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

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

Where to print, notarize, apply for a passport and get certified copies in Columbus, 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

Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML)

• Printing: $0.10 a page in black and white and $0.50 a page in color ^[1]. The library's fee list, effective Jan. 1, 2026, lists printouts and photocopies at the same prices ^[2].
• From your device: send a document to print and pick it up at any library location, or print from a library computer. Uploading lets you choose options such as double-sided printing. Emailing allows single-sided printing only: send black-and-white jobs to bw@cmlprint.org and color jobs to color@cmlprint.org. Documents are only available for 12 hours after you send them to print ^[1].
• Fax and scanning: no charge, according to the library's fee list ^[2].
• Where: the Main Library is at 96 S. Grant Ave.; Monday–Thursday 9 a.m.–9 p.m., Friday–Saturday 9 a.m.–6 p.m. and Sunday 1–5 p.m. ^[9]. The Census Geocoder places it in Columbus city ^[10].

• The UPS Store: it lists 11 locations with Columbus addresses: 3000 E Main St, Ste B; 1391 W 5th Ave; 6956 E Broad St; 6031 East Main St; 829 Bethel Rd; 118 Graceland Blvd; 605 N High St; 2868 Stelzer Road; 5458 Westpointe Plaza Dr; 1933 E Dublin Granville Rd; and 1491 Polaris Pkwy. Its city page says its stores offer packing, shipping, printing, shredding, notarizing, faxing and mailbox services ^[11]. Prices aren't listed online: its 605 N High St store page shows no prices and says products, services, pricing and hours of operation may vary by location ^[12], so call the store for prices (last checked Nov 1, 2026). The Census Geocoder places all 11 stores in Columbus city; the 1491 Polaris Pkwy store is in the Delaware County part of the city ^[11][10].

See printing prices and fax prices.

Notary in Columbus

• Columbus Metropolitan Library: free basic notary service with an Ohio notary public, by appointment at all CML locations, in person only during regular library hours. You need a current phone number and email address to confirm the appointment; call 614-645-2275 for help ^[3]. The library's fee list shows notary services at no charge ^[2].
• What to bring: everyone who must sign, any required witnesses, a valid photo ID for each signer or witness, and the printed, unsigned documents. Don't sign before you meet the notary ^[3].
• What CML won't notarize: real estate documents such as mortgage closing documents, deeds, wills, living wills and codicils, trusts, powers of attorney, certification of "true copies" of documents, and Form I-9 or other employment eligibility documents. The library may refuse notary service ^[3].
• The UPS Store: its Columbus page lists notarizing ^[11]. Prices aren't listed online; call the store ^[12].
• 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 Columbus

The U.S. Department of State's Passport Acceptance Facility Locator data lists 10 facilities with Columbus addresses. The Census Geocoder places these 9 in Columbus city ^[20][10]:

• Franklin County Clerk of Courts: the clerk's passport page lists a $35 service fee per application and on-site photos for $15. It accepts cash, major credit cards, and checks or money orders payable to "Clerk of Courts" for its own fees. Apply weekdays 8 a.m.–2:30 p.m. (not holidays) at 345 South High Street; groups of four or more must book an appointment ^[21]. Pages differ: the locator data doesn't list photos for this office and says the office closes for lunch from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. ^[20], but the clerk's page lists on-site photos and doesn't mention a lunch closing ^[21]. Call 614-525-3621 before you go.
• The Ohio State University Office of International Affairs: its locator note says photos are available on site, though its photo field isn't marked ^[20]. We didn't find whether it serves people who aren't connected to the university; call 614-292-6101.
• Just outside Columbus: the locator also lists the Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd (614-486-9621), which the Census Geocoder places in Upper Arlington city ^[20][10].
• Post offices: the locator says to book appointments or see more passport times at usps.com/scheduler ^[20].
• Library: we didn't find passport service on the Columbus Metropolitan Library's printing, notary or fee pages ^[1][3][2].
• Post office fees (national): a $35.00 acceptance fee and a $15.00 photo fee "if needed" ^[22].
• 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" ^[22]. The State Department's fee page lists 1–3 business day return delivery at $26.87, for passport books only ^[23]. 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 (Columbus Public Health)

• What it issues: the Office of Vital Statistics issues certified copies for births in Ohio from 1908 to the present, deaths in Ohio from 1971 to the present and deaths in Franklin County from 1908 to the present. For Ohio births from 1867 to Dec. 20, 1908, contact the probate court of the county where the birth happened ^[4].
• Fee: $25 per certificate; only certified copies are available ^[4]. That's more than the state's $21.50 in the statewide section below. The application form says there are absolutely no refunds ^[24].
• Same-day walk-in: 240 Parsons Ave., Monday–Friday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (closed weekends, official holidays and other posted times); (614) 645-7331, VS@columbus.gov. Pay at the Cashier's Office by cash, personal check, certified check, money order, or debit or credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover only) ^[4]. The Census Geocoder places 240 Parsons Ave in Columbus city ^[10].
• By mail: send the application to Office of Vital Statistics, Columbus Public Health, 240 Parsons Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43215. It accepts only personal checks, certified checks or money orders payable to Columbus City Treasurer, with no starter checks. Cards aren't accepted by mail ^[4].
• Online: through VitalChek, a private, for-profit company, with an added $9.95 fee ^[4].
• New births: birth certificates for new births typically take 2–5 weeks to become available ^[4].

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 ^[25]. 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 ^[26]. 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 ^[25]. State law lets a local registrar issue a certified copy to any applicant, unless the record is no longer public ^[27].
• 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) ^[25]. Online birth certificates are abstract copies that ODH says are valid for all U.S. legal uses, including passports ^[25].
• 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 ^[25].
• 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 ^[25].

Marriage licenses (Franklin 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 ^[8].
• Waiting period and validity (statewide law): a probate judge may grant the license "at any time after the application is made" ^[8], and the license expires 60 days after it's issued ^[28]. A passport is one of the accepted proofs of age ^[8]. Ohio law doesn't set one statewide license fee; check the county fee below.
• Franklin County fee and residency: $65, paid in cash, by money order or by credit or debit card (Visa, MasterCard and Discover). The fee isn't refundable. At least one of you must live in Franklin County for this court to issue the license ^[5].
• Card fees (pages differ): the court's marriage license page says there's a 3% service fee on all credit and debit card transactions ^[5]. Its court costs page says credit and debit transactions have a 2.5% fee with a $2.00 minimum ^[29]. Ask the court which applies.
• How: complete the online application before you appear in person. Applications are valid for 30 days, and licenses for 60 days ^[6]. If you arrive by 4:00 p.m. with all your documents, the court can issue the license the same day ^[5]. Once your application is accepted, there's no waiting period ^[6].
• Copies: a certified abstract of marriage is $2.00 per copy. Mail requests go to Franklin County Probate Court, ATTN: Marriage Records, 373 S. High St., 22nd Floor, Columbus, OH 43215-6311; 614-525-3108 ^[6].

Recorded documents (Franklin County Recorder)

• Recording fees: $34 for the first two pages and $8 for each additional page, with a 3% convenience fee if you pay by debit or credit card ^[30].
• Payment: cash, check, money order, or debit or credit card (Discover, Mastercard and Visa only) ^[30].
• Certified copies: $2.00 a page plus a $1.00 certification fee per document ^[31].

Court records (Franklin County Clerk of Courts)

• General Division copy fees: copies are $.10 a page, certified copies $1.00 per document and exemplified copies $4.00 per document ^[32].
• Public records: the clerk's public records policy lists copies at ten cents a page. The clerk's office is at 373 South High Street ^[33]. The Census Geocoder places 373 S High St in Columbus city ^[10].

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 ^[34][35].
• Fee and payment (statewide): $5 per document, exact fee only ^[34][36]. 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 ^[34][37][36].
• 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 ^[37]. Mailed requests are processed in two to three days from receipt ^[34][37].
• In person: the form says documents can be delivered in person for faster service ^[37], 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 ^[37].
• 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 ^[37]. Federal agency documents go to the U.S. Department of State, federal court documents to the issuing court and FBI checks to the FBI ^[34].
• 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 ^[34].

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 ^[38]. Other sellers: money order guide.

Shredding

• Free shredding event (upcoming): the Franklin County Auditor's Office Shred Hunger Event is on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., at Valleyview Elementary, 2989 Valleyview Drive. SWACO says paper shredding and electronics recycling are at no cost, and the event is free and open to the public ^[39]. The Census Geocoder places the school in Columbus city ^[10].
• SWACO Recycling Convenience Center: 2566 Jackson Pike takes paper documents for shredding; an attendant shreds them on site. It's for Franklin County residents only, and there are fees for some items ^[40]. Its fee list doesn't include paper shredding ^[40].
• The UPS Store: its Columbus page lists shredding ^[11]. Prices aren't listed online; call the store ^[12].

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. Columbus Metropolitan Library, "Printing": columbuslibrary.org/printing (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
2. Columbus Metropolitan Library, "Fees for Library Materials and Services (PDF)": columbuslibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Fees_for_Library_Materials_and_Services.pdf (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
3. Columbus Metropolitan Library, "Notary Service": columbuslibrary.org/notary-service (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
4. Columbus Public Health, "Get a Birth or Death Certificate": columbus.gov/Services/Public-Health/Get-a-Birth-or-Death-Certificate (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
5. Franklin County Probate Court, "Marriage License Requirements": probate.franklincountyohio.gov/Marriage-License-Requirements (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
6. Franklin County Probate Court, "Marriage": probate.franklincountyohio.gov/Departments/Marriage (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
7. 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)
8. 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)
9. Columbus Metropolitan Library, "Library Locations": columbuslibrary.org/library-locations (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
10. U.S. Census Bureau, "Census Geocoder (address to geography lookup)": geocoding.geo.census.gov/geocoder (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
11. The UPS Store, "The UPS Store Locations in Columbus, Ohio": locations.theupsstore.com/oh/columbus (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
12. The UPS Store, "The UPS Store, 605 N High St (store page)": locations.theupsstore.com/oh/columbus/605-n-high-st (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. 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)
21. Franklin County Clerk of Courts, "Passports": clerk.franklincountyohio.gov/Resources/Passports (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
22. USPS, "Passports": usps.com/international/passports.htm (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
23. 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)
24. Columbus Public Health, "Birth and Death Certificate application form (PDF)": columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/2/public-health/certificateappform_birthdeath_4.3.2026.pdf (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
25. 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)
26. 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)
27. 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)
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. Franklin County Probate Court, "Court Costs": probate.franklincountyohio.gov/About/Court-Information/Court-Costs (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
30. Franklin County Recorder, "Recording Fees": franklincountyohio.gov/Agency-Directory/Recorder/Real-Estate/Recording-Fees (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
31. Franklin County Recorder, "Certified Copy Request": franklincountyohio.gov/Agency-Directory/Recorder/Real-Estate/Certified-Copy-Request (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
32. Franklin County Clerk of Courts, "General Division Fee Schedule": clerk.franklincountyohio.gov/Legal-Divisions/General-Civil-Criminal/General-Division-Fee-Schedule (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
33. Franklin County Clerk of Courts, "Public Records Policy": clerk.franklincountyohio.gov/Public-Records/Public-Records-Request-Form/Public-Records-Policy (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
34. Ohio Secretary of State, "Authentications and Apostilles": ohiosos.gov/records/authentications-and-apostilles (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
35. Ohio Secretary of State, "Authentications and Apostilles: Frequently Asked Questions": ohiosos.gov/records/authentications-and-apostilles/frequently-asked-questions (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
36. Ohio Secretary of State, "Forms & Fees": ohiosos.gov/records/forms-fees (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
37. 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)
38. USPS, "Money Orders": usps.com/shop/money-orders.htm (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
39. Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO), "Franklin County Auditor's Office- Shred Hunger Event": swaco.org/event/franklin-county-auditors-office-shred-hunger-event-2 (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
40. Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO), "Recycling Convenience Center": swaco.org/disposal/facilities/recycling-convenience-center (last checked Nov 1, 2026)

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