Can I request my certificate through the mail?

Yes. Depending on the location you are mailing from we advise the round trip mail to be between 10 and 16 business days. Mail ordering is still dependent upon State Laws concerning valid identification and familiar relation.

  1. Photocopy of valid driver’s license, state ID, or 3 alternative documentation
    • If you are ordering a relative or spouse's birth certificate, please refer to the list of documents you will need to provide with the order.
  2. Must fill out the birth request form: English    Spanish, or provide a handwritten/typed note with the following information.
    • Birthday month/day/year
    • Both parents name
    • Full name at birth
    • Mother’s maiden name
    • Telephone to be reached at
  3. Final documents:
    • Payment is exclusively in money order form, and made out to East Chicago Health Department
    • Each Certificate copy will be $12, for more copies please multiply accordingly - No personal checks or cash, or it will be sent back.
    • Include self-addressed, self-stamped envelope for return.
  4. Must be mailed to:
    100 W Chicago Avenue
    East Chicago IN, 46312, Suite 100 A
    Attn: Vital Records

Alternatively, you may print the certificate application from the website and mail it with a photocopy of valid driver’s license, valid state ID, or 3 alternative documentation, money order, and self-addressed stamped envelope.

You may call the East Chicago Health Department 7 business days after mailing your forms to see if we have received it and if it has been put back into the mail, 219-391-8413.

Show All Answers

1. What the new birth registry means for you.
2. Is this birth certificate a legal document?
3. Does this birth certificate include my time of birth and mother’s maiden name?
4. Is this a long form birth certificate? How can I obtain a long form birth certificate?
5. Can I request an Apostille seal from East Chicago?
6. Can I come to the East Chicago Health Department office for my birth certificate?
7. Can I get a social security card from here?
8. Do I need an appointment to get my birth certificate?
9. How long will the in office visit take?
10. My child was recently born, when will the certificate be ready?
11. I was adopted. Can I get my certificate here?
12. What will I need to get my birth certificate?
13. I do not have a valid driver’s license or state ID. What can I do?
14. Is the BMV issued temp paper ID accepted?
15. Who can pick up my birth certificate in the case I cannot pick up my own?
16. I am recently incarcerated, recently released from incarceration, in a shelter, in an institute, or am homeless. How can I request my birth certificate?
17. I am a social worker, shelter representative, or lawyer firm requesting a certificate for my client. What do I need?
18. Can I call ahead for my birth certificate and can I pay over the phone?
19. Can I request my certificate through the mail?
20. Can I purchase my certificate online?
21. What will my relative need to get my certificate?
22. My name and/or other information on my birth certificate is incorrect. What can I do?
23. My name has been changed, how do I get a new certificate?
24. The name on my birth certificate is different than my current documents. Can i get this name on my certificate?
25. Can I request a birth certificate from any Health Department?
26. I was born in Lake County can I request a birth certificate from East Chicago?
27. What is considered genealogy?