Find Fountain County Birth Records

Fountain County birth records are kept at the health department in Covington, Indiana. The office has certified birth certificates on file going back to 1882 for anyone born within county lines. Whether you need a copy for a passport, school registration, or to prove identity, this is the office to contact. This page walks through the steps to request a Fountain County birth certificate, the fees, who is eligible, and what other options are available if you cannot make it to Covington in person.

Fountain County Birth Records Office

The Fountain County Health Department in Covington is the local office that issues birth certificates. Their address is 301 4th St., Covington, IN 47932, and you can call them at 765-793-3431 for questions. The department has records from 1882 to the present. Walk-in service is available during business hours. Staff can search files and print a certified copy while you wait.

Each certified birth certificate from Fountain County costs $15. The office accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Credit cards are not accepted for vital records. Make checks payable to the Fountain County Health Department. Certificates are printed on state-approved security paper that includes a raised seal and other features meeting the requirements of IC 16-37-1-7. A certified copy from Fountain County is accepted for all legal purposes, from getting a driver license to applying for a passport.

Fountain County is a smaller rural county, so the office may have limited staff. Call ahead to confirm they are open before driving to Covington.

Who Can Request Fountain County Birth Certificates

Indiana law controls who can get a certified birth certificate. Under IC 16-37-1-10, only certain people are allowed to request a certified copy from Fountain County. The rules are there to guard personal data while making sure the right people can still get what they need.

Adults named on the record can request their own Fountain County birth certificate. Parents listed on the certificate have the same right. Legal guardians and those with power of attorney can make the request too. A court order can also authorize access to Fountain County birth records in certain legal matters. Family history researchers may be able to get an informational copy, but it will lack the raised seal and will not count as a legal document for identity purposes.

How to Get Birth Records in Fountain County

Two main options exist for getting a Fountain County birth certificate. Walk in to the Covington office or send a request by mail. Each method works, but in-person visits get you the document faster.

For walk-in requests at the Fountain County Health Department, bring your photo ID and fill out the request form at the office. Staff will look up the record and print a certified copy. Bring cash or a check for $15. Most requests are done the same day. Records from the 1880s might take a bit more time to locate since those older files are stored differently.

For mail requests, write to the Fountain County Health Department at 301 4th St., Covington, IN 47932. Your letter should include the full name on the birth record, date of birth, your relationship to the person, and a photocopy of your ID. Enclose a check or money order for $15 payable to the Fountain County Health Department. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return. Mail orders from Fountain County usually take about one to two weeks once the office gets your letter.

Note: Call 765-793-3431 before visiting to make sure the Fountain County office is open that day.

State Option for Fountain County Births

You can also get Fountain County birth records from the Indiana Department of Health in Indianapolis. The state holds a copy of every birth record from every county. Their fee is $10 for the first copy and $4 for each extra.

Phone orders are taken at (866) 601-0891 around the clock. Online orders go through VitalChek, which charges an additional processing fee. Mail orders go to P.O. Box 7125, Indianapolis, IN 46206-7125. Expect 10 to 15 business days for processing. IC 16-37-1-11 requires the state registrar to keep a copy of every Indiana birth record. So if the Fountain County office has trouble finding an old file, the state may have it on record.

Correcting Fountain County Birth Certificates

If a Fountain County birth certificate has an error, you can file for a correction. IC 16-37-1-8 sets out how amendments work in Indiana. Small errors like a misspelled first name can often be fixed at the health department with the right supporting documents. Larger changes, such as adding or removing a parent, require a court order first.

Legal name changes also need a court order before the Fountain County office can update the certificate. Paternity additions follow a separate path. If a father was not listed at the time of birth, both parents can sign a Paternity Affidavit to add the name. Once the paperwork is done, the Fountain County Health Department issues an updated birth certificate with the new information.

Fountain County Birth Records Resources

The Fountain County Health Department page on the state website has contact details and information about vital records services in the county.

Check this page before visiting Covington to confirm office hours and get directions. It also has links to forms and other Fountain County department contacts.

Cities in Fountain County

Fountain County includes the town of Covington, which is the county seat, along with Attica, Veedersburg, and other small communities. None of these cities meet the 25,000 population threshold. All birth records for anyone born in Fountain County are filed with the health department in Covington.

Nearby Counties

These counties share borders with Fountain County. Birth records get filed in the county where the birth occurred. If you are not sure which county handles your record, check the hospital location.