Vital Records & Certificates in Salem, OhioColumbiana County Clerk of Courts

Salem residents need vital records for enrollment at Kent State Salem and Allegheny Wesleyan College, employment verification at Ariel Corporation and other local manufacturers, passport applications for international travel, Real ID compliance at nearby BMV offices, and various legal proceedings. The city’s educational focus and industrial base create regular demand for certified documentation.

Salem residents obtain birth certificates through the Columbiana County Clerk of Courts office located at 105 S Market Street in Lisbon, the county seat approximately 20 minutes southeast of Salem. Most Salem children are born at Salem Regional Medical Center on East State Street or Akron Children’s Hospital, with all births officially recorded through the county vital statistics office. Ohio charges $25 for certified birth certificate copies, with expedited processing available for an additional fee. Residents can apply in person, by mail with notarized applications, or through Ohio’s online VitalChek system which delivers certificates within 5-7 business days to Salem addresses.

Couples planning weddings at Salem’s charming venues like the Salem Golf Club or intimate ceremonies at Centennial Park obtain marriage licenses from the Columbiana County Probate Court in Lisbon. Ohio requires a three-day waiting period between license application and ceremony, though this can be waived by the judge for good cause. The license remains valid for 60 days from issuance. Many Salem couples appreciate the historic courthouse setting for their civil ceremonies, while others choose local churches like First Presbyterian Church or Salem Friends Meeting House for traditional Quaker ceremonies.

Death certificates for Salem residents are issued through the Columbiana County Health District office. Local funeral homes including Stark Memorial Funeral Home and Crematory and Eells-Leggett-Stauffer Funeral Home assist families in obtaining the necessary certified copies for insurance claims, Social Security benefits, and estate proceedings. Ohio provides both short-form and long-form death certificates, with most legal and financial purposes requiring the certified long-form version containing complete medical information.

Divorce cases for Salem residents are processed through the Columbiana County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division. The court maintains comprehensive records of all divorce proceedings, legal separations, and dissolution of marriage cases for residents throughout Salem and Columbiana County. Certified copies of divorce decrees are essential for remarriage, name changes, and various legal proceedings requiring proof of marital status changes.

Salem residents can access vital records by traveling to the Columbiana County Clerk of Courts at 105 S Market Street in Lisbon, open Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The historic courthouse offers free parking on surrounding streets and in the adjacent municipal lot. For those unable to visit Lisbon, Ohio’s VitalChek online system processes orders securely with delivery to Salem addresses, while mail applications require notarization and typically take 2-3 weeks for processing. The courthouse staff provides friendly, personalized service reflecting the small-town values of Columbiana County.

From Salem, take State Route 11 south for approximately 15 miles to Lisbon. The Columbiana County Courthouse is located at 105 S Market Street in downtown Lisbon, with free parking available on surrounding streets.