Ashland County Death Records
Death records in Ashland County are managed by the Ashland County Health Department on Claremont Avenue. The office issues certified death certificates for deaths that occurred anywhere in Ohio, not just Ashland County. Records go back to 1909. You can get a copy in person, by mail, or through VitalChek online. The county also has older death records at the Probate Court for events between 1867 and 1908. Whether you need a death certificate for legal matters or genealogy, the process is quick and the records are open to the public.
Ashland County Death Records Overview
Ashland County Health Department Death Records
The Ashland County Health Department is the primary source for death certificates in the county. Unlike many Ohio counties, Ashland can issue certified death certificates for deaths that occurred in any county in Ohio. The office is at 1211 Claremont Avenue in Ashland, Ohio 44805. Walk in Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You do not need an appointment.
Call 419-282-4231 to reach the vital statistics staff. The fax number is 419-282-4360. The department keeps records from 1909 to the present. You need the deceased person's full name and date of death to request a copy. Having the county where the death occurred helps the staff locate the record faster. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 149.43, death certificates are public records and anyone can request them.
The image below shows the Ashland County Health Department page for birth and death records.
This page outlines the fees, payment methods, and steps to request a certified death certificate from Ashland County.
Requesting Ashland County Death Certificates
There are three ways to get a death certificate from Ashland County. In-person requests are the quickest. Walk into the health department at 1211 Claremont Avenue during office hours. Bring a form of payment and the name and date of death. Staff will search the system and print a certified copy while you wait.
Mail requests go to the Ashland County Health Department at 1211 Claremont Avenue, Ashland, Ohio 44805. Include a completed application, payment of $25.00 per copy, and a return envelope. Payment can be by check or money order. If you write a personal check, it must have your address and phone number on it. No out-of-state personal checks are accepted. Mail orders take about one to two weeks.
Online ordering is available through VitalChek. The base fee is $25.00 plus a $7.00 VitalChek processing fee. You pay by credit or debit card. Orders are processed by the health department and mailed to you. Standard delivery takes five to seven business days. Rush options are available at extra cost.
Note: Ashland County accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit or debit cards for in-person requests, but picture ID is required when paying by personal check.
Ashland County Death Record Fees
Each certified copy costs $25.00. That is the same price for in-person and mail requests. VitalChek adds $7.00, making the online total $32.00. The Ohio Department of Health charges $21.50 plus a $5.00 surcharge if you order through the state. Ohio Revised Code Section 3705.24 sets the minimum fee structure for vital records searches across the state.
Payment methods at the counter include cash, checks, money orders, and credit or debit cards. For mail, use a check or money order made payable to the Ashland County Health Department. No out-of-state personal checks. Credit card payments through VitalChek carry the extra processing charge.
Ashland County Historical Death Records
The Ashland County Probate Court holds death records from 1867 to 1908. The court is at the Ashland County Courthouse, 142 W. 2nd Street, Ashland, Ohio 44805. Call 419-282-4325 for details. These older records were kept before Ohio started its statewide registration system in December 1908. The completeness of pre-1908 records varies because there was no standard form or process across counties.
The Probate Court also has marriage records from 1846 to the present and estate records going back to 1846. If you are doing genealogy research, the court is a good place to look for multiple types of records in one trip. The Ohio History Connection holds state-level death records from 1908 through 1970 and has an online index you can search.
Below is a screenshot of the Ashland County Probate Court resources page showing available historical records.
The Probate Court is a key resource for death records that predate the health department's files.
What Ashland County Death Certificates Show
A certified death certificate from Ashland County includes the decedent's full name, date of birth, date and place of death, cause of death, and manner of death. It lists the parents' names, marital status, usual address, and social security number. The SSN is redacted for the first five years after death under Section 3705.23 unless you are an authorized requestor.
The funeral director files the certificate and collects personal details from the family. A physician or coroner completes the medical portion within 48 hours. Under Section 3705.16, every death in Ohio must be registered. The local registrar numbers the certificate, signs it, and sends the original to the state per Section 3705.07. Forging or altering a death certificate is a crime under Section 3705.29.
Note: A burial permit cannot be issued until a death certificate is on file with the local registrar, and the permit fee is $10.00 under Ohio law.
Nearby Counties
Ashland County borders several other Ohio counties. If the death occurred in a neighboring county, you will need to contact that county's health department or use the statewide system.
Cities in Ashland County
Ashland is the county seat and the main city. The county does not have any cities with dedicated pages on this site. All residents get death certificates from the Ashland County Health Department on Claremont Avenue in Ashland.