Van Wert County Death Index

Van Wert County death index records are available through the local health district and probate court in the city of Van Wert, which serves as the county seat. Searching the Van Wert County death index means checking different offices depending on how far back you need to go. The General Health District has death certificates from 1964 to the present. For older records, the probate court holds death entries from the 1800s through the early 1900s. The free Ohio Death Certificate Index online is another way to search for Van Wert County entries from certain years without leaving home.

Van Wert County Death Certificates

The Van Wert County General Health District issues certified death certificates for deaths that happened in Van Wert County from 1964 to the present. The office is in the city of Van Wert. Walk-in requests are the quickest option. You can also call to ask about procedures and hours before you go.

Certified copies run about $25 each. Cash, check, and money order are standard payment forms. For mail requests, send a letter with the full name of the person who died, the date of death, your name and address, and payment. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing by mail takes about one to two weeks depending on volume.

One thing to note about Van Wert County is that the health district only keeps records back to 1964. This is more limited than some other Ohio counties where the health department has records from 1908 forward. For Van Wert County deaths between 1908 and 1964, you will likely need to contact the Ohio Department of Health or check the Ohio History Connection for copies.

Under ORC Chapter 3705, death certificates in Ohio are open records. Anyone can request a copy regardless of their relationship to the deceased. Social security numbers are removed from copies for deaths within the last five years unless the requester is an authorized party.

The Van Wert County government website provides contact details for county offices including the health district. It is a good place to check for current hours and procedures.

Death Index Before 1908

The Van Wert County Probate Court holds death records from the 1867 to 1908 era. These are handwritten ledger entries that show the name, date of death, age, cause of death, and birthplace. Some entries include parent names. The detail and quality vary from year to year.

There is no online index for the probate court death records. You need to visit the courthouse in Van Wert or send a written request. Staff can search by name if you give them an approximate year of death. The records are organized chronologically, so having a time range helps narrow things down.

The Ohio History Connection in Columbus has microfilm copies of some Van Wert County records. Their archives are open to the public. You can also call them at 614-297-2510 to ask what they hold for Van Wert County before making the trip.

Search Van Wert County Death Index Online

The free Ohio Death Certificate Index covers 1913 to 1944 and 1954 to 1963. Search by name and you will find Van Wert County entries in the results. Each result shows the county, date of death, and certificate number. That number is needed to order a certified copy.

FamilySearch has digitized Ohio death certificates from 1908 to 1953. It is free with a free account. Their broader collection spans 1840 to 2001 and may include Van Wert County records. Some records are indexed by name and others need manual browsing through images sorted by county.

The Ohio Genealogical Society maintains compiled indexes and databases. Local genealogy groups in the Van Wert area have transcribed cemetery records and collected obituaries over the years. These can be useful when the official death index does not have what you need. The Ohio Memory digital library is free and has materials from Ohio institutions that may include Van Wert County items.

Getting Van Wert County Death Records

For deaths from 1964 forward, contact the Van Wert County General Health District. Walk in or mail a request. For deaths from 1908 to 1964, the Ohio Department of Health is your best option at $21.50 per copy. You can also use VitalChek for online ordering with a credit card, though processing fees are added.

The Ohio local health districts directory is a quick way to find up-to-date contact info for the Van Wert health district. Always call ahead to confirm hours and fees. For pre-1908 records, the probate court in Van Wert is the place to check. Church records, funeral home files, and cemetery transcriptions are also worth looking into for Van Wert County deaths.

Nearby Counties

Van Wert County borders several other counties. Deaths near the county line could be filed in a neighboring county.