Ashtabula County Death Index
Ashtabula County death index records are split between two offices in Jefferson, the county seat. The health department has death certificates from 1954 to the present, while the Probate Court keeps older records going back to 1867. You can search the Ohio Death Certificate Index online for free to find Ashtabula County deaths from 1913 to 1944 and 1954 to 1963. The Ashtabula County Genealogical Society is another resource for local death records and cemetery research. Getting a certified copy of a death certificate costs $25 at the health department.
Ashtabula County Overview
Ashtabula County Death Certificates
The Ashtabula County Health Department at 12 West Jefferson Street in Jefferson is the office for death certificates. Call (440) 576-6010, extension 3, for the vital records line. They hold death records from 1954 to the present. For deaths before 1954, you need to contact the Probate Court or the Ohio Department of Health.
Each certified copy costs $25. Birth and death records are public in Ohio, so you do not need to show a family relationship to request a copy. Contact the health department for their current payment options and ordering steps. Walk-in requests are handled during business hours, and mail orders work too. Include the full name of the person who died, the date of death, your contact info, and payment with a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Under Ohio Revised Code Title 37, death certificates are open records. The social security number is removed from copies of recent deaths unless the person asking is a spouse, child, or estate representative.
| Office | Ashtabula County Health Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 12 West Jefferson Street Jefferson, OH 44047 |
| Phone | (440) 576-6010 ext. 3 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, regular business hours |
Death Index Before 1908 in Ashtabula County
The Ashtabula County Probate Court at 25 West Jefferson Street in Jefferson holds death records from 1867 to 1908. They also have birth records from 1867 to 1908, marriage records from 1812 forward, and probate records from the 1880s on. The phone number is (440) 576-3451 and the fax is (440) 576-3633. You can also email them at probate@ashtabulacounty.us.
Certified copies from the Probate Court cost $10 for the first copy and $2 for each extra copy of the same record. That is much less than the health department charges for more recent certificates. Records from this period are single-line ledger entries showing name, death date, age, cause, and sometimes parents' names. A case search request form is available for some records. The court is open Monday through Friday during regular hours.
The Ashtabula County Health Department has a useful portal for checking what records are available locally.
That screenshot shows the Ashtabula County Health Department website with their vital records information and contact details.
Search Ashtabula County Death Index Online
The Ohio Death Certificate Index is free and covers 1913 to 1944 and 1954 to 1963. Type in a name and the results list the county, date of death, and certificate number. You use that number when ordering a copy from the health department.
The state office can also supply Ashtabula County death records from 1964 forward. The Ohio Department of Health processes online requests in about 5 business days. Mail orders to the state take 4 to 6 weeks. Their address is P.O. Box 15098, Columbus, OH 43215-0098.
The Ashtabula County Genealogical Society has local death indexes and research materials that are not available through official channels. They are a good source for cemetery transcriptions and obituary collections.
The image above is from the Ashtabula County Genealogical Society website, which offers research help and compiled records for the county.
How to Get Ashtabula County Death Records
Walk into the health department at 12 West Jefferson Street in Jefferson. This is the quickest way for deaths from 1954 on. They handle requests during business hours.
Mail your request to the same address. Include the full name of the deceased, date of death, number of copies, a signed letter, your phone number, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. For online orders, VitalChek is the authorized online service. They take credit cards and offer shipping options. VitalChek charges extra fees beyond the $25 county cost. For pre-1908 records, visit the Probate Court at 25 West Jefferson Street or contact them at (440) 576-3451.
- Walk-in at 12 W Jefferson St, Jefferson (1954-present)
- Probate Court at 25 W Jefferson St (1867-1908, $10 first copy)
- Mail request to health department
- Online through VitalChek
- State office in Columbus for 1964+ records
Note: Ashtabula County health department death records start from 1954, not 1908 like most Ohio counties, so you may need the state office for 1908 to 1953 deaths.
Ashtabula County Death Index Resources
The Ohio local health districts directory can help you double-check the contact details for the Ashtabula County Health Department. Fees and hours change, so verify before you make a trip or send payment.
The Ohio Genealogical Society and its Ashtabula County chapter are useful for hard-to-find records. Cemetery transcriptions, funeral home records, and newspaper obituaries can all fill in blanks that official records leave. The Ohio Memory digital library has free materials from over 360 Ohio institutions. Church records are another option, especially for deaths before official registration was consistent in the county.
Nearby Counties
Ashtabula County sits in the northeast corner of Ohio. These counties are next door.