How to Find Indiana Birth Records

How to Find United States Births Indiana Births

Indiana was created in 1816. In 1881 law required the counties to record births. Statewide registration of births began in 1907. Indiana, generally complied by 1920. The counties have copies of these records.

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Next Step: When did the birth occur?

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 * Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's birth record:


 * Births Before 1816
 * Births From 1816 thru 1881
 *  Birth From 1881-1907
 *  Births from October 1907 thru 1920
 * Births from 1920 to the Present
 * I don't know when the birth is


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Births before 1816
Before 1816, no births were recorded by the county or state. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place.

Return to top: Choose another birth year

Births from 1816 thru 1881
In 1816, Indiana was created a state from Indian Lands and Indiana Territory. In 1816 there were thirty-seven counties by 1881 there were ninety-two counties. If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for birth information in other records.


 * 1881 - Indiana law required counties to record births
 * 1850-1920 Heritage Quest Birth Index

Return to top: Choose another birth year

Births from 1881-1907
Statewide registration of births began in 1907. Prior to October 1907, records of birth are filed only with the local health department in the county where the birth occurred.


 * 1881 - Indiana law required counties to record births.

For births that exist during the time period, try the following databases.

Search for birth information in other records. Return to top: Choose another birth year

STEP ONE: Find Birth Information
If you do not find your ancestor's birth or if you want order a copy of the certificate, then contact the Indiana Department of Health office.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the following locations:

If you do not know the exact date or place of birth:

Restrictions for persons born within the last 100 years: To obtain a copy of the birth certificate for those born within the last 100 years, you must be:


 * The person on the certificate
 * The parents and grandparents of person on the certificate
 * The wife or husband of the person on the certificate
 * The children and grandchildren of the person on the certificate
 * The brothers or sisters of the person on the certificate
 * Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate
 * NOTE: A copy of the birth record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 100 years have passed from the date of the birth.

'''If you do not want to order the birth record, there are other records with birth information you can search. ''' Return to top: Choose another birth year

Births from 1920 to the Present
If you do not find your ancestor's birth or if you want order a copy of the certificate, then contact the Indiana State Department of Health.

Obtain the Certificate
With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the following locations:

If you do not know the exact date or place of birth:

Restrictions for persons born within the last 100 years: To obtain a copy of the birth certificate for those born within the last 100 years, you must be:


 * The person on the certificate
 * The parents and grandparents of person on the certificate
 * The wife or husband of the person on the certificate
 * The children and grandchildren of the person on the certificate
 * The brothers or sisters of the person on the certificate
 * Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate
 * NOTE: A copy of the birth record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 100 years have passed from the date of the birth.

If you do not want to order the birth record, there are other records with birth information you can search.  Return to top: Choose another birth year

Related Wiki Articles

 * Indiana Vital Records
 * Indiana Vital Records Index(FamilySearch Historical Records)


 * Learn more about U.S. Birth Records
 * How to find U.S. death records
 * United States Record Selection Table
 * U.S. Vital Records Overview
 * United States Vital Records
 * Locating United States Vital Records
 * United States Death Records
 * United States Marriage Records

Additional Information
Some counties have delayed birth records, Home birth registration, and Paternity affidavit.

Some cities have vital records

The 1880 - 1920 WPA Indexes are available at the Allen County, Indiana Genealogy Center