How do I get a copy of a death certificate?

Ohio Department of Health (ODH), Bureau of Vital Statistics (state level - Columbus) / Local Health Department or City Health Registrar (local level - 100+ offices - FASTEST)

Details

What you need to know

Fee

$21.50 per search (nonrefundable as of January 1, 2025 - applies whether or not record found); additional copies may have reduced fee if ordered at same time; VitalChek adds service fees

Processing Time

Local health office: same day or next day; ODH walk-in/online: within 5 business days; ODH mail: 4-6 weeks

Online Option

ohid.ohio.gov; VitalChek

Where to Go

Nearest local vital statistics office (fastest); ODH Bureau of Vital Statistics (state)

County-specific variations apply

Same structure as birth certificates. ODH searches death records from present back to 50 years only; death records older than 50 years transferred to Ohio History Connection. Local offices may have records from their jurisdiction's start date.

Ohio Notes

Important state-specific details

$21.50 nonrefundable search fee effective January 1, 2025.
ODH only searches last 50 years for death records; older records at Ohio History Connection (ohiohistory.org).
Order multiple copies at once - estates, insurance, banks, SSA, VA each need one.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

ODH Bureau of Vital Statistics - odh.ohio.gov/vital-statistics | (614) 466-2531 | P.O. Box 15098, Columbus, OH 43215-0098