Indiana Birth Records

Indiana began keeping records of births in October 1907, marking the establishment of a uniform process for recording births across the state. Indiana birth records are the official documents that record the details of every birth occurring in the state. Birth records serve as a foundational source of identity and are essential for various legal and personal purposes.

Indiana offers two main types of certified birth certificates, the Long-form Birth Certificate and the Standard Birth Certificate. The long-form birth certificate provides a comprehensive view of an individual's birth, ideal for all legal purposes. It includes detailed information about the birth, such as the full names of the registrant, date and place of birth, location of birth, attending physician information, and parents' information. The long-form birth certificate is ideal when you need to present a more detailed record, such as when applying for a passport or legal proceedings.

The Standard Birth Certificate is a summary version that includes essential information, such as the child's full name, date of birth, and gender. It excludes the more detailed parental and other additional information found on the long-form birth certificate. The short-form birth record is a certified birth record used when basic proof of birth is sufficient, such as for school enrollment.

Birth records in Indiana may also be authorized or informational copies. An authorized copy of a birth record is the official legal version of your birth certificate. They bear an embossed seal, have a unique serial number, and are signed by the issuing authority. Authorized birth records are required for legal purposes. The informational copy of a birth record contains the details found in the authorized birth record. However, it lacks the official seal and other security features of the authorized birth record, making it not valid for legal or official use.

How To Order an Indiana Birth Certificate?

Birth records for individuals born since October 1907 are available at the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) - Division of Vital Records. To order birth records, download and complete the Application for Search and Certified Copy of Birth Record form. Certified copies of birth records cost $10.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for additional copies. Mail the completed form, a copy of the government-issued ID, and the fees to:

If you need the birth certificate faster or you are searching for birth records before October 1907, you can order the birth record through your local health department where the birth occurred. Depending on the local health department, you can request birth certificates online, by mail, or in person.

Most local health departments provide a downloadable form on their website. You may also walk into their office to obtain the form. Birth certificates ordered from your local health department must be accompanied by a valid government-issued ID and the fees. The fees vary per county. Expect to pay between $10.00 - $15.00 to order a copy of a certified birth record.

Very old birth certificates, typically from before October 1907, are also accessible at the Indiana State Archives.

Are Birth Records Public in Indiana?

Birth records are not public records in Indiana. Unlike some public birth records that anyone can request, Indiana birth certificates are considered confidential, meaning only specific, authorized individuals can access birth records. The state puts these restrictions in place to protect sensitive information and help safeguard individuals against identity theft and fraud while ensuring their privacy.

Who Can Order A Birth Certificate in Indiana?

Access to birth records in Indiana is restricted. Per state law, only persons with a direct, legal interest in the records are allowed to order a certified copy. These eligible individuals include:

• The individual named on the certificate
• Parents listed on the birth record
• Court-appointed legal guardians
• Immediate family members, such as adult children, siblings, grandparents, spouses, grandchildren, aunt or uncle
• The attorney representing the individual named on the record
• Step-parent
• Persons with a court order

How Long Does it Take to Get an Indiana Birth Certificate?

Birth certificates ordered at the IDOH Division of Vital Records have a processing time of 2 - 3 weeks if ordering the Standard-Form Birth Certificate and 6 - 8 weeks if obtaining the Long-Form Birth Certificates.

Processing times vary at the local health departments across the state. Expect to wait 2- 3 weeks for the birth record to be mailed to you. In some counties, you may be able to request same-day or next-day processing when you apply in person.

Where Can I Find Indiana Birth Records for Free?

Obtaining a certified copy of an Indiana birth record typically requires proof of eligibility and a fee. If you are a non-eligible individual, there are several free, non-governmental sources where you can access informational copies of birth records for free for your research and genealogical purposes.

The National Vital Records Archives maintains historical vital records from across the United States, including Indiana. You may use their search tool to locate older digitized Indiana birth records.

FamilySearch.org provides an extensive collection of digitized birth records, transcriptions, and indexes from Indiana for free. You can create an account and search for Indiana birth records using their advanced search features. Similarly, Ancestry.com offers a robust database of historical records free of cost. The platform is ideal for genealogical researchers.

Trusted third-party platforms like PublicRecords.usaggregate public record data from multiple sources and make them accessible online. They provide informational copies of both old and current birth records and are a great resource to commence your free birth record search.

When Would I Need My Indiana Birth Records?

Birth records issued by the state serve as primary proof of your identity, citizenship, and age. Generally, your Indiana birth certificate becomes useful in the following situations:

• Applying for a passport or driver's license
• School enrollment and educational purposes
• Obtaining government benefits and social security
• Immigration and citizenship applications
• Employment verification
• Legal matters, including marriage, divorce, and inheritance
• Conduct a legal name change

How Much is A Replacement Birth Certificate in Indiana?

If your birth certificate is misplaced, missing, stolen, damaged, or destroyed, you can have it replaced. Replacing your birth certificate follows the same process as ordering a certified copy of your birth records.

To replace your birth certificate in Indiana, download the Application for Certified Copy of Birth Record from the IDOH Division of Vital Records website. If you were born before October 1907, you may contact the city or town where the birth occurred or the State's Archives to replace the birth record.

Provide a valid government-issued photo ID. If ordering the replacement on behalf of the record holder, notarize the application form. Mail the application to the IDOH Division of Vital Records. It costs $10.00 to replace your birth certificate.

When Can the Public Access Indiana Birth Certificates?

Indiana birth certificates are confidential documents and are not available to the general public for inspection, viewing, or copying. Unlike some states where birth records are eventually released to the public after a certain number of years, Indiana maintains strict privacy protection for birth records. To this end, no provision under Indiana law automatically makes birth certificates public.

How To Correct an Error on an Indiana Birth Certificate?

Correcting errors on your birth record ensures that your official record reflects your true identity. You can correct misspellings, errors in your personal information, omissions, and minor discrepancies on your birth record. You may also update your birth record to reflect a legal name change. However, a legal name change requires a court order.

All requests for correcting birth certificates must include documentary evidence, such as hospital records, school records, marriage licenses, or court orders supporting the change. To amend errors on your birth certificate, contact the IDOH Division of Vital Records at (317) 233-2700. The office will guide you on the appropriate personnel to contact to effect the correction on your birth certificate.

Does Indiana Provide Non-binary Birth Certificates?

Indiana does not issue non-binary or gender-neutral birth certificates. The standard birth certificate in Indiana reflects the sex assigned at birth, Male or Female. The state does not provide an option for a non-binary or gender-neutral marker denied as "X". Similarly, you cannot amend your birth record to reflect the non-binary designation in Indiana.