Access Terre Haute Death Records
Terre Haute death records are filed at the Vigo County Health Department on Oak Street. Terre Haute is the county seat and the center of government for Vigo County, with around 58,000 residents. The health department keeps death certificates for all deaths that happen in the county. Records go back to 1882. You can get copies in person during office hours, by mail through the state, or online through VitalChek. The walk-in service at the Vigo County office is the fastest way to pick up a certified copy of a death record in Terre Haute.
Terre Haute Quick Facts
Vigo County Health Department
The Vigo County Health Department is the office that handles death records for Terre Haute and the rest of the county. It is located at 147 Oak Street, Terre Haute, IN 47807. The phone number is (812) 462-3431. Office hours are 8:15 AM to 3:45 PM, Monday through Friday. Those hours are a bit shorter than some other offices, so plan your visit during that window.
The fee for a certified death certificate at the Vigo County office is $8 for the first copy. Extra copies from the same order cost $4 each. That matches the state fee and makes Terre Haute one of the more affordable places to get death records in Indiana. The health department keeps records from 1882 to the present day. Staff can search by name and date of death. Older records take a bit more time to pull, but the office has them on file.
| Office | Vigo County Health Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 147 Oak St, Terre Haute, IN 47807 |
| Phone | (812) 462-3431 |
| Hours | 8:15 AM - 3:45 PM, Monday - Friday |
| Fee | $8 first copy / $4 additional |
The Vigo County government website has details on county services and departments that serve Terre Haute residents.
Use the county site to confirm current office hours and get directions to the health department building on Oak Street.
Note: The office closes at 3:45 PM, which is earlier than most county offices in Indiana, so arrive well before that time.
How to Order Terre Haute Death Records
Walk-in service at the Vigo County Health Department is the quickest route. Show up with your photo ID, fill out the request form, and pay the fee. The staff will pull the record and make your copy. Most walk-in requests are handled the same day. If the record is old or hard to find, it might take longer. Call ahead at (812) 462-3431 if you want to check that the record is on file before you visit.
Mail orders go through the Indiana Department of Health. You print Form 49606, fill it out, and send it with $8 by check or money order. The address is P.O. Box 7125, Indianapolis, IN 46206-7125. Each extra copy costs $4. Mail orders take a few weeks, so if you are not in a rush this is a solid option for getting Terre Haute death records without leaving your home.
Online orders go through VitalChek. You pay with a credit card and VitalChek adds a service fee. This is faster than the mail-in option but costs more. The state also takes phone orders at (866) 601-0891 at any hour. The IDOH vital records website explains all ordering options in full.
Who Can Get Terre Haute Death Certificates
Death certificates in Indiana are public records. Under IC 16-37-1-10, anyone can get a non-certified copy of a death record on file at a local health department. The Social Security number is blacked out, but the rest of the information is there. Non-certified copies are good for research and family history work.
Certified copies require a direct interest. That means you are a spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or legal guardian of the person who died. Attorneys with proper documents can also request certified copies. You must bring a valid photo ID and proof of your relationship. The Vigo County Health Department checks these before they hand over a certified Terre Haute death certificate.
Terre Haute Death Record Contents
A death certificate from Terre Haute lists the deceased person's full name, date of death, and where the death took place. The medical section shows the cause and manner of death. Personal information includes age, date and place of birth, home address, marital status, and occupation. The funeral home and the informant are both named on the record.
Indiana law under Title 16, Article 37 requires that death certificates be filed with the local registrar within five days. For Terre Haute, the local registrar is the Vigo County Health Department. The state office in Indianapolis also gets a copy. This dual filing means you can order the same Terre Haute death record from either the county or the state. The local health department map confirms which office covers your area.
Note: Vigo County death records from 1882 through the early 1900s may have less detail than modern records, but they are still on file.
Vigo County Death Records
Terre Haute is the county seat of Vigo County. The health department on Oak Street serves the entire county. For more on county-level death records, fees, and other resources, see the full county page.