Terre Haute Obituary Records
Terre Haute obituary and death records are issued by the Vigo County Health Department, which serves this city of about 58,000 on Indiana's western border with Illinois. You can request certified Terre Haute death certificates in person at 171 Oak Street during limited daily hours, or by postal mail. The Vigo County office has strict policies: requests submitted by email, fax, or phone are not accepted, and payment must be by cash, money order, or cashier's check only. Vigo County maintains death records going back to 1882.
Terre Haute Quick Facts
Vigo County Health Department
The Vigo County Health Department at 171 Oak Street, Terre Haute, IN 47807 handles all death certificates and obituary record requests for the city and county. Phone: 812-462-3442. Email for general inquiries: VCHD.vitals@vigocounty.in.gov. Office hours for vital records run Monday through Friday from 8:15 AM to 3:45 PM. These shorter hours compared to most Indiana county offices mean you must plan your visit with care. Do not arrive after 3:45 PM expecting to complete a transaction.
The fee is $10 per certified Terre Haute death certificate. This is one of the lower rates in Indiana. However, payment is limited to cash, money order, and cashier's check. No cards. No personal checks. No exceptions are noted on the county's current policy. For mail requests, use a money order or cashier's check. Do not send personal checks or cash through the mail.
One of the most important policies at Vigo County: the office does not accept requests submitted by email, fax, or phone. You must appear in person during business hours or submit a physical mail request with all required documents. The Vigo County vital records page at vigocounty.in.gov/department/division.php?structureid=129 has current instructions.
How to Get Terre Haute Obituary Records
Walk-in service at 171 Oak Street is available Monday through Friday from 8:15 AM to 3:45 PM. Arrive before 3:30 PM to allow enough time. Bring a valid government photo ID and cash or a money order for $10. Know the full name of the deceased and the approximate date of death. Staff can usually issue the certificate during your visit.
Mail requests go to Vigo County Health Department, 171 Oak Street, Terre Haute, IN 47807. Include a completed application, a photocopy of your government photo ID, and a money order or cashier's check for $10. Do not use email, fax, or phone to submit applications. Only physical mail counts as a valid remote submission.
Indiana law under IC 16-37-1-11 requires that certified death records go only to those with a direct interest. For genealogy requests, Vigo County requires that the person whose record you are seeking be deceased and over 75 years old. Call 812-462-3442 to confirm current genealogy access rules before mailing a request.
Correction appointments at Vigo County are by appointment only and run from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. If you need to correct a death certificate entry, call the office to schedule before visiting.
Terre Haute Obituary Research and Genealogy
Terre Haute has a documented history going back well into the 1800s, and the Tribune-Star and its predecessor papers published obituary notices for city residents for over a century. These archives are available at the Vigo County Public Library and on microfilm at the Indiana State Library in Indianapolis.
The Indiana State Library at in.gov/library/genealogy.htm holds Vigo County genealogy materials including newspaper obituary indexes, historical vital records finding aids, and county history collections. For Terre Haute deaths from the 1800s, when county records may have gaps, the library's newspaper archives can fill in important details including names of survivors and the name of the officiating church or funeral home.
The Indiana Legacy database at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy is free to search and holds digitized Indiana vital records. It is a good starting point for Terre Haute deaths from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Legacy can help confirm a death date and county before you send a mail request to Vigo County.
VitalChek provides online ordering for Indiana death certificates including Terre Haute records, though requestors should verify with Vigo County whether online ordering is processed through VitalChek or if the county requires direct mail submission.
Statewide Resources and Indiana Vital Records Law
The Indiana Department of Health at 317-233-2700 holds the statewide vital records database and can assist with Terre Haute death records when Vigo County cannot fulfill a request. The state's database covers all Indiana deaths, and the state office can issue certified copies independently from the county. State Form 49606 for mail-in orders is at in.gov/health/vital-records/order-now.
Indiana Code IC 16-37-3-9 defines what information certified death records must include. Vigo County follows these rules for all Terre Haute obituary requests. Certified copies carry the county and state seal. They are legally valid for estate purposes, insurance claims, and court proceedings.
The Indiana State Archives at in.gov/icpr/archives may hold older Terre Haute records that predate modern county vital records systems. For deaths in the 1800s before Vigo County formalized its records program, the archives are worth contacting.
Note: Vigo County genealogy requests require the subject to be deceased and over 75 years old. This is more restrictive than some Indiana counties. Call 812-462-3442 before sending a genealogy request to confirm eligibility.
Vigo County Obituary Records
Terre Haute is the county seat of Vigo County, and all death records for the city go through Vigo County systems. For the complete overview of Vigo County vital records offices and resources, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying Indiana cities near Terre Haute in western Indiana:
- Bloomington - Monroe County
- Lafayette - Tippecanoe County
- Evansville - Vanderburgh County
- Indianapolis - Marion County