Summit County Death Index
Summit County death index records span well over a hundred years of local vital statistics. The county seat is Akron, which is also the largest city in the county and serves as the hub for all death record requests. You can search for Summit County death index entries through both the county public health office and the probate court, depending on the time period you need. The state of Ohio also keeps older death index records online for free through the Ohio History Connection. Summit County has strong record keeping that makes it one of the better counties in Ohio for finding historical death data.
Summit County Overview
Summit County Death Certificates
Summit County Public Health issues certified death certificates for deaths that took place in Summit County from 1908 to the present. The office is in Akron and handles all vital records requests for the county. If you need a death certificate for someone who died in Summit County, this is your first stop. Walk-in requests are the fastest way to get copies. The staff can search by name and pull records the same day in most cases.
Certified copies cost about $25 each. You can pay with cash, check, or money order. Mail requests are also an option. Send a letter with the full name of the person who died, the date of death if you know it, your name and address, and your payment. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing takes a bit longer by mail, usually one to two weeks.
The Summit County Public Health vital records page shows the full list of what you need to bring or send with your request. They can also issue birth certificates for anyone born in Ohio from December 20, 1908 forward.
Summit County Public Health serves a large population base including the cities of Akron and Cuyahoga Falls. Because of the high volume, wait times can vary. Calling ahead to check hours is a good idea.
The screenshot above shows the Summit County Public Health vital records page where you can find details on how to request death certificates and what forms of ID or documentation you may need.
Death Index Records Before 1908
The Summit County Probate Court holds death records from 1869 to 1908. These are the oldest death records in the county. Ohio started requiring death registration in 1867, but Summit County records begin in 1869. The probate court is in the Summit County Courthouse in downtown Akron.
Records from this early period are handwritten entries in ledger books. Each one lists the name of the deceased, date of death, age at death, cause of death, and place of birth. Some entries also show the parents' names. The quality and detail of these entries vary depending on who filled them out and when. Earlier entries tend to be shorter with less information than those from the late 1890s and early 1900s.
There is no online index for the probate court death records. You need to visit the courthouse or write to them. Staff can search their ledgers if you give them a name and approximate year of death. If you are doing genealogy work, plan to spend some time at the courthouse looking through the books yourself.
The Summit County Probate Court website provides more details on how to request historical records and what records they hold from the pre-1908 era.
Note: For deaths between 1869 and 1908, the Probate Court is your only local source since the health department does not have records from that period.
Search Summit County Death Index Online
The free Ohio Death Certificate Index lets you search for Summit County deaths from 1913 to 1944 and 1954 to 1963. Type in a name and the database returns the county, date of death, and certificate number. That certificate number is what you need to order a copy of the actual death certificate from the state or from Summit County Public Health.
FamilySearch has free digital copies of Ohio death certificates from 1908 to 1953. You need a free account to use it. Their Ohio County Death Records collection covers 1840 to 2001 and includes Summit County entries. Not all records are indexed by name, so browsing images may be needed for some time periods. The site is run by a nonprofit and costs nothing to use.
The Ohio Genealogical Society has compiled indexes and databases that can help with Summit County death searches. Local chapters often maintain cemetery transcriptions, obituary files, and other records that fill gaps in the official death index. Membership gives you access to their full online library.
How to Get Summit County Death Records
You have three main ways to get death records from Summit County. Walk in to Summit County Public Health in Akron during business hours. Call ahead to check their current hours. This is the fastest way to get what you need. Second, mail a request with all the required details and payment. Third, use the VitalChek online system to order with a credit card. VitalChek charges extra processing fees on top of the base cost.
Ohio law under ORC Chapter 3705 makes death certificates open records. Anyone can request a copy. You do not need to prove a relationship. For deaths in the last five years, the social security number gets redacted unless you are a spouse, child, or estate representative.
The Ohio Department of Health in Columbus can also issue copies at $21.50 each. This is a good backup if you are not sure which county to contact. State-level requests take longer to process, usually several weeks.
Summit County Death Index Resources
The Ohio local health districts directory can help you confirm the address and phone number for Summit County Public Health. Hours and fees sometimes change, so checking before you go is smart.
The Ohio Memory digital library has materials from over 360 Ohio institutions. Some of these include Summit County historical items, newspaper clippings, and other records that may mention deaths. It is free to browse. Church records and funeral home files are another source for Summit County deaths, especially for periods before official registration was consistent. Cemetery records in the Akron area have been transcribed by local genealogical groups and can fill in gaps where the official death index is incomplete.
For military veteran deaths, check the Ohio History Connection graves registration cards. They cover the Revolutionary War through World War II and list the name, death date, burial place, and service details.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Summit County. If you are not sure where a death took place, check the neighboring counties too.