How to Find Indiana Death Records

United States

U.S. Vital Records

How to Find U.S. Death Records

Indiana Vital Records

How to Find Indiana Death Records

Indiana became a state on 11 December 1816. Death records were recorded by the county health office beginning in 1882, where they remained before mandatory recording with the state board of health began in January 1900.

Next Step: When did the death occur?	Death Records Choose a time period: Before 1882 1882 thru 1900 1900 thru 1920 After 1920 to the present Death year unknown

Learn more about U.S. Death Records Deaths before 1882 Before 1882, no deaths were recorded by the county or state. For deaths that occurred before 1882, try the following database. Indiana Deaths Pre-1882 Database - Includes Index only Pre-1882 Indiana Deaths Database at Allen County Public Library Free; compiled database of pre-1882 death date data for Indiana individuals from various publishes sources. If the death was not found in the above database, you must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s death date and place. Records that give death information: Cemetery Records Newspapers Probate (wills, etc) Tax Records Church Records Census Bible Records Return to top: Choose another death year Deaths from 1882 thru 1900 From 1882 to 1900, Indiana records of death are filed only with the local health department in the county where the death actually occurred. For deaths that exist during the time period, try the following databases. Indiana Deaths Databases - Includes Index Only Try 1st: 1882-1920 - At FamilySearch.org Free; index of deaths from the Indiana State Board of Health, Division of Vital Records in Indianapolis Indiana Deaths and Burials, 1750-1993, index. Free Ancestry Database - Note: Only 67 of 92 counties were indexed by the Indiana Works Projects Administration. Choose one of the following: 1882-1920 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center 1882-1920 - use your Ancestry subscription $, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library Can't access Ancestry? Contact the county where you think the death occurred to request a search. To obtain a copy of a death record found in one of the indexes above: Contact the county where the death occurred. Can't find your ancestor in the online index? Tips for searching online indexes No death record for your ancestor? Other records with death information Return to top: Choose another death year Deaths from 1900 thru 1920 Death records in the Indiana State Department of Health Vital Records office begin with 1900. For deaths occurring from 1900 to 1917, the city and/or county of death is required in order to locate the record. STEP ONE: Find Death Information For deaths that exist during this time period, try the following databases. Try each link. Indiana Deaths Databases - Includes Index Only 1882-1920 - At FamilySearch.org Free; index of deaths from the Indiana State Board of Health, Division of Vital Records in Indianapolis Ancestry Database - Note: Only 67 of 92 counties were indexed by the Indiana Works Projects Administration. Choose one of the following: 1882-1920 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center 1882-1920 - use your Ancestry subscription $, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library Can't access Ancestry? Go to Step Two Part B listed below. You may be able to order the death record for your ancestor from the Indiana State Department of Health. Can't find your ancestor in the online index? Tips for searching online indexes No death record for your ancestor? Other records with death information STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate PART A: You know the exact date of death If the image was not included in the index entry above, you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations: To Order Death Certificates From County of Death From IN Dept. of Health State office Pros Cons Pros Cons May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state County websites can be more difficult to use Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee May be more expensive than ordering from the county See list of restrictions for ordering death records If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information. PART B: You don't know the exact date of death If you do not know the exact date or place of death: The Indiana Department of Health will do a 5 year search, included in the cost of the copy. See list of restrictions for ordering death records If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information. Return to top: Choose another death year Deaths after 1920 NOTE: If you are not a direct relative of the person named on the certificate, the date of death must be more than 75 years ago in order to obtain a death certificate for genealogical purposes. See list of restrictions for ordering death records. PART A: You know the exact date of death With an exact date (from your records), you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations: To Order Death Certificates From County of Death From IN Dept. of Health State office Pros Cons Pros Cons May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state County websites can be more difficult to use Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee May be more expensive than ordering from the county See list of restrictions for ordering death records If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information. PART B: You don't know the exact date of death Try: United States Social Security Death Index. U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 ($) U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, Incomplete ($). 1937 to present at Genealogy Bank Free; most current version; few records before 1962; gives place where the last benefit was sent Or try: Order a 5 year search from IN Dept. of Health Office ($); Scroll down to "To apply for a death certificate by mail..." Don't want to order the death record? Search other records with death information Return to top: Choose another death year Restrictions for Obtaining Death Records Restrictions for ordering death certificates from the state of Indiana: To obtain a copy of the death certificate, you must be one of the following and provide proof of relationship: The parent or grandparent of the person on the certificate The spouse of the person on the certificate The child or grandchild of the person on the certificate The sibling of the person on the certificate The aunt or uncle of the person on the certificate The niece or nephew of the person on the certificate Funeral director NOTE: If you are not one of the above, a copy of the death record may be obtained for genealogical purposes only if the death occurred more than 75 years ago. If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information. Return to top: Choose another death year Related Wiki Articles Learn more about U.S. death records How to find U.S. birth records How to find U.S. marriage records How to Find U.S. death Records United States Record Finder U.S. Vital Records Overview United States Vital Records Locating United States Vital Records United States Birth Records United States Marriage Records Web: Indiana, Marion Public Library Death Index, 1812 - 2011 ($)