The paperwork · Indiana
Death certificates in Indiana
Almost everything that comes after a death, from the bank to the life insurance company, asks for a certified copy. Here is what a copy costs in Indiana, where to order it, and how many to get.
Order about 10 certified copies at the start. It costs less to buy them together than to come back for more later, and nearly every office will want an original, not a photocopy.
From the state vital records office
Cost and where to order
Cost of a certified copy: $8.00
Mail requests to: Vital Records Indiana State Department of Health P.O. Box 7125 Indianapolis, IN 46206-7125
State office has death records since January 1900. Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time are $4.00 each. For earlier records, write to Health Officer in city or county where event occurred. Personal check or money order should be made payable to Indiana State Department of Health. To verify current fees, the telephone number is (317) 233-2700. Information on how to obtain certified copies is also available via the Indiana State Department of Health website. Applicant must provide a photocopy of a valid identification with picture and signature along with the application. Proof of relationship may be required.
Short on money? Ask before you pay.
If the family cannot afford a funeral, call the county burial assistance program before signing anything with a funeral home. Find your county on the Indiana help page, and see what else is owed to you in the first 48 hours checklist.
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Questions families ask
Straight answers
How much does a death certificate cost in Indiana?
The state vital records office lists the cost of a certified copy as: $8.00 Fees can change, so confirm on the official site before you send payment.
How many certified copies of a death certificate do I need?
Most families need about 10. Banks, life insurance, Social Security, the vehicle title office, retirement accounts, and property transfers each tend to want an original certified copy, and many will not accept a photocopy.
Can the funeral home order the death certificate in Indiana?
Yes. Funeral homes file the death record for you and can usually order certified copies at the same time. If you are using a county burial program instead, ask the caseworker how copies are ordered.
Who is allowed to order a certified death certificate?
Eligibility rules are set by Indiana. Spouses, children, parents, and the executor named in the will are commonly eligible, and you may be asked for photo ID and proof of your relationship. The state office confirms the exact rules.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Costs and rules come from the official Indiana vital records listing and can change; confirm with the office before you send payment.
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Reviewed by the Final Steps Help research team.
Last verified via official source.
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