Gary Death Index

Gary death index records can be obtained through two offices. The Gary City Health Department provides vital records services for deaths within city limits, and the Lake County Health Department in Crown Point also handles death certificates for the entire county. Gary is the largest city in Lake County and sits in northwest Indiana along the Lake Michigan shoreline. This page covers both sources so you can find the best way to search the Gary death index and get certified copies of death records.

Gary Death Records Offices

The Gary City Health Department is at 401 Broadway #102, Gary, IN 46402. Call (219) 882-5565 with questions. Gary is one of the few cities in Indiana that runs its own health department with vital records services. If someone died within Gary city limits, this office can issue a certified death certificate. Having a local office means Gary residents do not have to travel to Crown Point for every request.

The Lake County Health Department is the other option. Their office is at 2900 W. 93rd Ave., Crown Point, IN 46307. Call (219) 755-3650. The county handles death records for every city in Lake County. If the Gary office cannot help, the county office in Crown Point is a backup. Both offices can access death index records for the county.

The screenshot above shows the Lake County Health Department website where residents can find contact information and office details.

How to Get Gary Death Certificates

Walk-in service at either office is the fastest route. Go to the Gary City Health Department at 401 Broadway during business hours, or drive to the Lake County office in Crown Point. Bring a valid photo ID and the name and date of death of the person whose record you need. If the record is on file, you can get a certified copy the same day.

For mail orders, send a written request to either the Gary City Health Department at 401 Broadway #102, Gary, IN 46402, or the Lake County Health Department at 2900 W. 93rd Ave., Crown Point, IN 46307. Include the full name of the deceased, date of death, your name and address, your relationship, a copy of your photo ID, and payment by check or money order. Allow two to three weeks for processing. The Lake County vital records page lists current fees and accepted payment methods.

Online and phone orders go through VitalChek. VitalChek charges a service fee on top of the base certificate cost. Call (866) 601-0891 for phone orders at any hour. The line runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Gary Death Index Search Process

When you request a death record, staff search the Gary death index for a match. Under IC 16-37-1-11, search fees in Indiana are not refundable. You pay for the search. If a record is found, one certified copy comes with the fee. If no match comes up, you still owe the full amount. This is state law and applies at both the city and county level.

Lake County death records go back to 1882. Gary was founded in 1906, so the city's own records start from that era. For deaths in the Gary area before 1906, you would look under whatever community name was used at the time. The state began collecting death records in 1900. County-level records from 1882 to 1899 are only available through the county office.

The Indiana Department of Health death information page shown above provides statewide details on death certificate services and ordering options.

Death Certificate Eligibility in Gary

Under IC 16-37-1-10, Indiana law limits who can receive a certified death certificate. Both the Gary and Lake County offices check your ID and relationship before releasing any copy. You must have a direct connection to the deceased.

People who can request a certified copy include parents, grandparents, siblings age 18 and older, adult children and grandchildren, the current spouse, aunts, uncles, attorneys, and court-appointed guardians. One primary photo ID is required. A driver's license, passport, or state ID works. You also need two secondary documents like a Social Security card, voter registration card, or vehicle registration. Expired IDs are not accepted.

Genealogy and Gary Death Records

Gary has a unique history that makes its death index especially useful for certain types of genealogy research. The city grew rapidly in the early 1900s, drawing workers from across the country and overseas. Death records from that period often list birthplaces, parents' names, and occupations, providing clues for tracing family lines. The Lake County death index covers all deaths in the county from 1882 forward, giving researchers a broad window into the area's past.

For genealogy access, the person on the record must have been dead for at least 75 years. You need proof of death to make the request. The Indiana State Library at 315 W. Ohio Street in Indianapolis holds over 40,000 genealogy items. Call 317-232-3689 for research assistance. Indiana's electronic death registration system under IC 16-37-1-3.1 has made newer records easier to find and process.

State Death Index Resources

The Indiana Department of Health also holds Gary death records from 1900 forward. The state fee is $8.00 per search with $4.00 for each additional copy in the same order. The state order page has forms and instructions. State Form 49606 is the mail-in application. Send to P.O. Box 7125, Indianapolis, IN 46206-7125. Processing takes 10 to 15 business days after they receive your request. The state does not offer walk-in service.

Under Indiana's public records act (IC 5-14-3), the public has broad access to government records. Death certificates carry specific eligibility rules. Visit the Lake County page for more on the county office that also serves Gary.

Nearby Cities

Several cities near Gary also have death records managed by the Lake County Health Department or other nearby county offices. If you need records from a neighboring city, check the links below.