Search Delaware County Obituary Records
Delaware County obituary and death records are managed by the Delaware County Health Department in Muncie, Indiana. If you need a certified death certificate or want to search for historical obituary records from this east-central Indiana county, the health department handles vital records requests from 1882 to the present. There are several important rules to know about payment and ID before visiting, including that personal checks and electronic submissions are not accepted.
Delaware County Quick Facts
Delaware County Health Department - Vital Records
The Delaware County Health Department is at 125 N. Mulberry St. in Muncie, Indiana 47305. Call 765-747-7721 or fax to 765-747-7747. The email is dwilkins@co.delaware.in.us. The vital records website is at co.delaware.in.us. Application forms are available at co.delaware.in.us/egov/apps/document/center.
There are strict rules about payment and submission in Delaware County. Cash, check, and money order are the only accepted payment types. Personal checks are not accepted. Applications and payments submitted electronically will be rejected. Do not email your application or payment. All requests must be submitted in person or by mail with physical payment. Photo ID is required for all records requests. These rules are more specific than many other Indiana county offices, so read them carefully before submitting.
| Address | 125 N. Mulberry St., Muncie, IN 47305 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 765-747-7721 |
| Fax | 765-747-7747 |
| dwilkins@co.delaware.in.us (questions only) | |
| Death Certificate Fee | $20 per copy |
| Genealogy Search | $5 per name |
| Uncertified Copy | $10 per copy |
| Payment | Cash or money order only (no personal checks, no electronic submissions) |
| Website | co.delaware.in.us |
The image below is from the Delaware County Health Department's vital records page, which shows the application process and requirements for requesting Delaware County obituary and death records.
Visit the Delaware County Health Department vital records page to find application forms and instructions for requesting death certificates and obituary records in Muncie and Delaware County.
The page shows the application requirements and payment rules for requesting Delaware County death certificates and obituary records, including the restriction on electronic submissions.
Requesting Delaware County Death Certificates
Walk-in service at the Muncie office on N. Mulberry Street is the most direct option. Come during business hours with your government-issued photo ID and cash or money order. Personal checks and electronic payments are not accepted. A certified death certificate costs $20. An uncertified copy is $10. A genealogy name search costs $5 per name. Staff can process your request during the visit.
Mail requests are available but must follow the strict rules. Download the application from the Delaware County document center, complete it, attach a copy of your photo ID, and mail everything with a money order to 125 N. Mulberry St., Muncie, IN 47305. Do not send personal checks. Do not submit electronically. Physical mail with a money order is required. Processing time for mail requests is longer than walk-in service.
Delaware County does not appear to use VitalChek's county-specific portal, but you can still order Indiana death certificates through the state office. Use VitalChek for online orders or call 866-601-0891. You can also mail State Form 49606 from in.gov/health/vital-records/order-now to the Indiana Department of Health.
Note: Under IC 16-37-1-11, the search fee is non-refundable regardless of whether the record is located.
Who Can Get Delaware County Obituary Records
Certified death certificates from Delaware County require photo ID and a showing of direct interest in the record. Immediate family members, legal representatives, and authorized agents qualify. Photo ID is required for all requests without exception. If your relationship to the deceased is not a standard immediate family connection, bring additional documentation to support your claim.
Genealogy searches are available at $5 per name. This covers a search of the index for that specific name. If you need older Delaware County death records for genealogy purposes and the person died more than 75 years ago, the genealogy search route is appropriate. Be aware that electronic submissions are rejected even for genealogy requests, so all payments and applications must be physical.
Under IC 5-14-3, basic death information is public. Full certified copies require direct interest. Uncertified copies at $10 may be appropriate when you need information but not a legally certified document with a raised seal.
State Resources for Delaware County Obituary Research
The Indiana Department of Health in Indianapolis holds statewide death records from 1900 to present and can issue certified Delaware County death certificates. Phone: 317-233-2700. Online orders go through VitalChek. Mail orders use Form 49606. State fees are $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 including obituary entries, death records, and cemetery data for Delaware County and across Indiana. Searching here first is a good approach before paying for a certified copy. The Hoosier State Chronicles digital newspaper archive holds Muncie-area papers and is a valuable source for older Delaware County obituaries.
The Indiana State Library Genealogy Division at 317-232-3689 holds county research guides and family history materials for Delaware County. The Indiana State Archives at 317-591-5222 holds original government records from all Indiana counties. Under IC 16-37-3-9, Delaware County's local health officer maintains a permanent death register from every certificate filed.
Delaware County Clerk and Related Records
The Delaware County Clerk in Muncie holds marriage records, divorce filings, and probate court documents. These records connect with death records when settling estates or researching family history. Probate filings begin after a death and document how the deceased's assets were handled by the court. Marriage records can help establish family relationships when you need to show your right to request a death certificate.
Contact the Delaware County Courthouse in Muncie to reach the clerk's office. These records are part of the broader picture of any person's life and final affairs in Delaware County. Combined with the health department's death certificates and the state genealogy resources, clerk records give you a comprehensive view.
Cities in Delaware County
Muncie is Delaware County's county seat and largest city. It is the only city in Delaware County with a population over 25,000.
Nearby Counties
Delaware County is in east-central Indiana and borders several counties. Each has a health department handling local death records and obituary requests.