Find Daviess County Birth Records

Daviess County birth records are issued by the Daviess County Health Department in Washington, Indiana. The office provides certified birth certificates for births that took place within Daviess County. You can apply in person, online, or by mail. The county seat is Washington, and the health department operates out of the courthouse area. Daviess County has maintained birth and death records for well over a century. If you are looking for a certified copy of a Daviess County birth certificate, this guide covers every way to get one.

Daviess County Health Department Birth Certificates

The Daviess County Health Department is the office that handles birth certificate requests in this part of Indiana. They have two locations. The courthouse address is 200 E. Walnut St. in Washington. The phone number is (812) 254-8666, extension 2265. You can also email them at vitalrecords@daviesshealth.com. The Daviess County vital records page has forms and details about the process.

A certified birth certificate from Daviess County costs $15 per copy. You can apply in person, online, or by mail. The health department will search for the record and let you know the results within ten days of submission. They will contact you by email or phone. This is an important detail for anyone who needs a Daviess County birth certificate on a tight schedule. Plan for up to ten business days from the time you send in your request.

One thing to know is that Daviess County can only process birth certificates for births that happened in this county. If you were born somewhere else, you will need to contact that county's health department instead. The office in Washington will not be able to help with out-of-county births. This is a firm rule at the Daviess County Health Department.

Online Birth Certificate Application for Daviess County

Daviess County has an online application system. This makes ordering a birth certificate simple.

Visit the Daviess County online application to start your request. The form asks for the name on the birth record, the date of birth, and parent information. You will also enter your contact details so the health department can reach you with results. Pay the $15 fee through the online system. Once submitted, the Daviess County Health Department will conduct a records search and notify you within ten days. This is the same process whether you apply online, by mail, or in person.

The online option is good for people who live far from Washington or who cannot visit the Daviess County Health Department during business hours. You can fill out the form and pay at any time of day.

In-Person and Mail Birth Record Requests

Walk-in service is available at the Daviess County courthouse in Washington. Bring a valid photo ID. The cost is $15 per copy. Staff will start a search right away. You may get your certified copy the same day, or you may need to wait for the search results. Under IC 16-37-1-7, the health department must keep birth records and provide copies to people who have the right to get them.

Mail orders work too. Download the birth certificate application from the Daviess County website. Fill it out, include a copy of your photo ID, and send it with a check or money order for $15 per copy. Mail it to 200 E. Walnut St., Washington, IN 47501. The health department will do the search and mail back your certified copy of the Daviess County birth certificate. IC 16-37-1-10 says who can get a certified copy, and the office will verify your eligibility before releasing the record.

Note: The Daviess County Health Department reminds applicants that they can only process records for births that occurred within this county.

Daviess County Government and Records

The Daviess County government website has links to various departments. Birth records fall under the health department, but other county offices hold related files. The County Clerk handles marriage, divorce, probate, and court records. The recorder has land and property files. If you are tracing a family in Daviess County, these offices can add context to what you find in the birth records.

IC 16-37-1-11 says the fee covers the search for the birth record, not the copy itself. This means that even if the record is not found, the $15 may not be refunded in Daviess County. Plan your request with this in mind. The health department does their best to locate every record, and they will let you know the outcome within ten days. For very old records, the Indiana Department of Health may be another place to check if the Daviess County office cannot find what you need.

Cities in Daviess County

Daviess County includes Washington, Odon, Elnora, Cannelburg, and Plainville. None of these cities has a population large enough for a separate page. All birth records in Daviess County are filed at the health department in Washington. If you were born in any town within Daviess County, the same office handles your birth certificate.

Nearby Counties

These counties are next to Daviess County. Check with their health departments if the birth happened across the county line.