Find Obituary Records in Clinton County
Clinton County obituary and death records are managed by the Clinton County Health Department in Frankfort, Indiana. If you need a certified death certificate or want to search for older obituary records from this central Indiana county, the health department handles vital records requests for events that occurred in Clinton County going back to 1882. Walk-in, mail, and online ordering options are all available.
Clinton County Quick Facts
Clinton County Health Department - Vital Records
The Clinton County Health Department is at 1234 Rossville Ave., Suite B in Frankfort, Indiana 46041. Call 765-659-6385 or fax to 765-659-6387. The email for vital records is Vitalrecords@clintoncountyin.gov. The health department website is at in.gov/localhealth/clintoncounty, and the vital records page is at in.gov/localhealth/clintoncounty/vital-records.
Walk-in hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Both death records and birth records go back to 1882. The fee for death certificates is not listed publicly for Clinton County, so call 765-659-6385 or email Vitalrecords@clintoncountyin.gov before your visit to confirm the current fee and what payment types are accepted. Staff can answer questions about what ID to bring and whether your relationship to the deceased qualifies you for a certified copy.
| Address | 1234 Rossville Ave., Suite B, Frankfort, IN 46041 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 765-659-6385 |
| Fax | 765-659-6387 |
| Vitalrecords@clintoncountyin.gov | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Website | in.gov/localhealth/clintoncounty/vital-records |
The image below is from the Indiana Department of Health FAQ page, which covers identification requirements and direct interest rules that apply to Clinton County death certificate requests.
Visit the Indiana Department of Health FAQ page for answers about requesting Clinton County obituary and death records through the health department.
The FAQ page explains the direct interest standard and what documents you need to bring when requesting Clinton County death records.
Requesting Clinton County Death Records
Walk-in service at the Frankfort office is your fastest option. Come Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Bring photo ID and payment. Because the fee is not posted online, call 765-659-6385 first to confirm the current cost and what forms of payment are accepted. Staff can process your request during your visit if the record is in the county's files.
Mail requests are an alternative for those who cannot come in person. Download and complete the application from the Clinton County vital records page, include a copy of your photo ID, and mail everything with your payment to 1234 Rossville Ave., Suite B, Frankfort, IN 46041. You can also email questions to Vitalrecords@clintoncountyin.gov before sending your mail request. Processing takes longer by mail than walk-in service.
Online ordering goes through VitalChek. They add a service fee but accept credit cards, which may not be an option at the local office. Call 866-601-0891 anytime to order by phone through VitalChek. The Indiana Department of Health's mail order form, State Form 49606, is also available at in.gov/health/vital-records/order-now.
Under IC 16-37-1-11, the search fee is non-refundable even if no record is found. Have the full name and approximate year of death ready before submitting your request to avoid being charged for a search that returns nothing.
Who Can Get a Clinton County Obituary Record
Certified death certificates in Clinton County follow Indiana's direct interest standard. You must show you have a qualifying relationship to the deceased. Immediate family members qualify: spouses, parents, children, grandchildren, and siblings. Attorneys, legal guardians, and authorized social or government agencies can also make requests if they bring the right documentation. Government-issued photo ID is required for everyone.
Genealogy requests are allowed for records more than 75 years old. Proof of death may be required. A genealogy copy is usually non-certified but contains the core facts from the death record. For older Clinton County records, particularly those from 1882 to 1920, records may have gaps or incomplete information due to the early state of vital records registration in Indiana during that period.
Under IC 5-14-3, basic death record information is open to the public. Full certified copies require showing direct interest as defined by Indiana vital records law. If you have questions about your eligibility, email Vitalrecords@clintoncountyin.gov before visiting.
State Resources for Clinton County Obituary Research
The Indiana Department of Health in Indianapolis can issue certified death certificates for Clinton County events. Their phone is 317-233-2700. They hold statewide records from 1900 to the present. Online orders go through VitalChek. Mail orders use Form 49606, and the state charges $8 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy of the same record.
The Indiana Legacy database is free online and holds over 5 million indexed records from Indiana libraries and genealogy groups. It includes obituary records, death entries, and cemetery data for Clinton County. Searching here first is a good way to confirm a record exists before paying for a certified copy. The Hoosier State Chronicles digital newspaper archive has Frankfort-area papers with older obituary notices.
The Indiana State Library Genealogy Division at 317-232-3689 holds family history collections including county research guides for all Indiana counties. The Indiana State Archives at 317-591-5222 holds original county government records. Both are useful when local records are thin or incomplete.
Under IC 16-37-3-9, the local health officer in Clinton County maintains a permanent death register from every certificate filed, going back to 1882.
Clinton County Clerk and Related Records
The Clinton County Clerk in Frankfort holds marriage records, divorce filings, and probate court documents. These records often work together with death records, especially when researching family history or settling estates. Probate proceedings begin after a death and document how the deceased's property is distributed. The clerk's records can name heirs, describe assets, and show court orders related to the estate.
If you need to show your relationship to a deceased person in order to request a death certificate, marriage or birth records from the clerk can serve as supporting documentation. Contact the Clinton County Courthouse in Frankfort to reach the clerk and ask about hours and fees for these records. The courthouse is the hub for most county civil records in Clinton County.
Cities in Clinton County
Frankfort is Clinton County's county seat and largest community. No cities in Clinton County have a population over 25,000. All death records and obituary records for Clinton County are handled through the health department in Frankfort.
Nearby Counties
Clinton County is in central Indiana and borders several counties. Each has its own health department for local vital records.