State Vital Records in Indiana
The Indiana Department of Health - Division of Vital Records issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in Indiana. Executors and surviving family order certified copies to close accounts, file insurance claims, and transfer titles; the office sets the fees, eligibility rules, and processing times.
Administering agency
Indiana Department of Health - Division of Vital Records
State Vital Records in Indiana: key facts
- Administering office
- Indiana Department of Health - Division of Vital Records.
- Contact
- Phone 866-601-0891.
- Certificate fee
- $8 for the first certified copy; $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
- Processing time
- 60 days.
- Who may order
- Person with a direct interest in the record (family, beneficiaries, legal representatives).
- Filing deadline
- The death certificate must be filed within 5 days. Indiana files the certificate through the Indiana death registration system in three 5-day steps rather than setting one filing cutoff: the party who initiates the record submits it to the certifying physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse within 5 days of the death, that clinician certifies the cause within 5 days, and the local health officer reports to the state within 5 days (IC 16-37-1-3.1(e)).
- Public record
- Death records are public immediately.
- Records available from
- 1900. Prior to 1900, contact local health department in county where death occurred.
Steps to take when someone dies
- Confirm the death occurred in Indiana — the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
- Order certified copies through any of the office's channels:
- Online: Order through VitalChek - only IDOH authorized vendor
- By phone: Call toll-free 866-601-0891 (24/7) with credit card
- By mail: Mail State Form 49606 with payment
- In person: Visit Local Health Department where death occurred (no walk-in at state office)
- Include what the office requires with the order:
- Proper identification per 410 IAC 18-4-2
- Allow the office's processing time (60 days).
Indiana Department of Health - Division of Vital Records
Phone: 866-601-0891
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
by phone: Call toll-free 866-601-0891 (24/7) with credit card. by mail: Mail State Form 49606 with payment. in person: Visit Local Health Department where death occurred (no walk-in at state office).
The death certificate must be filed within 5 days. Indiana files the certificate through the Indiana death registration system in three 5-day steps rather than setting one filing cutoff: the party who initiates the record submits it to the certifying physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse within 5 days of the death, that clinician certifies the cause within 5 days, and the local health officer reports to the state within 5 days (IC 16-37-1-3.1(e)). The funeral director or person in charge of disposition files the certificate with the state; the family orders certified copies once the record is registered.
Proper identification per 410 IAC 18-4-2. The office also asks for the deceased's full name, date of death, and place of death to locate the record.
The record belongs to the state where the death occurred, not the state of residence. Order from the state of death, following its fees and eligibility rules.
Sources
Data sourced from State Vital Records in Indiana primary sources (1 page reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Indiana Department of Health - Division of Vital Records