City guide · Cleveland, Ohio · Details last checked Nov 1, 2026

Cleveland, Ohio document errands: printing, fax, notary, passports and certified copies (2026)

Where to print, notarize, apply for a passport and get certified copies in Cleveland, Ohio, using only official and provider pages. Each fact links to its source. Some facts are statewide or national rather than local. We label those.

Printing, copying, scanning and fax

Cleveland Public Library (CPL)

• Self-service printing and copying: every patron gets a $1.00 printing credit per day. After that, letter and legal pages are $0.10 in black and white and $0.25 in color; 11" x 17" pages are $0.20 in black and white and $0.50 in color. Ohio sales tax is included ^[1]. The fee schedule is dated effective July 1, 2023 ^[1].
• Printouts made by staff: $0.50 a page for standard black-and-white and letter or legal color pages ^[7].
• From your device: with a CPL card, send print jobs from your computer or phone through the library's web print site, or email an attachment to bwprinting@cpl.org (black and white) or colorprinting@cpl.org (color). You must be on CPL wifi to print from a mobile device ^[8].
• Fax and scanning: self-service faxing from the library's multifunction devices and self-service scanning to email or your own device are free ^[1]. The library says printing, scanning, copying and faxing are available at all its branches ^[8].
• Hours: the library's pages list service hours of Monday–Saturday 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. ^[7]. The Main Library is at 325 Superior Ave. N.E. ^[2], which the Census Geocoder places in Cleveland city ^[9].

• The UPS Store: it lists 2 locations with Cleveland addresses: 11459 Mayfield Rd and 7 St Clair Ave. Its city page says its stores offer packing, shipping, printing, shredding, notarizing, faxing and mailbox services ^[10]. Prices aren't listed online: its 7 St Clair Ave store page shows no prices and says products, services, pricing and hours of operation may vary by location ^[11], so call the store for prices (last checked Nov 1, 2026). The Census Geocoder places both stores in Cleveland city ^[10][9].

See printing prices and fax prices.

Notary in Cleveland

• Cleveland Public Library: we didn't find notary service on the library's printing, fee or photoduplication pages ^[8][1][7], and a search of cpl.org for notary didn't turn up a notary service page ^[12] (last checked Nov 1, 2026). Call (216) 623-2800 to ask.
• The UPS Store: its Cleveland page lists notarizing ^[10]. Prices aren't listed online; call the store ^[11].
• How notaries are commissioned (statewide law): the Ohio Secretary of State issues all notary commissions. Applicants must be at least 18 and Ohio residents (or attorneys admitted in Ohio who practice here), and most must submit a criminal records check from the past six months and complete an education program and test ^[13]. A commission lasts five years unless revoked; attorneys keep theirs as long as they qualify ^[14]. Ohio notaries are commissioned "for the state" ^[13] and have statewide jurisdiction ^[15].
• Fees (statewide; state law and the Secretary of State agree): an Ohio notary may charge up to $5 per traditional or electronic notarial act, plus a reasonable travel fee agreed before the act ^[16][17]. For a remote online notarization, the limit is $30 per act plus a technology fee of up to $10 per online session, which can be charged even if the act isn't completed ^[16][17]. Fees can't be charged per signature ^[16].
• When the online fee changed (sources differ by a day): the Revised Code section shows an effective date of April 3, 2025 ^[16]. The Secretary of State says House Bill 315, effective April 4, 2025, raised the online maximum from $25 to $30 and allowed the $10 technology fee ^[18].
• Appearing in person (statewide): for a traditional or electronic notarization, you must appear in person before the notary, and the notary must be physically in Ohio. A remote online notary needs Secretary of State authorization and must be in Ohio, but the signer can be outside Ohio ^[17].
• ID (statewide): bring a passport, driver's license or government-issued ID with your photo and signature, either current or expired no more than 3 years. A notary can't identify you over the phone ^[17].
• Check a notary (statewide): the Secretary of State commissions Ohio notaries ^[19] and has a public Notary Search to look one up ^[19].

Passports in Cleveland

The U.S. Department of State's Passport Acceptance Facility Locator data lists 15 facilities with Cleveland addresses. The Census Geocoder places these 11 in Cleveland city ^[2][9]:

• Cleveland Public Library: the library's fee schedule lists a $35.00 passport application processing fee and a $10.00 passport photo fee ^[1]. The locator says photocopies are available on site and walk-ins are taken if no appointments are scheduled and staffing allows ^[2].
• Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts: the clerk accepts passport applications Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m., with no appointment needed, on the 1st floor of the Justice Center, 1200 Ontario Street. Photos are $10 each ^[20]. The locator lists the same hours ^[2].
• Just outside Cleveland: the locator also lists post offices with Cleveland addresses that the Census Geocoder places in other cities: Shaker Heights (3675 Warrensville Center Road, in Shaker Heights city), Lyndhurst Mayfield Branch (5815 Landerbrook Road, in Mayfield Heights city) and Midpark (13301 Smith Rd., in Middleburg Heights city). The geocoder didn't match the Parma Branch Post Office address, 7801 Day Drive, so we couldn't confirm which city it's in ^[2][9].
• Post offices: the locator says to book appointments or see more passport times at usps.com/scheduler ^[2].
• Post office fees (national): a $35.00 acceptance fee and a $15.00 photo fee "if needed" ^[21].
• Faster return delivery (national): two official pages list different prices. USPS lists "$22.05—1- to 3- day delivery service for faster return shipping to you from the State Department" ^[21]. The State Department's fee page lists 1–3 business day return delivery at $26.87, for passport books only ^[22]. We couldn't re-read the State Department page on Nov 1, 2026, because it blocked our check. Confirm the fee with the acceptance facility before you pay.

See the passport checklist and passport photo prices.

Birth, death, marriage, court and recorded-document copies

Birth and death certificates (Cleveland Department of Public Health)

• What it issues: the Office of Vital Statistics issues certified copies for births in Ohio from Dec. 20, 1908, to the present, deaths in all of Ohio from 1971 to the present, and deaths in Cuyahoga County (except Lakewood and Parma) from Dec. 20, 1908, to 1970. For Cuyahoga County births from 1849 to Dec. 19, 1908, contact the Cuyahoga County Archives at (216) 443-7250 ^[3].
• Fee: $25.00 for each certified copy, and the first copy for a newborn isn't free ^[3]. That's more than the state's $21.50 in the statewide section below.
• In person (same day): City Hall, Room 122, 601 Lakeside Ave., Monday–Friday 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Pay by credit card, Apple Pay, cash, check or money order payable to Cleveland Vital Statistics; in-person orders are provided the same day ^[3]. The Census Geocoder places 601 Lakeside Ave in Cleveland city ^[9].
• By mail: send the application with a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order payable to Cleveland Vital Statistics to Office of Vital Statistics, 601 Lakeside Ave. Room 122, Cleveland, Ohio 44114. Allow one to two weeks ^[3]. The form says not to send cash ^[23].
• Online or by phone: through VitalChek, online or at (866) 691-1914, by credit card. There are added fees for credit card processing ^[3].
• Questions: (216) 664-2317 or vitals@clevelandohio.gov ^[3].

Birth and death certificates from the state (statewide)

• State fee (statewide): the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) charges $21.50 for a certified birth or death record. Since Jan. 1, 2025, that $21.50 is a search fee, charged whether or not a record is found ^[24]. State law says the state fee can't be less than $12, and that local offices and the state add a $5 fee to each certified copy ^[25]. Local offices can charge more than the state: compare the city fee above.
• Any Ohio birth, at local offices (statewide): ODH says more than 100 local offices offer same-day certified copies of Ohio vital records in person or in other ways ^[24]. State law lets a local registrar issue a certified copy to any applicant, unless the record is no longer public ^[26].
• How to order from the state (statewide): online by credit card (processed within five business days; about three weeks for delivery by mail; no expedited service), or by mail to ODH Bureau of Vital Statistics, PO Box 15098, Columbus, Ohio 43215-0098, with a check or money order (four to six weeks) ^[24]. Online birth certificates are abstract copies that ODH says are valid for all U.S. legal uses, including passports ^[24].
• State office walk-in (statewide): 4200 Surface Road, Columbus, Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., only for central Ohio customers who need an expedited copy of their birth record and pay by credit card ^[24].
• Deaths before 1971 (statewide): the state's records are with the Ohio History Connection. ODH says to get certified copies from the local health department where the death happened ^[24].

Marriage licenses (Cuyahoga County Probate Court)

• Where to apply (statewide law): both of you appear in person at the probate court of the county where either of you lives. If neither of you lives in Ohio, apply in the county where you plan to marry ^[27].
• Waiting period and validity (statewide law): a probate judge may grant the license "at any time after the application is made" ^[27], and the license expires 60 days after it's issued ^[28]. A passport is one of the accepted proofs of age ^[27]. Ohio law doesn't set one statewide license fee; check the county fee below.
• Cuyahoga County fee: $60.00. The court accepts cash, money order, cashier's check, and MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express credit or debit cards, with a $2.95 convenience fee for cards ^[4]. The court's fee page also says it doesn't accept personal checks ^[29].
• Residency: one of you must be a current Cuyahoga County resident and show evidence of current residence ^[4].
• How: online pre-registration is mandatory, and the registration is kept for 90 days. Then you both go to the Marriage Department together; no appointment is needed. Each of you needs a Social Security number and valid government photo ID. If either of you is divorced, bring a certified copy of the last divorce decree ^[4][30]. The license is valid for 60 days from issuance ^[4].
• Where and when: 1 Lakeside Avenue West, Room 129 (1st Floor), Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; (216) 443-8920. The department won't process payment after 4:15 p.m. ^[4]. The Census Geocoder didn't match this address.
• Copies: a certified copy is $2.00. By mail, send a self-addressed stamped envelope with a money order or cashier's check; mail requests take about two weeks ^[4].

Recorded documents (Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer)

• Recording fees (pages differ): the Transfer and Recording page says the standard recording fee rose to $39 for the first two pages and $8 for each page after that, effective Oct. 24, 2024 ^[31]. The Fees and Filings page's page-count table also starts at $39.00 for one or two pages, but the same page's basic recording fee list still shows $34.00 for the first two pages ^[32]. Ask the office which applies.
• Copies: a copy of a recorded instrument is $2.00 a page; a certified copy adds $2.00 ^[32].
• Where: 2079 E. Ninth Street, 4th floor; Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., with recording from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ^[31]. The Census Geocoder places it in Cleveland city ^[9].

Court records (Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts)

• Copy fees (pages differ): the clerk's court costs page says certified copies are $1 a page, including the certificate and seal, and copies without them are $.03 a page ^[33]. The clerk's public records policy says Legal Division copies are $.03 a page if over 33 pages, with no cost under 33 pages ^[34].
• Card fees: $2.00 for card payments up to $50.00, with higher fees for larger payments ^[33].
• Where: the clerk is in the Justice Center, 1200 Ontario Street ^[20][34], which the Census Geocoder places in Cleveland city ^[9].

Apostilles and authentications (statewide)

• What it is (statewide): the Ohio Secretary of State issues apostilles for countries in the Hague Convention and authentications for other countries, which may also need a step at the U.S. Department of State's Office of Authentications. Neither can be used inside the U.S. Only documents issued by an Ohio official or notarized by an Ohio notary qualify ^[35][36].
• Fee and payment (statewide): $5 per document, exact fee only ^[35][37]. Pay by check, money order or credit card. A mailed credit card payment needs the Credit Card Authorization form. Don't send cash, and foreign checks and money orders aren't accepted ^[35][38][37].
• By mail (statewide): send the completed Request Form 8003, the documents, and a self-addressed stamped envelope or prepaid express delivery label to Ohio Secretary of State, Client Service Center, 180 Civic Center Dr., Columbus, OH 43215-4138 ^[38]. Mailed requests are processed in two to three days from receipt ^[35][38].
• In person: the form says documents can be delivered in person for faster service ^[38], but we didn't find walk-in hours or an in-person address on the Secretary of State's pages.
• Accepted (statewide): originals certified by an Ohio official; birth and death certificates certified by the Ohio Department of Health; certified copies of marriage licenses from the probate court that issued them; certified copies of divorce decrees, probated wills, judgments and citizenship records from the county Clerk of Courts where they were filed; certified copies of business documents on file with the Secretary of State; and documents properly notarized by an Ohio notary ^[38].
• Rejected (statewide): improperly notarized documents; documents notarized by a notary outside Ohio; originals certified by another state or country; FBI background checks; citizenship documents not issued by an Ohio county Clerk of Courts; federal court and federal documents, including those from the Departments of Justice, Treasury, Homeland Security and Health and Human Services and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; and documents for use in the United States ^[38]. Federal agency documents go to the U.S. Department of State, federal court documents to the issuing court and FBI checks to the FBI ^[35].
• Before you send (statewide): school records and transcripts must be notarized first. The office doesn't translate, so translate a document first and then have it notarized. Don't detach or reattach certificates ^[35].

More on certified copies: how to get a certified copy.

Money orders

USPS money order fees are national: $2.65 for $0.01 to $500.00, and $3.75 for $500.01 to $1,000.00. Pay with cash or a debit card, not a credit card. The limit is $1,000 per domestic money order ^[39]. Other sellers: money order guide.

Shredding

• Free year-round shredding for residents: the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District says the City of Cleveland offers free, year-round document shredding for residents at the Division of Waste Collection, 5600 Carnegie Avenue, Monday–Friday 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.; call (216) 664-3711 ^[5]. The Census Geocoder places it in Cleveland city ^[9].
• Shredded paper: the district says not to put it in curbside recycling, because shreds are too small to be sorted at the recycling facility ^[5].
• The UPS Store: its Cleveland page lists shredding ^[10]. Prices aren't listed online; call the store ^[11].

For paid per-pound shredding, see where to shred documents.

Questions

Sources

Sources last checked Oct 29 or Nov 1, 2026, as marked on each, except the locator data file.

1. Cleveland Public Library, "Fines and Fees Schedule: Part A (PDF)": cpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2023-07-01-fines_and_fees_schedule-part_a.pdf (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
2. U.S. Department of State, Passport Acceptance Facility Locator (locator data file, downloaded Oct 28, 2026, filtered to Ohio): passportfacilitylocator.travel.state.gov (last checked Oct 28, 2026)
3. Cleveland Department of Public Health, "Birth & Death Certificates": clevelandohio.gov/city-hall/departments/public-health/birth-death-certificates (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
4. Cuyahoga County Probate Court, "Marriage License Department": probate.cuyahogacounty.gov/marriage.aspx (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
5. Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District, "City of Cleveland: Paper Shredding Services": cuyahogarecycles.org/recycle-in/cleveland/paper_shredding (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
6. U.S. Census Bureau, "2020 Place by County relationship file, Ohio": www2.census.gov/geo/docs/reference/codes2020/place_by_cou/st39_oh_place_by_county2020.txt (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
7. Cleveland Public Library, "Photoduplication and MakerSpace": cpl.org/policies/photoduplication-and-makerspace (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
8. Cleveland Public Library, "Printing & Scanning": cpl.org/service/printing-scanning (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
9. U.S. Census Bureau, "Census Geocoder (address to geography lookup)": geocoding.geo.census.gov/geocoder (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
10. The UPS Store, "The UPS Store Locations in Cleveland, Ohio": locations.theupsstore.com/oh/cleveland (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
11. The UPS Store, "The UPS Store, 7 St Clair Ave (store page)": locations.theupsstore.com/oh/cleveland/7-st-clair-ave (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
12. Cleveland Public Library, "Site search for notary": cpl.org/?s=notary (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
13. Ohio Laws (Ohio Revised Code), "Section 147.01, Appointment and commission (notaries public)": codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-147.01 (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
14. Ohio Laws (Ohio Revised Code), "Section 147.03, Term of office (notaries public)": codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-147.03 (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
15. Ohio Laws (Ohio Revised Code), "Section 147.07, Jurisdiction (notaries public)": codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-147.07 (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
16. Ohio Laws (Ohio Revised Code), "Section 147.08, Fees (notary fees)": codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-147.08 (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
17. Ohio Secretary of State, "Notary Resources and Frequently Asked Questions": ohiosos.gov/notary/become-a-notary-in-ohio/resources-and-frequently-asked-questions (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
18. Ohio Secretary of State, "Notary Law Updates": ohiosos.gov/notary/law-updates (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
19. Ohio Secretary of State, "Notary": ohiosos.gov/notary (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
20. Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts, "Passports": cuyahogacounty.gov/coc/services/passports (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
21. USPS, "Passports": usps.com/international/passports.htm (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
22. U.S. Department of State, passport fees page (Last Updated March 19, 2026): travel.state.gov/en/passports/apply/help/fees.html (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
23. Cleveland Department of Public Health, "Application for Ohio Certified Birth Record Copies (PDF)": clevelandohio.gov/sites/clevelandohio/files/health/health/vitals/Vital_Birth_Application_2026_Fillable.pdf (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
24. Ohio Department of Health, "How to Order Certificates": odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/vital-statistics/how-to-order-certificates (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
25. Ohio Laws (Ohio Revised Code), "Section 3705.24, vital records fees": codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-3705.24 (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
26. Ohio Laws (Ohio Revised Code), "Section 3705.23, Copies of vital records": codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-3705.23 (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
27. Ohio Laws (Ohio Revised Code), "Section 3101.05, Application for marriage license": codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-3101.05 (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
28. Ohio Laws (Ohio Revised Code), "Section 3101.07, marriage license expiration": codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-3101.07 (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
29. Cuyahoga County Probate Court, "Probate Court Filing Fees": probate.cuyahogacounty.gov/costs.aspx (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
30. Cuyahoga County Probate Court, "Marriage License Registration": probate.cuyahogacounty.gov/ml (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
31. Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer, "Transfer and Recording": cuyahogacounty.gov/fiscal-officer/departments/transfer-and-recording (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
32. Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer, "Fees and Filings": cuyahogacounty.gov/fiscal-officer/departments/recorded-documents/fees-and-filings (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
33. Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts, "Filing Fees/Court Costs": cuyahogacounty.gov/coc/services/court-costs (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
34. Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts, "Public Records": cuyahogacounty.gov/coc/services/public-records (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
35. Ohio Secretary of State, "Authentications and Apostilles": ohiosos.gov/records/authentications-and-apostilles (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
36. Ohio Secretary of State, "Authentications and Apostilles: Frequently Asked Questions": ohiosos.gov/records/authentications-and-apostilles/frequently-asked-questions (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
37. Ohio Secretary of State, "Forms & Fees": ohiosos.gov/records/forms-fees (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
38. Ohio Secretary of State, "Authentication/Apostille Request Form 8003 (PDF; read in a browser)": ohiosos.gov/assets/r-authentication-apostille-request-form.pdf (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
39. USPS, "Money Orders": usps.com/shop/money-orders.htm (last checked Nov 1, 2026)

Related guides

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• Where to get something notarized, and what it costs: banks, credit unions, libraries, AAA, The UPS Store and online notary, plus state fee limits.
• US passport application checklist: what to bring, fees, forms and photocopy rules from the State Department.
• How to get a certified copy: birth, death, marriage, property and court records from the offices that issue them.
• Free notary options
• Map of our city guides
• All guides