The district in its present form was established on July 1, 1972 by merging the former districts of Melle, Bersenbrück and Wittlage, and most of the old district of Osnabrück.
Kreis praegusel kujul moodustati 1. juulil 1972, kui ühendati endised kreisid Melle, Bersenbrück ja Wittlage ning enamus vanast Osnabrücki kreisist.