Changing or Correcting a Birth Record
Birth Affidavit
Birth Affidavits can only be used to correct minor spelling and data entry errors on the original birth record (1 letter or digit). The birth affidavit form cannot be used to change race, gender, or any names for the child or parents that are already listed on the original birth record. Also, the birth affidavit CANNOT be used along with adoption or paternity paperwork.
Print the birth affidavit. Once the birth affidavit is completed and notarized, it can be mailed to the address at the bottom of this page. Once the birth affidavit is accepted by ODH, a footnote will appear on the birth record indicating what item or items were added and/or corrected.
Adoptions
Adoptions can be done by any US Court. If a child has been adopted through an Ohio Probate Court most courts will send ODH the required documentation, while some may require the petitioner to do so. For children adopted outside of Ohio ODH will need a certified* Final Decree of Adoption along with that states informational form that collects the adoptive parent’s demographic information.
Court-Ordered Correction of Birth Record
Court-Ordered Corrections can be done at any Ohio Probate Court. It can be used to correct any errors and/or mistakes on the original birth record. In some cases it can also add any missing information. Please contact the Probate Court in the county that you reside in for more information. In order to comply with the court decision in Ray v. McCloud, Case # 2:18-cv-00272, the Ohio Department of Health will make changes to the sex marker on a birth certificate with a probate court order.
Legal Name Change
When a legal name change has been granted to a person whose birth occurred in Ohio ODH will accept a certified copy of the court ordered legal name change to update the birth record. The court order must have been granted by a US court. Some courts may send the certified* copy directly to ODH office, while some may require the petitioner to do so.
Once the legal name change is accepted by ODH office, a footnote will appear on the birth record indicating that a legal name change is on file. In addition, the new name as exactly listed on the court order is the name that will be reflected in the updated birth record.
Things to Consider
*A certified copy is defined as a court order that contains a raised seal of the court and/or an original ink signature of the judge. Photocopies of any of the above listed documents will not be accepted by our office.
All changes may take 4-6 weeks to be processed.
Scioto County Health Department
612 6th St, Suite D
Portsmouth, OH 45662