Plainfield Birth Records
Plainfield birth records are kept at the Hendricks County Health Department, which is in Danville, the county seat. If you were born in Plainfield or need a birth certificate for a child born here, the county health department is the office to contact. Plainfield sits just west of Indianapolis and falls under Hendricks County for all vital records. You can request certified copies of Plainfield birth certificates in person, by mail, or through an online vendor. Walk-in service at the county office is usually the quickest way to get your copy.
Plainfield Quick Facts
Where to Get Plainfield Birth Certificates
The Hendricks County Health Department is the local office that handles all birth records for Plainfield. The office is at 165 E. Main St. in Danville, about a 15 minute drive from Plainfield. They are open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM. Hendricks County has birth records on file from 1882 forward. If you were born in Plainfield at any time during that span, the county should have your record. Call 317-745-9618 to check hours or confirm what documents you need to bring before making the trip.
| Office | Hendricks County Health Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 165 E. Main St., Danville, IN 46122 |
| Phone | 317-745-9618 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
Walk-in requests are the most common way people get Plainfield birth records. Bring a valid photo ID. No expired IDs will work. The staff will search the records and print a certified copy if the record is on file. Most walk-in requests are filled while you wait, so you can usually be in and out in under 30 minutes.
How to Request Birth Records in Plainfield
There are three main ways to get a birth certificate if you were born in Plainfield. Walk-in service at the Hendricks County Health Department is the fastest. Mail is a solid option if you live far away. Online ordering works too, but costs more. Pick the method that fits your situation.
For in-person requests, go to 165 E. Main St. in Danville during business hours. Fill out a request form at the counter and show your photo ID. Under IC 16-37-1-8, the health officer must verify the identity of anyone asking for a vital record before they can release it. The office will search their files and hand you a certified copy on the spot if they find the record. The state fee for a birth certificate is $10 for the first copy. Each extra copy in the same order costs $4. Cash and money orders are accepted at most county offices, though some also take cards.
Mail requests are straightforward. Send a letter to the Hendricks County Health Department at 165 E. Main St., Danville, IN 46122. Include the full name on the birth certificate, the date of birth, the mother's maiden name, your name and your relationship to the person named, and a copy of your photo ID. Add a check or money order for $10 per copy. Allow one to two weeks for processing. This works well for former Plainfield residents who now live out of state.
Note: The fee at the state level covers a search of the records, and it is not refundable even if no record is found.
Who Can Get a Plainfield Birth Certificate
Indiana law limits who can request a certified birth certificate. The rules are the same across the whole state, including for Plainfield birth records. Under IC 16-37-1-10, only certain people can get a certified copy.
The following people qualify to request a Plainfield birth certificate:
- The person named on the record
- A parent listed on the certificate
- A legal guardian with court documents
- An attorney acting on behalf of the person named
- Someone with a valid court order
If you are not on the list, you may still be able to get an informational copy. These are not valid for legal use, but they show the same basic facts. Call the Hendricks County Health Department at 317-745-9618 to ask what type of copy you qualify for. The staff can tell you over the phone before you drive out to Danville from Plainfield.
Plainfield Birth Certificate Resources
The Town of Plainfield website provides links to local services and government offices, including the Hendricks County Health Department where birth records are on file.
While the town itself does not issue birth certificates, the site is a useful starting point for finding the right county contact. Plainfield residents can also visit the Indiana Department of Health Vital Records page for state-level forms and ordering info.
Birth Registration in Plainfield
Every birth in Plainfield must be registered with the Hendricks County Health Department within five days. IC 16-37-1-7 requires the hospital or birth attendant to file the paperwork. Births at local hospitals are registered automatically through the hospital's records staff. Home births are handled differently and need to be reported by the midwife or attendant who was present.
Once a Plainfield birth is registered, the record goes into both the county files and the state's central index under IC 16-37-1-8. This means two offices hold a copy. The county office in Danville will have it, and so will the Indiana Department of Health in Indianapolis. If a birth in Plainfield was never registered, the family can file a delayed birth registration. That process takes more time and requires proof such as hospital records, baptismal records, or sworn statements from people who were present at the birth. Call (317) 233-2700 to start that process with the state office.
Common Issues With Plainfield Birth Records
Some people run into problems when they try to get a birth certificate in Plainfield. The most common issue is not having proper ID. Expired or temporary IDs will not work. If your name has changed since the birth was recorded, bring legal proof of the change such as a marriage certificate or court order.
Another issue is not knowing which county a birth took place in. Plainfield is in Hendricks County, but parts of the metro area overlap with other counties. If you are not sure where the birth happened, the state vital records office has a central index that covers all 92 Indiana counties from 1907 forward. They can search by name and date of birth across the whole state. The fee is the same $10 at the state level as specified under IC 16-37-1-11. This is a good backup if the Hendricks County office does not have the record you need.
State Options for Plainfield Birth Certificates
The Indiana Department of Health keeps copies of all birth records from 1907 to the present. That includes every birth filed in Plainfield. You can call the state office at (317) 233-2700 or toll-free at (866) 601-0891, which is available 24 hours a day. Mail orders go to P.O. Box 7125, Indianapolis, IN 46206-7125. Use State Form 49607 for the application. Online orders go through VitalChek, which is the only vendor the state has approved. VitalChek charges an extra processing fee on top of the certificate cost.
Hendricks County Birth Records
Plainfield is part of Hendricks County, and all birth records for the town are filed through the Hendricks County Health Department in Danville. The county office handles records for all towns and cities within its borders. For full details on the office, fees, hours, and other resources, visit the Hendricks County birth records page.
Nearby Cities With Birth Records
These cities near Plainfield also have birth records pages with details on the local offices and how to order certified copies.