is needed for in-person requests. Certified copies include a raised seal and work for all legal purposes including passports, school enrollment, and Social Security applications.
Medina County Birth Record Research Tips
If you are doing family research in Medina County, start with the digital collections on FamilySearch. The Ohio County Births collection covers 1841 to 2003 and includes both an index and scanned images. This can save you a trip to the courthouse. Cross-reference what you find online with the probate court and library microfilm to verify details.
For records after 1908, the state database is your best bet. Any health department can search it. For the period between 1867 and 1908, the probate court originals or the library microfilm copies are your main sources. Before 1867, civil birth records may not exist for Medina County. Church records and family bibles become the primary sources for that early period.
Nearby Counties
Medina County is south of Cleveland in northeast Ohio. Neighboring county health departments can also issue Ohio birth certificates.
Cities in Medina County
Medina County does not have cities over the population threshold for a dedicated page. The city of Medina is the county seat. Brunswick and Wadsworth are other notable communities. All Medina County residents can get birth certificates from the health department on Ledgewood Drive.