How to Get a Death Certificate in Indiana

Where to order a death certificate in Indiana

Indiana death certificates are issued by the Indiana State Department of Health, Vital Records Section. You cannot order directly from a funeral home, hospital, or county office — you must go through the state. The Vital Records Section is located in Indianapolis, but you can order by mail, phone, fax, or in person without traveling there.

The mailing address is: Indiana State Department of Health, Vital Records Section, 2 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204. The phone number is 317-233-7612. You can also fax requests to 317-233-7612 or visit in person during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time.

Processing time varies by method. In-person requests are usually completed the same day. Mail requests typically take 5 to 10 business days. Phone and fax requests may take longer depending on how busy the office is. If you need the certificate urgently, in-person pickup is the fastest option.

Key Takeaways

• Indiana death certificates come only from the state Vital Records Section in Indianapolis, not from county offices or funeral homes.
• You will need the full name of the deceased, date of death, and the county where death occurred to place an order.
• Certified copies cost $20 each; uncertified copies cost $6 each, and most institutions require certified copies.
• In-person orders at the Indianapolis office are completed the same day, while mail orders take 5 to 10 business days.
• You do not need to be a family member to order a death certificate, but the state may ask you to explain your relationship to the deceased.

What information you need to provide

When you order, have the following details ready: the full legal name of the deceased, the date of death, the county where death occurred, and the full name of the person requesting the certificate. If you do not know the exact date of death, provide the month and year — the office can search a wider range.

If the deceased was born outside Indiana, that information helps the office locate the record faster, but it is not required. The same applies if you know the maiden name of a female deceased person. The more details you provide, the quicker the search, especially if the name is common.

Certified versus uncertified copies and cost

Indiana offers two types of copies: certified and uncertified. A certified copy bears the state seal and signature of the registrar and is accepted by banks, insurance companies, courts, and government agencies. An uncertified copy is a plain photocopy with no seal and is not accepted for official purposes.

Certified copies cost $20 each. Uncertified copies cost $6 each. Most institutions — insurance companies, Social Security, probate courts, employers — require certified copies. Order at least three to five certified copies, because you will likely need them for multiple purposes and reordering later costs the same amount per copy.

Payment methods include cash, check, money order, or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover). If you order by mail, include payment with your request. If you order by phone, you can pay by credit card. In-person orders accept all methods.

How to order by mail

Write a letter or use the state's order form (available on the Indiana State Department of Health website). Include the full name of the deceased, date of death, county of death, your full name, your relationship to the deceased, the number of certified copies you want, and your mailing address. Sign and date the letter.

Enclose payment by check or money order made payable to "Indiana State Department of Health." Mail everything to: Indiana State Department of Health, Vital Records Section, 2 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Keep a copy of your request for your records.

Mail orders take 5 to 10 business days from the time the office receives your letter. If you are mailing from out of state, add 3 to 5 days for postal delivery. The office will mail the certificates to the address you provide.

How to order by phone or fax

Call 317-233-7612 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time). Have your credit card ready. Provide the deceased's full name, date of death, county of death, your name, your relationship to the deceased, and the number of copies you want. The office will process payment over the phone and mail the certificates to you.

To fax a request, write the same information you would include in a mail order and fax it to 317-233-7612. Include your credit card number and expiration date, or indicate that you will pay by check or money order. Fax requests may take longer to process than phone requests because the office must manually enter the information.

How to order in person

Visit the Vital Records Section at 2 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204, during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time). Bring the deceased's full name, date of death, county of death, and your photo ID. You can pay in cash, check, money order, or credit card.

In-person orders are processed when ready, and you will receive your certificates the same day. This is the fastest method if you are in or near Indianapolis. If you cannot visit in person, ask a family member or trusted person to order on your behalf — they will need to bring a signed letter from you authorizing them to request the certificate.

What to do if the death was recent

If the death occurred within the past few weeks, the record may not yet be filed with the state. Deaths are reported by funeral homes, hospitals, and coroners, but there is a lag between the death and the state receiving the paperwork. If the office cannot find the record, ask them how long it typically takes for deaths in that county to be filed.

In the meantime, the funeral home may be able to provide a temporary document or letter stating that the death occurred and the date. Some institutions will accept this temporarily while you wait for the official certificate. Contact the funeral home directly to ask what they can provide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a family member to order a death certificate?

No. Indiana law allows anyone to order a death certificate. However, the state may ask you to explain your relationship to the deceased or your reason for requesting the certificate. Be prepared to provide that information if asked.

What if I don't know the exact date of death?

Provide the month and year, and the office will search records within that timeframe. If you know the county, that narrows the search further. The office can usually locate the record with just the name and approximate date.

Can I order a death certificate for someone who died in Indiana but was not an Indiana resident?

Yes. Indiana records deaths that occur within the state, regardless of where the person lived. Order from the Vital Records Section using the county where death occurred.

How many copies should I order?

Order at least three to five certified copies. You will likely need them for insurance claims, Social Security, probate court, bank accounts, and other purposes. Reordering later costs the same per copy, so it is more efficient to order multiple copies at once.

What if the name on the death certificate is different from what I expected?

Contact the Vital Records Section to discuss the discrepancy. If there is an error on the certificate, you can request a correction. The process varies depending on the type of error and when it was discovered. The office can explain your options.