Get your certified Indiana Birth Certificate

How to Get an Indiana Birth Certificate Without ID

If you do not possess a valid government-issued photo ID, two secondary forms of identification may be accepted, such as a utility bill, a lease, or voter registration card. Refer to the table above for accepted forms of secondary IDs.

How Long Does It Take to Process and Receive a Birth Certificate in Indiana?

Processing and replacement times for Indiana birth certificates may vary based on the volume of requests. Refer to the chart below for the current delivery and processing timelines. To avoid delays, we recommend using VRO’s easy online service, which helps prevent incomplete submissions and errors.

Do I Need to Notarize My Indiana Application?

A notarized is not required for your application when you order a birth certificate online or by mail through the Indiana Department of Public Health. If ordering through your local health department, you must check their specific guidelines, as some counties may require a notarized application.

Other FAQs

• How to Obtain an Indiana Birth Certificate if Born on an Overseas Military Base

  

  ndividuals born on an overseas military base are not considered to have been born in (state), therefore, there is no birth certificate on record with the state of Indiana. If you were born on a U.S. military base overseas and your parents were U.S. citizens at the time of your birth, your birth should be recorded with the U.S. Department of State. You must contact the U.S. Department of State to request a copy of your Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA or form FS-240).

  Note that this is not a birth certificate; it is evidence of U.S. citizenship for individuals born abroad to U.S. citizen parents who meet the requirements for transmitting citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act. This document is equivalent to having a U.S. birth certificate. This document is recognized in the U.S. as proof of birth and citizenship and can be used to obtain a passport and apply for social services. If you need additional copies of this document, you can contact the hospital where the birth occurred to request a copy of the birth certificate, or order them from the Department of State. Learn more about CRBA for more information.

• Why Do I Need Certified Copies of My Indiana Birth Certificate?

  

  A birth certificate is an essential document that has various applications in our lives. It is an official government record of an individual's birth utilized for significant value in legal proceedings, family matters, school enrollment, employment, and travel. Both government and commercial entities widely accept this authoritative documentation. It serves as official validation for an individual's legal name, place of birth, parents' names, and date of birth.
  
  Birth certificates are often useful or required for:

  Applying for a driver's license

  Applying for a new passport

  Issuing or obtaining a Social Security Card

  Applying for Social Security benefits

  Claiming pension or insurance benefits

  Genealogy research

  Claiming family inheritance

  Applying for a new job

  Enrolling in school

  Enlisting in military

  Obtaining a marriage license

  
  

• What Does an Indiana Birth Certificate Look Like?

  

  An officially certified birth certificate will have distinct features to indicate it is issued by the IDOH (Indiana Department of Health). The appearance of an official birth certificate may differ depending on the year it was issued. It will often include key information to verify a person's identity and the legitimacy of their citizenship at birth. A long-form (official) birth certificate is used for legal purposes, whereas a short-form (informational) copy is usually not. The IDOH defines specific guidelines for counties that may use unique colors and layouts. In all cases, official birth certificates will generally display features such as:

  • Full Name of the Person: The full legal name of the person whose birth is being recorded.

  • Date of Birth: The exact date of birth of the individual.

  • Place of Birth: The city, county, and state where the birth took place.

  • Parents’ Names: The full names of both parents, including the mother’s maiden name.

  • State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.

  • Signature of State Registrar: The signature of the state registrar or authorized official responsible for issuing the certificate.

  • Date of Issuance: The date when the state officially issued the birth certificate.

  • Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.

  In some instances, a certified birth certificate may also include:

  • Name of the Hospital where the birth was recorded.

  • Name of the Physician who attended the labor.

• How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Indiana Birth Certificate

  

  If you lose your birth certificate:

  1.Submit an application for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You will need to complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the IDOH.

  a. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to the local health department during hours of availability.
  

  b. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the IDOH at:

  INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
  DIVISION OF VITAL RECORDS B-4

  2 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204
  

  c. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
  2. IDOH will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

• How to Correct or Amend an Indiana Birth Certificate

  

  The Indiana Department of Health’s Division of Vital Records provides a detailed procedure for legally correcting or amending birth certificates. Different forms are used depending on the information that needs to be amended. When a birth record needs to be changed, an amendment is required. The changes are made as addendums because the original document cannot be altered.

  Corrections that do not require a court order in Indiana include, minor spelling changes, date of birth changes (day only), and parent's birthplace. A court order is needed for a legal name change or when a previous correction or amendment was made to the record. To correct or amend a birth certificate, call Indiana DOH at (317) 233-2700.

  To make changes to a birth record, you will typically need the following:

  1. A completed amendment application: An Indiana Affidavit Requesting Amendment form can be requested by contacting the IDOH at (317) 233-2700.
  2. Supporting documentation: Documents must be over ten years old:
     Court Order
     School Records
     Life Insurance Policies
     Application for Marriage License
     Voter’s Registration Card
     Military Discharge
     Census Report
     Employment Records
     Birth Record(s) of children
     Hospital records of birth
     High school diploma

  For a complete list of acceptable evidence, review the Documentary Evidence – Amendments/Corrections List.
  3. Appropriate fee(s): To amend a birth certificate, there is an $8.00 fee. The cost for certified copies of the amended birth certificate is $10.00 for the first copy, and additional copies are $4.00 when requested in the same order.

• How to Obtain an Apostille for an Indiana Birth Certificate

  

  You can order an apostille directly through the Secretary of State, or online through VRO’s Express Apostille Service. Apostilles are issued by the Secretary of State. Apostilles are often required when filing an Indiana birth certificate with a foreign government that is part of the 1961 Hague Convention.
  An apostille for a birth certificate issued by the IDOH – Division of Vital Records can be acquired through the Secretary of State, or via VRO's Apostille Express Service. If you send your certificate to the Secretary of State manually, you will need to submit the following documents:

  1. Certified copy of your birth certificate
  2. Completed Authentication Request Form
  3. Prepaid, self-addressed envelope for the return of the document, or if using FedEx or UPS, a prepaid air bill

  All requests for birth certificate apostilles must be submitted to the IDOH – Division of Vital Records at the following address:

  Standard or Express Courier: