Adams County Death Index

Adams County death index records go back to 1888. The county seat is West Union, and that is where both the health department and probate court handle death records. You can search the Ohio death index online for free through the Ohio History Connection database to find Adams County entries from 1913 to 1944 and 1954 to 1963. For certified copies of death certificates from 1908 to now, contact the Adams County Health Department. Older records sit at the Probate Court in the county courthouse. A fire in 1910 destroyed many early records, so some gaps exist for this county.

Adams County Death Certificates

The Adams County Health Department issues death certificates for deaths that took place in Adams County from 1908 to the present. They are part of the county government offices in West Union. The department can also issue birth certificates for anyone born anywhere in Ohio from December 20, 1908 forward. Death certificates are limited to Adams County deaths only. If someone died in a different Ohio county, you need to contact that county's health department or the Ohio Department of Health in Columbus.

Certified copies cost about $25.00 each. Cash, check, and money order are the standard payment methods. Walk-in requests can usually be done the same day during regular business hours. For mail orders, send a written request with the full name of the deceased, date of death, number of copies, a signed letter, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Include a check or money order for the total amount.

Ohio is an open record state for death certificates under ORC Chapter 3705. Anyone can request a copy. For deaths in the last five years, the social security number is removed unless you are an authorized requester such as a spouse, child, or estate representative.

Adams County Death Index Before 1908

The Adams County Probate Court holds death records from 1888 and later. Ohio required death registration starting in 1867, but Adams County records begin in 1888. The court is in the Adams County Courthouse at 110 West Main Street in West Union.

A fire destroyed the courthouse on February 25, 1910. All official Probate Court birth records were lost in that fire. Death records from 1888 to 1908 survived in some form, but gaps exist. If you are looking for early Adams County death records and cannot find them at the Probate Court, try alternative sources. The "Adams County, OH Probate Court Assessor Books" covering 1879 to 1895 and the "Restored Adams County, OH Board of Health Birth Records" from 1857 to 1909 may have related information.

Death records from this period are single line entries in ledger books. Each entry shows the name, date of death, age, cause of death, and birthplace. Some include the parents' names, though that field was mostly filled out for children. There is no statewide index for records before December 20, 1908. You need to know that the death happened in Adams County to search these records.

The Ohio History Connection Archives in Columbus holds some Adams County records on microfilm. Adams County is among the 24 counties with indexed probate court death records at the state archives. Contact them at 614-297-2510 or email reference@ohiohistory.org for help with records that may not be available at the local courthouse.

Search Adams County Death Index Online

The free Ohio Death Certificate Index lets you search for Adams County death records from 1913 to 1944 and 1954 to 1963. Type in a name and the database shows the county, date of death, and certificate number. You need that number to order a copy of the actual certificate.

FamilySearch provides free digital access to Ohio death certificates from 1908 to 1953. You need a free account. Their Ohio County Death Records collection covers 1840 to 2001 and may include Adams County entries. Not all records are indexed by name, so you might have to browse images county by county.

The Adams County Genealogical Society at P.O. Box 231, West Union, OH 45693 may have compiled local death indexes not available anywhere else. Local chapters of the Ohio Genealogical Society often have cemetery transcriptions, obituary collections, and other materials that fill gaps in official records. Given the 1910 courthouse fire, these alternative sources can be especially useful for Adams County research.

How to Get Adams County Death Records

There are a few ways to get death records from Adams County. Walk into the Health Department during business hours. They can pull records by name and make copies while you wait. This is the fastest option.

Mail requests work too. Send a letter to the Adams County Health Department at 110 West Main Street, West Union, OH 45693. Include the full name of the deceased, date of death, your relationship, your phone number, and payment. For faster service, the VitalChek online system lets you order with a credit card and choose shipping speed. VitalChek adds processing fees on top of the state cost.

For records from 1908 to 1970, you can also order through the Ohio History Connection. Their copies cost about $14 each but are not certified. Processing takes 8 to 10 weeks. The Ohio Department of Health ordering page has details on state-level requests at $21.50 per certified copy.

Adams County Death Index Resources

The Ohio local health districts directory can help you confirm the right contact info for the Adams County Health Department. Hours and fees can change, so it is worth checking before you visit or mail a request.

Church records can be a valuable source for Adams County deaths, especially for the period before official registration. If you know where the person lived and what church the family attended, contact that church or its archives. Cemetery records, funeral home files, and newspaper obituaries are other options. The Ohio Memory digital library has materials from over 360 Ohio institutions, including some from the Adams County area. It is free to browse and search.

For deaths of military veterans, the Ohio History Connection holds graves registration cards from the Revolutionary War through World War II. These cards list the soldier's name, death date, cause of death, burial place, and sometimes military service details.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Adams County. If you are not sure where a death took place, check neighboring counties as well.