Indiana was the 19th state to join the United States in 1816 though they incorporated as a territory in 1800. There was also quite a lot of history in Indiana from the Civil War as they fought on the side of the Union. With all of this history, Indiana is a good state to be researching one's family.
It will be somewhat easier to locate and acquire Indiana death records, compared to their birth records, as they cease to be private once they are 75 years old. At that time, they become part of public record and anyone may access them, regardless of their relationship to the deceased.
The state began requiring death registrations in 1900, so that is the earliest year you will be able to find. County records or archive indexes may have more information going back to 1882 but that will require a less central search on your part. More details below.
If you are looking for a death record that is more recent than 75 years, then you have to be a close relative of the deceased. That includes aunts and uncles as well as the usual parents, spouses and siblings. When you apply for the record, you will have to provide proof of that relationship along with the forms. A photocopy of your ID is necessary.
Application forms for Indiana death records can be downloaded from the health department website (https://forms.in.gov/Download.aspx?id=5621), and once completed it should be mailed to Vital Records, Indiana State Department of Health, PO Box 7125, Indianapolis IN, 46206-7125 USA. With the forms, you need to include the above mentioned ID for yourself if necessary, as well as a check or money order to cover the search fees.
And the fee for a death certificate is $8 USD, in either check or money order. It needs to be made out to the Indiana State Department of Health. When no record is uncovered, you don't get a refund. Just a statement that no file was found. Fees periodically change, so double-check the current amount on the form before submitting. You can get extra copies for a lower price, and you can also order rush shipping if you wish to pay a little more. It will generally take 3 to 4 weeks for processing, once they have your forms.
If you are searching for an Indiana death record that is older than 1900, there are other resources you can use. You can check the Indiana State Library website for a full list of the county registrar offices (http://www.in.gov/library/countyrecords.htm) and from there, find what indexes these offices have available at the library. You can't actually search online, only find what years and where they reside in the library. The library is at 315 West Ohio Street in Indianapolis.
Depending on the specific index, you can even find name of the deceased, date of death, age at time of death, and place of death. This may be just as important as actually getting an official copy of the Indiana death record from the state office.
How To Request Indiana Death Certificates:
Step 1.
If you have determined that you are eligible to request an Indiana death record, you will need to fill out the application for an Indiana Death Certificate to take with you or to mail.
Step 2.
You will also need to include proof of your identity. For direct relatives (parents, siblings, and adult children), a copy of your photo ID is generally sufficient. A complete list of needed and approved documents can be found on Department of Health's website.
Step 3.
Return the completed application and proof of identity to the Vital Records Office. You will also need to include a check or money order in the amount of $8 to cover all fees.
For questions regarding accessing Indiana death records, you should contact the Department of Health:
Indiana Department of Health
Vital Records
P. O. Box 7125
Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-7125
(317) 233-1325
How You Can Access Indiana Death Records
After the death of a loved one, Indiana death records become a necessity in order to make all of the final arrangements and tie up any loose ends with the insurances, lawyers, and other interested parties. Because Indiana death records are considered confidential, you must follow a strict procedure in order to gain access.
Ways That You Can Order Indiana Death Records
For your convenience, there are multiple ways that you can request Indiana death records. The two easiest ways are to apply in person or to complete an application and apply by mail. Records are also available by phone from an independent company, but there is an additional fee for this service.
Only Authorized Access
Because Indiana death records are considered private information, access to these records is limited. In order to access a record, you will be asked to prove your relations to the person. Only immediate relatives will be allowed access. All other requestors of information will have to prove a direct legal need to it.
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