VITAL RECORDS
THE WELLS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL BE CLOSED ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2008 DUE TO THE FLU CLINIC
Vital Records Contact
Marlene Hoag
Vital Records Registrar
Wells County Health Department
223 W. Washington Street
Bluffton, IN 46714
Phone: 260-824-6489
Fax: 260-824-8803 |
The Vital Records division is charged with the registration,
maintenance and issuance of birth and death records
for Wells County. This office provides certified copies
of birth and death records for events occurring in
Wells County and is available from 1883 to present.
Certified birth certificates are needed for many reasons, including school registration, travel, insurance purposes, obtaining a passport, and for personal and property rights. Many hospitals and birthing facilities issue a souvenir certificate with foot or hand prints when a child is born. This is not a birth certificate and has no legal value.
A certified birth certificate is the legal registration of a birth and is only issued by county or state government. Persons must obtain their birth certificate from the county or state in which they were born.
A certified record of death can only be obtained from the county in which the individual expired, no matter where he/she was buried. Costs for obtaining birth/death certificates and application procedures may vary from one Health Department to another.
For birth and death records occurring in other Indiana counties, please contact that county health department regarding application procedures and fees. A list of Indiana county health departments and their websites can be found at http://www.in.gov/isdh/23926.htm. If you were born in another state, or wish to obtain a family member's death certificate, you can apply online at www.vitalchek.com, or contact the Health Department in the state in which the event occured.
Obtaining Records
Birth & death certificates may be obtained through any of the following ways:
Walk-In Service
The vital records office issues certificates Monday-Friday between the hours of 8am-11am and 1pm-4pm. Proper identification must be provided to request a birth certificate, and only immediate family may apply. A person who has no form of ID should have an immediate family member apply for them. Family members must be over 18 years of age and have proof of relationship, as well as personal identification.
US Mail
Those requesting a certified birth or death record by mail should print the application provided in the Forms section below, and follow the directions closely. Mail your fully completed application, along with a copy of your identification and appropriate fees to the Wells County Health Department at the address listed above. Certificate requests are usually honored the same day as received, but omissions and errors may cause delays.
Online
Certified birth and death records may be applied for online at www.vitalchek.com. There is an extra processing fee for using this service to apply. Delivery may be expedited by choosing overnight or priority mail. Certificate requests are usually honored the same day as received, but omissions and errors may cause delays.
Acceptable Identification Who May Apply
- Valid Driver's License (current address & not expired)
- Military ID
- State Issued ID Card
- Valid Passport
- Department of Correction ID issued within past 6 months
- School ID with signature and/or photo for current school year
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- Mother
- Father
- Sister
- Brother
- Grandmother
- Grandfather
- Son
- Daughter
- Spouse
Individuals must be 18 or older to apply |
If none of the above types of identification are available, the Health Department will accept two of the following documents (all must be current and valid):
- Employment ID with name, signature, photo, and date of employment
- Health Insurance card with name
- Bank card with signature (not credit card)
- Voter Registration card with signature
- Previous year's tax return with signature and Social Security Card
- Marriage application/license issued by Clerk of Court with signatures
- Gun permit with signature
- Expired driver's license
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Forms
Click the forms below to download the PDF version. Requires Adobe Acrobat.
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