Search Preble County Obituaries

Preble County obituary and death records are kept at offices in Eaton, the county seat. This western Ohio county sits on the Indiana border and has vital records going back to the early 1900s at the health department and even further at the Probate Court. If you are trying to find a death certificate, an old obituary from a Preble County newspaper, or burial information for a family member, you have options. The health department, Probate Court, historical society, and local library system all hold records and resources that can help with your obituary search in Preble County.

Preble County Death Record Sources

The Preble County Health Department is the main office for death certificates in the county. Their address is 615 Hillcrest Drive, Eaton, OH 45320. Phone is 937-472-0087. They have death records from 1927 to the present and birth records from after December 20, 1908. The fee is $25 per certified copy. They only accept cash or check, so do not bring a credit card for this.

Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You can walk in during those hours or send a mail request. The health department can issue birth certificates for anyone born in Ohio, not just Preble County. For death records though, they only have records for deaths that occurred in Preble County. Deaths are recorded in the county where they happened, not where the person lived.

For birth and death records before 1909, you need to go to a different office. The Preble County Probate Court has those older files. Some very old records from before 1909 are also on microfilm, and you can reach the Microfilm Department at 937-456-8122 for help finding them.

Preble County Probate Court Obituary Files

The Preble County Probate Court at 101 East Main Street, 3rd Floor of the Courthouse in Eaton, holds the county's oldest vital records. Phone number is (937) 456-8160. Their birth and death records cover the period before January 1, 1909, when the state took over registration. Marriage records at this court go back to 1808. Probate records also start from 1808.

These are some of the oldest records in the county. If you are looking for a Preble County obituary or death record from the 1800s, this is where you start. The records are handwritten and may take some effort to read, but staff can help you navigate the old ledger books. Estate and probate files from this era sometimes include death-related information and the names of heirs.

Preble County Obituary Research Resources

The Preble County Historical Society at 7693 Swartsel Road in Eaton holds historical and genealogical records. Call 937-787-4256 to ask about their collections. Hours vary, so call ahead before visiting. They have materials that can supplement what you find at the health department and Probate Court.

The Preble County Library District is another good resource. The main branch is at 450 S. Barron Street in Eaton. Phone is (937) 456-4970. The Brown Memorial Library branch in Lewisburg at 101 S. Commerce Street is also part of the system. Both locations have genealogy rooms with local history materials, newspaper microfilm, and other resources for finding Preble County obituaries.

Online databases add more options. The Ohio History Connection has death certificates from 1908 through 1970. Their online death certificate index covers 1913 to 1944 and 1954 to 1963. FamilySearch has Preble County vital records from 1808 to 1908 that have been digitized. The Ohio Genealogical Web Alliance also has some Preble County records online. The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center maintains the Ohio Obituary Index, a huge database of newspaper obituaries from across the state.

The Ohio History Connection archives hold death certificates from across the state, including records from Preble County dating back to 1908.

You can search their online index for free or visit their facility in Columbus to view original Preble County death certificates.

Ohio Law on Preble County Death Records

Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3705 requires that every death be registered with the local registrar. In Preble County, the funeral director files the death certificate within 72 hours of death. The local registrar processes it and sends a copy to the Ohio Department of Health. This has been the process since 1908.

Death records are public under Ohio Revised Code Section 149.43. You do not have to be related to the person who died to get a copy of their death certificate. Anyone can request one from the Preble County Health Department. The $25 fee applies to each certified copy. This open access makes obituary and genealogy work in Preble County easier than in states where death records are restricted.

Nearby Counties

Preble County sits in southwest Ohio along the Indiana state line. If you need obituary records from a nearby area, try these neighboring counties.