Death Records

The following is information pertaining to the process of obtaining a death certification in Elkhart County.

How to Obtain a Certified Death Record

We only issue death certificates for individuals whose death occurred in Elkhart County. We cannot issue certificates for individuals whose death occurred in another county or state. Requests must be made directly to the vital records office in the state where the death occurred.

A record cannot be identified as available prior to purchase because under State statute (IC 16-37-1-11 and IC 37-1-11.5), the fee associated with a death certificate is for the Vital Records office to search the records to determine if a record is on file. The search fee includes one copy of the certificate, if the record is found; search fees are non-refundable.

Process to obtain a certified death certificate at ECHD Vital Records

• Complete a death certificate application
• Provide valid identification
• Prove direct interest
• Provide proof of relationship
• Payment

Who Can Obtain a Death Certificate?

Indiana Codes 16-37-1-10, 16-37-1-11, and 16-37-1-11.5 serve as the State statutes for the fees, relationship, and identification requirements to purchase documents from the Vital Records office. 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.

Others such as guardians, attorneys, funeral directors, or other authorized agents acting on behalf of the registrant or their family may demonstrate a direct interest when information is needed for determination or protection of personal or property rights.

Depending on the individual’s interest in the record, additional documentation may be required.

• Parents of the individual listed on the certificate – must be listed on the record
• Spouse of individual named on the certificate – must show proof of marriage
• Child or Grandchild, 18 years or older, of individual named on the certificate – must show proof of relationship
• Grandparents of the individual listed on the certificate – must be parent of a parent listed on the record & show proof of relationship
• Sibling, 18 years or older, of individual listed on the certificate – must show proof of relationship
• Aunt or Uncle of individual named on the certificate – must show proof of relationship Niece or Nephew, 18 years or older, of individual named on certificate – must show proof of relationship
• Assigned Funeral Home/Director - must provide explanation of direct interest on letterhead

No Direct Interest:

• Legal Interest – must provide proof of legal relationship; i.e. contract, agreements, titles, court order

For a full listing of identification requirements, please see the Identification Requirements page within the Relevant Information section of this website.