Access Marshall County Birth Records

Marshall County birth records are maintained by the health department in Plymouth, Indiana. This north-central Indiana county has kept birth records on file since 1882. The Marshall County Health Department processes all birth certificate requests for births that took place within county boundaries. Whether you need a certified copy for a passport, school enrollment, or personal records, this page covers the full process. You will learn about the Plymouth office, fees, who can request records, and how to order by walk-in, mail, or through the state.

Marshall County Birth Certificate Office

The Marshall County Health Department handles all birth records for the county. The office is at 990 Illinois Street in Plymouth, Indiana 46563. You can reach them by phone at 574-935-8565 or by fax at 574-936-9247. The Health Officer is Dr. Byron Holm, MD. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Walk-in service is the quickest way to get a Marshall County birth certificate. Show up at the Plymouth office during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID. You will fill out a short form with the full name on the record, the date of birth, and how you are related to the person. Staff search the Marshall County files and print your certified copy. Most walk-in requests are handled the same day. All certificates are printed on security paper with watermarks and background patterns that meet IC 16-37-1-7 standards. These documents work for Real ID, passport applications, and any other purpose where you need legal proof of birth.

Marshall County has kept birth records since 1882. Older records from the 1880s and 1890s may have some gaps, but most are on file.

Who Can Get Marshall County Birth Records

Indiana law restricts who can request a certified birth certificate. Under IC 16-37-1-10, birth records are confidential. Only people with a direct interest in the record can get a certified copy from Marshall County.

You can request a certified Marshall County birth certificate if you are:

• The person on the record (must be 18 or older)
• A parent listed on the birth certificate
• A legal guardian with court papers
• A grandparent, sibling over 18, or current spouse with proof
• An attorney acting for the person named on the record
• A government agency with lawful need

Genealogy requests are handled differently. The individual on the Marshall County birth record must be deceased and at least 75 years old. You show proof of death and can get a non-certified copy for research purposes.

Getting Birth Certificates in Marshall County

Going to Plymouth in person is the fastest route. Bring your photo ID. Fill out the form. Pay the fee. You should have your Marshall County birth certificate the same day.

Mail is the other option. Send your request to the Marshall County Health Department at 990 Illinois Street, Plymouth, IN 46563. Include the full name on the birth record, date of birth, your relationship to the person, a copy of your photo ID, a check or money order for the fee, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail orders from Marshall County take about one to two weeks to process depending on volume at the office. The same rules about who can request records apply by mail as they do in person.

The Indiana Department of Health also maintains copies of all Indiana birth records from 1907 to the present. This includes Marshall County births. The state charges $10 for the first copy and $4 for each extra copy in the same order. You can order through VitalChek, the state's only authorized online vendor, or call (866) 601-0891 any time. State orders take 10 to 15 business days. Under IC 16-37-1-11, the fee covers the search of records and one certified copy if found. The fee is not refunded if no record turns up.

Correcting Marshall County Birth Certificates

If your Marshall County birth certificate has a mistake, it can be corrected. IC 16-37-1-8 sets the rules. Minor corrections like a misspelled name, a date off by one day, or a wrong parent birthplace do not require a court order. You bring supporting documents that are at least ten years old. School records, hospital records, and insurance policies all work as proof.

A court order is needed for legal name changes or records that have been corrected before. Once the court signs the order, the state updates the record and Marshall County issues a new certificate. For adding a father's name through a Paternity Affidavit, both parents must come to the health department in Plymouth with valid ID. They sign the form together and the Marshall County birth record is updated.

Marshall County Historical Birth Records

Indiana did not require births to be recorded until 1882. The state did not start collecting records at a state level until 1907. For Marshall County births between 1882 and 1906, you must contact the health department in Plymouth directly since the state office does not have those older files.

For births before 1882, other sources may help. Church records, local newspapers, and family bibles from that period sometimes have birth dates and names. The Indiana State Archives also has some historical records and can point you in the right direction. Unofficial copies of Indiana birth certificates from 1907 to 1945 are available on Ancestry.com for genealogy purposes, though these are not certified copies.

Marshall County Birth Records Resources

The Marshall County Health Department page on the state website has contact details and links to vital records services.

Visit this page to find the current hours, phone number, and directions to the Plymouth office for your Marshall County birth certificate request.

Cities in Marshall County

Marshall County includes Plymouth, Bremen, Bourbon, Culver, and Argos. None of these have a population above 25,000. All birth records for people born in Marshall County are filed with the health department in Plymouth.

Nearby Counties

These counties share borders with Marshall County. Birth records are filed in the county where the birth took place. If a hospital sits near a county line, check which side it falls on before you request records.