Search Clinton County Birth Records

Clinton County birth records are available through the Clinton County Health Department in Frankfort, Indiana. The health department issues certified birth certificates for births that occurred in Clinton County. You can request copies in person at the Frankfort office or by mail. Birth and death records have been kept here since 1882. The county seat is Frankfort, located in central Indiana. Whether you need a birth certificate for personal use or legal matters, the Clinton County Health Department is the place to start your search.

Clinton County Health Department Birth Certificates

The Clinton County Health Department handles all birth certificate requests for this area. Their office is at 1234 Rossville Ave., Suite B, in Frankfort. The phone number is (765) 659-6385. You can also email them at Vitalrecords@clintoncountyin.gov. The health officer is Stephen Tharp, MD. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Certified birth and death certificates can be picked up in person or sent by mail from this Clinton County office.

The Clinton County Health Department website has more details about their services. Birth records go back to 1882 in Clinton County. The staff can search for any record from that year forward. Older records may need more time to locate, but the office has a deep archive.

Walk-in service at the Clinton County Health Department does not need a notary. Just bring a photo ID. The staff will look up the record and make you a certified copy. This is the fastest way to get a birth certificate in Clinton County.

Clinton County Birth Certificate Fees

Birth certificates from Clinton County cost $15 per record. Each extra copy is also $15. Death records are $14, with additional copies at $11 each. The health department accepts cash, checks, and money orders. These are the set fees for Clinton County vital records.

The Clinton County services page lists the full fee schedule. Keep in mind that IC 16-37-1-11 says the fee covers the search, not just the copy. If the record cannot be found, the search fee may still apply. Payment is due when you submit your request for a Clinton County birth certificate, whether in person or by mail.

Note: Death certificates cost less than birth certificates in Clinton County, so double-check which record type you need before paying.

Ordering Birth Records by Mail in Clinton County

You can mail in a request for a Clinton County birth certificate. But there is an important rule. Mail orders must be notarized. This is a requirement from the Clinton County Health Department. If you send in a form that is not notarized, they will not process it. In-person requests do not have this rule. Only mail orders need the notary stamp in Clinton County.

To order by mail, download the birth certificate application from the Clinton County website. Fill it out with the name on the record, the date of birth, and the parents' names. Take the form to a notary public and have it signed in front of them. Then mail the notarized form along with a check or money order for $15 to the health department at 1234 Rossville Ave., Suite B, Frankfort, IN 46041. Include a copy of your photo ID. A photo ID is always required for any Clinton County birth record request, no matter the method. Under IC 16-37-1-7, the local health officer must keep these records safe and provide copies to eligible people.

Processing time for mail orders in Clinton County can take a week or more. The office will mail your certified birth certificate back once they find the record and verify your information. If they need more details, they will reach out by phone or email.

Who Can Get a Birth Certificate in Clinton County

State law sets the rules for who can get a certified copy. IC 16-37-1-10 lists the people who are eligible. The person named on the birth certificate can get their own copy. Parents and legal guardians can too. Someone with a court order or power of attorney also qualifies.

In Clinton County, the health department checks ID on every request. This applies to walk-in and mail orders alike. Bring a valid state-issued photo ID. If you are requesting a record for someone else, be ready to show proof of your relationship. The Clinton County staff will not release a certified birth certificate to someone who does not meet the state requirements. Informational copies may be available for genealogy, but those cannot be used for legal purposes in Clinton County.

Other Clinton County Public Records

Beyond birth records, Clinton County has other offices with public files. The County Clerk keeps marriage and probate records from 1830. Divorce and court records go back to 1888. These records can be useful if you need to trace family connections alongside a Clinton County birth certificate. The clerk's office is at the courthouse in Frankfort.

The Indiana Department of Health also has copies of Clinton County birth records. You can order from the state if the local office is too far away. IC 16-37-1-8 allows the state to issue certified copies of any birth record filed in Indiana. VitalChek at vitalchek.com is another online option that works for Clinton County records. They charge an extra service fee but process orders faster than most mail methods.

Note: The state office in Indianapolis can be a good backup if you cannot visit the Clinton County Health Department in Frankfort.

Cities in Clinton County

Clinton County includes Frankfort, Rossville, Colfax, Michigantown, and other small towns. None of these cities have a separate birth records office. All vital records in Clinton County go through the health department in Frankfort. Every birth that happens within Clinton County lines is filed at this same office.

Nearby Counties

If the birth did not happen in Clinton County, one of these neighbors may have the record. Birth certificates are filed in the county where the birth took place.