Frequently Asked Questions

This depends on the city of death. You would seek the local health department in the city/state in which that person passed away in.

East Chicago

If the person passed in East Chicago you would contact the East Chicago Health Department at  219-391-8413

The East Chicago Health Department located at:
100 W Chicago Avenue
Suite 100 A
East Chicago, IN 46312

You can obtain the certificate with 3 methods; office visit, mail, or online. Refer to how you can obtain the certificate.

City of Gary

If the person passed away in Gary you would contact the Gary Health Department at 219-882-5565. The Gary Health Department is located at:
1145 W 5th Avenue
Gary, IN 46402

Other Cities Besides East Chicago or Gary

If the person passed away in Lake County elsewhere than East Chicago or Gary, you must contact the Lake County Health Department at 219-755-3655. The Lake County Health Department is located at:
2900 W 93rd Avenue
Crown Point, IN 46307

This depends on relation. 

State law dictates No aunt, uncle, cousin, niece, nephew, ex-spouse, step parent (not listed on certificate), or non-relative may pick up a certificate without power of attorney or direct interest documentation.

• Child of deceased - If you are a child of the deceased you will need your birth certificate and a valid driver’s license or valid state ID.
• Grandchildren of deceased- Will need their own birth certificate, the certificate of their parent that lists the deceased within, and a valid ID.
• Ex-wife/Ex-husband, Other Non-Relation - These relations must show a direct interest for the certificate by bringing a legal letter from an agency that lists your name as the estate beneficiary, inheritor, life insurance beneficiary, bank account closer, or other agency that requests the deceased death certificate.
• Informant - If you are listed as the informant on the death certificate you will need a valid driver’s license or valid state ID.
• Lawyer - We advise you to call ahead to review your clients case with the Vital Records representative. The agency or representative is still responsible for sending a formal request on a client’s behalf through office visit, mail, or online order. All methods will require the advocate’s work ID, office letterhead, and payment. The agency or representative will have to provide a direct interest on behalf of the client which includes a legal letter from an agency that lists your client’s name as the estate beneficiary, inheritor, life insurance beneficiary, bank account closer, or other agency that requests the deceased death certificate.
• Parent of the Deceased - If you are listed as the parent on the death certificate you will need a valid driver’s license or valid state ID.
• Wife/Husband - You will need the marriage license and your valid driver’s license or valid state ID.
• Not Married At the Time of Death- Individuals who were not married at the time but have children together, must bring in valid license or ID AND the birth certificate displaying the descendant's name. If name is not on birth certificate or do not possess children with the descendant you must show documentation for special interest.

You will need appropriate documentation in order to receive someone’s death certificate. You will also need to know the exact date or a specific range of dates of the death. All death records are stored by date, not name of the deceased. If you are not sure of the date, you may contact the cemetery for the burial date. The Health Department does not provide vouchers for certificates.

Who Cannot Obtain Death Certificates

No aunts, uncles, cousins, niece, nephew, ex-spouse, or non-relations may obtain a death certificate unless you have a legal letter from an agency that lists both your name and the deceased such as:

• Joint bank account
• Car title
• Estate beneficiary
• Inheritor
• Life insurance beneficiary
• Other agency that requests the deceased death certificate
  • These documents must be recent and must be proven to be active

Two to four weeks or depending on the circumstances of the passing. The hospital, attending physicians, or coroners will generate the certificate to the system when the mode of death or investigation has concluded. The funeral home is the responsible party for all details on the certificate, the health department is only responsible for printing the certificate.  Call our office at 219-391-8413 to verify if the certificate has been generated.

Call the attending funeral home. The East Chicago Health Department is not responsible for generating any details on the certificate. Details are generated by those directly involved in the procedures. Contact the attending funeral home if any detail is incorrect.

If you are unsure of who to contact call the East Chicago Health Department at 219-391-8413 for direction.

We are open for in office visit. The East Chicago Health only possesses death certificates of individuals whom have passed away in the city of East Chicago. Depending on your relation to the person you will need different documents. Refer to who can obtain a death certificate and what you will need. 

To request a death certificate via the mail, submit the following to the Health Department:

Mail ordering is still dependent upon State Laws concerning valid identification and familiar relation.

You may print the following certificate to include in your mail items: English Death Certificate       Spanish Death Certificate

1. Photocopy of valid driver’s license and documentation
2. Must provide note with:
   • Birthday of deceased
   • Deceased’ mother’s maiden name
   • Deceased’s father and mother’s names
   • Exact date of death
   • Full name of deceased
   • Place of death
   • Purpose for which this certificate will be used
   • Your relation to the person
3. Also be sure to enclose a $12 money order made to East Chicago Health Department
   • Each Certificate copy will be $12, for more copies please multiply accordingly - No personal checks or cash, it will be sent back
   • Include self-addressed, self-stamped envelope for return
4. Mail to:
   100 W. Chicago Avenue
   Suite 100 A
   Attn: Vital Records
   East Chicago, IN 46312

Depending on the location you are mailing from we advise the round trip mail to be between 10 and 16 business days.

There will be a difference in price for online ordering versus mail or office visit, and it will require a fax. Online ordering is faster than mail ordering but will come at slight fee increase. There is regular mail shipping or UPS overnight shipping available.

Online ordering is still dependent upon State Laws concerning valid identification and familiar relation.

1. Access the VitalChek website (This is a verified website also used by State.) 
2.  Select order death certificate
3. Select state of Indiana
4. Select city of East Chicago
5. Health Department will be – East Chicago Indiana State Department of Health (Do not select Indiana State)

Shipping

• There are two shipping methods available 1 regular mail (no cost) 2 UPS Air ($17.50) shipping will automatically select UPS, unselect if not wanted.
• Each certificate is $12, website charges $8.50
• In total Regular mail order for 1 certificate is $20.50, UPS for 1 certificate is $38. If you are in need of multiple certificates the shipping fee and service charge does not increase.

To Complete Your Order

• After you put in debit/credit information and purchase you must download and print this page. That will be your authorization form which must be faxed to the East Chicago Health Department to complete your order. Fax number will be on the authorization form. 
• You will also fax a photocopy of your valid license or state ID with the confirmation page. If you do not have a valid drivers or ID please refer to acceptable documents.
• For your convenience you can access fax services from public libraries, UPS stores, FedEx stores, and currency exchanges.
• Faxed orders will be processed before 12 pm Central time.
• This authorization form and photocopy of license/ID, or alternative documents, and proof of relation documents are required to complete your order. Without the fax the Health Department will not know the order exists and the company will take your payment regardless if the Department sends the certificate.

You may call the East Chicago Health Department at  219-391-8413 to verify we have received your fax.

Genealogy certificates are records that are 75 years or older.