Vanderburgh County Death Records
Vanderburgh County death records are managed by the Vanderburgh County Health Department on Mulberry Street in Evansville. As the largest county in southwestern Indiana, Vanderburgh handles a high volume of death certificate requests each year. The health department has maintained death records since 1882 and offers multiple ways to order copies. Residents can visit in person, submit an online form through the health department website, or use VitalChek for remote ordering. The office staff processes requests for family members, legal professionals, and insurance companies on a daily basis.
Vanderburgh County Quick Facts
Vanderburgh County Health Department
The Vanderburgh County Health Department is the primary office for death records in this part of Indiana. It sits at 420 Mulberry Street in Evansville. The phone number is 812-435-2400. This is a large health department by Indiana standards, and it handles everything from vital records to food inspections. The vital records division processes death certificate requests for all deaths that were filed within county lines.
Vanderburgh County uses a tiered fee structure that is different from most other Indiana counties. Residents of Vanderburgh County pay $20 for a certified death certificate. People who live outside the county pay $25 for the same record. Non-certified copies cost $18 regardless of where you live. This pricing model means your cost depends on where you currently reside, not where the death took place. The staff at the Mulberry Street office can explain the pricing when you visit or call. Non-certified copies work for personal reference and family research, while certified copies with the official seal are needed for legal matters.
Note: Vanderburgh County also offers an online request form through their website at vanderburghhealth.org. This is separate from VitalChek and may have different fees or processing times.
| Office | Vanderburgh County Health Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 420 Mulberry St, Evansville, IN 47713 |
| Phone | 812-435-2400 |
| Website | vanderburghhealth.org |
| Resident Copy | $20.00 |
| Out-of-County | $25.00 |
| Non-Certified | $18.00 |
How to Request Death Records
Vanderburgh County gives you several ways to get a death certificate. The most direct is an in-person visit to the health department on Mulberry Street in Evansville. Bring a valid photo ID. Tell the clerk the name of the deceased, the date of death, and the reason for your request. Pay the appropriate fee based on whether you are a county resident or not. Most walk-in requests are processed the same day if the record is on file. The office handles a lot of requests, so busy days might take a bit longer.
The Vanderburgh County Health Department website at vanderburghhealth.org has an online request form you can fill out. This lets you start the process from home. You enter the details about the record you need, and the office contacts you about payment and pickup or mailing. This is a nice middle ground between going in person and using VitalChek. It is run directly by the county, so there is no third-party processing fee added on top.
Mail requests are another option. Send your request to the health department at 420 Mulberry St, Evansville, IN 47713. Include the name of the deceased, date of death, your full name and address, and a check or money order for the correct amount. Residents pay $20, non-residents pay $25. Allow two to three weeks for processing.
Online Death Certificate Orders
Besides the county's own online form, Vanderburgh County death records can be ordered through VitalChek. This service lets you pay by credit or debit card and have the certificate mailed to your address. VitalChek adds a service fee to the base certificate cost, so the total will be higher than what you pay through the county directly. But VitalChek offers rush shipping options that the county office may not provide.
When ordering on VitalChek, select Indiana and Vanderburgh County. Enter the deceased person's full name and date of death. You will verify your own identity as part of the process. Standard shipping takes about two weeks. This option is best for people who live far from Evansville and want everything handled online. For local residents, the county's own online form or an in-person visit is usually cheaper and just as fast.
Indiana State Death Records
The Indiana Department of Health also has Vanderburgh County death records in its central files. Every death certificate filed in Indiana gets sent to the state office in Indianapolis. You can request copies from the state using Form 49606 or through VitalChek. The state processes requests from all 92 counties, which often means longer wait times than going through the Vanderburgh County health department.
The state option is useful if you are not sure which county has the record. The Local Health Department Map from Indiana shows which health department covers each area. Vanderburgh County covers a relatively compact area around Evansville, but deaths that happen near the county line might be filed in Warrick, Posey, or Gibson counties instead.
Vanderburgh County Record Regulations
Death records in Vanderburgh County fall under Indiana state law. Indiana Code 16-37-1-10 says vital records are public after a certain period. Death certificates can be requested by anyone who pays the fee. The local health officer oversees access, and Vanderburgh County generally processes requests without restrictions beyond what the state requires.
The full vital records framework is in Indiana Code Title 16, Article 37. All deaths in Indiana must be reported within 72 hours. The funeral director files the death certificate with the local registrar. In Vanderburgh County, the health department on Mulberry Street receives these filings. A copy is forwarded to the state. Both offices keep the record from that point. Certified copies from Vanderburgh County have an official seal and are valid for estate matters, court proceedings, insurance claims, and account closures at financial institutions.
Note: The tiered pricing at Vanderburgh County is set by the local health department. Other Indiana counties may charge different rates.
Vanderburgh Health Department Portal
The Vanderburgh County Health Department website includes details on vital records services and the online request process.
Visit this site for the latest fee schedule, office hours, and instructions on how to use the online request form. The portal also covers other health services available in Vanderburgh County.
Cities in Vanderburgh County
Vanderburgh County is home to Evansville, the largest city in southern Indiana. All death records for the county are processed through the health department, no matter which part of the county the death occurred in.
Other communities in Vanderburgh County include Darmstadt and McCutchanville. Death records for these areas are handled by the same health department in Evansville.
Nearby Counties
Vanderburgh County is in southwestern Indiana near the Kentucky border. If a death happened near the edge of the county, the record may have been filed with one of these neighboring health departments.