Decatur County Obituary Lookup
Decatur County obituary and death records are maintained by the Decatur County Health Department in Greensburg, Indiana. This southeast Indiana county has death records going back to 1882. If you need a certified death certificate or want to search for older obituary records from Decatur County, the health department handles those requests. Notably, the Decatur County office can now issue death certificates for any Indiana county, which is a convenience for local residents needing out-of-county records.
Decatur County Quick Facts
Decatur County Health Department - Vital Records
The Decatur County Health Department is at 315 S. Ireland St. in Greensburg, Indiana 47240. Call 812-663-8301. The health department website is at in.gov/localhealth/decaturcounty, and the vital records page is at in.gov/localhealth/decaturcounty/vital-records.
Decatur County's fee structure is distinctive: the first certified copy of a death certificate costs $25, and each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $2. This means ordering multiple copies at once is significantly cheaper than making separate requests. If you need several certified copies for estate purposes, order them all at once. Walk-in service is available during office hours. Call 812-663-8301 to confirm current hours and accepted payment types before visiting the Greensburg office.
An important feature of the Decatur County Health Department: it can now issue birth and death certificates for any county in Indiana. If you live in Greensburg and need a death certificate for someone who died in a different Indiana county, you can get it locally without traveling to that county.
| Address | 315 S. Ireland St., Greensburg, IN 47240 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 812-663-8301 |
| Death Certificate Fee | $25 for first copy; $2 each additional copy |
| Any Indiana County | Yes, can issue for any Indiana county |
| Records From | 1882 to present |
| Website | in.gov/localhealth/decaturcounty/vital-records |
The image below is from the Indiana Department of Health FAQ page, which answers questions about death certificate access and identification requirements that apply to Decatur County and all Indiana counties.
Visit the Indiana Department of Health FAQ page for information about death certificate rules and requirements that apply to Decatur County obituary and death record requests.
The FAQ addresses questions about who can request death certificates, what ID is needed, and how genealogy requests work in Indiana, including Decatur County.
How to Get Decatur County Death Certificates
Walk-in service at the Greensburg office is available during posted hours. Come with photo ID and payment. The fee is $25 for the first copy and $2 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. If you need multiple certified copies for different legal purposes, this pricing structure makes it cost-effective to order them all at once. Call 812-663-8301 to confirm current hours and payment methods before visiting.
Mail requests are an alternative if you cannot come to Greensburg in person. Fill out the application form from the vital records page, include a copy of your photo ID, and mail everything with your payment to 315 S. Ireland St., Greensburg, IN 47240. Mail requests take longer than walk-in service. If you have a deadline, walk in or use the online option.
Online orders go through VitalChek. Service fees apply on top of the county fee. VitalChek is available online or by phone at 866-601-0891 around the clock. The Indiana Department of Health also accepts mail orders through State Form 49606, available at in.gov/health/vital-records/order-now. The state charges $8 for the first copy and $4 for additional copies.
Under IC 16-37-1-11, the fee is non-refundable. The fee covers the search, not just the copy, and it is charged even if no record is found.
Who Can Get a Decatur County Obituary Record
Certified death certificates in Decatur County require showing a direct interest in the record. Indiana law qualifies immediate family members: spouses, parents, children, grandchildren, siblings, and others with a documented legal or financial interest. Bring government-issued photo ID and any papers that support your claim of direct interest. Attorneys must provide both ID and interest documentation.
Genealogy access is available for records where the deceased died more than 75 years ago. Proof of death may be required. A genealogy copy is non-certified but contains the core identifying information. For older Decatur County records from the 1882 to 1920 period, some entries may be incomplete due to early record-keeping standards. Check the Indiana Legacy database for free before requesting a paid copy.
Under IC 5-14-3, basic death information is open to the public. This includes name, gender, age, and place of death. Full certified copies require the direct interest standard.
State Resources for Decatur County Obituary Research
The Indiana Department of Health in Indianapolis holds statewide death records from 1900 and can issue certified copies for Decatur County. Phone: 317-233-2700. Online orders go through VitalChek. Mail orders use Form 49606. The state office charges $8 for the first certified copy and $4 for each additional copy of the same record.
The Indiana Legacy database is free and searchable online. It has over 5 million indexed records from Indiana libraries and genealogy societies including obituary records, death entries, and cemetery data for Decatur County. Search by name and county before ordering a certified copy. The Hoosier State Chronicles digital newspaper archive has Greensburg-area papers with older obituary notices.
The Indiana State Library Genealogy Division at 317-232-3689 holds county research guides and family history materials. The Indiana State Archives at 317-591-5222 holds original government records from all Indiana counties. Under IC 16-37-3-9, Decatur County's local health officer maintains a permanent death register going back to 1882.
Decatur County Clerk and Related Records
The Decatur County Clerk in Greensburg holds marriage records, divorce filings, and probate documents. These records connect directly to death records when settling estates or researching family history. Probate filings open after a death and document how the estate was handled through the court. Marriage records can help establish family connections when you need to show your qualifying relationship for a death certificate request.
The Decatur County Courthouse in Greensburg is where the clerk's office operates. Call the courthouse to ask about hours and fees for clerk records. These records, combined with the health department's death certificates and the state's genealogy resources, give you access to a comprehensive record of any person's life and death in Decatur County.
Cities in Decatur County
Greensburg is Decatur County's county seat and largest city. No cities in Decatur County have a population over 25,000. All death records and obituary records for Decatur County are handled through the health department in Greensburg.
Nearby Counties
Decatur County is in southeast Indiana and borders several other counties. Each has its own health department for local death records.