Franklin County Birth Records

Franklin County birth records go back to 1882 and are held at the health department in Brookville, Indiana. If you need a certified birth certificate for someone born in Franklin County, the local Vital Records office is the first place to check. The staff handles all requests for copies, whether you visit in person or send a letter by mail. This page covers everything you need to know about getting Franklin County birth records, from fees and forms to who can make the request and how long it takes.

Franklin County Birth Certificate Office

The Franklin County Health Department runs the Vital Records office in Brookville. Their address is 1010 Franklin Ave., Suite 210, Brookville, IN 47012. You can call them at 765-647-4322 with questions about birth records or to check hours. The office has birth certificates on file from 1882 forward for anyone born within Franklin County.

A certified birth certificate from Franklin County costs $15 per copy. The office takes cash, checks, and money orders. Make checks payable to the Franklin County Health Department. Cards are not accepted for vital records transactions. Each certified copy is printed on security paper with a raised seal and meets the standards set by IC 16-37-1-7. These certificates are valid for any legal use, from school enrollment to passport applications. Walk-in requests at the Franklin County office are often processed the same day if staff can locate the record quickly.

Who Can Get Franklin County Birth Records

Indiana law limits who can request a certified birth certificate. Under IC 16-37-1-10, only certain people have the right to get a certified copy of a Franklin County birth record. These rules exist to keep personal data safe while still giving access to the people who need it most.

The person named on the certificate can get their own copy once they are 18 years old. Parents listed on the record can request a copy as well. Legal guardians, those holding power of attorney, and attorneys representing the person named also qualify. Courts can order the release of Franklin County birth records for legal cases. If you want a copy for genealogy, you may be able to get a non-certified informational version, though it will not work as a legal document.

Note: Always bring a valid photo ID when visiting the Franklin County Health Department for a birth certificate.

How to Get Birth Certificates in Franklin County

You have two main ways to get a birth certificate from Franklin County. Walk in to the health department in Brookville, or send your request through the mail. Both paths lead to the same certified document, but in-person visits are faster.

For walk-in requests, go to 1010 Franklin Ave., Suite 210, in Brookville. Fill out the request form at the counter. Show your photo ID so the staff can confirm your identity. They will search the Franklin County files and print a certified copy while you wait in most cases. Bring cash or a check for $15. Older records from the 1880s and 1890s may take a little longer to pull since they are stored in a separate system.

For mail requests, send a letter to the Franklin County Health Department at 1010 Franklin Ave., Suite 210, Brookville, IN 47012. Include the full name on the birth record, date of birth, where in Franklin County the birth took place, and your relationship to the person. Put in a copy of your ID and a check or money order for $15 made out to the Franklin County Health Department. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return. Expect one to two weeks for processing on mail orders.

Franklin County Births Through the State

The Indiana Department of Health also keeps copies of all birth records from Franklin County and every other county in the state. Their fee is $10 for the first certified copy and $4 for additional copies. This can be a good option if you are not near Brookville.

You can order by phone at (866) 601-0891, which runs 24 hours a day. Online orders go through VitalChek with an extra service fee. Mail orders should be sent to P.O. Box 7125, Indianapolis, IN 46206-7125. The state processes requests in 10 to 15 business days. Under IC 16-37-1-11, the state registrar keeps a file of every birth recorded in Indiana. If the Franklin County office cannot find a particular record, the state level may have it.

Fixing Franklin County Birth Records

Errors on birth records can be fixed. Under IC 16-37-1-8, Indiana has a process for correcting mistakes on birth certificates. What you need to do depends on the type of error and how old the Franklin County record is.

Minor errors like a misspelled name can be handled directly at the Franklin County Health Department with supporting documents. Bigger changes, such as adding or removing a parent from the record, typically need a court order first. Legal name changes require the same court step before the county can make updates. Paternity additions follow their own process. Both parents sign a Paternity Affidavit, and the Franklin County office issues an updated certificate once the paperwork clears. Call 765-647-4322 to ask what you need for your specific situation.

Franklin County Birth Records Resources

The Indiana Department of Health order page lets you order Franklin County birth certificates online or find the forms and addresses you need for a mail request.

This state portal is a convenient way to order a Franklin County birth certificate if you cannot get to the Brookville office in person. The page shows fees, forms, and instructions for all order methods.

Cities in Franklin County

Franklin County includes the town of Brookville, the county seat, along with smaller communities like Oldenburg, Batesville (partly), Cedar Grove, and Laurel. None of these meet the 25,000 population mark. All birth records for Franklin County are filed at the health department in Brookville.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Franklin County. Birth records are filed in the county where the birth took place. If you are unsure which county has the record, check the hospital location.