Richland County Obituary Records

Richland County obituary records are available from multiple sources in and around Mansfield. The county has a strong set of resources for anyone looking for death certificates, published obituary notices, or burial information. Richland Public Health handles modern death certificates. The Probate Court has older records. The Mansfield/Richland County Public Library holds a large genealogy collection with newspaper microfilm and Ohio death certificates on file. If you are searching for a Richland County obituary, these offices and resources can point you in the right direction.

Richland County Death Certificate Office

Richland Public Health is the office that issues certified death certificates for deaths in Richland County from 1908 to the present. Their address is 555 Lexington Avenue, Mansfield, OH 44907. Call 419-774-4700 for the vital statistics division. They can also issue birth certificates for anyone born in Ohio after 1908. Contact them for current fee rates. The standard Ohio rate is $25 but some counties charge a bit more.

When you request a Richland County death certificate, have the full name of the person who died ready. The date of death or an approximate year helps the search. Staff can look through their records and pull what they have. In-person requests are handled during business hours. Mail requests are accepted too. Include your payment and a return address.

Richland County Probate Court Death Records

The Richland County Probate Court in Mansfield holds some of the oldest vital records in the county. Their death records start from 1890 and birth records from 1856. Marriage records go back to 1813. Phone is 419-774-5601. The Probate Court at 50 Park Avenue East, 2nd Floor, Mansfield, OH 44902-1850, also has an online search option for some records.

For deaths between 1867 and 1908, the Probate Court is the primary source. These records predate the state registration system. They are handwritten entries that list the name, date of death, and sometimes the cause. The court also holds estate records, wills, and guardianship files that can supplement your obituary research with details about surviving family members and property.

The Genealogy Trails website has transcribed Richland County obituaries and death notices from historical newspapers. This is a free resource that can save you time if the person you are looking for happens to be in their collection.

Richland Public Health provides vital records services for Richland County residents and researchers.

Visit their site for office hours and details on requesting death certificates.

The Richland County government website links to county offices including the Probate Court and health department.

Use this portal to find addresses, phone numbers, and online tools for Richland County records.

Mansfield Library Obituary Collection

The Mansfield/Richland County Public Library has an excellent genealogy and local history collection in the Sherman Room. Call 419-521-3120 for the main library. Their holdings include local newspapers on microfilm from 1823 to the present, Ohio death certificates from 1908 to 1953, census records, and local history materials. This is one of the better library genealogy collections in central Ohio.

If you are searching for a Richland County obituary from a specific newspaper, the library's microfilm collection is the place to look. The Mansfield News Journal and other local papers are all on film. Staff can help you identify which paper likely carried the obituary you need based on the person's address and the year they died. FamilySearch has also digitized some Richland County records including Bible records and minister's license records.

Ohio Revised Code and Richland County Records

Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3705 governs death registration in Richland County. Each death must be reported and a certificate filed with the local registrar. The funeral home completes the paperwork. The registrar sends a copy to the Ohio Department of Health. This system has been running since December 1908.

Death certificates are public records in Ohio. Under Section 149.43 of the Revised Code, anyone can request a copy. You do not need to show that you are related to the person who died. This open access applies to Richland County death certificates at both the health department and the state level. The Ohio History Connection death index is another free public tool for searching older Richland County deaths.

Cities in Richland County

Richland County includes Mansfield and several smaller communities. All death certificates for the county go through Richland Public Health or the Probate Court in Mansfield.

Other communities in Richland County include Shelby, Ontario, Lexington, and Bellville. Obituary records for all of these areas are kept at the county offices in Mansfield.

Nearby Counties

Richland County sits in north-central Ohio. If you are looking for obituary records from a neighboring area, check these counties.