Allen County Death Index

Allen County death index records cover deaths in the Lima area and all of Allen County from 1867 to the present day. You can search for death records at the local health department for entries since 1908, while the Probate Court holds older files going back to 1867. The free Ohio Death Certificate Index lets you look up Allen County deaths from 1913 to 1944 and 1954 to 1963 by name. If you need a certified copy of a death certificate, Allen County Public Health in Lima is the main office to contact. Walk-in and mail requests are both accepted.

Allen County Death Certificates

The Allen County Public Health office is the main place to get death certificates for anyone who died in Allen County from December 1908 to the present. Their vital statistics office is at 219 East Market Street in Lima, right in the downtown area. Call them at (419) 228-4457 and press 3 for birth and death records. Walk-in hours run from 8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on federal holidays. Most walk-in requests get done while you wait.

Each certified copy costs $27.00. Cash, money orders, cashier's checks, and debit or credit cards all work for payment. Cards have a $2.50 fee on top. Personal checks are not accepted. For mail orders, send your request to Allen County Public Health, PO Box 1503, Lima, OH 45802-1503. Include a signed letter with the full name of the person who died, the date of death, the number of copies you want, and your phone number. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope and a cashier's check or money order for the full amount.

Ohio treats death records as open public records under ORC Title 37. Anyone can ask for a copy. The one catch is that for deaths in the last five years, the social security number gets removed unless you are a spouse, child, or estate representative.

Death Index Before 1908

The Allen County Probate Court in Lima holds death records from 1867 to 1908. Ohio began requiring death registration in 1867, so these are the oldest official death records for the county. The court also has a Will Index covering 1836 to 1910, which can help with related research.

Records from this era are one-line entries in ledger books. Each entry shows the name, date of death, age, cause of death, and birthplace. Some also list parents' names, though that was more common for children. These records are open for public viewing during regular business hours at the courthouse. Staff can help you find what you need, but research time may be limited so it helps to know the approximate date of death before you go.

The Allen County Public Health vital statistics page provides details on what records are held locally and how to request copies.

The screenshot above shows the Allen County Public Health vital statistics page where you can find forms and instructions for ordering death certificates by mail or in person.

Search Allen County Death Index Online

The Ohio Death Certificate Index is free. It covers deaths from 1913 to 1944 and 1954 to 1963. Type in a name and the results show the county, date of death, and certificate number. You need that number to order a copy of the actual certificate from the health department or state office.

FamilySearch has digital copies of Ohio death certificates from 1908 to 1953 that you can view for free with an account. Their Ohio County Death Records collection goes from 1840 to 2001 and may include Allen County entries. Not everything is indexed by name, so sometimes you have to browse through images one by one.

The Ohio History Connection Archives in Columbus has Allen County death records on microfilm. Allen County is one of the counties with indexed probate court death records at the state level. You can visit their reading room or contact them for help. The Ohio Genealogical Society and its Allen County chapter also hold cemetery records, obituary indexes, and compiled materials that fill in gaps when official records fall short.

How to Get Allen County Death Records

Walk in to the Allen County Public Health office at 219 East Market Street in Lima. This is the fastest way. They can pull records and make copies while you wait during business hours.

Mail works too. Send your request to PO Box 1503, Lima, OH 45802-1503. The letter must include the full name of the deceased, date of death, your name and phone number, and a signed statement. Include a cashier's check or money order for $27.00 per copy. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope. No personal checks. You can also choose UPS 2-day or next-day shipping for an extra charge by calling to ask about rates.

For online orders, VitalChek is the authorized service. They accept credit cards and let you pick your shipping speed. VitalChek adds their own fees on top of the $27 county cost. The Ohio Department of Health in Columbus can also fill requests for Allen County death certificates at $21.50 each, though state-level processing takes longer.

• Walk-in at 219 E Market St, Lima (same day)
• Mail to PO Box 1503, Lima, OH 45802-1503
• Online through VitalChek (credit card accepted)
• State office in Columbus ($21.50 per copy)
• Ohio History Connection for 1908-1970 records ($14 uncertified)

Allen County Death Index Resources

The Ohio local health districts directory can confirm the current phone number and hours for Allen County Public Health. Hours and fees change from time to time, so check before you visit or send a mail request.

Church records are a good source for Allen County deaths, especially from before official registration started. If you know which church the family went to, try reaching out to that church or its archives. Cemetery records, funeral home files, and newspaper obituaries are other places to look. The Ohio Memory digital library has materials from over 360 Ohio institutions, and some of those cover the Allen County area. It is free to search and browse. The city of Lima sits at the center of Allen County and is where most county offices are based.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Allen County. If you are not sure where a death took place, check the neighbors too.