What Identification Information Is Required
Not just anybody can ask for an Indiana birth certificate from the Indiana Vital Records Division. That’s not just because the document may contain information that the person may not want to divulge to the world it’s also to deter identity theft. But obtaining a copy is not just limited to the person whose birth is recorded in the certificate. Others may also be eligible.
Essentially, birth records in Indiana are provided only on a need-to-know basis. Applicants for an Indiana birth certificate must prove their identity with these documents:
- Primary identification document like a driver license, ID card, U.S. passport, or military or work ID.
- Two secondary identification documents like a verification of employment, a voter registration card or a vehicle registration certificate.
- Two Amish identification documents like school records, Social Security card, marriage certificate or a non-photo ID.
They must also show immediate direct kinship to the person on the certificate or a direct interest in the subject of the report. This could be a financial or legal interest.
How To Get A Copy Of An Indiana Birth Certificate
Indiana offers not one, not two, but four different ways to order a birth certificate through:
- The local health department.
- ISDH Vital Records by phone.
- ISDH Vital Records by mail.
To obtain a copy of a birth certificate from the local health department, go to the one in the county where the birth occurred. Visit the department during business hours and expect to pay a fee.
The Indiana State Department of Health Division of Vital Records offers three ways to apply for a copy of a birth certificate. It is possible to do this online and by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The toll-free number is 866-601-0891. Finally, it’s also possible to order the certificate by mail using Form 49607. Pay with a check or money order.
How To Amend A Birth Certificate
Typos occur, even in birth certificates. Anyone noting a simple error in their own birth certificate or that of their minor child can correct or amend it if the certificate is not at issue in a court case. These might include minor spelling changes, corrections of the day of birth, or a parents place of birth. Documentary evidence should verify the requested changes.
If the father’s name was not included on the birth certificate, paternity affidavits can be filed at the local health department in the jurisdiction where the birth occurred. Indiana law contains a presumption that a woman’s husband is the father of her child. But if the mother and the father of the child are not married at the time of the birth, it is necessary to establish paternity for the father’s name to be included on the birth certificate.
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How To Seal Your Birth Records In Indiana
Following the conclusion of adoption proceedings in Indiana, the pre-adoption birth record, also known as the original birth record, is redacted and inaccessible to the public. An amended birth certificate is issued by the Division of Vital Records at the Indiana State Department of Health to replace the original certificate. The process of sealing the original birth certificate is an automatic one and cannot be undertaken manually. The amended birth certificate is a legal document and can be presented to verify identity. The document also states the adoptive parents as the legal parents of the adoptee.
How To Request An Apostille For An Indianapolis Birth Certificate

If you need to use your birth certificate outside the U.S territory, your document should bear an apostille to grant it legal validity abroad.
This can be obtained by mail. Simply send your official birth certificate, together with the apostille fee to the Secretary of States office in a self-addressed postage-paid envelope. Make sure to have Certificate of Authentication Request at hand. Certain counties may have additional requirements.
Indiana Authentications Unit street address:
Indiana Secretary of State
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Who Is Eligible To Apply For A Birth Certificate
The Government of limits access to birth certificates. Only the following may apply for a copy of a birth file:
- The holder of the certificate himself.
- First-class parents and family members.
- Guardian of the certificate holders.
- Official representative of a court.
- Holder of a federal legal order for a birth certificate.
Keep in mind that your birth certificate in is an important means of identification used for life events for instance employment, obtaining or renewing your passport or drivers license, applying for benefits, and even registering for sports activities at school or youth.
What Is On A Short
A short-form birth certificate is a comprised version of the long-form. It contains the most important information such as names, the date, and place where the birth occurred, but will not include any detailed information, like parents, birth dates, and the exact location where the birth occurred
Each state has its version of short-form birth certificate format, also often referred to as abstracts, because they only provide a fraction of information of the long-form. In some states, they are very similar to the long version and are even considered to be the standard size.
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Who Is Eligible To Apply
Birth records are restricted in Indiana. This means that generally speaking, the public cannot access a personâs full birth certificate because it includes sensitive information.
Individuals eligible to apply for a certified copy of a birth certificate in Indiana include the following:
- The person named on the birth certificate
- The parent, step-parent, or court-appointed legal guardian of the certificateâs subject
- The child, spouse, sibling, aunt or uncle, grandparent or grandchild of the person named on the record. They must be 18 years of age or older
- The legal representative of the certificateâs subject
- An individual or social agency holding a court order that rules on their right to access the certificate
- A social agency holding a signed authorization from the client
- Government agencies on official business who need to access the information in the certificate
Documents proving the aforementioned relationships with the subject of the record must be submitted as part of the Indiana birth certificate application.
Remember that your Indiana birth certificate is an important form of identification used for life events like employment, getting or renewing your passport or driver’s license, applying for benefits, and even enrolling in school or youth sports activities.
How Can I Order My Birth Certificate Online In
Yes, it is possible to order a birth certificate online.
You will receive the certificate by regular mail or express mail, with additional payment.
You can also get a digital copy of the birth certificate, but it will not be acceptable to renew a passport or issue a new passport.
To order a birth verification online, you must provide the following required information:
Can I get my birth certificate at any courthouse in ?
You can get vital records in the county, city, or district where the event occurred. Some offices also provide birth records from anywhere in the state. Available records include Long form birth certificates.
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Can Anyone Get A Copy Of A Birth Certificate In Indiana
Under Indiana law, the following persons can obtain a birth certificate by providing appropriate documentation:
- The person named on the record
- Parents of the person named on the record
- Grandparents of the person named on the record
- Sibling, 18 years or older, of the person named on the record
- Children or grandchildren, 18 years or older, of the person named on the record
- Current spouse of the person named on the record
- Aunt or uncle of the person named on the record
- Step-parent of the person named on the record
- Court-appointed legal guardian
- The attorney representing the person named on the record
- An authorized social agency
- State and federal agencies
Indiana allows anyone to make genealogy requests however, the individual named on the record must be over 75 years old and deceased. Any requester making such a request must show proof of death.
What Is A Certificate Of Live Birth
Once a baby is born both a Certificate of Live Birth, is issued. The Certificate of Live Birth is an document which serves is primarily for data entry purposes, and cannot be used as a replacement for a birth certificate.
The Certificate of Live Birth documents that a birth took place and that a human being has entered the world. It includes:
- The baby’s name
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What Types Of Certificates Are Available
Anyone ordering a copy of an Indiana birth certificate must choose between two certified birth certificate options: standard/short form or long form birth record.
A long-form certificate, or “official” certificate, typically has all of the information that the original birth certificate contains. A short-form birth certificate includes most of the information that is found on a long-form birth certificate, but has fewer details about the parents and doesn’t contain their signatures.
Which type of certificate to get depends on the purpose. Anyone starting an adoption process, applying for dual citizenship, or applying for a U.S. passport will need the long-form Indiana certificate.
How To Unseal Your Birth Records In Indiana

Effective July 1, 2018, Indiana law allows adoptees to access their adoption records including erstwhile sealed original birth certificates through the Indiana State Department of Health. Senate Enrolled Act 91, signed in 2016, unseals pre-adoption records unless the biological parent files a nondisclosure form with the state Department of Health.
Eligible persons must register with the Indiana Adoption Matching Registry before accessing sealed files. Eligible persons include adult adoptees, adoptive parents, birth parents, and birth siblings. Appropriate proof of relationship is required if a spouse, relative of a deceased adoptee, or deceased birth parent intends to obtain a sealed birth record. Note that an individual must be 18 years or older to register on the Indiana Adoption Matching Registry. However, the individual seeking the birth record must be 21 years old to obtain a sealed birth certificate.
Indiana State Department of HealthATTN: Indiana Matching Registry Vital Records2 N. Meridian StreetIndianapolis, IN 46204
All requests are reviewed and processed as quickly as possible depending on the volume of requests. Requested records may take up to six months from the date the forms and ID were received to return.
Adoption records including original birth certificates for adoptions that occurred after 1994 in Indiana are open records unless the birth parents filed non-disclosure forms with the ISDH to keep them closed.
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How To Get Indiana Birth Records In Person
The Indiana State Department of Health does not provide walk-in service for requesters looking to obtain a birth record. However, birth records can be obtained by visiting the County Health Department where the births occurred. County office locations in Indiana are available on the ISDH website. Call the local offices ahead for individual walk-in hours and any other specific requirements.
About Vital Records From Indiana State Dept Of Health
INDIANA VITAL RECORDS The Indiana Division of Vital Records issues certified copies of Indiana birth certificates and Indiana death certificates for events that occurred within the State of Indiana. You may order copies of Indiana vital records through VitalChek on an expedited basis.
Note – Indiana marriage records and Indiana divorce records are maintained in the city/county where the marriage or divorce occurred.
NOTICE
Although VitalChek attempts to include accurate and up-to-date information on this site, state and agency information is subject to change without notice. VitalChek makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the information herein and assumes no liability with respect to such information.
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The Office Of Vital Statistics Only Issues Birth Certificates To Persons Who Establish Themselves As The Subject Of The Birth Record The Subjects Parent Legal Guardian Legal Representative Spouse Child Grandchild Or Sibling If Of Legal Age
To request a birth certificate, you must provide the following:
- The full name as it appears on the birth record, the date of birth, the mothers full maiden name, and the fathers full name
- Proof of identity in the form of photo identification such as a photo drivers license or passport. If you do not have a photo drivers license or passport, you must provide two alternate forms of identification
- A current, valid drivers license without photo and one alternate form of ID.
- Two alternate forms of ID.
Alternate forms of ID are:
- Vehicle registration
- Vehicle Insurance Card Voter Registration
- US/Foreign Passport
- Permanent Resident Card
- Federal, State and County ID
How To Get A Certified Birth Certificate In Indianapolis
To order an authorized copy of an Indianapolis birth certificate:
- Fill out the birth certificate application with the required information
- Print and sign it
- Mail it to the Indiana vital records office with the necessary requirements, a prepaid self-addressed envelope, and payment
Your certified copy will be issued and sent by mail to the address printed on your self-addressed postage-paid envelope.
Copies of a Indianapolis Birth and Death Certificates may be ordered by mailing your application package to the following address:
Indiana State Department of Health6 West Washington St.Indianapolis, IN 46204
Alternatively, Indianapolis citizens born in can also order a certified copy of their birth certificate at the Indianapolis Clerks Office.
Citizens of the rest of Marion County who prefer to submit their birth certificate application in person, may do so at the following address during walk-in hours.
Hasbrook Building, 1st. floor 3838 North Rural St.Indianapolis, IN 46205-2930
Please note that as of May 3rd, 2023, U.S. citizens and residents must have a REAL ID-compliant driving license or ID card to enter federal facilities and board commercial aircrafts. Requirements to obtain a REAL ID may include proof of identity, such as a certified copy of the birth certificate.
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Apply For A Birth Certificate
Birth records in the IDOH Vital Records office begin with October 1907. Prior to October 1907, records of birth are filed only with the local health department in the county where the birth actually occurred.
Fees are established by law . Each search for a record costs $10.00. The fee is non-refundable. Included in one search is a five-year period the reported year of birth and, if the record is not found in that year, the two years before and after. One certified copy of the record, if found, is included with the search fee. Additional copies of the same record purchased at the same time are $4.00 each. Amendments made to the record are an additional $8.00.
Please see our for a complete listing of costs associated with Vital Records.
There are four ways to order a birth certificate:
Short Form Birth Certificate Format
A short-form birth certificate contains almost all of the important information that is on a long-form birth certificate except it may not have signatures or detailed parents information on it depending on the state location.
With a birth certificate, you can use it for several purposes, for example, renew a drivers license registry at school, proves your American citizenship, proves your identity.
To see if your state accepts a short-form birth certificate as proof of identity or citizenship, you can contact your local governing body such as city hall.
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How To Get A Certified Birth Certificate In Marion County
To order an authorized copy of a Marion County birth certificate:
- Fill out the birth certificate application with the required information
- Print and sign it
- Mail it to the Indiana vital records office with the necessary requirements, a prepaid self-addressed envelope, and payment
Your certified copy will be issued and sent by mail to the address printed on your self-addressed postage-paid envelope.
Copies of a Marion County Birth and Death Certificates may be ordered by mailing your application package to the following address:
Indiana State Department of Health6 West Washington St.Indianapolis, IN 46204
Citizens of the rest of Marion County who prefer to submit their birth certificate application in person, may do so at the following address during walk-in hours.
Hasbrook Building, 1st. floor 3838 North Rural St.Indianapolis, IN 46205-2930
Please note that as of October 1st, 2020, U.S. citizens and residents must have a REAL ID-compliant driving license or ID card to enter federal facilities and board commercial aircrafts. Requirements to obtain a REAL ID may include proof of identity, such as a certified copy of the birth certificate.
Indianapolis Birth Certificate Processing Times

In most cases, your Indianapolis birth certificate order will be filled within 6-8 weeks. However, some vital records may take longer due to peak demand periods.
You will then receive your certified copy of the Indianapolis, Indiana birth certificate by post, delivered right to your door.Once you have mailed the application, along with a copy of a photo ID and the fees, the vital records office will process your request.
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