Introduction to Ohio Death Certificates

This article is designed to help you get an Ohio Death certificate.  Counter to common belief, not everything is on the Internet.  Personal Death certificates are one of the items that are not readily available online, and that is probably a good thing.  You do not want a Death certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your Death certificate.  

Ohio Death certificates have been maintained by the Ohio Department of Health-Vital Statistics for individuals that died in the state of Ohio since 1908.

Ohio Death Certificate Authorized Persons

By Ohio state law, Ohio Death certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the Ohio Death Certificat
• Grandparent of individual named on the Ohio Death certificate
• Husband/Wife of Person Named on the Ohio Death Certificate 
• Son/Daughter of Person Named on the Ohio Death Certificate
• Grandchild of individual named on the Ohio Death certificate
• Sister/Brother of Person Named on the Ohio Death Certificate 
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the Ohio Death Certificate

Ohio Death Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

Anyone can obtain an Ohio Death Certificate, 125 years or later from the date of the Death for genealogy or other reasons.

Ohio Death Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Ohio Death Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Ohio Death Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Ohio Death Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order Ohio Death Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Ohio Death certificate online.  It usually takes 2-3 weeks upon receipt of request to be sent to you:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the Ohio Death certificate:

• Full name of person at Death on the Ohio Death certificate
• Date of Death on the Ohio Death certificate
• Sex on the Ohio Death certificate
• County (or city) of Death on the Ohio Death certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Ohio Death certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Ohio Death certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

Ohio Department of Health

Revenue Room

246 North High Street, 1st floor

P.O. Box 15098

Columbus, Ohio 43215-0098

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in Ohio: You may go to any county health department in the State of Ohio to obtain a certified copy of an Ohio Death certificate. Most Ohio Death certificates can be issued while you wait.

Ohio Death Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for an Ohio Death certificate is $16.50, which includes one certified copy of the Ohio Death certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Ohio Death certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $16.50. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "Treasurer, State of Ohio." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.