Search Lake County Birth Records

Lake County birth records are managed by the Lake County Health Department in Crown Point, Indiana. As the second most populous county in the state, Lake County handles a high volume of birth certificate requests. The Vital Records Division at 2900 W. 93rd Avenue processes walk-in orders, mail requests, and now accepts online orders too. Whether you were born in Gary, Hammond, East Chicago, or anywhere else in Lake County, this office holds your record. Here is what you need to know about getting a Lake County birth certificate.

Lake County Birth Certificate Office

The Lake County Health Department Vital Records Division is at 2900 W. 93rd Avenue in Crown Point. This is the main office for all Lake County birth records. They handle birth certificate orders, death records, paternity forms, and name change amendments. The office is open Monday through Friday during business hours. Walk-in service is available without an appointment.

Certified birth certificates from Lake County cost $20 per copy. This is higher than many other Indiana counties. The fee must be paid in cash or money order. No personal checks are accepted, except from funeral homes. The good news is that Lake County now accepts credit card payments as well. You can also order your records online, which is a convenience many other Indiana counties do not offer yet. Under IC 16-37-1-7, all certified birth certificates from Lake County are printed on safety paper with watermarks and security features.

Paternity establishment at the Lake County office costs $35 for the amendment plus $15 for the new certificate. Name change processing is $30. Death certificates are also $20 each. These fees apply at the Crown Point office and can be paid with the same methods as birth certificate orders.

Getting Lake County Birth Records In Person

Walking in to the Lake County Vital Records office in Crown Point is the fastest way to get a birth certificate. Bring a valid photo ID. You will fill out a request form at the counter, pay the $20 fee, and wait while staff pull your Lake County birth record from the system. Most people are done within 30 to 45 minutes depending on how busy the office is that day.

Under IC 16-37-1-10, you need to show that you have the right to receive a certified copy. This means you are the person named on the record, a parent, a legal guardian, or someone with proper legal authority. The Lake County office does not accept expired or temporary IDs. BMW paper licenses are also not accepted. Make sure your identification is current and valid before you go. If you are paying by credit card, the fee stays at $20 since the office recently started accepting cards without additional charges for standard transactions.

Note: The Lake County Vital Records office processes a large number of requests daily, so plan for a possible wait during peak hours.

Lake County Birth Records by Mail and Online

Lake County offers both mail and online ordering for birth certificates. For mail requests, send your application to the Lake County Health Department, 2900 W. 93rd Ave., Crown Point, IN 46307. Include the name on the certificate, date of birth, place of birth, and your relationship to the person. Add a copy of your photo ID and a $20 money order or cash. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return.

The online option is a newer addition. The Lake County Health Department now lets you order birth certificates through their website. This is especially helpful if you live far from Crown Point. The online system accepts credit card payments. Processing time for online orders varies, but it is generally faster than mailing in a paper form. Check the Lake County website for the most current details on how to place an online order for birth records.

Home Birth Registration in Lake County

Lake County has specific rules for home births. If a child was born at home in Lake County, the birth must be registered before the child turns one year old. Both parents must come to the office in person to drop off the home birth packet. Do not mail it in. The Lake County Health Department requires both parents to appear so staff can verify identities and review the paperwork face to face.

The home birth packet includes several forms that need to be filled out completely. Once you have the forms ready, bring them to the Vital Records office at 2900 W. 93rd Avenue in Crown Point. Staff will review everything and process the registration. After the Lake County birth record is created, you can order certified copies the same way as any other birth certificate. Home birth registrations in Lake County that come in after the child turns one may require additional documentation or a court order.

Lake County Birth Certificates From the State

The Indiana Department of Health also has copies of all Lake County birth records. Under IC 16-37-1-11, the state registrar keeps a duplicate of every birth recorded in Indiana. The state office in Indianapolis offers an alternative path if you prefer not to go through the Lake County office.

The state charges $10 for the first copy and $4 for each additional one. These prices are lower than Lake County's $20 fee. Phone orders go through (866) 601-0891, open 24 hours. Online orders use VitalChek with a service fee. Mail orders go to P.O. Box 7125, Indianapolis, IN 46206-7125. State processing takes 10 to 15 business days. If cost is a factor and you are not in a rush, the state option may save you a few dollars on your Lake County birth certificate.

Correcting Lake County Birth Records

If a Lake County birth certificate has an error, you can get it fixed. IC 16-37-1-8 covers how birth record corrections work in Indiana. The type of correction determines what you need to bring and how long it takes.

Minor errors on a Lake County birth record can be handled with supporting documents at the Crown Point office. Bigger changes need a court order first. Paternity establishment is available at the Lake County Vital Records office. Both parents need to be present. The process takes about 30 minutes. The amendment fee is $35, and a new birth certificate costs $15 on top of that. Name changes cost $30 to process at the Lake County office. Once any correction is done, the office prints a new Lake County birth certificate with the updated information.

Lake County Birth Records Online Resources

The Lake County Vital Records Division page has detailed information about fees, accepted payment methods, and how to order birth certificates.

This is the best starting point for anyone looking to order a Lake County birth certificate online or find out what to bring for a walk-in visit.

The Lake County Health Department page links to all health services in the county, including vital records.

From here you can find contact numbers, directions to the Crown Point office, and links to other departments that serve Lake County.

The main Lake County government homepage is a broader resource for all county services and departments.

Use this site to find related services in Lake County beyond vital records, including court offices and other administrative departments.

Cities in Lake County

Lake County is one of the most populated counties in Indiana and includes several large cities. All birth records are handled by the Lake County Vital Records Division in Crown Point, regardless of which city the birth took place in.

Other cities in Lake County include East Chicago, Hobart, Griffith, Munster, Schererville, Dyer, Highland, and Merrillville. Birth records for all of these communities are filed through the Lake County Health Department in Crown Point.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Lake County in northwest Indiana. Birth records are filed in the county where the birth happened. If you are unsure which county a hospital falls in, call the Lake County office to check.