Find Death Records in Meigs County

Meigs County death records are managed by the Meigs County Department of Health in Pomeroy. You can search for death certificates for anyone who died in Meigs County and get a certified copy in person, by mail, or online. The department holds some records going back to the 1800s, which is older than what most Ohio counties have. Meigs County sits along the Ohio River in southeastern Ohio, and all death record requests go through the health department on East Memorial Drive.

Meigs County Death Certificate Requests

The Meigs County Department of Health is at 112 E. Memorial Drive, Suite A, Pomeroy, OH 45769. Call them at 740-992-6626 or fax at 740-992-0836. Each certified copy of a death certificate costs $27.00 as of August 2025. They accept cash, check, money order, and credit or debit cards. A minimum $2.50 processing fee applies to card payments. All sales are final.

Meigs County has some death records going back to the 1800s. That is unusual for Ohio, where most county health departments only hold records from December 1908 forward. Birth records at the department go from December 20, 1908 to the present, and the department can issue birth certificates for anyone born anywhere in Ohio. Death certificates are only for deaths that happened in Meigs County.

One important rule in Meigs County is that exchanges are not allowed. Due to changes in the Ohio Vital Records System, the department will no longer exchange incomplete, incorrect, or amended vital records. If the certificate has an error, you must buy a new corrected copy. This policy is different from some other Ohio counties that may reissue at no charge.

How to Order Meigs County Death Records

You can get Meigs County death certificates three ways. Walk in during business hours and fill out an application. Pay the $27.00 fee and get your copy. It is the fastest option.

For mail orders, complete the application form and include a check or money order payable to "Meigs County Health Department." Put in a self-addressed stamped envelope and mail everything to 112 E Memorial Drive, Suite A, Pomeroy, Ohio 45769. Mail orders take longer but work fine if you cannot visit in person. Online orders go through VitalChek, which charges its own service fee on top of the $27.00 base cost. Expedited shipping is available through VitalChek for an extra charge.

Under Ohio Revised Code Section 149.43, death certificates are public records. Anyone can request a copy. You do not need to be a family member or give a reason for your request. The only restriction involves the social security number, which is hidden for the first five years after death per Section 3705.23.

Meigs County Death Records SSN Policy

For deaths in Meigs County within the last five years, the social security number is redacted from the death certificate. To get a copy that shows the SSN, you must be on the list of authorized requestors. That list is spelled out in the Ohio Revised Code.

Authorized people include the spouse or legal partner of the deceased, a natural or adopted child, grandchild, or great-grandchild, a Veterans Affairs officer, law enforcement, the funeral director, the executor or administrator of the estate, and anyone holding power of attorney. You will need to provide proof of your status. After five years from the date of death, the full certificate with SSN is open to anyone who asks.

Historical Death Records in Meigs County

Meigs County is one of the few Ohio counties with some death records from before 1908. Many Ohio counties only have records from December 1908 forward at the health department. For records between 1867 and 1908, the standard source is the county probate court. The Ohio History Connection holds statewide death records from 1908 through 1970 and has a free online index.

If you are researching Meigs County deaths from the 1800s, start at the health department and ask what they have on file. Then check the probate court for additional records. The Ohio Department of Health has records from 1954 to the present. For genealogy, the Ohio History Connection archives in Columbus are the best source for records from 1908 to 1970. Each death certificate includes the full name, date and place of death, cause of death, and parents' names, as required by Section 3705.16.

Since no local images are available for Meigs County, the screenshot below shows the Ohio Department of Health vital statistics portal, which serves as an alternate way to order death records for any Ohio county.

The state portal lets you start orders for death certificates from any county in Ohio, including Meigs County.

Meigs County Death Certificate Fees

Each certified copy costs $27.00. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 3705.24, the minimum fee for a certified copy cannot be less than $12.00. Meigs County's rate is within the normal range for Ohio counties. Part of the fee goes to the state office of vital statistics. Another portion supports the local health department.

Burial permits are separate from death certificates. Under Section 3705.17, no burial or cremation can take place until the local registrar issues a permit. The permit cannot be issued until a death certificate is on file. If the doctor has not yet completed the medical certification, the funeral director can file a provisional death certificate, but a provisional certificate does not allow cremation.

Nearby Counties

Meigs County is in southeastern Ohio along the Ohio River. These neighboring counties have their own health departments for death record requests.

Cities in Meigs County

Meigs County is a rural county with no cities above the population threshold for dedicated pages. Pomeroy is the county seat. All Meigs County residents get death certificates from the Meigs County Department of Health in Pomeroy.