Clinton County Death Records
Death records for Clinton County are held by the Clinton County Health District in Wilmington. The office issues certified death certificates for deaths in Ohio going back to 1971 and can access the statewide system for older records. Clinton County also has a Records and Archives Center that keeps death records from 1867 to 1908. Ohio is an open state for vital records, meaning anyone can request a death certificate with the right information. Whether you need a record for an estate matter, an insurance claim, or a family tree project, the Clinton County Health District is the place to start your search.
Clinton County Death Records Overview
Clinton County Health District Records
The Clinton County Health District is located at 111 S. Nelson Avenue, Wilmington, OH 45177. The phone number is 937-382-3829. This is the main office for all Clinton County death certificate requests.
The health district can issue certified death certificates for deaths in Ohio from 1971 to the present through the statewide electronic system. They also have local death records going back to 1909 for deaths that occurred in Clinton County. Birth certificates are available for anyone born in Ohio from 1909 to the present. Each certified copy costs $28. Ohio is what they call an "open state," which means vital records are public documents available to anyone who asks.
Ordering Clinton County Death Certificates
You can get a Clinton County death certificate in person, by mail, or by email. Each method has its own steps.
In-person orders are handled Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. On Fridays, the office closes for lunch from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Walk in to 111 S. Nelson Avenue in Wilmington and give the clerk the name and date of death. The fee is $28 per certified copy. Accepted payment methods include cash, business checks from in-state banks, money orders, and all major credit cards. Personal checks are not accepted.
For mail orders, send a completed application with a money order for $28 payable to CCHD. Mail it to Clinton County Health District, 111 S. Nelson Avenue, Wilmington, OH 45177. Allow a week or two for processing and delivery. You can also order by email. Send the application to info@clincohd.com and include your phone number. A staff member will call you back to take credit card payment over the phone.
Note: The Clinton County Health District does not accept personal checks for death certificate orders, so bring cash, a money order, or a credit card.
Clinton County Death Records Resources
The Clinton County Health District website has all the details you need for ordering death certificates.
This page shows fees, accepted payment types, and office hours for the Clinton County vital statistics office in Wilmington.
Clinton County also has a dedicated Records and Archives Center that holds historical death records from 1867 through 1908.
The archives are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, closed from noon to 1:00 PM for lunch. Call 937-383-3271 before visiting.
Historical Clinton County Death Records
Death records from 1867 through 1908 are kept at the Clinton County Records and Archives Center. The archives phone number is 937-383-3271 and the fax is 937-481-2125. For records after 1908, contact the health district at 937-382-3829.
The archives also hold marriage records from 1810 to 1928 and wills from 1810 to 1979. Newer marriage records go through the Probate Court at 937-382-2280, and wills after 1979 are also at the Probate Court. This makes the archives a key stop for genealogy research in Clinton County, especially if you need to piece together family connections across multiple record types.
For state-level searches, the Ohio Department of Health maintains death records from 1954 to the present. The Ohio History Connection has older death certificates from 1908 through 1953 available online.
Clinton County Death Records and Ohio Law
Ohio Revised Code Section 149.43 makes death records public. You do not need a reason to request one. You do not need to be related to the person. The Clinton County Health District must provide the record during business hours.
Under Section 3705.24, the law sets minimum fees for certified copies. Clinton County charges $28, which is in the mid-range for Ohio counties. A portion of each fee goes to the state for the vital records modernization fund. The social security number is redacted for the first five years after death per Section 3705.23, unless you are an authorized requestor like a spouse, child, executor, or attorney.
Nearby Counties
Counties near Clinton County have their own health departments for death records.
Cities in Clinton County
Clinton County's largest community is Wilmington, which serves as the county seat. None of the cities in Clinton County have a separate page. All death certificate requests for the county go through the Clinton County Health District office in Wilmington.