Table of Contents
What are Indiana Vital Records?
Vital records in Indiana are the official records of all births, deaths, marriages, and divorces in the state of Indiana. The Indiana Department of Health is the statewide registry for all Indiana births from 1907 and for Indiana deaths from 1900. For births and deaths prior to these dates, you should contact the local Indiana county health department where the birth or death occurred.
Marriage and divorce records in Indiana are maintained by the clerk of court in the county where the marriage or divorce occurred.
How Can I Get A Copy of a Birth Certificate in Indiana?
By Indiana state statute, birth records are confidential for the first 75 years. During that time, only a person with a direct interest (a documented and verifiable financial and legal interest or an immediate direct kinship) may obtain a certified birth certificate. The persons allowed to obtain a copy usually include:
- The person listed on the birth certificate as registrant.
- The parents of the registrant if they are listed on the birth record.
- The grandparents of the registrant if they are listed on the record.
- A sibling of the registrant, if at least 18 years of age and with proof of relationship.
- A child or grandchild of the registrant, if 18 years of age or older, with proof of relationship.
- The current spouse of the registrant with proof of marriage.
- An aunt or uncle of the registrant with proof of relationship.
- A step-parent of the registrant with proof of marriage to a parent of the registrant.
- A court-appointed legal guardian with valid ID, such as a driver's license, and guardianship papers with seal.
- An attorney representing the registrant with a valid photo ID and proof of representation.
- For genealogy purposes, any individual if the registrant is over the age of 75 and is deceased.
- A social agency with valid employment photo ID and court orders or signed authorization from the registrant.
- A state or federal agency with valid employment photo ID and a legal document with direct interest specified.
The Indiana Department of Health, Vital Records Division, provides a full listing of identification requirements for obtaining a copy of a birth record.
You will need to complete an Application for Search and Certified Copy of Birth Record to obtain a copy of an Indiana birth record.
If eligible, there are four options for obtaining an Indiana birth record (in-person service is not currently available):
- The Local Indiana County Health Department where the birth occurred.
- Online services through the ISDH Vital Records Online site where you have two options for third-party entities that provide this service.
- By phone via the ISDH Vital Records via Phone service, which provides a toll-free phone number (866) 601-0891 and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- By mail – you can mail your completed birth certificate application with your valid ID and check or money order payable to the Indiana State Department of Health to:
Indiana Department of Public Health
2 N. Meridian St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
You may reach this department by phone at (317) 233-1325 or toll-free at 1-800-382-9480.
The cost for a certified copy of an Indiana birth certificate is $10, plus $4 for each additional certificate ordered at the same time. These fees do not include the processing and service fees charged by any third-party company when purchasing online or by phone and do not include additional fees for UPS delivery. Payment may be made by personal checks, money orders, or credit cards. Please note that cash is not accepted. The Indiana Department of Health provides a FAQ page for additional questions on obtaining vital records.
How Can I Get a Copy of a Death Certificate in Indiana?
Indiana death records are public records that can be searched and viewed by anyone. However, only those with a "direct interest" may purchase a copy of a death certificate. For death records dated 1917 or earlier, you should contact the Indiana county health officer's department where the death occurred. For death information after 1917, you should contact the Indiana State Dept. of Health, Vital Records Office.
The persons allowed to obtain a copy of a death certificate in Indiana usually include:
- The parents of the decedent.
- The spouse of the decedent named on the certificate.
- The child or grandchild of the decedent, if at least 18 years old and with proof of relationship.
- A sibling of the decedent, if at least 18 years of age.
- An aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew, if at least 18 years old and with proof of relationship.
- An agent of the assigned funeral home, with a valid explanation of direct interest.
- For genealogy searches, if the decedent was at least 75 years old at the time of death.
- A person with a legal relationship to the decedent, with valid proof of the same.
- Anyone with a court order.
The Indiana Department of Health provides a full listing of identification requirements for obtaining a copy of a death record.
You will need to complete an Application for Search of Certified or Non-Certified Copy of Death Record to obtain a copy of an Indiana death certificate.
If eligible, there are four options for obtaining an Indiana death record (walk-in service is not currently available):
- The Local Indiana County Health Department where the death occurred.
- Online through the ISDH Vital Records Online site where you have two options, including Vitalchek) for third-party entities that provide this service.
- By phone via the ISDH Vital Records via Phone service, which provides a toll-free phone number (866) 601-0891 and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- By mail – you can mail your completed application with your valid ID and check or money order payable to the Indiana State Department of Health to:
Indiana Department of Health
2 N. Meridian St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
You may reach this department by phone at (317) 233-1325 or toll-free at 1-800-382-9480.
The cost for a copy of an Indiana death certificate is $8, plus $4 for each additional certificate ordered at the same time. These fees do not include the processing and service fees charged by any third-party company when purchasing online or by phone and do not include additional fees for UPS delivery. Payment may be made by personal checks, money order, or major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover). Please note that cash is not accepted.
How Can I Get a Copy of an Indiana Marriage Certificate?
Indiana marriage records are public records. Marriage records are obtainable from the Indiana county clerk's office, where the marriage license was recorded.
Indiana law previously acknowledged common law marriage. However, since January 1, 1958, Indiana no longer recognizes common-law marriages, but common-law marriages entered into before this date are considered valid. Indiana also recognizes common-law marriages from other jurisdictions where it is allowed.
Copies of marriage certificates in Indiana are available only through the Indiana country clerk of court's office where the marriage took place, and the marriage license was recorded. Each copy of the marriage certificate costs $8.
How Can I Get a Copy of an Indiana Divorce Certificate?
Indiana divorce records are public records, and anyone can view such records. However, to obtain a certified copy of a divorce certificate, you must have a direct, legal, or tangible interest in one of the divorcing parties.
If eligible, you may obtain a copy of an Indiana divorce certificate from the Indiana county courthouse where the divorce decree was granted. Each clerk's office determines the fees associated with obtaining copies of divorce records.