Access Kokomo Death Index

Kokomo death index records are managed by the Howard County Health Department. Kokomo is the county seat of Howard County in north-central Indiana. All death certificates for people who died in Kokomo are filed with the county health department. This page covers how to search the Kokomo death index, where to request certified copies, and the steps to order records by mail, in person, or by phone. The county office is the primary source for these records in the Kokomo area.

Kokomo Death Records Office

The Howard County Health Department handles death records for Kokomo and the rest of Howard County. Their office is at 120 E. Mulberry St., Kokomo, IN 46901. Call (765) 456-2403, Option 2 for the vital records line. Kokomo is the county seat, so the office is right in the city. Walk-in service is available during business hours and is the fastest way to get a Kokomo death certificate.

When you walk in, bring a valid photo ID and the name and date of death of the person whose record you need. Staff will search the Howard County death index and produce a certified copy if the record exists. Most walk-in requests are done the same day. The office handles a steady flow of requests, but wait times are usually short compared to larger counties. Call ahead to make sure the office is open that day.

The Howard County health department also takes questions by phone. If you are not sure whether a death was filed in Howard County, staff can check for you over the phone. They cannot release records by phone, but they can tell you if a record is on file and walk you through the next steps.

How to Get Kokomo Death Certificates

Walk-in, mail, and online orders are all available for Kokomo death certificates. Each method has a different timeline and cost.

For mail orders, send a written request to the Howard County Health Department at 120 E. Mulberry St., Kokomo, IN 46901. Include the deceased person's full name, date of death, your name, mailing address, relationship to the deceased, and a copy of your photo ID. Attach a check or money order for the fee payable to the Howard County Health Department. Allow two to three weeks for mail processing and delivery. If the record is not found, the search fee still applies.

Online and phone orders go through VitalChek. This third-party vendor handles orders for many Indiana counties. VitalChek charges its own fee on top of the base cost. Call (866) 601-0891 for phone orders at any hour. Online orders can be placed through the VitalChek website any time of day.

The screenshot above shows the Indiana Department of Health order page with statewide options for ordering death certificates, which also applies to Kokomo records.

Kokomo Death Index Search Process

When you request a Kokomo death record, staff searches the Howard County death index. Under IC 16-37-1-11, search fees are not refundable in Indiana. You pay for the search, not the copy. If the record is found, one certified copy comes with the fee. If nothing turns up, you still owe the full amount. This rule is set by the state and applies to every county in Indiana.

Howard County death records date back to 1882. The state started collecting death records in 1900. For deaths in the Kokomo area between 1882 and 1899, the county health department is the only place to look. The death index holds records for everyone who died in Howard County, whether they lived there or were just passing through at the time of death.

Eligibility for Kokomo Death Records

Under IC 16-37-1-10, only certain people can receive a certified death certificate in Indiana. The Howard County office checks your ID and connection to the deceased before they release a record. You need a direct relationship.

People who qualify include parents, grandparents, siblings age 18 and up, adult children and grandchildren, the surviving spouse, aunts, uncles, attorneys, and court-appointed guardians. Bring one primary photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, or state ID. You also need two secondary documents. A signed Social Security card, voter registration, or current vehicle registration counts as secondary. Do not bring expired IDs. Indiana vital records offices reject them.

Kokomo Genealogy Death Records

Kokomo death records from 1882 forward make the Howard County death index a useful tool for family history. Older certificates can include the birthplace of the deceased, parents' names, and occupation. These are key details for genealogy work. The 75-year rule applies for genealogy access. The person on the record must have been dead for at least 75 years, and you need proof of death.

The Indiana State Library at 315 W. Ohio Street in Indianapolis has a genealogy collection with over 40,000 items. Their holdings include death indexes from counties across the state, cemetery transcriptions, and compiled family histories. Call 317-232-3689 for research help. Indiana's electronic death registration system under IC 16-37-1-3.1 makes newer filings quicker to locate.

Note: Genealogy records have different eligibility rules and fees than certified copies for legal purposes.

State Resources for Kokomo

The Indiana Department of Health holds Kokomo death records from 1900 forward. The state charges $8.00 per search and $4.00 for each additional copy. The state order page has forms and instructions. Use State Form 49606 for mail orders. Send to IDOH, P.O. Box 7125, Indianapolis, IN 46206-7125. The phone number is (317) 233-2700.

Under IC 5-14-3, Indiana's public records act supports broad public access to government records, though death certificates carry specific eligibility rules. For more details on the county level, see the Howard County death index page.

Nearby Cities

Cities near Kokomo have their own county health departments that manage death records. If you need a record from one of these locations, follow the links below.