Find Delaware County Death Index
Delaware County death index records go back to 1867 when Ohio first required death registration. The county seat is the city of Delaware, where the Public Health District and Probate Court both manage death records for different time periods. You can search the Ohio death index online for free through the Ohio History Connection for Delaware County entries from 1913 to 1944 and 1954 to 1963. For certified copies of death certificates from 1908 forward, the Delaware Public Health District is your main contact. The Probate Court holds records from 1867 to 1908.
Delaware County Overview
Delaware County Death Certificates
The Delaware Public Health District issues death certificates for deaths that took place in Delaware County from 1908 to the present. The office is in the city of Delaware. 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 instead.
Certified copies cost about $25.00 each. Cash, check, and money order are the accepted payment methods. Walk-in requests can be done the same day during regular business hours. Mail requests take about two weeks. Send a written request with the full name of the deceased, date of death, number of copies needed, a signed letter, and a self-addressed stamped envelope along with a check or money order for the total amount.
The Delaware Public Health District serves one of the fastest growing counties in Ohio. Population growth means more records and sometimes longer wait times during busy periods. The screenshot below shows their website where you can find current hours and contact details.
Ohio is an open record state for death certificates under ORC Chapter 3705. Anyone can request a copy. For deaths within the last five years, the social security number gets removed unless you are an authorized requester such as a spouse, child, or estate representative.
| Office | Delaware Public Health District |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 West Winter Street Delaware, OH 43015 |
| Phone | (740) 368-1700 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, regular business hours |
Delaware County Death Index Before 1908
The Delaware County Probate Court holds death records from 1867 to 1908. Ohio required death registration starting in 1867, and Delaware County maintained records from that point forward. The court is in the Delaware County Courthouse.
Death records from this period are handwritten entries in ledger books. Each entry shows the name of the deceased, date of death, age, cause of death, and birthplace. Some entries list the parents' names, particularly for children. Early compliance with registration was not perfect, so some deaths from the 1860s and 1870s may not appear in the records. The Probate Court staff can help you search their index if you visit in person.
There is no statewide index for records before December 20, 1908. You need to know that the death happened in Delaware County to search these records. The Probate Court also handles estate and guardianship cases, so you can request both death records and related probate documents in one visit.
Delaware County Government Records
The Delaware County government website lists all county departments and their contact information. This is a helpful starting point if you are unsure which office handles your specific request.
Delaware County has grown rapidly in recent decades as a suburb of Columbus. This growth means the county government has modernized many of its services. The recorder's office, auditor, and other departments have online tools that can supplement your death record research. Property records from the recorder's office can help trace what happened to a deceased person's real estate. The auditor's site has property ownership history that may confirm names and dates relevant to your search.
Search Delaware County Death Index Online
The free Ohio Death Certificate Index lets you search for Delaware 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. That number is what you need 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 Delaware County entries. Not all records are indexed by name, so browsing by date range is sometimes necessary. The Ohio Memory digital library also has materials from Ohio institutions that may include Delaware County records. It is free to browse and search.
Note: The Ohio Death Certificate Index has a gap from 1945 to 1953, so check FamilySearch for Delaware County deaths in those years.
How to Get Delaware County Death Records
You have several options. Walk into the Delaware Public Health District during business hours. They can pull records and make copies while you wait. This is the fastest method.
Mail requests are another option. Send a letter to the Delaware Public Health District at 1 West Winter Street, Delaware, OH 43015. Include the full name of the deceased, date of death, your relationship, your phone number, and payment. The VitalChek online system lets you order with a credit card and choose shipping speed. VitalChek adds processing fees on top of the base cost but works well for people who cannot visit in person.
For records from 1908 to 1970, the Ohio History Connection sells non-certified copies for about $14 each. Processing takes 8 to 10 weeks. The Ohio Department of Health processes state-level requests at $21.50 per certified copy. Either option works if you prefer not to go through the local health district.
Delaware County Death Index Resources
The Ohio local health districts directory can help you confirm contact info for the Delaware Public Health District. Hours and fees change from time to time.
The Ohio Genealogical Society has resources for Delaware County research. Local chapters maintain cemetery transcriptions, obituary collections, and compiled death records. The Delaware County Historical Society also holds materials that can help with death record research. Church records from local congregations are another source, especially for deaths before 1908 when registration was less complete. If you know the family's church, reach out to that congregation or check with the relevant denominational archives for burial registers and death notices.
Cemetery records for Delaware County are available through various local organizations. Many burial grounds have been transcribed by volunteers and published in genealogical journals or online databases. These records can confirm death dates and provide additional family details.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Delaware County. If you are not sure where a death took place, check neighboring counties as well.