Auglaize County Death Index

Auglaize County death index records go back to the mid-1800s and cover all deaths in the Wapakoneta area and the rest of the county. The local health department has death certificates from 1908 on, and the Probate Court keeps files that go back even further. You can search the free Ohio Death Certificate Index for Auglaize County deaths from 1913 to 1944 and 1954 to 1963. A certified copy costs $25 from the health department. Walk-in and mail requests are both accepted at their office on Defiance Street in Wapakoneta.

Auglaize County Death Certificates

The Auglaize County Health Department is the main office for death certificates in the county. They hold records for deaths that took place in Auglaize County from December 1908 to the present. The office is at 813 Defiance Street in Wapakoneta. You can call them at (419) 738-3410. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Most walk-in requests get handled the same day.

A certified copy runs $25.00. They take cash, checks, money orders, and debit or credit cards. Cards come with a 2.5% service fee on top of the base cost. For mail orders, send a signed request to the health department at 813 Defiance Street, Wapakoneta, OH 45895. Your letter should list the full name of the person who died, the date of death, how many copies you need, and a way to reach you by phone. Include a check or money order for the right amount and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Death records in Ohio are public under ORC Title 37. Anyone can ask for a copy. The only limit is that for deaths in the past five years, the social security number is left off unless you are a spouse, child, or estate rep.

Death Index Before 1908

The Auglaize County Probate Court holds death records from before 1908. Ohio started requiring death registration in 1867, so the court's files from that year through 1908 are the oldest official death records for the county. The Probate Court also has marriage records from 1848, which can be useful for related research. Their office is at 201 Willipie Street, Suite 119, in Wapakoneta. You can reach them at (419) 739-6778.

These early records are ledger entries. Each one shows the name, date of death, age, and cause of death. Some list birthplace and parents' names. The level of detail varies quite a bit from one entry to the next. These files are open to the public during court hours. Copies of pre-1908 records from the Probate Court cost $5.00, which makes them much cheaper than the health department copies. Staff can help you look things up, but it saves time if you know the rough date of death before you go in.

The image above shows the Ohio Death Certificate Index, which covers deaths from 1913 to 1944 and 1954 to 1963 across all Ohio counties, including Auglaize.

Search Auglaize County Death Index Online

The Ohio Death Certificate Index is free to use. It covers deaths from 1913 to 1944 and 1954 to 1963. Just type in a name and the results show the county, date of death, and certificate number. That number is what you need when you order a copy from the health department or state office.

FamilySearch has digital images of Ohio death certificates from 1908 to 1953 that you can view for free with an account. Their Ohio County Death Records collection spans 1840 to 2001 and may include Auglaize County entries. Not all records are indexed by name. Sometimes you have to browse through images page by page, which takes more time but can turn up records you won't find any other way.

The Ohio History Connection Archives in Columbus has Auglaize County death records on microfilm. You can visit their reading room to view these in person. The Ohio Genealogical Society and its Auglaize County chapter maintain cemetery records, obituary indexes, and compiled materials that help fill gaps where official records are missing or hard to read.

How to Get Auglaize County Death Records

Walk in to the Auglaize County Health Department at 813 Defiance Street in Wapakoneta. This is the fastest way to get a copy. Staff can pull records and print copies while you wait during normal business hours. Bring valid ID and know the name and approximate date of death.

Mail is another option. Send your request to 813 Defiance Street, Wapakoneta, OH 45895. The letter needs to include the full name of the deceased, the date of death, your name and phone number, and a signed statement saying why you need the record. Include a check or money order for $25.00 per copy. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope so they can mail it back to you. Allow one to two weeks for processing and return mail time.

For online orders, VitalChek is the authorized service for Ohio vital records. They take credit cards and let you pick your shipping speed. VitalChek adds their own service fees on top of the $25 county cost, so expect to pay more than you would in person. The Ohio Department of Health in Columbus can also fill requests for Auglaize County death certificates at $21.50 each, though processing at the state level tends to take longer.

• Walk-in at 813 Defiance St, Wapakoneta (same day)
• Mail to 813 Defiance St, Wapakoneta, OH 45895
• Online through VitalChek (credit card accepted)
• State office in Columbus ($21.50 per copy)
• Probate Court for pre-1908 records ($5.00 per copy)

Auglaize County Death Index Resources

The Ohio local health districts directory can confirm the current phone number and hours for the Auglaize County Health Department. Hours and fees do change from time to time, so it is a good idea to check before you visit or send a mail request.

Church records are a strong source for Auglaize County deaths, particularly from before official registration began in 1867. If you know which church the family belonged to, try reaching out to that congregation or its archives. Cemetery records, funeral home files, and newspaper obituaries are other places worth checking. The Ohio Memory digital library has materials from over 360 Ohio institutions, and some cover the Auglaize County area. It is free to search and browse.

The Auglaize County Clerk of Courts at 201 South Willipie Street, Room 043, in Wapakoneta may also have records tied to death-related court cases. You can reach them at (419) 739-6765. Civil and criminal case files sometimes contain death-related documents, coroner reports, or estate filings that don't show up in the standard vital records system.

Nearby Counties

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