Public Records FAQs

Public Records FAQs

Where can information on property appraisals be obtained?

Information on property appraisals may be obtained from:

The Fiscal Officer's Appraisal Department
Cuyahoga County Administrative Headquarters
2079 East 9th Street Cleveland, Ohio 44115
216-443-4663 option #3

Where can Probate Records be obtained?

Probate records from 1810 through present may be obtained from:

The Cuyahoga County Courthouse - Probate Division
1 Lakeside Avenue NW, Cleveland, Ohio 44113
(216) 443-8764 

Where can Death Certificates be obtained?

The Ohio Department of Health issues Death Certificates for all of Cuyahoga County except the following communities:   
  • Bedford:  165 Center Road; 44146; 440-232-1600
  • East Cleveland:   14340 Euclid Avenue; 44112; 216-681-2188
  • Euclid:  585 E. 222 Street; 44123;  216-289-2843
  • Lakewood :  12805 Detroit Road; 44107;   216-529-7690
  • Parma:  6611 Ridge Road; 44129;  440-885-8816
  • Rocky River:  21012 Hilliard Boulevard; 44116;  440-331-0600
  • Shaker Hts: 3400 Lee Road; 44120;  216-491-1480
  • University Heights:   2300 Warrensville Center Road; 44118;  216-932-7800

Death Records prior to 1909 may be obtained from:

The County Archives 
2905 Franklin Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio
(216) 443-7250

Death Records from 1868 to 1908 may be obtained from:

Cuyahoga County Probate Court  
1 Lakeside Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44113
(216) 443-8764 

Where can Naturalization Records be obtained?

Naturalization Records that were processed through Common Pleas from 1818 through 1930 or, processed through Probate Court from 1853 to 1901 may be obtained from:

The County Archives
2905 Franklin Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio
(216) 443-7250 

Where can Divorce Records be obtained?

Divorce Records from 1837 through present may be obtained from:

The Clerk of Courts Office
1200 Ontario Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44113
(216) 443-7950 

How do I get a divorce? Where do I come to file a divorce?

Most people find that the best way to get a divorce is to hire an attorney to do it for them. Technically, a divorce is started when a legal pleading called "complaint for divorce" is filed with the Clerk of Courts, along with instructions for service and payment of the filing fee. A divorce is not granted until the plaintiff (the person who files the complaint) has attended all of the hearings required by the court, and prepared all the necessary papers. At a minimum the person asking for the divorce will have to appear at a hearing and give testimony under oath or affirmation, bring a witness who will also testify, and prepare and bring all the necessary paperwork to complete the case. Please refer to the following topics on the Domestic Relations' site: divorce, dissolution, service, filing fee, parenting affidavit, parent education seminar and the journal department. 

Where can a Marriage License be obtained?

A Marriage License can be obtained from:

The Marriage License Bureau
Cuyahoga County Courthouse
1 Lakeside Avenue NE, Cleveland, Ohio
(216) 443-8920 

Where can Birth Certificates be obtained?

Birth Records prior to 1909 may be obtained from:

The County Archives
2905 Franklin Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio
(216) 443-7250 

Birth Records from 1859 to 1901 may be obtained from:

Cuyahoga County Probate Court
1 Lakeside Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44113
(216) 443-8764 

The Bureau of Vital Statistics can now issue certified copies of Birth Certificates for everyone born in the state of Ohio. 

What is Ohio Estate Tax?

The Ohio Estate Tax is reported and calculated on the Ohio Estate Tax Return (E.T. Form 2). The estate tax includes assets owned by a decedent solely or in conjunction with another person. The tax is based upon the date of death value of all assets less any debts and expenses. The estate tax return booklet is available from the probate court or the Ohio Department of Taxation Estate Tax Division. See the County Fiscal Officer's Website for more information about Estate Tax

  
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