Ohio Code § 3705.20

Ohio Code § 3705.20. Reproduced from the official Ohio Revised Code, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.

§ 3705.20.

(A) The fetal death of the product of human conception of at least twenty weeks of gestation

shall be registered on a fetal death certificate. On application of the funeral director or either parent, the fetal death of the product

of human conception prior to twenty weeks of gestation shall be registered on a fetal

death certificate, except that the fetal death certificate shall not list the cause

of death. The funeral director or the parent shall include with the application a copy of the

statement required by division (B)(1) of section 3727.16 or division (B)(1) of section 4731.82 of the Revised Code .  If the father submits the application, he shall also include with it a signed and

notarized document from the mother attesting that she voluntarily provided the father

with a copy of the statement. A fetal death certificate for the product of human conception prior to twenty weeks

gestation is not proof of a live birth for purposes of federal, state, and local taxes. (B) The product of human conception of at least twenty weeks of gestation that suffers

a fetal death occurring in Ohio shall not be interred, deposited in a vault or tomb,

cremated, or otherwise disposed of by a funeral director or other person until a fetal

death certificate or provisional death certificate has been filed with and a burial

permit is issued by the local registrar of vital statistics of the registration district

in which the fetal death occurs, or the body is found. A burial permit for the product of human conception that suffers a fetal death prior

to twenty weeks of gestation shall be issued by the local registrar of vital statistics

of the registration district in which the fetal death occurs if the funeral director

or either parent files a fetal death certificate with that registrar. (C)(1) The department of health and the local registrar shall keep a separate record and

index record of fetal death certificates. (2) The personal or statistical information on the fetal death certificate shall be obtained

by the funeral director or other person in charge of interment or cremation from the

best qualified persons or sources available. (D) When a burial permit is issued under division (B) of this section for the product

of human conception of at least twenty weeks of gestation that suffers a fetal death,

the local registrar shall inform the parent or parents listed on the fetal death certificate

or provisional death certificate of the option of applying for a certificate that

is issued under division (B)(3) of section 3705.23 of the Revised Code .

Source: official Ohio text · Last verified 2026-08-27

At a glance

  • Citation: Ohio Revised Code § 3705.20
  • Jurisdiction: Ohio
  • Code: Ohio Revised Code
  • Text: transcribed from the official source (verify below)

Verify the text

Statute text is transcribed from the official Ohio Revised Code. Confirm it against the primary source before relying on it:

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed Ohio attorney.

Common questions

What is the source of Ohio Revised Code § 3705.20?

The text above is transcribed from the Ohio Revised Code, the codified statutes of Ohio. The official publisher link appears under "Verify the text" on this page.

What subject does Ohio Revised Code § 3705.20 address?

It addresses the rule set out in the section text. Read the section together with the surrounding provisions listed under "Nearby provisions" for the full picture.

Is Ohio Revised Code § 3705.20 still in force?

Statutes are amended, repealed, and renumbered every session. Confirm the current version at the official Ohio source before relying on this text.

Can this page be used as legal advice?

No. This is a reference transcription for research. Applying Ohio law to your facts requires a licensed Ohio attorney who can review the specifics.