Search Ohio County Genealogy Records

Ohio County genealogy records are available at the health department and the county clerk's office in Rising Sun, Indiana. As Indiana's smallest county by area, Ohio County holds a compact but historically rich set of vital records. Birth and death records date from 1882, and marriage records at the clerk's office reach back to the county's early years. This guide walks you through how to access Ohio County genealogy records from both local and state-level sources.

Ohio County Health Department Birth and Death Records

The Ohio County Health Department in Rising Sun is the local source for birth and death records going back to 1882. Ohio County is small, which can make it easier to work through records because the total volume is lower than larger counties. The health department maintains certified copies of birth and death certificates for events that occurred within Ohio County. These are the records you need for genealogy research covering the period before Indiana began statewide vital records registration.

Statewide birth registration began in Indiana in 1907, and death registration started in 1900. That leaves a window from 1882 to those dates where the Ohio County Health Department is the only source. Records from the 1800s are especially valuable for genealogy because they capture family events during Ohio County's most active settlement period. If your research involves families who lived along the Ohio River in the late 1800s, Rising Sun is the right place to start.

For genealogy access at either the county or state level, the person named on the certificate must be deceased and over 75 years old. This is a state requirement under the vital records rules and is not specific to Ohio County. Bring proof of the ancestor's death if you are requesting a genealogy copy. Contact the Ohio County Health Department directly for current fees and hours before visiting Rising Sun.

Note: The Indiana local health department map provides current contact details for the Ohio County office in Rising Sun.

Ohio County Clerk and Marriage Records

Marriage records for Ohio County are held at the County Clerk's Office in Rising Sun. The clerk has marriage licenses going back to the county's founding, which puts some records well into the early 1800s. The state marriage index only begins in 1958, so for any Ohio County marriage before that year, the county clerk holds the original record. The clerk's office is in the courthouse in Rising Sun.

Probate records and court filings at the clerk's office can also be useful for Ohio County genealogy research. Estate inventories from the 1800s often name family members and list property, giving you information that goes far beyond what birth and death records contain. Under Indiana Code 5-14-3, court records are public documents. Anyone can request access to them. The fact that Ohio County is small means these records are relatively concentrated and may be easier to search than those of larger counties.

The Indiana State Library's county research guides cover Ohio County and can tell you exactly what records exist, where they are held, and how far back they go. Access the guides at in.gov/library/collections-and-services/genealogy/indiana-county-research-guides/. Checking the Ohio County guide before you travel to Rising Sun can save time and help you plan what to request when you arrive.

State and Statewide Genealogy Resources

The Indiana Department of Health Vital Records Division at 2 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, holds statewide records starting with births in 1907 and deaths in 1900. You can reach them at (317) 233-2700 or toll-free at (866) 601-0891. Online orders go through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. Birth certificate orders by mail use Form 49607, and death certificate requests use Form 49606.

The Indiana State Library genealogy collection in Indianapolis is one of the strongest resources for Ohio County family history. The library holds county histories, family genealogies, cemetery transcriptions, and military pension files. Their collection covers southeast Indiana counties like Ohio County in meaningful depth. The library's reference desk is at 317-232-3689, and the full address is 315 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis.

The state library's genealogy resources are shown here:

The Indiana State Library Genealogy Division keeps research guides and a large family history collection that includes Ohio County records and southeast Indiana materials.

The library offers one-on-one consultations on the second Saturday of each month and group tours by arrangement. These can be especially helpful for Ohio County researchers who need guidance on southeast Indiana records.

Indiana Archives and Historical Collections

The Indiana Archives and Records Administration (IARA) holds older court records and state documents that may supplement what you find at the Ohio County level. IARA's address is 6440 East 30th Street, Indianapolis, and the phone is (317) 591-5220. Some older Ohio County court records, including early naturalization filings and probate records, may have been transferred to the State Archives over the years.

The Indiana Archives portal gives access to transferred county records:

The Indiana Archives and Records Administration holds transferred historical records from Indiana counties, which may include older Ohio County documents not available locally.

IARA's online catalog at researchIndiana.iara.in.gov lets you search for Ohio County holdings before making the trip to Indianapolis.

The Indiana Historical Society at 450 W. Ohio St., Indianapolis, holds photographs, maps, and manuscripts from across Indiana, including southeast Indiana counties. Their phone is (317) 232-1882. The Indiana Genealogical Society also maintains county-level resources that can point you toward Ohio County collections. Under IC 5-14-3-4, records that were once confidential become publicly accessible 75 years after creation, opening many older Ohio County materials to researchers today.

The FamilySearch Indiana Genealogy wiki is a free starting point that covers Ohio County and links to digitized records and indexes. Some Ohio County records have been microfilmed and digitized, which means you might find what you need online before ever visiting a physical office in Rising Sun or Indianapolis.

Online Ordering Options for Ohio County Records

Remote access to Ohio County vital records is available through several channels. The state toll-free line at (866) 601-0891 takes orders 24/7 by phone. Mail orders go to the Indiana Department of Health at 2 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis. Online orders process through VitalChek, shown here:

The VitalChek portal allows online ordering of certified Indiana vital records including Ohio County birth and death records using a credit card.

VitalChek adds a processing fee on top of state fees, but it is a convenient way to get records without visiting Rising Sun in person.

Cities in Ohio County

Ohio County is Indiana's smallest county. Its communities, including Rising Sun and the surrounding area, all file genealogy records at the county health department and clerk's office in Rising Sun. No city in Ohio County meets the 25,000 population threshold for a separate city page. All records for Ohio County residents are handled at the county level.

All Ohio County city records are filed at the county offices in Rising Sun.

Nearby Counties

Ohio County is in southeast Indiana along the Ohio River. Ancestors who lived near county lines may have filed records in a neighboring county. Check these nearby county pages for additional genealogy resources.