Vital Records – staging

Birth & Death Certificates

The Vanderburgh County Health Department provides birth and death certificates for anyone born or who has died in Indiana from 1882 to present day. For records before 1882, please contact the Indiana Department of Health Vital Records: 317-233-2700.

Walk-in Service

Same-day service is available by visiting the Vital Records Division. All genealogy requests will be processed five to seven days after the request.

Location:

420 Mulberry Street

Evansville, Indiana 47713

Hours:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

8:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

Wednesday

8:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.

Mail-out Service

To receive your certificate by mail, fill out the online form above and select the mail delivery option. Once the record is located, an invoice will be sent to the email address provided. Once you have paid, the certificate will be mailed. 

Vanderburgh County Health Department (VCHD) understands the mail service is currently taking longer to process and deliver. VCHD is not responsible for the item(s) you paid for. VCHD is not responsible for the item(s) not received through mail and will not replace or resend the item(s) free of charge or issue refunds.

Documents ordered from the Vanderburgh County Health Department Vital Records with the exception of P.O. Boxes are only mailed to your current and valid address. Requests for documents sent without proper identification and/or entitlement documents will be returned without being processed. One (1) form of primary documentation or two (2) secondary documentation listed below:

Primary Documents

  • Government Issued Driver’s License/State I.D. (FRONT and BACK required)
  • U.S. Military I.D. (FRONT and BACK required)
  • U.S. or Foreign Passport
  • Veterans I.D.
  • Mexico Consular I.D. (Green)

Secondary Documents

  • Signed Social Security Card
  • Department of Corrections I.D. Card or Printout that includes picture
  • College School I.D. with proof of current enrollment (transcript, letter from administration)
  • Work I.D. Badge with proof of current employment (computerized paycheck stub, letter from employer)
  • Voter Registration card with name and current address
  • Current Vehicle Registration with name and current address (not Title of Ownership)
  • Military Discharge (DD214)
  • Home Lease/Rental Agreement, Warrant Deed with name, current address and signature (s)

Please send only legible photo copies of the above documents as originals will not be returned.

A BIRTH OR DEATH CERTIFICATE IS NEEDED FOR "CLIENT"
I am "CLIENT" and need my own certificate
I am the GRANDPARENT of "CLIENT"
I am the PARENT of "CLIENT"
I am the STEP PARENT of "CLIENT"
I am the SIBLING of "CLIENT"
I am the CHILD of "CLIENT"
I am the SPOUSE of "CLIENT"
I am NOT AN IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER of "CLIENT"
Provide acceptable I.D.
Provide acceptable I.D. & chain of birth certificates showing relationships.
Provide acceptable I.D. & must be listed on birth certificate.
Provide acceptable I.D. and marriage certificate.
Provide acceptable I.D. and birth certificate with at least one common parent.
Provide acceptable I.D. and birth certificate with "CLIENT" listed as parent.
Provide acceptable I.D. and marriage certificate to show change in name trail.
Certificate can only be issued with supporting court documents.
  • I am "CLIENT" and need my own certificate
    Provide acceptable I.D.
  • I am the GRANDPARENT of "CLIENT"
    Provide acceptable I.D. & chain of birth certificates showing relationships.
  • I am the PARENT of "CLIENT"
    Provide acceptable I.D. & must be listed on birth certificate.
  • I am the STEP PARENT of "CLIENT"
    Provide acceptable I.D. and marriage certificate.
  • I am the SIBLING of "CLIENT"
    Provide acceptable I.D. and birth certificate with at least one common parent.
  • I am the CHILD of "CLIENT"
    Provide acceptable I.D. and birth certificate with "CLIENT" listed as parent.
  • I am the SPOUSE of "CLIENT"
    Provide acceptable I.D. and marriage certificate to show change in name trail.
  • I am NOT AN IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER of "CLIENT"
    Certificate can only be issued with supporting court documents.

Additional Information:

Per Indiana Governor Mike Braun’s Executive Order 25-26, effective March 4, 2025, Indiana Department of Health Division Vital Records will not process gender change requests for Indiana birth records.

Home Birth Registration is also available in this office by appointment. According to Indiana Law, as of July 1, 2014, if a home birth is not registered with the Local Health Department by one (1) year of age, it is considered a delayed registration and must be filed with the Indiana Department of Health. For delayed registration, contact the Indiana Department of Health at (317) 233-7303.

The Apostille (or long form birth certificate) is only available by mail through the Indiana Department of Health – Vital Records Office and is authenticated by the Secretary of State.

FAQ

The purchaser must have a “direct interest.” A direct interest is defined as a documented and verifiable financial and legal interest, or an immediate direct kinship (parent, adult sibling, or grandparent) to the person named on the record. Documentation of eligibility listed and acceptable identification requirements are listed below:

  • The individual named on record; 18 years or older
  • Parents of individual named on the birth certificate (must be listed on record)
  • Grandparents (must be parent of a parent listed on the record & show birth certificate of said child)
  • Sibling; 18 years or older of individual named on birth certificate (must provide birth certificate of self)
  • Child or grandchild, 18 years or older of individual named on birth certificate (must provide birth certificates to show proof of relation)
  • Current spouse of individual named on birth certificate (must provide proof of marriage)
  • Aunt or uncle of individual named on birth certificate (must provide birth certificates to show proof of relation)
  • Court appointed legal guardian (must provide guardianship papers with seal)
  • Attorney representing person named on record (must provide direct spelled out on letterhead or court documents)
  • State & federal agencies (must provide work ID as well as direct interest spelled out on letterhead, court documents, or signed authorization from client)
  • Step-parent (must provide proof of marriage)
  • Genealogy – individual named on birth certificate must be over 99 years old and deceased (must provide proof of death)
  • Order online. Option to pick up or mail.
  • Come into our office. We have same day service.

Yes! You will need one (1) item from the primary documentation list OR two (2) items from the secondary documentation list.

Once you have paid for the certificate, it will be mailed in 3-5 business days. You will be notified through email when the certificate has been mailed. Mailing process takes 2-3 weeks. Please allow 2–3 weeks for delivery before contacting the health department. Vanderburgh County Health Department (VCHD) understands the mail service is currently taking longer to process and deliver. VCHD understands this may result in you not receiving the item(s) you paid for. VCHD is not responsible for the item(s) not received through mail and will not replace or resend the item(s) free of charge or issue refunds.

Long form certificates can be obtained through the Indiana Department of Health. The Vanderburgh County Health Department is unable to print long form certificates. 

The purchaser must have a “direct interest.” A direct interest is defined as a documented and verifiable financial and legal interest, or an immediate direct kinship (parent, adult sibling, or grandparent) to the person named on the record. Must provide acceptable identification or documentation.

  • Parents
  • Grandparents
  • Adult children
  • Sibling
  • Spouse
  • Legal interest (must provide proof of legal relationships, i.e. contract, agreements, titles, court order)

No, copies of those records must be requested from the Vanderburgh County Clerk. Their office is located at the Civic Center Administration Building 1 NW MLK JR Blvd. Room S240 Evansville, IN 47708. Their phone number is 812-435-5160.

If you were born in another county in Indiana, our office can issue you the certificate. However, we cannot make any changes to the record. Changes to the record must be done at the county you were born in’s health department or through the Indiana Department of Health. For another state, please visit www.vitalchek.com

No, social security/cards can only be issued by the Social Security Agency. Please contact the Social Security Office nearest you.

Amish and/or Religious Exceptions requires a letter from the Bishop/Clergy along with one (1) form of primary documentation or two (2) forms of secondary documentation listed below:

Primary Documents:

  • Non-photo I.D.

Secondary Documents:

  • Signed Social Security Card or IRS form 4029 (exemption of SSN)
  • Baptismal Certificate
  • Marriage Certificate
  • School Records

Please send only legible photo copies of the above documents as originals will not be returned.