Find Ashtabula County Obituary Records

Ashtabula County obituary and death records come from multiple sources because this large northeast Ohio county has separate vital statistics offices for different areas. The county health department in Jefferson handles most death records, but Ashtabula City and Conneaut each run their own health departments with their own death certificate files. This split system means you may need to check more than one office depending on where a death took place. The probate court in Jefferson has the oldest records, going back to 1811 for some document types. State-level archives and free online databases round out the options for obituary research in Ashtabula County.

Ashtabula County Health Department Death Records

The Ashtabula County Health Department is the main office for death certificates in the county. They are at 12 West Jefferson Street, Jefferson, OH 44047. Phone: (440) 576-6010, extension 3. Fax: 844-954-1034. Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Certified copies cost $25.00 each.

One thing to know about Ashtabula County is that the county health department does not handle deaths that took place within Ashtabula City or Conneaut City limits. Those cities maintain separate vital statistics offices. If the death happened in the city of Ashtabula, you need the Ashtabula City Health Department at 4239 Lake Ave, Ashtabula, OH 44004. Phone: (440) 992-7123. They charge $25.00 per copy too. For deaths in Conneaut, contact the Conneaut Health Department at 327 Mill St., Conneaut, OH 44030, phone (440) 593-3087. This split system is unusual in Ohio and catches some researchers off guard.

The county health department keeps death records from 1909 forward. You can order in person, by mail, or through VitalChek online. Ohio Revised Code Section 3705.23 requires local registrars to provide certified copies upon request with proper identification.

Ashtabula County Probate Court Obituary Files

The Ashtabula County Probate Court is at 25 West Jefferson Street, Jefferson, OH 44047. Phone: (440) 576-3451. Fax: (440) 576-3633. Email: probate@ashtabulacounty.us. This court has some of the oldest records in northeast Ohio. Marriage records start from 1811. Death registers from 1867 to 1908 are on file here. Probate records go back to the 1880s.

Estate records at the probate court are valuable for obituary research. When someone died, their estate often went through probate. The paperwork lists the date of death, names of heirs, and sometimes details about property and debts. Guardianship records can show when a parent died and who took care of the children. Wills name family members and describe how property was to be divided. All of these documents add depth to what you can learn from a death certificate alone. Ashtabula County's large geographic area (it is the biggest county in Ohio by land) means records cover a wide range of small towns and rural areas.

Note: The probate court also handles marriage licenses, which can help confirm family relationships when researching obituaries.

Ashtabula County Clerk of Courts

The Ashtabula County Clerk of Courts is at 25 W. Jefferson Street, Jefferson, OH 44047. Phone: (440) 576-3716. The clerk keeps divorce records and civil and criminal case files. An eAccess portal lets you search records online. Copy fees are low: $0.25 per page for plain copies, $1 for certified, and $6 for authenticated copies. Court records can help piece together family stories when combined with obituary and death record data.

Online Ashtabula County Obituary Search

The Ohio Death Record Index is free and covers 1913 to 1944 and 1954 to 1970. Ashtabula County deaths from those years are included. You need the person's name and at least one other detail like the year of death or the county. The Ohio History Connection archives in Columbus hold the actual death certificates from 1908 through 1970. Their address is 800 East 17th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211. Phone: 614-297-2510. Email: reference@ohiohistory.org.

FamilySearch has digitized Ohio death certificates from 1908 to 1953, including Ashtabula County records. These images are free to view with an account. The Ohio Obituary Index at the Hayes Presidential Library contains over 3.7 million entries from Ohio newspapers. It covers the 1810s to the present. Local historical societies in Ashtabula County also keep cemetery records and newspaper obituary clippings that you may not find anywhere else. The Ohio Department of Health handles death records from 1971 onward at $21.50 per copy under Ohio Revised Code Section 3705.24.

Ashtabula County Death Record Sources

The Ashtabula County Health Department vital statistics page explains how to request death certificates from the county office.

This page covers fees, hours, and the important note about which areas the county health department covers versus the city offices.

The Ashtabula City Health Department vital statistics page is the source for death records within city limits.

Ashtabula City handles its own vital records separately from the county, so check here if the death occurred within city limits.

The Ashtabula County government website provides information about the probate court and other county offices.

Navigate from here to the probate court section for historical death records and estate case information.

How to Get Ashtabula County Obituary Records

Start by figuring out when and where the death happened. For deaths in the county (outside Ashtabula City and Conneaut) from 1909 to now, go to the county health department. For Ashtabula City deaths, contact the city health department. For Conneaut deaths, call the Conneaut Health Department. Deaths from 1867 to 1908 are at the probate court. For 1908 to 1970, the Ohio History Connection has the state copies. From 1971 forward, either the local office or the Ohio Department of Health can help.

For newspaper obituaries, try the Ohio Obituary Index first. It is free and covers thousands of Ohio papers. The local historical society keeps clippings and cemetery records that can supplement what you find in the official files. Section 3705.231 allows you to photograph vital records during in-person visits, which is handy for making your own digital copies. Social Security numbers are redacted on death certificates for the first five years after a death per Ohio law, unless you can prove you are immediate family.

Nearby Counties

Ashtabula County is in Ohio's northeast corner. It borders Pennsylvania to the east and Lake Erie to the north. Check these neighboring Ohio counties if you cannot find the record you need.