Auglaize County Genealogy Records

Auglaize County genealogy records start in 1848 when the county was carved from Allen and Mercer Counties. The county seat is Wapakoneta, and the courthouse at 201 S. Willipie Street holds the primary record collections. Marriage, probate, and land files date from 1848, while birth and death records begin in 1867. Auglaize County sits in west-central Ohio and has a mix of German and other European ancestry in its population. This guide walks through the key offices and resources for tracing family history in Auglaize County.

Auglaize County Record Sources

The Auglaize County Courthouse is at 201 S. Willipie Street, Wapakoneta, Ohio 45895. Phone is 419-739-6765. The FamilySearch Wiki for Auglaize County gives a detailed list of record types and dates. The Probate Judge keeps birth and death records from 1867 to 1908, marriage records from 1848, and probate files from 1848.

The Auglaize County Probate Court provides certified copies of marriage licenses and probate records. You need to visit the courthouse to access most historical records. The court handles estate administration, guardianships, and adoptions. If you are looking for wills, inventories, or guardianship papers from Auglaize County, the Probate Court keeps those files.

The Clerk of Courts holds divorce and court records starting from 1851. All court records are public in Ohio. The Clerk can provide copies of divorce decrees and other civil case files.

Land Records in Auglaize County

The Auglaize County Recorder's Office is at 201 S. Willipie Street, Wapakoneta, OH 45895. Call 419-739-6735. The office holds land records from 1848 including deeds, mortgages, and plat maps. Military discharge records for veterans are also on file. The Recorder offers online access to land records.

Since Auglaize County was formed from Allen and Mercer Counties, records for families in the area before 1848 may be in those parent counties. This is worth checking if you hit a dead end at that date. Early settlers in this part of Ohio often came from Pennsylvania and the eastern states, though a large wave of German immigrants also settled here in the mid-1800s. Church records from German parishes can be another good source for Auglaize County genealogy, especially for baptisms and marriages that predate civil registration.

Auglaize County Historical Society

The Auglaize County Historical Society maintains the historic Luelleman House and research collections in Wapakoneta. The society preserves county history through museum exhibits, publications, and educational programs. Research collections include family histories, photographs, manuscripts, and local history materials.

The society's archives include photographs, family files, and local publications tied to Auglaize County history.

The society publishes a quarterly newsletter and keeps archives of Auglaize County businesses and organizations. These collections can provide context that official records do not. Old business records, for instance, might show where your ancestor worked or what they did for a living.

Library Genealogy Resources

The St. Marys Community Public Library serves Auglaize County with a genealogy collection that includes local histories, census records, and family histories. The library provides in-library access to Ancestry Library Edition and other genealogy databases. St. Marys is the second-largest town in Auglaize County, and the library's collection covers a broad range of county materials.

Between the library and the historical society, Auglaize County researchers have decent access to secondary sources beyond the courthouse. City directories and old newspapers can be especially useful for tracking down family members across different decades.

Vital Records for Auglaize County

Birth and death records before 1908 are at the Probate Court. After December 20, 1908, the Ohio Department of Health took over. Death records from 1908 to 1953 are at the Ohio History Connection. Under ORC Chapter 3705, vital events must be registered with local registrars.

For online research, FamilySearch has free Ohio databases. The Ohio Genealogical Society publishes indexes covering census, tax, and vital records. The Ohio History Connection Vital Records Guide is useful for figuring out which office has which records by time period. And Ohio Memory has digitized primary sources that may include Auglaize County materials.

Getting Copies of Auglaize County Records

State birth and death certificates are available through the Ohio Department of Health. The fee is $21.50 per search as of 2025, under ORC 3705.24. You can order online, by mail, or in person at the Columbus office. Online orders need a credit card and take about three weeks. Mail orders accept checks or money orders and run four to six weeks.

Local Auglaize County records are at the courthouse in Wapakoneta. The Probate Court issues certified copies of marriage licenses and estate documents. The Recorder provides copies of deeds and land records. The Clerk of Courts handles divorce decree copies and court file requests. If you live far from Wapakoneta, call the office you need and ask about mail-in requests. Most offices can work with you on written requests if you include payment.

Auglaize County has a strong German heritage that shaped many of the early communities. If your ancestors were German immigrants who settled in this part of Ohio, church records from local parishes can be a rich source for baptisms, confirmations, marriages, and burials. These records often predate civil registration and may fill gaps in your Auglaize County genealogy research. The Chronicling America newspaper archive also has Ohio papers that may include Auglaize County family notices and local news.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Auglaize County. If your ancestor lived near a county line, check the neighboring county for records too.