Newark Ohio Obituary Search
Newark obituary records are kept at the county level through the Licking County Health Department and local library system. If you need to find an obituary or death record for someone who lived in Newark, there are a few ways to search. The Licking County Library System holds the Parkinson Obituary Collection covering 1927 to 1953. The county health department can issue death certificates going back to 1908. You can also check the Ohio Obituary Index at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center, which has more than three million entries from newspapers across the state. Newark sits in the heart of Licking County, and most records flow through county offices in the city.
Newark Overview
Licking County Obituary Records
Newark is the county seat of Licking County. All death certificates and vital records for the city go through the Licking County Health Department. The office is at 675 Price Road in Newark, and you can call them at (740) 349-6535. They keep death records from 1908 to the present. For older records going back to 1867, you need to contact the Licking County Probate Court at 1 North Park Place in Newark. Note that a courthouse fire in 1875 destroyed some of the earliest records, so anything before that date may be lost.
The health department charges $25.00 for each certified copy of a death certificate. They can issue certificates for deaths that took place in Licking County. If you need a birth certificate for someone born anywhere in Ohio after 1908, you can get that here too. Walk-in service is available on weekdays, and you can also request records by mail. Under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3705, the state requires local health departments to maintain these vital statistics records.
Newark Death Records at the Health Department
The Licking County Health Department handles all official death certificates for Newark. This is where you go when you need a certified copy for legal purposes like settling an estate or filing insurance claims. The staff can look up records by name and date of death. Same-day service is common for walk-in requests.
| Office | Licking County Health Department - Vital Records |
|---|---|
| Address | 675 Price Road Newark, OH 43055 |
| Phone | (740) 349-6535 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday |
| Website | lickingcohealth.org |
Death certificates contain key facts about the deceased. They list the full name, date and place of death, cause of death, and burial or cremation details. These records can help confirm information found in obituary notices. The Probate Court at 1 North Park Place keeps the older death registers from 1867 to 1908, though some gaps exist because of the 1875 fire.
Newark Obituary Resources at the Library
The Licking County Library System is one of the best places to search for Newark obituary records. Their genealogy collection includes the Parkinson Obituary Collection, which covers death notices from 1927 to 1953. This is a local resource you won't find online. Staff can help you search through it in person.
For a broader search, the Ohio Obituary Index at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center has over three million obituary entries from Ohio newspapers dating back to the 1810s. More than 60 partner libraries across the state contribute to this index. It is free to search online, and results will point you to the newspaper and date where the obituary was published. You can then contact the library to get a full copy of the notice.
The Ohio Death Record Index at the Ohio History Connection covers death certificates from 1913 to 1944 and 1954 to 1963. This is another free tool that can help when searching for older Newark obituary and death information. The records show name, date, county, and certificate number. You can use these details to request a full copy from the state or county office.
How to Search Newark Obituary Records Online
Several online tools can help you find Newark obituary records without visiting an office in person. The Ohio Obituary Index is the most complete statewide resource. Start there if you know the person's name and have a rough idea of when they died.
The Ohio Department of Health also offers an online ordering system through VitalChek for certified death certificates. There is an extra processing fee when you order online, but it saves a trip to the health department. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 3705.12, anyone can request a death certificate. You do not need to be a relative. The state treats death records as public information after a certain period.
The Ohio History Connection Archives maintain death certificates from December 1908 through 1970. They can provide uncertified copies for genealogy research. These are not valid for legal purposes, but they can confirm dates and other details you find in obituary notices. For Newark residents who died during that period, these records are a good backup source.
Local newspaper archives may also carry obituary listings. The Newark Advocate and other Licking County papers published death notices over the years. Check with the library about microfilm access to these publications.
Note: Pre-1908 death records for Newark are at the Licking County Probate Court, but some early records were lost in an 1875 courthouse fire.
Getting Copies of Newark Obituary Records
You can get copies of death records and obituary notices in a few ways. For certified death certificates, visit the Licking County Health Department or order through VitalChek. For obituary text, the library is your best bet. Here is what to expect:
- Certified death certificate from the health department: $25.00 per copy
- Uncertified copy from Ohio History Connection: research fee applies
- Obituary copy from library microfilm: small printing fee
- Online obituary index search: free at rbhayes.org
- Probate Court records (1867-1908): $1 per page certified
If you are working on a family history project, start with the free online indexes. They can save you time and money. Once you find the right record, you can order an official copy from the appropriate office. The Licking County Probate Court also keeps estate files and wills that sometimes include obituary clippings or funeral records. These can fill in gaps when the obituary itself is hard to find.
Licking County Records Resources
The Licking County Health Department serves as the main office for death certificates in Newark and throughout the county. Below is a look at their vital records page, which explains how to request copies and what information you need to provide.
This site lists the fees, required forms, and office hours for getting death certificates in Licking County. Keep this bookmarked if you plan to request records for someone who died in Newark.
Nearby Ohio Cities
Other Ohio cities also have obituary resources you can search. If the person you are looking for lived in or moved between cities in the region, check these pages too.