I Lost My Birth Certificate. What Should I Do?
Table of Contents
- What are Indiana Vital Records?
- Indiana Birth Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About Indiana Birth Records
- Indiana Death Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About Indiana Death Records
- Indiana Marriage Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About Indiana Marriage Records
- Indiana Divorce Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About Indiana Divorce Records
What are Indiana Vital Records?
The Indiana State Department of Health Division of Vital Records office is the government agency in charge of maintaining and issuing vital records for the state. Their records include birth, death, and fetal death records. The state began keeping records in 1907. Some of the other services this agency provides are:
- Certified copies of birth and death certificates.
- Process record corrections and amendments.
- Process Adoption Decrees.
- Certified copies of marriage records.
- Process Acknowledgement of Paternity requests.
- Process Disinter/Reinter requests.
The Division of Vital Records allows you to order copies of vital records by phone, in person at the local health office, online through VitalChek, or Indiana's online system (IN.gov vital records) or through the mail.
Indiana Birth Records
The Indiana State Department of Health Division of Vital Records has been maintaining birth records since October 1907. However, older records exist in the county where the birth occurred, and the local county health department would have copies. Indiana offers two forms for birth certificate copies. First, they have one which is an extract from the original birth certificate, and then they have a long-form certificate, which includes a lot more information. They do provide this disclaimer; however, "Gender is available on both standard and long-form certificates. Time of birth is available on long-form certificates but was not collected from 1949 to 1953, and the time may not have been recorded on the certificate before 1949."
Frequently Asked Questions About Indiana Birth Records
How do I find birth records in Indiana?
You must request a certified copy, and at that time, a search is performed. You cannot ask if a record exists without first purchasing the search/copy.
How do I get a certified copy of my birth certificate in Indiana?
You can contact the Indiana State Department of Health Division of Vital Records office. You can get a copy pretty easily through the mail, in person, by phone, or online using one of two services.
How much does it cost to get a copy of a birth certificate in Indiana?
Each search/certified copy request is $10. If you order more copies at that time, they cost $4 each.
Who can request birth records?
Birth records in Indiana are not public records. Therefore, only the following list of people can get copies of yours:
- "Parents of the individual listed on the certificate – must be listed on the record
- Grandparents of the individual listed on the certificate – must be parent of a parent listed on the record & show proof of relationship
- Sibling, 18 years or older, of individual listed on the certificate – must show proof of relationship
- Child or Grandchild, 18 years or older, of individual named on the certificate – must show proof of relationship
- Current Spouse of individual named on the certificate – must show proof of marriage
- Aunt or Uncle of individual named on the certificate – must show proof of relationship
- Stepparent of individual named on the certificate – must have ID with valid marriage certificate
- Court-Appointed Legal Guardian – must have ID and provide guardianship papers with seal
- Attorney representing individual named on the certificate – must have ID for self and provide a document with direct interest spelled out on letterhead or court documents
- Genealogy – individual named on the certificate must be over 75 years old and deceased – must show proof of death
- Social Agency – must have work ID with court documents or signed authorization from the client
- State and Federal Agencies – must have work ID and provide a document with direct interest spelled out on letterhead, court documents, or signed authorization from client."
What information do I need when getting a copy of my Indiana birth certificate?
When applying for a copy of yours or someone else's birth certificate, you need to provide the following information:
- Full name at birth.
- Place of birth.
- Name of the hospital.
- Full name(s) of both parents.
- Purpose for this record.
- Your relationship to the individual named on the certificate.
As the requestor of the record, you will also need to provide your personal details and a copy of your ID.
Where can I find historical vital records in Indiana for genealogy research?
The Indiana State Department of Health Division of Vital Records has records dating back to October 1907. If you need older records, you must contact the county health office where the birth occurred.
How can I correct an error on my birth record?
The Indiana State Department of Health Division of Vital Records has a process where you can request a correction to a birth record. You must call them to inquire about what to do.
Can I get a refund if my Indiana birth record is not available?
No. Birth certificate search fees are not refundable.
Indiana Death Records
The Indiana State Department of Health Division of Vital Records began keeping track of and maintaining death records as of 1900. However, if you request records from 1900-1917, you will need to consult the city and local county records to find them. Indiana only issues death records for people who died within the state. You cannot request a search without purchasing a copy. Death records in Indiana are not public records, and therefore, only certain people can get copies. They say this: "A direct interest is defined as a documented and verifiable financial and legal interest or an immediate direct kinship (parent, adult sibling, or grandparent) to the person named on the record."
Frequently Asked Questions About Indiana Death Records
How do I find death records in Indiana?
You can request a search but must also pay the copy fee at the same time. The Indiana State Department of Health Division of Vital Records is the agency to contact for help with searches.
Are death records public in Indiana?
No, they are not public records. Only certain people can obtain a copy of someone else's death certificate.
How much does it cost to get a copy of a death certificate in Indiana?
The cost to search for a death record is $8, and it includes the first copy. If you need additional copies, they cost $4 each.
How long does it take to get a copy of an Indiana death record?
It depends on how you order them. If you use the walk-in service, you can get them pretty quickly. If you order online, by phone, or through the mail, you may have to wait up to 45 days.
Who can request death records?
Per Indiana Codes 16-37-1-10, 16-37-1-11, and 16-37-1-11.5, only the list of people below can get a copy of a death record:
- Parents of the individual listed on the certificate – must be listed on the record.
- Spouse of individual named on the certificate – must show proof of marriage.
- Child or Grandchild, 18 years or older, of individual named on the certificate – must show proof of relationship.
- Grandparents of the individual listed on the certificate – must be parent of a parent listed on the record & show proof of relationship.
- Sibling, 18 years or older, of individual listed on the certificate – must show proof of relationship.
- Aunt or Uncle of individual named on the certificate – must show proof of relationship.
- Niece or Nephew, 18 years or older, of individual named on the certificate – must show proof of relationship.
- Genealogy – individual named on the certificate must be over 75 years old at the time of death - must show proof of death.
- Assigned Funeral Home/Director - must provide an explanation of direct interest on letterhead.
What information do I need when getting a copy of someone's Indiana death certificate?
You will need some information when you request a death record. The list of required information is below:
- Full Name of the deceased.
- Date of death.
- Deceased's date of birth.
- Full names of both parents.
- The City of Death.
- County of Death.
You will also need to provide your relationship to the deceased and other information validating your eligibility.
Where can I find historical death records in Indiana?
The Indiana State Department of Health Division of Vital Records has records going back to 1900. If you need older records, you can visit the local county health office where the person was born.
How can I correct an error on someone's death record?
The Indiana State Department of Health Division of Vital Records has a specific process for making corrections, and particular paperwork is needed. You can call them for assistance with changes and corrections.
Can I get a refund if my Indiana death record is not available?
No, all death certificate searches are non-refundable.
Indiana Marriage Records
Marriage records in Indiana are handled by the Clerk of the Court where the marriage was finalized. In Indiana, marriage records are open to the public, and you can get a copy of anyone's marriage license. They even have a "Marriage License Public Lookup Portal." The Indiana State Library has resources for older marriages that took place from 1850 and beyond. They also have a database where you can look up marriage records. If you want a marriage certification record, The Indiana State Department of Health Division of Vital Records can help you out. They offer them for $8, and you can get one through the mail by filling out a simple form.
Frequently Asked Questions About Indiana Marriage Records
Are Indiana marriage records public?
Yes. Anyone can get a copy, and The Indiana State Department of Health Division of Vital Records makes it easy to search and find a record of marriages that occurred from 1958 to the present. The Indiana State Library has older records going back to 1850.
What Indiana marriage records are available?
The Indiana State Department of Health Division of Vital Records has marriage records from 1958 to the present. The courts may have older records as does the Indiana State Library.
How long does it take to get a marriage certificate in Indiana?
Getting a copy of a marriage certificate only takes about 10-15 days using the form on The Indiana State Department of Health Division of Vital Records's website.
How much does an Indiana marriage certificate cost?
You can get one for $8 from The Indiana State Department of Health Division of Vital Records. You can also contact the local county health department for copies.
When requesting records, what information do I need?
You will need basic information such as the names of both parties listed on the marriage license. The date of the marriage. The county and city where the marriage took place. You, as the requestor, must also provide your information.
How do I get a copy of an Indiana marriage record?
Use the form on The Indiana State Department of Health Division of Vital Records's website, write a check for $8, and within 10-15 days you will have a copy.
What if I didn't get married in Indiana?
Indiana only handles marriage records that took place in the state. If you need records for a marriage that took place outside of Indiana, contact the courthouse where the marriage was filed.
Who can get a copy of my marriage certificate?
Anyone. Marriage records in Indiana are public records.
How do I correct a marriage certificate in Indiana?
You will need to contact the Clerk of the Court where the marriage was filed to make a correction on any marriage certificates in Indiana.
Indiana Divorce Records
Much like marriages, divorce records are also maintained by the Clerk of the Court where the divorce was granted. Divorce records are not stored online, so there is no way to search for them through the state. There may be third-party alternatives however, to find divorce records online. Instead, you can search mycase.in.gov for marriage records and then visit the Clerk of the Court where the divorce took place. Divorce records are completely open to the public, and you can get a copy of anyone's divorce certificate with a little information and paying the fee.
Frequently Asked Questions About Indiana Divorce Records
Can I find divorce records online in Indiana?
No. There is not a state-sponsored resource that allows you to search and find divorce records online for Indiana. However, there are public record databases online where you can search for Indiana divorce records.
How do I find old divorce records?
You must contact the Clerk of the Court where the divorce was granted.
How do I get a copy of my divorce certificate?
You can contact the courthouse where your divorce was finalized. They will have a form for you to fill out, and you must pay a small fee for a copy.
What information is needed to search for an Indiana divorce record?
You must provide at least some information when you request a copy of a divorce certificate or decree. You will need the names of both parties named in the divorce, the date of divorce, the place of divorce, and additional details that the court requests.
If they can't find my divorce record, can I get a refund?
No, all search fees are non-refundable.
What if my divorce took place outside of Indiana?
If you were not divorced in Indiana, contact the courthouses in the state where you were divorced. They will have a process for getting a copy.
