Get your certified Indiana Birth Certificate

A certified copy of an Indiana birth certificate costs $10 from the Indiana State Department of Health. Each additional copy ordered at the same time is $4. Expedited processing is available for an additional fee.

Ready to order? Start your Indiana birth certificate application today.

Yes, you can order an Indiana birth certificate online through an approved service provider. You can also apply by mail or in person at the Indiana State Department of Health in Indianapolis or through your local health department office.

Order your Indiana birth certificate online now.

In Indiana, eligible requesters include the person named on the certificate, a parent, a legal guardian, a spouse, an adult child, or a legal representative. If you need someone else to request the certificate on your behalf, they may use a notarized Power of Attorney (PoA) or a signed affidavit from the authorized applicant.

Need to request a certificate for a family member? Begin the application process here.

Indiana birth certificates are not public records. Access is restricted to eligible individuals as defined by Indiana law. The Indiana State Department of Health requires proof of identity and eligibility before issuing certified copies.

Order your Indiana birth certificate through our secure online portal.

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.

Need a certified copy? Order your Indiana birth certificate online.

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.

Replace your lost certificate today — start your application. You may also need your birth certificate for a REAL ID or passport application.

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.

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:

A long-form birth certificate (also called the "full" or "certified" copy) is a complete reproduction of the original Indiana birth record. It includes your full legal name, date and place of birth, parents' names, birthplaces, and occupations, the attending physician or midwife, and the file date and registration number. This is the version you'll need for passports, REAL ID, Social Security, adoption, immigration, dual citizenship, and most legal purposes.

A short-form birth certificate (sometimes called a "certification" or "abstract") is a condensed version that shows only your name, date of birth, place of birth, and sex. It does not include parents' information. The short form is accepted for many everyday purposes, like enrolling in school, applying for a driver's license, or joining sports leagues, but it is not always accepted for federal documents or international travel.

When you order a Indiana birth certificate through VitalRecordsOnline, you receive the long-form version by default, since it is the most widely accepted. If you're unsure which version you need, check with the agency requesting the document.

Read our detailed guide on long form vs short form birth certificates. Order your Indiana birth certificate here.

Processing times for a Indiana birth certificate depend on how you order and which delivery speed you choose. Standard government processing through the Indiana vital records office generally takes 4 to 12 weeks by mail. In-person requests at the state office or authorized county location are often completed the same day or within a few business days.

When you order online through VitalRecordsOnline, we review your application within 24 hours to catch errors before submission, then forward it to the issuing authority. Most customers receive their certified Indiana birth certificate in 2 to 3 weeks with standard shipping. Expedited processing and rush shipping options are available at checkout for urgent needs like passport applications or upcoming travel.

If the issuing office returns your request because of missing information, our team contacts you immediately so the correction can be made without starting over. You can track your order status at any time through your account.

Start your Indiana birth certificate order today for fast processing.

Indianapolis residents can obtain Indiana birth certificates through the Indiana State Department of Health, Vital Records office located in downtown Indianapolis. The office accepts walk-in requests during business hours and serves as the central processing location for all Indiana birth certificates.

Marion County residents can also visit the Marion County Health Department for assistance. Indianapolis-area residents often find online ordering to be the fastest and most convenient option, avoiding wait times at the state office.

Order from home — start your Indiana birth certificate application today. You may also need your birth certificate for a Indiana REAL ID or passport application.

Indiana does not offer same-day birth certificate processing through the state vital records office. Walk-in requests at the Indianapolis office typically take several business days, and mail-in requests may take 4 to 6 weeks.

If you need your Indiana birth certificate urgently, third-party services can help expedite the process. While same-day turnaround is not available through the state, expedited processing options can significantly reduce your wait time.

Start your expedited Indiana birth certificate order today. A certified copy may be required for REAL ID, passport, or Social Security purposes.

Fort Wayne residents can request Indiana birth certificates through the Allen County Department of Health or directly from the Indiana State Department of Health in Indianapolis. The state office processes all Indiana birth certificate requests regardless of the county of birth.

For Fort Wayne and northeast Indiana residents, ordering online is typically the most convenient option, as it eliminates the need to travel to Indianapolis or wait for mail-in processing.

Skip the trip — order your Indiana birth certificate online from home. Your certified copy can be used for REAL ID and passport applications.