Last reviewed 2026. This guide covers Lorain County Public Health in Elyria, Ohio. The public office is listed at 9880 Murray Ridge Rd., Elyria, OH 44035, with regular office hours of 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Always verify appointment availability, clinic hours, fees and emergency routing on the official LorainCountyHealth.com pages before you visit.
Lorain County Public Health: Services, Phone Numbers, Certificates and Appointment Help
This resident-first guide explains how to contact the Lorain County Health Department, officially known as Lorain County Public Health. Use it for the Elyria office, vaccine appointments, WIC, birth certificates, death certificates, sewage permits, lead services, mosquito concerns, food safety, environmental health payments, and after-hours public health emergency reporting.
This page is for Lorain County Public Health, the local public health district serving Lorain County, Ohio. Do not confuse it with Lorain County Health & Dentistry, which is a separate community health center, or with a hospital, private doctor, urgent care, dental clinic or city-only office. If you need public health records, vaccine appointments, WIC, birth/death certificates, sewage permits, environmental health fees or public health complaints, start with Lorain County Public Health.
- Agency
- Lorain County Public Health, often searched as Lorain County Health Department
- Official website
- https://www.loraincountyhealth.com/
- Address
- 9880 Murray Ridge Rd., Elyria, OH 44035
- Main phone
- 440-322-6367
- contact@LorainCountyHealth.com
- Regular hours
- 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday
- Vaccine appointment
- 440-284-3206
- WIC
- 440-323-7320; Spanish assistance: 440-240-8916
- After-hours emergency
- 440-219-5710 for a public health emergency or Class A reportable disease after hours
- Leadership update
- The Board of Health announced incoming Health Commissioner Justin Rechichar in May 2026.
Quick answer: what Lorain County Public Health can help with
Lorain County Public Health helps residents with public health services that are different from a hospital, private doctor, urgent care or dental office. The most searched needs are vaccine appointments, vaccine records, WIC, birth certificates, death certificates, sewage and septic permits, environmental health fees, lead risk services, mosquito concerns, food safety training, solid and hazardous waste complaints, community health data, maternal and infant support, and after-hours public health emergency reporting.
The fastest route is not always the main phone number. For general questions, call 440-322-6367. For vaccine appointments, call 440-284-3206. For WIC, call 440-323-7320. For a public health emergency or Class A reportable disease after hours, call 440-219-5710. For birth or death certificates, use the Vital Statistics route at the Elyria office, VitalChek or mail. For sewage operation and maintenance permits, body art fees or environmental health payments, use the payment page, phone payment line, in-person payment or mail.
Call the vaccine line
For vaccine appointments, call 440-284-3206. Walk-ins are accepted, but LCPH strongly encourages appointments to reduce wait time and help ensure vaccine availability.
Call WIC directly
For WIC eligibility, appointments, breastfeeding support, infant feeding and nutrition benefits, call 440-323-7320. For Spanish assistance, call 440-240-8916.
Use Vital Statistics
LCPH provides certified birth certificates for anyone born in Ohio from 1908 to present and certified death certificates for Ohio deaths from 1975 to present, with older death records only if the death occurred in Lorain County.
Lorain County Health Department phone numbers and routing
Use this routing table before you call. It is built around the real questions residents ask: “Do I call the main line, WIC, vaccine clinic, Vital Statistics, Environmental Health or the after-hours emergency number?” A short and accurate first sentence gets you routed faster than a long story.
| Need | Correct route | What to say first |
|---|---|---|
| General Lorain County Public Health question | 440-322-6367 | I live in Lorain County and need help with a public health service. |
| Vaccine appointment or vaccine question | 440-284-3206 | I need a vaccine appointment or vaccine record help. |
| WIC appointment or WIC eligibility | 440-323-7320; Spanish assistance 440-240-8916 | I want to apply for WIC or schedule a WIC appointment. |
| Birth certificate | LCPH Birth Certificates page, in person, VitalChek or mail | I need a certified Ohio birth certificate. |
| Death certificate | LCPH Death Certificates page, in person, VitalChek or mail | I need a certified death certificate and want to confirm eligibility. |
| Sewage, septic or HSTS Operation & Maintenance permit | LCPH sewage page and main phone 440-322-6367 | I have a household sewage treatment system question for a Lorain County property. |
| Body art or sewage environmental health payment | Pay page, online payment, phone payment 833-719-2161, in person or mail | I need to pay an Environmental Health fee and have my invoice or permit information. |
| Public health emergency or Class A reportable disease after hours | 440-219-5710 | I need to report a public health emergency or Class A reportable disease after hours. |
Best call strategy
Start with your need, not your full story. For example: “I need a vaccine appointment for school,” “I need a certified birth certificate,” “I have a septic O&M permit question,” or “I need WIC in Spanish.” Then give your name, callback number, city, and any deadline. For property issues, use the property address. For clinic services, use the patient name and date of birth. For certificate requests, confirm whether the birth or death happened in Ohio and what year the event occurred.
Lorain County Public Health office, hours and map
The Lorain County Public Health office is located at 9880 Murray Ridge Rd., Elyria, OH 44035. Regular office hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The main phone number is 440-322-6367. This is also the address used for in-person Vital Statistics services, vaccine clinic services on weekdays, WIC Elyria services and many Environmental Health payment or mail routes.
Before you drive to Elyria
- Confirm that the service is open and available that day.
- Bring photo ID for vaccine records or Vital Statistics needs.
- Bring health insurance card if you are insured and going for vaccines.
- Bring cash, card, check or money order only if the official page says that payment method is accepted for your service.
- For WIC, confirm whether you need the Elyria site or Amherst/Lorain site.
When this is the wrong office
- Do not use LCPH as a hospital emergency department.
- Do not confuse LCPH with Lorain County Health & Dentistry.
- Do not assume a vaccine walk-in is faster than an appointment.
- Do not mail a certificate request without the correct form, payment and self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Do not pay an Environmental Health invoice late without checking for possible late penalties.
Vaccines, vaccine records and travel health clinic
For vaccines, call 440-284-3206. LCPH states that all required and recommended vaccines for children and adults are available. Walk-in clients are accepted, but scheduling an appointment is strongly encouraged because it can reduce waiting and help ensure vaccine availability. Regular weekday vaccine clinic service is at Lorain County Public Health, 9880 Murray Ridge Rd., Elyria.
Vaccine clinic hours are listed as Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, with the clinic closed daily for lunch from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. LCPH also offers extended afternoon and evening vaccine appointments monthly in Wellington and Lorain. The listed extended locations are Herrick Memorial Library, 101 Willard Memorial Square, Wellington, and Lorain County Free Clinic, 5040 Oberlin Ave., Lorain. Do not show up at those extended sites without confirming the current appointment schedule.
What to bring for a vaccine visit
- Your vaccine record, if you have one.
- Photo ID.
- Health insurance card if you are insured.
- School, college, work, camp, travel or healthcare forms if the vaccine is tied to a deadline.
- Payment method if a cost applies to your situation.
Payment and lower-cost options
LCPH says it bills most private insurance, Medicaid and Medicare. Cash, check, VISA and MasterCard are also accepted for vaccine services. No child is turned away from vaccination for inability to pay when the child is eligible for no-cost vaccines through the Vaccines for Children Program. Adults who are uninsured or underinsured are encouraged to call 440-284-3206 to discuss lower-cost options.
Travel health clinic steps
The LCPH travel health clinic helps residents prepare for international travel. This is not something to leave until the week before your flight. LCPH recommends starting at least 6 weeks before your trip.
- Complete the Traveler History Form. If you need a mailed form, call 440-284-3206.
- Wait for the nurse review. An LCPH nurse reviews your travel plans and health history.
- Schedule the travel appointment. The nurse will schedule the visit after reviewing the form.
- Prepare your itinerary. Bring countries, regions, dates, rural or urban travel details, lodging type and planned activities.
- Bring your vaccine history. Travel vaccine decisions depend on what you already received and what your destination requires or recommends.
WIC, breastfeeding support and clinic locations
Lorain County WIC is for eligible pregnant women, breastfeeding women up to 12 months postpartum, women who are not breastfeeding up to 6 months postpartum, infants and children up to age 5. WIC provides nutrition education, breastfeeding education and support, supplemental nutritious foods and referrals to community programs and health services.
To ask questions or schedule a WIC appointment, call 440-323-7320. For assistance in Spanish, call 440-240-8916. The WIC fax number is 440-406-3150. WIC may be available if you live in Ohio, meet income requirements or receive Medicaid, SNAP or TANF, and have a medical or nutrition risk.
| WIC location | Address and hours | Important lunch or late-clinic note |
|---|---|---|
| Elyria Clinic | 9880 Murray Ridge Rd., Elyria, OH 44035. Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM. | Closed daily from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM for lunch. |
| Amherst/Lorain Clinic | 2001 Cooper Foster Park Rd., Amherst, OH 44001. Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM. | Closed daily from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Monthly late clinic is 9:30 AM-6:00 PM and closes 1:00 PM-2:00 PM for lunch. |
What WIC can provide
- Nutrition education during appointments.
- Breastfeeding education and support.
- Supplemental foods such as milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs, peanut butter or beans, fruits and vegetables, juice, cereals, whole grains and canned fish for eligible categories.
- Infant formula as a breastmilk alternative for infants who are not breastfeeding.
- Referrals to Help Me Grow, vaccines, lead prevention, smoking cessation, Plan of Safe Care, mental health, car seats, cribs and other community programs.
What to ask before your WIC visit
- Which clinic location should I use?
- What proof of identity, residency, income or benefits should I bring?
- Can I get help in Spanish?
- Do I need to bring my child or infant?
- How do I use the WICShopper app to scan foods, check balance and find WIC stores?
Birth certificates and death certificates through LCPH
Unlike many health departments where vital records are handled only by a county clerk, Lorain County Public Health provides certified copies of certain birth and death certificates. This is a major resident convenience, but the rules are specific.
LCPH provides certified copies of birth certificates for anyone born in Ohio from 1908 to present. Certified copies are $25 each, and uncertified copies are not available. LCPH also provides certified copies of death certificates for anyone who died in Ohio from 1975 to present. For people who died before 1975, LCPH can provide the death certificate only if the person died in Lorain County. Death certificates are also $25 each.
| Certificate type | What LCPH can provide | Cost and order routes |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | Certified copy for anyone born in Ohio from 1908 to present. | $25 each. Order in person at LCPH, through VitalChek online or by phone, or by U.S. Mail. |
| Death certificate | Certified copy for anyone who died in Ohio from 1975 to present. For deaths before 1975, only if the person died in Lorain County. | $25 each. Order in person at LCPH, through VitalChek online or by phone, or by U.S. Mail. |
| Uncertified copy | Not available through LCPH certificate pages. | Use official alternatives only if another agency offers a non-certified historical route. |
Three ways to order a certificate
- In person at LCPH. Go to 9880 Murray Ridge Rd., Elyria, OH 44035 during the listed certificate hours of Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM. Accepted payment methods include cash, Discover, MasterCard, Visa, money orders and personal checks made payable to LCPH. Certificates paid by personal check are held for five business days.
- VitalChek online or phone. VitalChek is listed as an online or phone option, with phone number 1-888-290-0228. VitalChek charges an additional fee, and major credit cards are accepted.
- U.S. Mail. Complete the correct application form, include check or money order payable to LCPH, include a self-addressed stamped envelope, and mail it to Vital Statistics, Lorain County Public Health, 9880 Murray Ridge Rd., Elyria, OH 44035.
For the first five years after the date of death, the deceased person’s Social Security number is not included on the death certificate unless the requester fits one of the eligible categories listed by LCPH, such as spouse, lineal descendant, executor, attorney, legal agent, investigative government representative, private investigator, funeral director or agent acting for the family, veteran’s service officer, or accredited media member.
Open Birth Certificates and Open Death Certificates
Environmental health, food safety, pools, waste and payments
Lorain County Public Health handles environmental health work that protects residents beyond clinic services. That includes household sewage treatment systems, solid and hazardous waste complaints, lead-related services, mosquito control, pools and spas, food safety training, body art fees, operation and maintenance fees, and public health complaints such as landfill or compost odor reports.
The main LCPH phone number, 440-322-6367, is the safest starting point when you are not sure which environmental program applies. For environmental health payments, the official payment page lists four routes: online payment, phone payment, in person at LCPH, or U.S. Mail. The phone payment number is 833-719-2161. Third-party convenience fees apply to online and phone payments.
| Environmental health need | Best route | Resident warning |
|---|---|---|
| Body art fees | Pay page, online, phone, in person or mail. | Verify current fee and invoice details before payment. |
| Residential or commercial sewage O&M fees | Pay page or sewage page. | Late payment can trigger a 25% administration fee. |
| Pools and spas | Pools and Spas page or main phone. | Inspection report access depends on date range and request process. |
| Solid and hazardous waste concern | Solid and Hazardous Waste page or main phone. | The Lorain County Collection Center has its own hours and accepted-item rules. |
| Mosquito problem | Mosquito Control page or complaint route. | Give the exact location and whether standing water or heavy mosquito activity is present. |
Open LCPH Payment Options, Open Pools and Spas, Open Solid and Hazardous Waste, and Open Mosquito Control.
Household sewage treatment systems, septic permits and O&M billing
For homes not connected to a public sewer line, Lorain County Public Health oversees household sewage treatment systems, often called septic systems. LCPH explains that Ohio rules require each health department to implement a local Operation and Maintenance program to monitor and ensure proper function of household sewage treatment systems. The point is not just paperwork. A failing system can add bacteria and pollution to local watersheds.
LCPH says it oversees the proper maintenance of more than 18,000 household sewage treatment systems, many of which have limited information. All homeowners with a HSTS in Lorain County are required to have an O&M permit issued by LCPH. For 2026, LCPH notes that the annual billing cycle is complete and payments are no longer being accepted for that billing cycle. Homeowners on the annual billing cycle have a valid permit through the end of 2026, and homeowners on the 3-year billing cycle also have a valid permit through the end of 2026.
| Sewage/O&M item | 2026 detail | What homeowners should do |
|---|---|---|
| Annual O&M permit | Permit fee listed as $40 for 1 year. | Confirm current billing status and permit conditions online before paying or assuming you are current. |
| Three-year O&M permit | Permit fee listed as $120 for 3 years. | Check whether your property is on an annual or 3-year cycle. |
| Financial assistance | Funding may be available for eligible lower-income households replacing failing systems or seeking O&M permit help. | Call the program contact listed by LCPH for assistance questions; the published phone is 440-610-7334. |
| Home sale or property improvement | LCPH lists homeowner applications for home sale evaluation, lot split, property improvement and site review. | Do not wait until closing week or construction week to request records or applications. |
If you are buying a Lorain County home with a septic system, planning an addition, selling a property, abandoning an old system, hiring a hauler or dealing with a failing system, do not rely only on what a seller, neighbor or contractor says. Use the official LCPH sewage page, permit conditions and forms. Septic issues can become financing, closing, repair, environmental and legal problems if you discover them too late.
Open Household Sewage Treatment Systems
Lead services, healthy homes, new baby support and lower-cost help
Lorain County Public Health also helps residents with lead and healthy home concerns. LCPH offers lead-based paint inspections, lead risk assessments and final clearance examinations. The official lead page lists fee examples, including $500 for a lead-based paint inspection and lead risk assessment, $350 for a lead risk assessment and $225 for a final clearance examination.
LCPH also offers a HEPA vacuum loan for Lorain County residents. The page says the HEPA vacuum can be borrowed at no cost for one week to help safely remove lead-based paint chips or lead dust. LCPH also discusses HUD lead hazard abatement grant options for eligible owner-occupied and rental homes built before 1978 when income requirements are met.
Lead service examples
- Lead-based paint inspection and lead risk assessment: $500.
- Lead risk assessment: $350.
- Final clearance examination after lead cleanup: $225.
- HEPA vacuum loan: no cost for one week for Lorain County residents.
- HUD lead hazard abatement program: eligibility rules apply.
New baby and parenting help
LCPH says it supports pregnancy, infant parenting, family needs and Plans of Safe Care. The New Baby page lists help connecting families with doulas or community health workers, free baby items, safe sleep tips, low-cost car seats, WIC, help quitting smoking or substances, mental health support and breastfeeding support.
Open Lead Services and Open New Baby Support.
Measles, mosquitoes, public health data and after-hours emergencies
LCPH maintains a measles information page because measles can spread easily and can be dangerous, especially for young children. The page states that measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes and that the MMR vaccine is the best way to prevent measles. If you have measles questions or need the MMR vaccine, LCPH directs residents to call 440-284-3206.
LCPH also runs a mosquito control program. The mosquito page says mosquitoes can spread diseases like encephalitis and West Nile Virus. LCPH educates the public, tests mosquitoes for disease, treats mosquito larvae and sprays for adult mosquitoes when appropriate. If you see heavy mosquito activity or standing-water problems, report the issue with the best location details you can provide.
When to call before walking in
If you may have measles or another highly contagious illness, call before visiting a clinic. Walking into a waiting area without instructions can expose other people. Staff can help you decide whether to contact a medical provider, isolate, seek urgent care or follow public health instructions.
After-hours emergency routing
To report a public health emergency or Class A reportable disease after hours, call 440-219-5710. For immediate life-threatening medical emergencies, call 911 or seek emergency medical care.
The Lorain County Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan pages are useful for residents, nonprofits, schools, healthcare partners and local governments. The county says the Community Health Improvement Plan released in December 2025 focuses on three priorities: behavioral health, chronic disease and maternal and child health.
Open Measles Information, Open Mosquito Control, and Open CHA and CHIP.
Nearby cities and Lorain County service area
Lorain County Public Health serves Lorain County, Ohio. That includes residents and local public health needs in and around Elyria, Lorain, Amherst, Avon, Avon Lake, North Ridgeville, Sheffield, Sheffield Lake, Oberlin, Wellington, Grafton, LaGrange, Kipton, Rochester, South Amherst, Vermilion-area Lorain County locations, and surrounding townships. Exact eligibility can depend on the service, address, record type, property location, clinic availability, insurance, income, age or program rules.
Disambiguation: LCPH vs similar names
Lorain County Public Health is the county public health district at 9880 Murray Ridge Rd. in Elyria. Lorain County Health & Dentistry is a separate healthcare provider. A hospital, urgent care, private doctor, dentist, pharmacy or city office may also appear in search results for health services, but they do not replace LCPH for public health district services like WIC, county vaccine clinic scheduling, certified birth and death certificates, sewage operation and maintenance permits, mosquito control or local health data.
Official Lorain County Public Health links
Use these official pages for final verification before visiting, paying, ordering certificates, submitting forms, relying on fees or reporting a public health concern.
Main and contact
Clinic and family
Certificates and payments
Environmental health
Public health alerts and data
Use links carefully
Some LCPH services use third-party forms, VitalChek, payment processors or linked documents. Always check that the page is linked from LorainCountyHealth.com and that you are submitting the correct form for the correct service.
Lorain County Health Department FAQ
What is the Lorain County Health Department phone number?
The main Lorain County Public Health phone number is 440-322-6367. For vaccine appointments, call 440-284-3206. For WIC, call 440-323-7320. For WIC Spanish assistance, call 440-240-8916. For a public health emergency or Class A reportable disease after hours, call 440-219-5710.
Where is Lorain County Public Health located?
Lorain County Public Health is located at 9880 Murray Ridge Rd., Elyria, OH 44035.
What are Lorain County Public Health office hours?
The regular office hours listed by LCPH are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Some programs have different hours. For example, the vaccine clinic is listed as Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-3:30 PM and closed from noon to 1:00 PM, while WIC clinics close from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM for lunch.
How do I schedule a vaccine appointment?
Call 440-284-3206. LCPH accepts walk-in clients, but appointments are strongly encouraged to reduce wait time and help ensure vaccine availability. Bring vaccine records, photo ID and your health insurance card if insured.
Does Lorain County Public Health offer travel vaccines?
Yes. LCPH offers travel health services. Start at least 6 weeks before your trip, complete the Traveler History Form, and call 440-284-3206 if you need a form mailed or have travel vaccine questions.
Does LCPH issue birth certificates?
Yes. LCPH provides certified copies of birth certificates for anyone born in Ohio from 1908 to present. Certified copies are $25 each, and uncertified copies are not available through the LCPH birth certificate page.
Does LCPH issue death certificates?
Yes. LCPH provides certified death certificates for anyone who died in Ohio from 1975 to present. For deaths before 1975, LCPH can provide the death certificate only if the person died in Lorain County. Certified copies are $25 each.
How do I apply for WIC in Lorain County?
Call 440-323-7320 to ask questions or schedule a WIC appointment. For assistance in Spanish, call 440-240-8916. WIC serves eligible pregnant women, breastfeeding women, postpartum women, infants and children up to age 5.
What are the Lorain County WIC locations?
The Elyria WIC clinic is at 9880 Murray Ridge Rd., Elyria, OH 44035. The Amherst/Lorain WIC clinic is at 2001 Cooper Foster Park Rd., Amherst, OH 44001. Both list Monday-Friday hours of 8:00 AM-4:00 PM and daily lunch closure from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM.
How do I pay Environmental Health fees?
LCPH lists four payment routes for certain Environmental Health fees: online payment, phone payment at 833-719-2161, in person at LCPH, or U.S. Mail. Third-party convenience fees apply to online and phone payments, and a 25% administration fee can apply to late payments.
What is the Lorain County sewage O&M permit fee?
The LCPH sewage page lists the 1-year O&M permit fee as $40 and the 3-year O&M permit fee as $120. Verify the current billing cycle, permit status and payment deadline before paying.
What number do I call for an after-hours public health emergency?
To report a public health emergency or Class A reportable disease after hours, call 440-219-5710. For immediate life-threatening medical emergencies, call 911.
Is Lorain County Public Health the same as Lorain County Health & Dentistry?
No. Lorain County Public Health is the county public health district at 9880 Murray Ridge Rd. in Elyria. Lorain County Health & Dentistry is a separate healthcare provider. Use LCPH for public health district services such as WIC, vaccines, vital statistics, sewage O&M permits, environmental health and public health reporting.