The Ohio County Clerk’s Office keeps official records of recorded deaths that occur in Ohio County; these records date from 1853 to the present. PLEASE NOTE, West Virginia is not an “open record” state. Therefore, restrictions apply as to who may obtain a Death Certificate. HOWEVER, if the decedent died 50 years ago or more, you do not have to prove identification. The West Virginia Division of History and Archives also has a website that contains information regarding deaths for individuals who died within the State of West Virginia. Death Certificates are issued only from the County wherein the individual died (which may not be where they resided).
Requirements for Obtaining a Death Certificate
If making a request in person, you must have:
- Valid identification, from the list provided below.
- Payment of $5.00 in cash or by credit card (no checks) per requested copy.
Office hours are from Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
OR
If requesting by mail, you must:
- Provide a written request (including the name, date of death, parents’ names including the mother’s maiden name) or complete the online request form available on this website.
- Enclose a photocopy of your Driver’s License or State-Issued ID
- Enclose $5.00 (cash or money order ONLY) per requested copy
- Provide a self-addressed stamped envelope that is a least 4” x 9.5” in size
Requests are generally processed/mailed the same day received.
Forms of Valid Identification
- Driver’s License or State-issued ID
- Passport
- Major credit card with a photo of the cardholder
In the event that you do not have any of the above forms of identification, but do have:
- Vehicle Insurance card
- Vehicle Registration card
- Your current utility bill or pay stub with your name and address
then we will mail the requested document to you, at the address listed on the document that you provided to us; please bring with you an envelope that has sufficient postage for us to mail the document to you.
Forms of Documentation to Establish Relationship
Death Certificates are generally issued to family members such as parents, spouses, adult children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, grandparents, and additional generations of the same, provided they have identification that links them to the name on the Death Certificate. HOWEVER, if the decedent died 50 years ago or more, you do not have to prove identification. The West Virginia Division of History and Archives also has a website that contains information regarding deaths of individuals who died within the State of West Virginia, Death Certificates are issued only from the county wherein the individual died (which may not be where they resided).
Remember, it is necessary to have identification that links you to the individual named on the Death Certificate, if the decedent died within the past 50 years. A Driver’s License or State-Issued ID can be used along with Birth Certificates, other Death Certificates, and Marriage Certificates. In the case of the requestor being the personal representative of the decedent’s estate, a Certificate of Appointment is an acceptable form of identification. IF SUCH DOCUMENTS ARE NOT ON RECORD IN THE ONIO COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE, IT IS THE REQUESTOR’S RESPONSIBILITY TO BRING CERTIFIED COPIES OF THOSE OTHER DOCUMENTS WITH THEM WHEN MAKING THE REQUEST.
If you wish to make a request by mail, you can use the “Mail in Application” form or send a letter with the pertinent information that can be viewed on the “Mail in Application” form. Either method requires (1) a photocopy of your Driver’s License or State-Issued ID, document(s) to establish your connection to the individual listed on the Death Certificate, (2) your telephone number (if we need to contact you), and (3) the fee of $5.00 per copy (cash or money order ONLY; no checks). The address for requesting copies is:
OHIO COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE
ROOM 205
1500 CHAPLINE STREET
WHEELING, WV 26003
Please contact our Office with any questions regarding how to obtain a Death Certificate at (304) 234-3729