12/13/2024

“Go-Live” of New Ohio Vital Records System Postponed – Users Still Must Enroll

“Go-live” of Ohio’s new vital records system to record births and deaths has been postponed from its original January 1, 2025 date due to low user enrollment and technical issues that must be resolved. The new system will be used by funeral homes, coroners/medical examiners, birth facilities, physicians who complete death certificates, and local health departments.

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Bureau of Vital Statistics is replacing its separate electronic vital records systems used to record births and deaths in Ohio (IPHIS/EDRS) with a single Ohio Vital Records System (OVRS). Go-live for the OVRS birth certificate model has been rescheduled for April 1, 2025, and the death certificate module for July 1, 2025.

“We need birth facilities, funeral directors, coroners/medical examiners, and physicians who complete death certificates in Ohio to enroll in OVRS before go-live for a smooth transition,” said Judy Nagy, Chief of the ODH Bureau of Vital Statistics. “As of early December, only 6% of physicians who complete death certificates, 19% of funeral directors, and 50% of coroners/medical examiners had enrolled in OVRS. We urge OVRS users to enroll as soon as possible and not wait until after go-live.”

Here’s how to enroll in OVRS:

Check your email (including spam folder) for an invitation from donotreply-enterpriseidentity@ohio.gov to complete OVRS enrollment. Current IPHIS/EDRS users should have received an email in early/mid-November with instructions for OVRS enrollment. If you are a current IPHIS/EDRS user and have not received the email, please contact OVRS@odh.ohio.gov and ask for OVRS enrollment instructions.

Create an OHID Account if you don’t already have one. If you do not already have an OHID account on the InnovateOhio Platform, the OVRS enrollment process will guide you through the account creation process. You can also proactively create an OHID account by visiting ohid.ohio.gov and signing up for a new account.

Register your support staff if necessary. If you have support staff who need access to OVRS, please send their name and email address to OVRS@odh.ohio.gov. The OVRS team will send them the information and access required to complete enrollment.

Contact the ODH Bureau of Vital Statistics for Assistance.  If you have any questions or need any other assistance, the OVRS team is ready to help. Contact them at OVRS@odh.ohio.gov.

OVRS will feature enhanced access security, flexibility to allow access on a mobile device, and integrated payment and ordering capabilities for copies of birth and death certificates.