Licking County Death Index

Licking County death index records go back decades and are held at the county health department in Newark. If you are searching for a death record from this central Ohio county, the Licking County Health Department is the main source for certificates from 1908 forward. The county seat is Newark, and that is where the health department and Probate Court both handle death records. You can search part of the Licking County death index online for free through the Ohio History Connection, which covers 1913 to 1944 and 1954 to 1963.

Licking County Death Certificates

The Licking County Health Department issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that took place in Licking County from 1908 to the present. Their office is in Newark. Walk-in requests during regular business hours are the fastest way to get a copy. Bring a valid photo ID and the full name and date of death of the person you need the record for. Most walk-in requests can be completed the same day if the record is on file.

Certified copies cost about $25.00 each. Cash, check, and money order are accepted. For mail requests, send a letter to the health department with the full name of the deceased, date of death, your name and address, relationship to the deceased, phone number, and a check or money order for the total. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail orders generally take one to two weeks to process and return, though it can be longer during busy times of the year.

The Licking County Health Department vital statistics page shown below has forms and current fee details for death certificate requests.

The Licking County Health Department main site also has links to other services and programs they run. Check their site for updated hours and any changes to the request process before visiting.

Licking County Death Record Laws

Death certificates are public records in Ohio. Under ORC Title 37, anyone can request a copy. You do not need to show that you are related to the deceased person. The only restriction involves the social security number. For deaths within the past five years, the SSN is blacked out on copies given to people who are not qualified applicants. Qualified applicants include spouses, parents, children, and estate representatives.

The Ohio Department of Health acts as the central repository for all vital records in the state. If the Licking County health department cannot fill your request, the state office in Columbus can issue certified copies of any Ohio death certificate from December 20, 1908 to now. The state charges $21.50 per copy. You can order by mail or use the VitalChek online service, which adds processing fees but accepts credit cards.

Search Licking County Death Index Online

The free Ohio Death Certificate Index is the best starting point for online searches. It covers 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 full certificate.

FamilySearch has free digital access to Ohio death certificates from 1908 to 1953. You need a free account to use it. Their Ohio County Death Records collection spans 1840 to 2001 and may have Licking County entries beyond what the state index covers. Some records are name-indexed while others require browsing images by county. It takes more time that way, but you can find records that are not in any other online database.

The Ohio Memory digital library and the Ohio Genealogical Society are additional resources. Local chapters often compile their own death indexes from cemetery transcriptions, church records, and newspaper obituaries. These can be valuable for filling in gaps where the official death index falls short, especially for the years before 1908.

Death Index Resources in Licking County

The Ohio local health districts directory can confirm current contact details for the Licking County Health Department. Hours and fees may change, so check before you visit or mail a request.

Church records, funeral home files, and cemetery records are useful backup sources for Licking County death research. If you know which church a family attended or which funeral home handled the arrangements, contact them directly. Many have records going back generations. Newspaper obituaries from the Newark Advocate and other Licking County publications can provide death dates, family names, and burial locations that may not appear in the official death record.

Licking County Cities

Newark is the county seat and largest city in Licking County. Death records for Newark residents are filed with the Licking County Health Department.

Nearby Counties

These counties surround Licking County. Check neighboring counties if you are not sure where a death was filed.