How much do death certificates cost in Indiana?
A certified copy costs $8 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time from the Indiana Department of Health. This makes Indiana one of the most affordable states for death certificates.
| Number of copies | Total cost |
|---|---|
| 1 | $8 |
| 5 | $24 |
| 10 | $44 |
Online and phone orders through VitalChek include additional processing fees beyond the state certificate cost.
How to order
Through a funeral home (fastest)
Your funeral director handles the initial order. This is the simplest route. Tell them how many copies you need when making arrangements.
From a local county health department (in person)
The local health department in the county where the death occurred can issue certified copies. This is the only in-person option, as the state office does not offer walk-in service.
By mail
Send a completed State Form 49606 ("Application for Search of Certified or Non-Certified Copy of a Death Record"), a photocopy of your valid government-issued ID, and a check or money order payable to "Indiana Department of Health" to:
Vital Records Indiana State Department of Health P.O. Box 7125 Indianapolis, IN 46206-7125
The address on your application must match the address on your ID.
Online or by phone
- Online. Order through VitalChek, the authorized online vendor. Additional processing and shipping fees apply.
- Phone. Call (866) 601-0891 (available 24/7). A third-party service handles phone orders, with additional fees.
Processing times
| Method | Typical timeline |
|---|---|
| Funeral home | 2 to 4 weeks |
| County health department (in person) | Same day to a few days |
| By mail (state office) | 4 to 6 weeks |
| VitalChek (online) | 5 to 10 business days |
Who can order?
Indiana restricts certified copies to individuals with a "direct interest" in the record:
- Parent or grandparent
- Adult sibling
- Surviving spouse
- Adult child or grandchild
- Legal guardian
- Executor or administrator of the estate
- Anyone with a documented personal, financial, or legal interest in the record
You must provide a valid, government-, state-, or military-issued photo ID. The address on your application must match the address on your identification.
What to know about Indiana specifically
No walk-in service at the state office. The Indiana Department of Health does not offer walk-in service for vital records. For in-person requests, go to the local health department in the county where the death occurred.
The bulk discount is significant. Indiana's pricing structure ($8 first copy, $4 each additional) makes it one of the cheapest states for ordering multiple copies. If you need 10 copies, Indiana charges $44 compared to $250 in New Jersey (at individual rates) or $200 in Arizona.
The three-year probate connection. Indiana has a three-year filing deadline for probate. If you are ordering death certificates as part of estate administration, keep this timeline in mind. You will need certified copies for probate filings, bank account closures, and insurance claims.
For a broader overview of the death certificate process, see our guide on how to get death certificates. If you are handling probate, see our guide on how probate works in Indiana.
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