Search Hancock County Birth Records

Hancock County birth records are kept at the health department in Greenfield, Indiana. The office issues certified birth certificates for anyone born within the county and can search files going back many years. Whether you need a copy for a passport, school registration, or any other legal purpose, the Hancock County Health Department is the primary resource. This page explains how to get Hancock County birth records, the fees, who is eligible, and what to do if you cannot make it to the Greenfield office in person.

Hancock County Birth Records Office

The Hancock County Health Department handles all birth certificate requests for the county. Their office is at 111 American Legion Pl., Suite 160, Greenfield, IN 46140. Call 317-477-1125 or email health@hancockcohealth.org with questions. The department has birth records on file for anyone born in Hancock County. Walk-in service is available during regular business hours.

A certified birth certificate from Hancock County costs $15 per copy. The office takes cash, checks, and money orders. Make checks payable to the Hancock County Health Department. Each certified copy is printed on security paper with a raised seal and meets the standards laid out in IC 16-37-1-7. These documents are accepted for passports, driver license applications, school enrollment, and any other official use. Most walk-in requests at the Hancock County office are processed the same day if the record is easy to locate.

Who Can Get Hancock County Birth Certificates

Indiana law limits who can get a certified birth certificate. Under IC 16-37-1-10, only certain people may request a certified copy of a Hancock County birth record.

Adults named on the record can request their own Hancock County birth certificate. Parents listed on the certificate can also get copies. Legal guardians and those with power of attorney for the person named qualify too. Courts can order the release of Hancock County birth records for legal proceedings. If you are doing genealogy, you may get an informational copy, but it will not serve as a legal document. The restrictions keep personal data safe while still making records available to those with a legitimate need.

Note: A current photo ID is required at the Hancock County Health Department for all birth certificate requests.

Getting Birth Certificates in Hancock County

There are two main ways to get a birth certificate from Hancock County. You can visit the health department in Greenfield, or you can send a request by mail. In-person visits are faster and usually result in same-day service.

For walk-in requests, head to 111 American Legion Pl., Suite 160, in Greenfield. Fill out the request form at the front desk and show your photo ID. Staff will search Hancock County records and print your certificate while you wait. Bring cash or a check for $15. If the record is from the 1880s or early 1900s, it could take a bit more time to pull.

For mail requests, send a letter to the Hancock County Health Department at 111 American Legion Pl., Suite 160, Greenfield, IN 46140. Include the full name on the birth record, date of birth, where in Hancock County the birth took place, and your relationship to the person. Enclose a photocopy of your ID and a check or money order for $15 payable to the Hancock County Health Department. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return. Mail orders typically take one to two weeks. You can also email health@hancockcohealth.org to ask about the process before you send your letter.

State Option for Hancock County Birth Records

You do not have to use the Hancock County office. The Indiana Department of Health keeps copies of all birth records from every county. The state charges $10 for the first copy and $4 for each additional one.

Phone orders go through (866) 601-0891, available 24 hours. Online orders use VitalChek, which adds a processing fee. Mail orders go to P.O. Box 7125, Indianapolis, IN 46206-7125. Processing takes 10 to 15 business days. Under IC 16-37-1-11, the state registrar keeps a copy of every Indiana birth record. So Hancock County births are on file at the state level too. This helps when older local files are hard to locate.

Correcting Hancock County Birth Records

If your Hancock County birth certificate has a mistake, you can get it fixed. IC 16-37-1-8 covers the correction process for Indiana birth records.

Small errors like a misspelled name can usually be corrected at the Hancock County Health Department with supporting documents. Bigger changes need a court order first. Adding or removing a parent from the record falls into that group. Legal name changes also require a court order before the county can update the certificate. For paternity additions, both parents sign a Paternity Affidavit and the Hancock County office issues an updated birth certificate. Call 317-477-1125 to find out what paperwork your case needs.

Hancock County Birth Records Resources

The Indiana Local Health Department Map shows the location of the Hancock County Health Department and provides links to other county health offices across the state.

Use the map to find the health department closest to you for birth certificate requests. The Hancock County office in Greenfield is shown along with all other county health departments in Indiana.

Cities in Hancock County

Hancock County includes Greenfield, the county seat, along with McCordsville, New Palestine, Fortville, and other smaller towns. None of these cities have populations over 25,000. All birth records for Hancock County are filed at the health department in Greenfield.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Hancock County. Birth records are filed in the county where the birth happened, not where the family lived. Check the hospital location if you are unsure which county to contact.