Vital Records & Certificates in Ravenna, OhioPortage County Courthouse

As Portage County’s seat and a gateway community between urban Akron and rural northeastern Ohio, Ravenna residents frequently require certified vital records for diverse purposes. From Kent State University students needing documentation for international study programs to families relocating for employment opportunities in Cleveland or Akron, these official documents serve essential roles in educational enrollment, passport applications, employment verification, and legal proceedings that facilitate life transitions in this historically significant Connecticut Western Reserve community.

Residents of Ravenna obtain certified birth certificates directly through the Portage County Courthouse located at 203 West Main Street, where the county clerk’s office maintains comprehensive vital records dating back to the early 1900s. Whether your child was delivered at Robinson Memorial Hospital in nearby Ravenna Township or University Hospitals Portage Medical Center, the county registrar processes all birth certificate requests with same-day service available for in-person visits. Portage County charges $20 for the initial certified copy and $15 for additional copies ordered simultaneously, with expedited processing available for urgent passport applications or school enrollment deadlines that cannot wait for standard mail delivery.

Couples planning ceremonies at picturesque venues like the restored Reed Memorial Library gardens or the rustic charm of nearby Century Barn need marriage licenses from the Portage County Probate Court housed within the courthouse complex on West Main Street. Ohio law requires a three-day waiting period between license issuance and ceremony, though this requirement can be waived by any Ohio judge. The probate court processes marriage licenses Monday through Friday with extended hours during peak wedding season from May through October.

Death certificates for Portage County residents are processed through the same courthouse location at 203 West Main Street, with the health department maintaining records for deaths occurring at local medical facilities including Robinson Memorial Hospital. Certified copies are typically required for insurance claims, estate proceedings, and Social Security benefits, with most requests processed within 24 hours during regular business hours.

Divorce decree copies are maintained by the Portage County Clerk of Courts within the courthouse complex, accessible through the same Main Street entrance. These certified documents are frequently requested for remarriage license applications, child custody modifications, and financial account changes. Court staff can locate records using either case numbers or party names with approximate filing dates.

The Portage County Courthouse at 203 West Main Street operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with convenient downtown parking available in the municipal lot behind the building accessed via Chestnut Street. Payment is accepted by cash, check, or money order, with exact change appreciated for faster processing. The courthouse elevator provides accessible entry to all vital records offices, and staff can assist with completing application forms for those unfamiliar with the process.

The courthouse sits prominently in downtown Ravenna at the intersection of Main and Chestnut Streets, easily accessible from State Route 14 and visible from most downtown approaches.