Columbiana County Death Index

Columbiana County death index records are managed by the Health District in Lisbon. Death certificates from 1908 to the present are on file there, and the office also handles genealogy requests. For older records before 1908, you can contact the Columbiana County Probate Court or the Ohio History Connection. The county also has an Archives and Research Center with historical probate and coroner records. The free Ohio Death Certificate Index online covers Columbiana County entries from select year ranges.

Columbiana County Death Certificates

The Columbiana County Health District is the main source for death certificates in Columbiana County. They have records from 1908 to the present for anyone who died in Ohio, regardless of county. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Certified copies cost $27.00 each.

Starting March 1, 2025, the Health District added a $1.00 processing fee per certificate for mail and VitalChek orders. Walk-in requests are not subject to this extra fee. Payment must be by cashier's check or money order for walk-in and mail orders. They do not accept credit cards, debit cards, or out-of-state personal checks at the office. For genealogy requests, call extension 115 at (330) 424-0272. Genealogy searches are done when staff time allows.

The screenshot below shows the Columbiana County Health District vital statistics page with fee details and ordering info.

VitalChek offers online ordering with a credit card. The base cost is $27, plus a $7 VitalChek processing fee. Overnight shipping is available for $19 extra. This is the fastest option if you need a certified copy quickly and do not live near Lisbon.

Ohio death certificates are public records under ORC Title 37. Anyone can request a copy. For deaths in the last five years, the social security number is removed from copies given to non-family members.

Columbiana County Death Index Before 1908

For records before 1908, your first stop is the Columbiana County Probate Court. Ohio required death registration starting in 1867, so the court may have records going back to that year. You can also call the Ohio History Connection at 1-800-686-6124 or contact the Ohio Department of Health for state-level copies.

The Columbiana County Archives and Research Center at 129 South Market in Lisbon has historical records that may help. Their collections include Probate Records from 1803 to 1920 and Coroner Inquests from 1870 to 1894. The coroner records are especially useful for deaths that were investigated or unusual. They also have East Palestine Newspaper Obituaries, which can confirm death dates and provide family details not found in official records. The Archives charges $10.00 per hour for research and $0.25 per page for copies. They are open Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Columbiana County government website has links to various county offices and services.

Search Columbiana County Death Records Online

The free Ohio Death Certificate Index covers 1913 to 1944 and 1954 to 1963. Type in a name to find Columbiana County entries. The results show the county, death date, and certificate number. Use that number to order the actual certificate from the health district or from the state.

FamilySearch has free digital images of Ohio death certificates from 1908 to 1953. You need a free account. Their Ohio County Death Records collection goes from 1840 to 2001. Not all records are indexed by name, so browsing by county may be needed. The Ohio Memory digital library is another free tool with materials from over 360 Ohio institutions. Local chapters of the Ohio Genealogical Society may have additional Columbiana County cemetery records and obituary indexes.

Getting Columbiana County Death Records

Walk into the Health District office in Lisbon during business hours. Bring a cashier's check or money order for $27 per copy. The staff can search by name and date and print a certified copy while you wait.

For mail requests, send the full name of the deceased, date of death, number of copies, your name and address, phone number, and a cashier's check or money order. The Ohio local health districts directory can confirm the current mailing address and hours. The state office in Columbus can also fill Columbiana County requests at $21.50 per certified copy if you prefer to go through the Ohio Department of Health.

Nearby Counties

These counties are next to Columbiana County. If the death might have been recorded elsewhere, check these too.