Indiana Vital Records: Difference between revisions

== Introduction to Vital Records   ==

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Indiana's vital records start the following years:  

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== Indiana Birth, Marriage, and Death Indexes and Records Online  ==

The following is a list of online resources useful for locating Indiana Vital Records which consist of [[United States Birth Records|births]],&nbsp; [[United States Marriage Records|marriages]], divorces, and [[United States Death Records|deaths]]. Most online resources for Indiana Vital Records are indexes. After locating a person in an index always consult the original record to [[Contradictions and discrepancies|confirm the information]] in the index. '''<br>'''  

== Birth Records  ==

In 1907, the state of Indiana passed a law requiring all counties to register their births with the Indiana State Board of Health. Compliance was not complete until after 1920.  

To obtain a copy of the birth record, contact the [http://www.in.gov/isdh/20422.htm county health department] the child was born in.&nbsp; The&nbsp;[http://www.in.gov/isdh/20422.htm county health&nbsp;departments]&nbsp;are often faster and more affordable than the Indiana State Department of Health.&nbsp;&nbsp;Birth records&nbsp;from the Indiana State Department of Health can only be&nbsp;ordered through [https://www.vitalchek.com/ VitalChek.com] and you must know the date and city of birth.  

=== Birth Indexes  ===

*[http://www.in.gov/library/countyrecords.htm Indiana State Library]  

*[[Ordering Microfilm or Microfiche from a Family History Center|Family History Centers]]

*[http://www.in.gov/library/countyrecords.htm Indiana State Library] <br>

''Pre-1882 Indiana Births from Secondary Sources,'' Vols. I and II (Fort Wayne, Ind.: Heritage Pathways, Inc. 1999). Each volume includes approximately 10,0000 entries for births that took place in Indiana prior to the advent of civil birth records. This data was taken from a variety of sources, including family Bible records, Civil War pension files, private family files and genealogical periodicals. {{FHL|835084|item}} For a copy nearest you, search [http://www.worldcat.org/title/pre-1882-indiana-births-from-secondary-sources/oclc/49320094 WorldCat.org]  

Delayed registrations of births are found in the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office&nbsp;in the county where the applicant was living at the time of registration - not the county of birth.&nbsp; Registrations began in July 1941, and although the law is still in effect, most registrations occurred in the 1940s. They may contain information on births that occurred as early as the 1870s. Certificates for births that were originally not recorded were granted after a petition was filed with the court. These registrations may also contain births of people born outside of the county and even those outside of the U.S. Contact the clerk in the county they were living in 1941 for copies.  

== Marriage Records  ==

Original marriage records can be obtained from the [http://www.indgensoc.org/counties.php county courthouse] in the county the marriage took place.&nbsp; Marriages after 1958 were also registered with the Indiana State Department of Health but must be obtained using [http://vitalchek.com VitalChek.com].  

=== Marriage Record Indexes  ===

Published marriage record indexes are available for most Indiana counties from the earliest marriages to the early or mid-1900s and sometimes beyond. Many of these were compiled by the Works Progress Administration and cover marriages from&nbsp;county formation to 1920.&nbsp;They are arranged alphabetically by the name of the bride or groom and include name&nbsp;of spouse,&nbsp;color, date of marriage and for marriages after 1905, sometimes date of birth. These indexes reference the book and page number of the marriage ledger in the county courthouse where the original record may be found. For some counties, there is an additional supplemental marriage index that includes information from the longer marriage application form&nbsp;that was&nbsp;used toward the end of the 19th century.&nbsp;Besides the individual's name, information in the supplemental index may include father’s given name, mother’s maiden name, gender, color, age at next birthday, date of marriage, and&nbsp;courthouse book and page number. The spouse's name is not listed in these supplemental indexes.  

Death records began in a few Indiana cities as early as the 1870s, but the first law requiring county registration of&nbsp;death was passed in 1882.&nbsp;&nbsp;In 1900, all deaths were to be registered with the state.&nbsp; Compliance with the law varied until 1920&nbsp;and&nbsp;deaths&nbsp;that occurred were now always&nbsp;recorded.&nbsp;To obtain a copy of the birth record, contact the [http://www.in.gov/isdh/20422.htm] the child was born in.&nbsp; The&nbsp;[http://www.in.gov/isdh/20422.htm county health&nbsp;departments]&nbsp;are often faster and more affordable than the Indiana State Department of Health.&nbsp;&nbsp;Birth records&nbsp;from the Indiana State Department of Health can only be&nbsp;ordered through [https://www.vitalchek.com/ VitalCheck.com] and you must know the date and city of birth.  

== Divorce Records  ==

Divorces were first authorized by legislation in the Northwest Territory in 1795. They were granted through the General Court or Circuit Court. Generally this legislation remained in effect through Indiana’s territorial period (1800–1816), and courts having civil jurisdiction also heard divorce cases. In 1807 the territorial General Assembly also had power to grant divorces; in 1811 they passed two acts granting divorces. From 1817 to 1852 the Circuit Court in each county had jurisdiction over divorces, and the Indiana General Assembly could also grant divorces,through special legislation. These early&nbsp;divorces have been abstracted:  

The Court of Common Pleas in each county could grant divorces concurrently with its Circuit Court from 1853 to 1873. As Superior courts were established in various counties, they have had concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Court. Divorces were entered in the appropriate court’s Order Book, and these books are being microfilmed through 1920 by the [[Introduction to the Family History Library Catalog|Family History Library]]. Original pleadings remain as they survive in each county. They may show the date of marriage, children, residencies and other helpful information.  

The [[Introduction to the Family History Library Catalog|Family History Library]] has some divorce records for Indiana. If they are on microfilm/fiche, they can be loaned to your local [[Introduction to LDS Family History Centers|Family&nbsp;History Center]]. Using the Place Search of the [https://beta.familysearch.org/#form=catalog Family History Library Catalog], type in the county, then click on the topic: Divorce Records.  

There are two different laws for an adult adoptee obtaining information about their birth parents.  

For more information: [http://www.in.gov/isdh/20371.htm Indiana State Department of Health].  

To&nbsp;obtain&nbsp;identifying information,&nbsp;including location of any pre-adoptive siblings of adoptee, from the Indiana State Register at the Indiana State Department&nbsp;of Health, the&nbsp;adult adoptee (age 21 or over) or the adoptive parents of an adoptee who is under age 21 must send in&nbsp;a written request, along with signature identification.&nbsp; The following agencies must release information unless a birth parents has filed a written non-release form with the State Registrar: Indiana State Registrar at the Indiana State Department of Health. The Indiana State Registrar, the FSSA, county division of family and children, child placement agencies, health care providers, adoption attorneys, and associated courts.  

== References:  ==

You can learn more about the history, contents, and availability of Indiana state and county birth, marriage, and death records in:  

{{Indiana|Indiana}}  

[[Category:Indiana|Vital]] [[Category:Record_Types_of_the_United_States]] [[Category:United_States_Vital_Records]]